The parties to whom Joe and his partner sold their claim were responsible men who had been fortunate in mining and had a bank-account in San Francisco.
“We’ll give you an order on our banker,” they proposed.
“That will suit me better than money down,” said Joe. “I shall start for San Francisco to-morrow, having other business there that I need to look after.”
“I’ll go too, Joe,” said Joshua. “With my share of the purchase-money and the nugget, I’m worth, nigh on to five thousand dollars. What will dad say?”
“And what will Susan Smith say?” queried Joe.
Joshua grinned.
“I guess she’ll say she’s ready to change her name to Bickford,” said he.
“You must send me some of the cake, Mr. Bickford.”
“Just wait, Joe. The thing ain’t got to that yet. I tell you, Joe, I shall be somebody when I get home to Pumpkin Hollow with that pile of money. The boys’ll begin to look up to me then. I can’t hardly believe it’s all true. Maybe I’m dreamin’ it. Jest pinch my arm, will you?”
Joe complied with his request.