“How much did that come to?” asked Joshua, who was not strong in mathematics.
“Four hundred dollars.”
“Then I was cheated out of a hundred and fifty,” said Joshua, disappointed.
“It couldn’t be helped. You’d rather have four hundred dollars than nothing, I suppose.”
“Yes, of course; but the man was a swindler.”
“Of course he was,” said Sam, cheerfully. “I’d like to kick him myself; but I’ll tell you what, Joshua, you may think yourself lucky to get off as well as you have. Nobody can prove that you took the money, but the bond could be proved against you, as your father no doubt remembers the number of it. Didn’t I do right to sell, or would you rather have had me bring back the bond?”
“I am glad you sold it, only a feller doesn’t like to be cheated.”
“I shouldn’t wonder if the old man thought that way, when he found the bond was gone,” said Sam, slyly.
“You needn’t speak of that!” said Joshua, irritably. “When would you advise me to start for the West?”
“To-morrow. The fact is, the old man is liable to be after you with a sharp stick any day, and the sooner you get out of his reach the better. I’ll go round with you to-night, and inquire the price of tickets. You’d better buy a ticket for Chicago.”