“Then you have a right to do as you please. You don’t want me to buy the papers from him, do you?”
“No! no! You give the money to me!” cried Josiah Graham, in alarm. “He don’t know the vally of a dollar, an’ I do. If he had thet three hundred dollars he’d squander it in no time.”
“Very well, give me the papers and I’ll write you out a check.”
“Can’t you give me cash? It ain’t no easy matter fer me to git a check cashed up here.” Josiah Graham did not add that he was afraid the check might be worthless, although that was in his mind.
“I don’t carry three hundred dollars in my clothes. I can give you fifty in cash though,” went on the real estate agent, as he saw the old man’s face fall. “And if you wish, I’ll get one of the lumber bosses up here to vouch for the check.”
“Humph! I suppose thet will have to do then. But—er—one thing more, Mr. Hopton——”
“What is that?”
Josiah Graham leaned forward anxiously.
“Don’t you let the boy know about this right away. You give me a chanct to tell him myself.”
“Just as you wish. You’re his guardian, and I’ll not interfere with you. Get the papers and I’ll give you the check and the cash right now.” And the real estate agent drew a pocketbook and a checkbook from his inside coat.