This statement suggested many possibilities to the mother and son; and, in their discussion, the second letter was forgotten until, in Fred's moving, it dropped to the floor.
Their attention thus recalled to it, Mrs. Markham bade him open it.
"Why, it's from Clothespin," the boy exclaimed, as he turned to the signature. "And he's enclosed a check," he continued, turning to the last page and discovering the substitute for money.
"Mercy me! What for? Do read what he says," urged Mrs. Markham.
"Dear Cotton-Top," he began, "I'm mighty glad you won out. I asked Mr. Vining, and he told me before I left. Upon my arrival home, I found father ready to take a business trip to Boston, and persuaded him to let me go with him. But he is busy all day, and I'm lonesome—so he asked if there were any of my schoolmates I should like to have visit me. I told him you were the only boy I cared about, and he asked me to send you this check and invite you to come down—you know he has been interested in you ever since I wrote him after my arrival at Baxter how kind you were to me when all the others made fun of me.
"Please come, Fred. Telegraph me what train you will take, and I will meet you at the station. Expectantly,
Clothespin."
"Oh, Fred! Isn't that fine. I've hated to take the money you earned and not give you some pleasure in return. And now this opportunity has come. I'm so thankful. Why, the check is for fifty dollars. That will buy you a new suit of clothes, and leave you enough for your fare down and back."
The prospect of a trip to Boston was, indeed, enticing to the boy, yet he hesitated about saying so.
"I wonder if I couldn't send the money to father instead of going?" he asked.