Deer Seth:
"Sam Barney struck this town the other day, an' borrowed a dollar off er me. You know my folks stopped here on the way to Baltimore, an' I've been tryin' to earn a little money so's to see me threw. I'm in Philadelphy, an' Sam cum over here with a big stiff 'bout how you an' Bill Dean had cent him to hunt for Jip Collins. He was broke an' ced if I'd let him have money enuf to git home you or Bill would pay it back. It's been most a week sence he was here an' I ain't heard from you. Why don't you send the good dollar I put up to help you along. I'm livin' at 1451-1/2 Filbert Street an' want my stuff.
"Yours till deth shal part us,
"Joe Carter."
"So the letter is for you, even though you never received one before?" Mr. Fernald quietly remarked as Seth, having read the lines after considerable difficulty, refolded the paper and returned it to the envelope.
"Yes, sir, an' it's from a feller in Philadelphy. I don't reckon you know who Jip Collins is; but this has got somethin' to do with his business."
As he spoke Seth unfolded the paper and handed it to his instructor, who, after deciphering it, quite naturally asked for an explanation.
"If you owe this boy money, send it to him at once, for people who do not pay their bills are in bad odor up here."
"I never borrowed a cent of him," Seth cried indignantly, and then he told Mr. Fernald the whole story.
The old instructor appeared to be amused by the recital, and when it was concluded asked if Seth wanted leave of absence to straighten the matter out.