“I can hardly realize that I am worth so much money,” said Harry, as he took the package and put it into his inside coat pocket.
“Have you a watch?” asked Mr. Wheeler.
“No, sir,” replied Harry, in surprise.
“I thought not; and I, therefore, ask you to accept one as a gift, not from my client, but from me.”
He produced a handsome silver watch, manufactured at Waltham, with a silver chain attached.
Now, Harry had long wanted a watch, but the prospect of obtaining one before he was of age had seemed very remote. At the moment, I think, the present of the watch gratified him as much as that of the bonds, though the latter were ten times as valuable.
“It is beautiful,” he said; “but, Mr. Wheeler, why should you give me a present? The bonds were not yours.”
“That is true, but they were under my charge, and I should have been seriously troubled had they not been recovered. Take the watch, my boy, and I hope it will please you as much to receive it as it does me to give it.”
“Thank you, sir,” said Harry, warmly. “It seems to me there is no end to my good fortune.”
“Continue to deserve it, my boy, and I think it will continue. I must bid you good-morning now, as I have another appointment.”