remain idle; but oh! Mr. Jones, I cannot let him go
down into that awful mine again. It has nearly killed him; and I am sure
I could not survive another such experience."

"I don't blame you for feeling as you do," said the young man, "and I
think perhaps some other arrangement can be made. One reason for my
calling this morning was to ask if I might bring a gentleman to see you
who is greatly interested in Derrick, and desirous of making his
acquaintance. Are you willing that I should, and do you think Derrick is
strong enough to receive visitors?"

"Certainly I am," said Mrs. Sterling; and Derrick answered for himself
that he felt strong enough to see any number of gentlemen who were
interested in him.

So Mr. Jones left them, and shortly afterwards returned with Mr.
Halford, who soon won his way to the mother's heart by saying pleasant
things about her boy, and to Derrick's by thanking him for his kindness
to Mrs. Halford and Miss Nellie. He said that he had been especially
commissioned by his daughter to inquire concerning the welfare of her
bumping-mule, and was glad to hear from Derrick that that knowing animal
was rapidly recovering from his injuries.

The conversation was led on from one thing to another, until Mr. Halford
was satisfied that he had really found the family of whom he was in
search. Then he told them of the good-fortune in store for them,
provided they could prove their ownership of the little Bradford County
farm.

Trembling with excitement, Mrs. Sterling brought out a box full of her
husband's papers, among which was found a deed for the farm, and
receipts for taxes paid up to the time of his death.

Having satisfied himself of the correctness of these, Mr. Halford made
them the offer of which he had spoken to Mr. Jones the evening before.
Then he left them, saying he knew they would want some time to consider
his proposition, and that he would call the next day to learn their
decision.

After their visitors had gone, Derrick and his mother gazed wonderingly
at each other. Could it all be true? Were their days of poverty really
over? Was the overworked mother to have a release from the toil and the
bitter anxieties that made her look so thin and careworn? Were Derrick's
dreams of a college education and a profession about to be realized?

Long and earnestly they talked, but not as to what answer they should
give Mr. Halford. They had decided that almost before he left. They
talked with