uld you object to my giving Aunt
Jane a part of the money?"

"Yes, I shall object."

Ben's countenance fell.

"But, Uncle Matthew," he said, "I don't like to live in luxury, while
Aunt Jane is straitened."

"Your feelings do you credit, my boy; but I mean to take care of
your Aunt Jane myself. She is my niece, and you--I am not sure
whether you are related to me at all, but I want you to call me
Uncle Matthew all the same."

"I shall like to, sir. No uncle could be kinder."

"That is well," said the old gentleman. "You know, Ben, I have
no one else to care for. Now, do you think your Aunt Jane will
be willing to move to Boston?"

"I am sure she will like it."

"Then I shall hire or buy a comfortable house, install her as
mistress, require you to live with me while you are attending
school, and tyrannize over you all."

There was a bright smile on the old man's face. He was looking
forward to the new life with anticipations of a happiness and comfort
which had long been strangers to him.

"How happy we shall all be, Uncle Matthew! Even Aunt Jane will
forget to look on the dark side."

"I hope so, Ben. I think we can be happy together."

"There is one thing I forgot to tell you," he said later. "I shall
expect you to pay your board out of your income, you know. If
you fail to make regular payments, we shall have to bundle you
out."

"I will remember," said Ben, smiling.

By arrangement Ben went up to Milltown alone to tell his aunt
the news. He entered the little house with a sober face.

"I see you bring bad news, Benjamin," said Mrs. Bradford
mournfully.

"You will have to leave the house, Aunt Jane."

"And go to the poorhouse! I knew it would turn out that way," and
Mrs. Bradford put her handkerchief to her eyes.

"What's the matter?" asked Tony.

"My poor child," said his mother, "we are going to the poorhouse."

"Is that so, Ben?" asked Tony soberly.

Ben shouted with laughter. He could not hold back the truth.

"Aunt Jane," he said, "you always will anticipate the worst. Why
don't you wait and hope?"

"What is the use, Benjamin?"

"Because it makes us happier, and often brings good fortune. Aunt
Jane, you see before you a rich man."

"You're only a boy," said Tony. "You ain't a man at all."

"My income is a thousand dollars a year!"

"Is it possible, Benjamin?" ejaculated Mrs. Bradford, in amazement.

"It is more than that; it's true. You are coming to Boston to