“But if Sam reconsiders his resignation?”
“He can’t,” rejoined the manager. “He’s out for good.”
Joe could hardly wait to get home and tell the good news. He fairly raced into the house, but he stopped short at the sight of his father and mother in the dining room. They were seated at the table and a look of anxiety was on their faces.
“What’s the matter?” gasped Joe, all his joy in the victory and his new position leaving him as he looked at his parents. On the table between them lay a number of papers.
“I’ve been served with a summons from the court,” said Mr. Matson slowly. “It’s a move on the part of Benjamin and Holdney. The court has taken my patent models and documents away from me, and I may lose everything. It’s hard, just as I was about to succeed—very hard.”
“And you may lose everything, dad?” asked Joe huskily.
“Yes—everything son—I may have to start all over again. I’m out of the harvester works now.”
For a moment one disappointing thought came to Joe. He would not be able to go to a boarding school as he had hoped. Then the look of trouble on his father’s face drove all other thoughts from his mind.
“Don’t you care, dad!” he exclaimed stepping close to him. “You can beat those fellows yet. We whipped the Blues to-day, and I’m the regular pitcher for the Stars!”