He at once carried it to Mr. Wainwright, and invested it in securities recommended by that gentleman.

 

"I congratulate you heartily, Fred," said the banker. "I didn't know that I was taking into my employ a young man of fortune."

 

"It has come upon me so suddenly that I can't realize it myself."

 

"I consider you worthy of your good luck, my boy. You ought to save up money out of your wages."

 

"I intend to sir, but I am going to give my mother a better home now that I can afford it, and will see that my little brother has a better education than I have had."

 

"It is not too late to supply the deficiency in your own case. You cannot do better than join the evening classes of the Young Men's Christian Association, and do what you can to improve yourself."

 

"I will follow your advice, Mr. Wainwright. Now that I am no longer anxious about money matters, I want to qualify myself for a better social position."

 

Only two days after the receipt of the money from Colorado, another letter, as unexpected as Mr. Sloan's, reached Mrs. Fenton. The substance of it was comprised in the closing paragraph "Send your son round to my house this evening I am prepared to make you a better offer for the Colorado laud. It's of little value, but some day may be worth more than at present. As you are straitened in means I can better afford to wait than you, and I shall feel satisfaction in relieving your necessities."

 

Fred read this letter attentively. "I hate a hypocrite," he said. "Mr. Ferguson pretends that he wants to help us, while he is scheming to cheat us out of a large sum, relying upon our ignorance of the increased value of the land."

 

"Shall I write and tell him that we have sold the land?" asked Mrs. Fenton.

 

"No, I will call and see him this evening, as he requests."

 

"But it will do no good."

 

"I want to find out how much he is willing to give. I shan't let him know that the land is sold till he has made an offer."

 

"Don't say anything to provoke Cousin Ferguson, Fred."

 

"Don't worry, mother. I will be perfectly respectful."

 

About half-past seven Fred rang the bell at the door of the house on East Thirty-Ninth Street. Evidently he was expected, for, on his inquiring for Mr. Ferguson, he was shown at once into the presence of his rich relation.

 

"Good evening, Frederick," said Mr. Ferguson, With unusual graciousness. "How is your mother?"

 

"Very well, thank you, sir."

 

"I hope you are getting along comfortably."

 

"Yes, sir; we have no right to complain."

 

"That is well," said Mr. Ferguson condescendingly. "I presume the boy is making five dollars a week or some such matter," he soliloquized. "That is very well for a boy like him."

 

"I made you an offer for your father's land in Colorado a few months ago," h............