A Cousin's Conspiracy: or, A Boy's Struggle for an Inheritance

“Did you come here to expose him?”

“No; I didn’t know he was here. I was very much taken by surprise when I saw him in the store.”

“This is important, if true. Mr. Ames ought to be informed.”

“Don’t tell him while I am here. The boy is very revengeful, and he might try to do me an injury.”

“Are you afraid of a boy?”

“I am a man of peace. I don’t want to get into any difficulty.”

“I suppose you wonder that I am sitting here while others are at work.”

“Well, it did cross my mind.”

“My spine is affected. I look well, but I cannot walk. I hope to be better after a while, but at present I am comparatively helpless.”

“Can’t I help you?”

“You may go into the cabin, and bring me a bottle of medicine which you will find in the cupboard.”

Burns entered the cabin gladly. It occurred to him that he might find something worth taking.

On the wall, hanging from a nail, was a gold watch. It was too good a chance to be lost. It might or it might not be valuable, but at any rate it was worth something.

So, while securing the bottle, Burns slyly possessed himself of the watch, which he slipped into his inside breast pocket.

“Here is the bottle, sir,” he said, meekly.

“Thank you. Now bring a spoon which you will find on the table.”

Burns did so.

“Now pour out a teaspoonful, which I will take.”

“I am glad to be of service to you. Don’t you want an attendant while you are sick?”

“There would not be enough for you to do. I have a son at work in the mines who is here morning and night, and he gives me all the care I require.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” thought Burns. “The son may be dangerous.”

“Then, sir, I will bid you good-by. I will pray for your recovery.”

“Thank you. The prayers of the righteous avail much. Are you righteous?”

“It isn’t for me to say, sir. I don’t want to boast.”

“That is creditable to you. By the way, are you hungry?”

“I haven’t broken my fast since morning.”

“You will find some cold meat and a loaf of bread in the cupboard. It is plain, but if you are hungry you will enjoy it.”

“Thank you, sir. I will accept your kind invitation.”

Tom Burns was really hungry, and he did justice to the food offered him.

When his lunch was over he came outside.

“Thank you,” he said, “for your kindness.”

“Out here we are always glad to give a meal of victuals to a stranger who needs it. Are you going to stay long in Oreville?”

“If I can get anything to do I may. You see I am a poor man, and stand in pressing need of employment.”

“Keep up your courage! Something will turn up for you. I will ask my son if he cannot find something for you to do.”

“Thank you, sir. I will bid you good-by, with thanks for your kindness.”

“If you are not pressed for time, I will send you on an errand.”

“All right, sir. I shall be glad to be of service to you.”

“Here is a Mexican dollar. You may go to the store and bring me a dozen eggs. If there is any change you may keep it.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“A dollar in!” thought Burns, as he turned away from the cabin. “I think I can turn it to a better use than spending it in eggs. That was a profitable call. I made a gold watch and a dollar by it. The old man can’t pursue me, thanks to his spinal complaint.”

“That is a very clever fellow,” reflected the old man, when Burns had started on his errand. “A bit too religious to suit my taste. Still he seemed grateful for the little I did for him. If he had a little more push and get up and get about him he would succeed better. Why, he isn’t more than forty and he confesses himself a failure. Why, at forty I considered myself a young man, and was full of dash and enterprise. Now I am sixty and tied to my seat by this spinal trouble. However, I’ve got something laid by, and, old as I am, I feel independent as far as money goes.”

Half an hour – an hour – passed, and still the old man found himself alone. His messenger had not come back.

But there came up the path a tall, muscular figure, who greeted the old man in a bluff, off-hand way.

“How are you, Luke?” said the old man. “I was feeling lonely. I am glad to see you.”

“Have you been alone since morning?”

“Not quite all the time. I had quite a long call from a stranger.”

“A stranger!” repeated Luke suspiciously. “What was his appearance?”

The old man described Burns, and Luke knew him at once.

“What did he say to you?”

“That reminds me – he said he knew the boy whom Horace has put in the store – young Ray.”