spered in your worldly affairs."

"Yes, I have every reason to be thankful. I suppose I am worth two
hundred thousand dollars."

Stephen Watson, whose god was money, almost turned green with jealousy.
At the same time he asked himself how he could take advantage of his old
schoolmate's good luck.

"I wish he would take a fancy to my Ralph," he thought.

So he called in Ralph, and introduced him to the rich stranger.

"He's a good boy, my Ralph," he said; "sober and correct in all his
habits, and fond of study."

Ralph was rather surprised to hear this panegyric, but presently his
father explained to him in private the object he had in view. Then Ralph
made himself as agreeable as he could, but he failed to please Mr.
Miller.

"He is too much like his father," he said to himself.

When he terminated his call, he received a very cordial invitation to
come again on his return from California.

"If Kit has returned I certainly will come," he replied, an answer which
pleased neither Ralph nor his father.

CHAPTER XX.

A CHAT WITH A CANDY BUTCHER.

Kit had a berth assigned him in one of the circus cars. His nearest
neighbor was Harry Thorne, a young man of twenty-four, who filled the
position of candy butcher. As this term may sound strange to my readers,
I will explain that it is applied to the venders of candy, lemonade,
peanuts, and other articles such as are patronized by those who come to
see the show. It is really a very profitable business, as will be
explained in the course of the story.

Harry Thorne was social and ready to give Kit any information about the
circus.

"How long is it since you joined a circus?" asked Kit, after getting
acquainted.

"I was younger than you," answered Thorne.

"Why did you join? What gave you the idea?"

"A spirit of adventure, I think. Besides, there was a large family of
us--I am the oldest--and it was necessary for me to do something."

"That's a queer name--candy butcher."

"It seems so to you, but I am used to it."

"Did you become a candy butcher at once?"

"Not till I was eighteen. Before that I ran errands and made myself
generally useful. I thought of being an acrobat, like you, but I was too
stout and not active enough."

"I shouldn't think there would be much money made in your business,"
said Kit.

"That shows you don't know much about circus matters. Last fall I ran in
with seven hundred dollars saved, besides paying all my expenses du