“Then go to see him at once. Tell him I don’t want him to work for nothing. I will pay him well for his services, and buy him all the sticks he needs to flog you when you require it.”
“That doesn’t frighten me,” said Harry, smiling.
“You will wonder how I became so rich,” said Mr. Wilkins, after a pause. “I will tell you. Ten years ago I befriended a young man, and furnished him the means to go to California. There he prospered, and became very rich. A year since he returned, on a visit, and, to my amazement, insisted upon my accepting seventy thousand dollars as a free gift. This, added to the little property I already had, made me worth rather over seventy-five thousand dollars. Recently, feeling lonely, I came East, intending, if my relatives here received me kindly, to make my home with them, and make Philip Ross my heir. You know how my expectations were disappointed. It was a grief to me, but it is all right now. I look upon you and your mother as relatives, and I intend to treat you as such, and, in return, I know you will provide me with a happy home during my few remaining years.”
It is needless to say what hearty assurances Uncle Obed received that his happiness would be consulted, and secured, so far as Harry and his mother were able to effect it.
The next day Uncle Obed, accompanied by Harry, went to the city, and returned the owner of the Carrington estate.
The Gilberts immediately began to make arrangements for moving into the new house. No sooner did Colonel Ross and his family receive a hint of what was going on than in amazement Mrs. Ross called at the little cottage, where she found all in confusion.
“Is it true, Uncle Obed,” asked Mrs. Ross, abruptly, “that you are a rich man?”
“I believe so, Niece Lucinda,” answered the old man, meekly.
“I am so glad,” said Mrs. Ross, with suavity. “We all rejoice in your good fortune, dear uncle! And now, Uncle Obed, you must come over to our house at once. We will set aside the best room for you, and we will try to make you happy. This little house is not suitable for you.”
“So I thought, and for that reason I have bought the Carrington place.”