FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   >>  
e ex-train boy. Robert Ferguson stared at Fred in amazement and incredulity. "Don't play any of your practical jokes on me!" he said sternly. "I don't intend to, sir. We gave Mr. Sloan a power of attorney, and he sold it for us." "He _says_ he did!" sneered Ferguson. "You will never get the money." "Excuse me, Mr. Ferguson. We have received the money already." "When?" gasped the merchant. "Two days ago." The face of Robert Ferguson was a study. Disappointed cupidity succeeded his first incredulity. He began to consider that he must convince Fred that he had acted in good faith. With an effort he smoothed down his face and conjured up a smile. "You quite take my breath away," he said. "I can hardly believe that the land which I thought worthless should have realized such a sum. Have any mines been discovered on them?" "No, sir; but a village has sprung up in the immediate neighborhood." "I am heartily glad of it. Tell your mother so. How could I have been so deceived? By the way, it will be best for you to put the money in the hands of some responsible person to take care of for you. As a near relative I shall be glad to invest the amount for you safely along with my own." "Thank you, sir, but we have already invested it." Mr. Ferguson frowned. "I predict that you will lose half of it," he said. "I don't think so. I had advice in the investment." "Who advised you?" "John Wainwright, the banker." "Do you know him?" "Yes; he is my employer." "I believe I remember that Raymond told me so. Of course he is a good adviser. How much does he pay you?" "Twenty-five dollars a week." "Do you take me for a fool?" demanded Ferguson angrily. "No, sir; and you have no right to take me for a liar," answered Fred, firmly. "But such a salary for a boy of sixteen is ridiculous!" "It does seem so; but Mr. Wainwright sent me to Canada to recover over ten thousand dollars' worth of stolen bonds, and I succeeded in bringing them back." Slowly it dawned upon Mr. Ferguson that the youth before him was not only a favorite of fortune, out a remarkably smart boy. He was evidently on the rise. Would it not be politic to take notice of him? "Fred," he said with sudden friendliness, "I am pleased to hear of your good fortune. You have done credit to the family. We ought to be more intimate. In proof of my desire for closer relations I shall send cards to you and your mother for my Daughter
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   115   116   117   118   119   120   121   122   123   124   125   >>  



Top keywords:
Ferguson
 

succeeded

 

mother

 

Wainwright

 

dollars

 
fortune
 
Robert
 

incredulity

 
demanded
 

angrily


Twenty

 

ridiculous

 
sixteen
 

salary

 
answered
 

firmly

 
amazement
 
advice
 

banker

 

advised


investment

 

stared

 

employer

 

adviser

 

remember

 

Raymond

 

recover

 

credit

 

family

 

pleased


friendliness

 
politic
 

notice

 

sudden

 

relations

 
Daughter
 

closer

 
desire
 

intimate

 
evidently

bringing
 

Slowly

 
stolen
 
thousand
 

dawned

 

remarkably

 
favorite
 

Canada

 
invested
 

breath