“Oh, it’s no matter,” said Sam. “It’ll be pretty hard to get money out of him,” he thought to himself. “However, I guess I can manage him.”
This was likely to prove true. Joshua had got into dangerous company, and under the auspices of Sam Crawford the fund of money, which he considered as so large, was not likely to last long. Could his father have looked in upon him, and realized the manner in which the money he had scraped together was likely to be expended, he would have been angry and horror-stricken. But up to this moment he did not suspect the double loss he had incurred.
Let us return to Stapleton for a moment, and look in upon the home which Joshua had deserted.
When the supper table was spread Mr. Drummond came in from the store.
“Where is Joshua?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” said his wife, anxiously. “He wasn’t here to dinner. I hope he hasn’t gone out on the pond and got drowned.”
“No fear,” said her husband, philosophically. “He’s got a sullen fit and wandered off somewhere. He’ll be back some time this evening.”
“I wish I was sure nothing had happened to him,” said Mrs. Drummond.
“I’ll risk him. His being away won’t spoil my appetite,” said the father, rather contemptuously.
“I don’t think you treat him just right, Jacob,” said Mrs. Drummond; “he’s been looking down for some days.”