"Yes; but my income was only enough for myself."
"I suppose you were in love, then," said Tom.
"I don't mind saying that I was; confidentially, of course," said Mr. Peabody complacently.
"Was your love returned?"
"I may say it was. The young lady was the daughter of a merchant prince. I saw that she loved me, but her father would not consent to our union, on account of my limited means. I read in the Transcript of the gold discoveries in California. I determined to go out there, and try my fortune. If I am successful I will go home, and, with a bag of gold in each hand, demand the hand of Matilda from her haughty sire. When he asks me for my credentials, I will point to the gold, and say, 'Behold them here!'"
"If both your hands are full I don't see how you can point to the bags of gold," said Tom, who liked to tease the young Bostonian.
"There are a great many things you don't understand," said Mr. Peabody, irritably.
"He is right, Tom," said Ferguson, with a quiet smile.
"If you are both against me, I will give it up," said Tom. "All I can say is, I hope you'll get the two bags of gold, Mr. Peabody, and that you'll get the young lady, too."
Here Fletcher came up, and called upon Tom to assist in preparations for supper. Our hero readily complied with the request. Indeed, he always showed himself so obliging that he won the favorable regards of all.