ering balls, but it would not
be paid for three days, and meanwhile they were in an embarrassing
condition.

"What shall we do?" asked Mrs. Barton, with a troubled look. "If Uncle
Jacob were only here, I would ask his advice."

"He left a note to be opened if we got into trouble," said Bert,
brightening up.

"So he did. Do you think the time has come, Bert?"

"I have no doubt of it. Where is it, mother?"

"I put it in a bureau drawer in my room."

"Shall I go up and get it?"

"No; I will do so, as I know exactly where it is."

She went upstairs, and returned almost immediately with the letter in
her hand. Bert produced his knife and cut open the envelope at one end.
Then, drawing out the contents, he found them to be a half sheet of note
paper and a bank bill.

"It's a twenty-dollar bill, mother!" he exclaimed joyfully.

"Shall I read the note?"

"Yes, read it, Bert."

Bert read as follows:

MY DEAR NIECE: As I know your income is small, and you are
liable, in case of sickness or loss of employment to need help, I
put a twenty-dollar bill into this envelope, which I wish you to
use freely. Do not fear that it will inconvenience me to give it.
My health is good, and I hope to earn my living for years to come.

Your affectionate uncle,
JACOB MARLOWE.

"Dear Uncle Jacob," said the widow gratefully, "how good and kind he is.
With his small savings I don't feel that he can afford to be so
generous."

"I will pay him back some time, mother."

"You think then that we are justified in using it, Bert?"

"Uncle Jacob meant us to do so. Before it is gone I shall probably find
something to do, and then I may gradually be able to pay back the
money."

"In that case, Bert, I am afraid we must break into it to-morrow.
Probably Mr. Jones can change it for us."

So it happened the next evening that Bert, with the kerosene can in his
hand, went to the store, entering, as already described, just as Percy
left it with the bill which he had purloined on the impulse of the
moment.

"I would like two quarts of kerosene, Mr. Jones," said Bert, handing
over the can.

The proprietor went to one corner of the store to fill the can, and
brought it back.

"Please take your pay out of this," said Bert, handing him the
twenty-dollar bill.

Mr. Jones started in surprise, and his face darkened ominously. He
scanned the desk on which he remembered