ge, I should judge."

"That's Carl! he is a little older than me."

"Is he at home?"

"No," answered Peter, pursing up his lips.

"Is he absent at boarding school?"

"No; he's left home."

"Indeed!" ejaculated the stranger, in surprise. "How is that?"

"He was awfully hard to get along with, and didn't treat mother with
any respect. He wanted to have his own way, and, of course, ma couldn't
stand that."

"I see," returned the stranger, and he eyed Peter curiously. "What did
his father say to his leaving home?" he asked.

"Oh, he always does as ma wishes."

"Was Carl willing to leave home?"

"Yes; he said he would rather go than obey ma."

"I suppose he receives an allowance from his father?"

"No; he wanted one, but ma put her foot down and said he shouldn't have
one."

"Your mother seems to be a woman of considerable firmness."

"You bet, she's firm. She don't allow no boy to boss her."

"Really, this boy is a curiosity," said Reuben Ashcroft to himself. "He
doesn't excel in the amiable and attractive qualities. He has a sort of
brutal frankness which can't keep a secret."

"How did you and Carl get along together?" he asked, aloud.

"We didn't get along at all. He wanted to boss me, and ma and I wouldn't
have it."

"So the upshot was that he had to leave the house and you remained?"

"Yes, that's the way of it," said Peter, laughing.

"And Carl was actually sent out to earn his own living without help of
any kind from his father?"

"Yes."

"What is he doing?" asked Ashcroft, in some excitement. "Good heavens!
he may have suffered from hunger."

"Are you a friend of his?" asked Peter, sharply.

"I am a friend of anyone who requires a friend."

"Carl is getting along well enough. He is at work in some factory in
Milford, and gets a living."

"Hasn't he been back since he first left home?"

"No."

"How long ago is that?"

"Oh, 'bout a year," answered Peter, carelessly.

"How is Dr. Crawford? Is he in good health?"

"He ain't very well. Ma told me the other day she didn't think he would
live long. She got him to make a will the other day."

"Why, this seems to be a conspiracy!" thought Ashcroft. "I'd give
something to see that will."

"I suppose he will provide for you and your mother handsomely?"

"Yes; ma said she was to have control of the property. I guess Carl will
have to stand round if he expects any favors."

"It is evident this boy can't keep a secret," thought Ashc