"I tried to leave you well fixed, but it was not to be. The hotel will go to another. This is all I have for you."
She drew a little cedar box from under the covers, and opening it, showed him her Bible, the daguerreotype of his father and a later photograph of herself.
"Jim, promise me again that you will never touch tobacco or liquor till you are eighteen."
"Oh, mother, mother!" he wept. "I'll do anything you say. I'll promise. I give you my word I never will touch them."
She rested in silence, her hand was on his head. When her strength in a little measure came again, she said in a low tone:
"My wish was to see you educated, a minister for Christ. I hope it may yet be so."
She was still a long time; then, gently patting his head, she said to those around:
"Take him away. Wash him with salt and water."
Thus it came about that the hotel which had been Jim's only home and which he thought belonged to his mother, passed into the hands of John Downey, Jr., nephew of the original owner. It was Mrs. John Downey who offered the first ray of comfort in Jim's very bleak world. When she saw the tall handsome boy she put her arms around him and said: