The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"Thank you, Uncle Obed, for your favorable opinion. I hope I shalldeserve it."

"You're worth half a dozen boys like Philip Ross. I reckon he'll neveramount to much."

"He doesn't think so," said Harry, smiling. "He thinks himself a veryimportant character."

"Like enough! He looks like it. He doesn't care to own me as arelation."

"It would be different if you were rich, Uncle Obed."

"Mebbe so. I think so myself. Thank the Lord, I ain't beholden to him orhis family for any favors. They wanted to send me home to Illinoy. I wastoo unfashionable for them, I expect, but I've found a home – yes, I'vefound a good home."

"I am glad we succeeded in making it comfortable for you, Mr. Wilkins," said Mrs. Gilbert, looking up from her sewing.

"You do, ma'am," said the old man. "I ain't been so well taken care offor years as I am now. I wish I could do something to show mygratitude."

"The money you pay us is of great service. It makes the largest part ofour income. I am only afraid you pay too much."

"No, I don't," said Uncle Obed. "Money isn't of much vally, comparedwith a good home. If I ain't as rich as my niece, I can afford to payfair board. When a man's turned seventy, as I have, the best money cando for him is to give him a happy home."

Mrs. Gilbert and Harry were pleased to find their boarder so contented. The money he paid weekly, with unvarying punctuality, made things easyfor the widow, and relieved her of the anxiety which she had constantlyfelt before his arrival.

The conversation above recorded was scarcely over, when a knock washeard at the front door – a sharp, peremptory knock – as of one whodemanded admittance, rather than requested it.

All looked up, with some surprise, for it was now eight o'clock, andthey did not often have evening callers.

"I will go to the door, mother," said Harry. "You need not interruptyour sewing."

So Harry opened the outer door, and, considerably to his surprise, sawstanding on the step the dignified figure of Colonel Ross.

"Colonel Ross!" he exclaimed, in surprise.

"I will come in a few minutes," said the Colonel, stiffly.

"Certainly, sir. Excuse my not inviting you."

"It is very excusable – under the circumstances," said the Colonel, stiffly.

"What does he mean?" thought Harry. "I can't tell what circumstances herefers to."

"Mother," said he, opening the door of the sitting-room, "here is

Colonel Ross."

"Take a seat, Colonel Ross," said the widow, politely.

Colonel Ross seated himself deliberately in a chair near his wife'suncle.

"Glad to see you, Mr. Ross," said Uncle Obed, thinking the visit wasmeant for him. "You're very kind to look in on an old man."

"I – well, my visit this evening has a different object."

"Oh, come to see Mrs. Gilbert! Well, how's Lucinda?"

"Mrs. Ross is enjoying her usual health," said Colonel Ross, ceremoniously.

"Glad to hear it," said the old man. "She hasn't called on me yet, though I'm the only relation she's got within a thousand miles."

"Mrs. Ross is very much occupied," said her husband, coldly. "However, you will excuse me if I proceed to the object of my visit. I regret tosay that last evening the trunk in which I keep a part of my securitieswas opened, and two government bonds abstracted."

"You don't say so!" exclaimed Mr. Wilkins, really surprised. "When didit happen?"

"Sometime in the evening or night. The outer door was left unlocked, through the neglect of my son, Philip, who sat up later than his motheror myself. Unfortunately, I had myself carelessly left my bunch of keys, including the key to this trunk, on my desk, so that the thief found hiswork very easy."

"You and Philip were both careless. Have you got track of the rogue?"

"I think I have," answered Colonel Ross, in a significant tone.

"I'm glad on't. These fellows ought to be caught. I don't have muchsympathy for a thief."

"I am glad to hear you say so," said Colonel Ross.

"You didn't think I had, did you?" asked the old man, puzzled.

"I thought you might have, when you came to know who it was I suspect."

"I don't see as that will make any difference. Who is it?"

"My son, just before retiring, saw a person prowling round the house, and looking into the window. Doubtless, he saw the bunch of keys, andwas tempted to enter and steal the bonds."

"Have you arrested him?"

"Not yet; but probably I shall before long."

"Who is it, Colonel Ross?" asked Mrs. Gilbert, with interest.

"Madam," said the Colonel, slowly, "it pains me to say that the personseen prowling round my house, and looking in at my window, was your son, Harry!"

"Harry!" ejaculated the widow, scarcely thinking she had heard aright.

"It's ridiculous!" exclaimed Uncle Obed.

"Colonel Ross," said Harry, rising to his feet, and confronting thevisitor, with clear eyes and an expression of honest indignation, "doyou mean to say that you suspect me of stealing any of your property?"

"Young man, I advise you not to be impudent or brazen-faced. Do you meanto deny that you were near my house last evening between half-past nineand ten o'clock?"

"No, I don't. I did pass your house about that time."

"I am glad you have the sense to own it. You may as well confess therest – that you entered through the unlocked door, opened my small trunk, and took out two government bonds of a hundred dollars each."