“I am quite a man of leisure,” said Wheeler, “and it will give me great pleasure to go about with you and show you our city.”
“You are very obliging.”
“Oh, don’t mention it. I shall really be glad to have my time occupied. You see I am a man of means—my father left me a fortune—and so I am not engaged in any business.”
“You are in luck. I was brought up on a farm in Vermont, and had to borrow money to take me to Montana four years ago.”
“I hope you prospered in your new home?”
“I did. I picked up twenty five thousand dollars at the mines, and doubled it by investment in lots in Helena.”
“Very neat, indeed. I inherited a fortune from my father—a hundred and twenty five thousand dollars—but I never made a cent myself. I don’t know whether I am smart enough.”
“Come out to Montana and I’ll put you in a way of making some money.”
“Really, now, that suggestion strikes me favorably. I believe I will follow your advice. When shall you return to your Western home?”
“In about a fortnight I think.”