"Yes, the old man may be worth near five thousand dollars."
"Does he live alone?"
"Yes, quite alone."
"I suppose he was never married?"
"Don't you know?"
"No; he has never written East since he left us. It was only lately that we learned where he was. Then father thought I'd better come out here and look him up."
"I reckon he will be glad to see you."
"He ought to be; but I am a stranger to him."
"I haven't seen him round town lately. I guess he's under the weather."
Joe went back into the store, and Ralph Nixon made his way over the rough ground to the old cabin which had been pointed out to him.