"

"You don't say so."

"Yes; it was through a man who had charge of my property. I think now I
shall manage my money matters myself."

"Doubtless you are right. That was certainly a heavy loss. I shouldn't
like to lose so much. I suppose, however, you had something left?"

"Oh yes," answered Rodney in an indifferent tone.

"He must be rich to make so little account of fifty thousand dollars,"
thought the squire.

"How long do you propose to stay in town, Mr. Pettigrew?" he asked.

"I can't tell, sir, but I don't think I can spare more than three or
four days."

"May I hope that you and Mr. Ropes will take supper with me tomorrow
evening?"

"Say the next day and we'll come. Tomorrow I must go to my uncle's."

"Oh very well!"

Squire Sheldon privately resolved to pump Rodney as to the investment of
his property. He was curious to learn first how much the boy was worth,
for if there was anything that the squire worshiped it was wealth. He
was glad to find that Mr. Pettigrew had only brought home five hundred
dollars, as it was not enough to lift the mortgage on his uncle's farm.

After they were left alone Jefferson Pettigrew turned to Rodney and
said, "Do you mind my leaving you a short time and calling at my
uncle's?"

"Not at all, Mr. Pettigrew. I can pass my time very well."

Jefferson Pettigrew directed his steps to an old fashioned farmhouse
about half a mile from the village. In the rear the roof sloped down so
that the eaves were only five feet from the ground. The house was large
though the rooms were few in number.

In the sitting room sat an old man and his wife, who was nearly as
old. It was not a picture of cheerful old age, for each looked sad.
The sadness of old age is pathetic for there is an absence of hope,
and courage, such as younger people are apt to feel even when they are
weighed down by trouble.

Cyrus Hooper was seventy one, his wife two years younger. During the
greater part of their lives they had been well to do, if not prosperous,
but now their money was gone, and there was a mortgage on the old home
which they could not pay.

"I don't know whats goin' to become of us, Nancy," said Cyrus Hooper.
"We'll have to leave the old home, and when the farm's been sold there
won't be much left over and above the mortgage which Louis Sheldon
holds."

"Don't you think the squire will give you a little more time, Cyrus?"

"No; I saw him yesterday, and he's sot on buyin' in the farm