“Good-evenin’, Cap’n. So they tell me as ’twas you shot and killed that big b’ar?”
The speaker was an elderly man, in his shirt sleeves, and with a pipe in his mouth, who stepped into the porch and took a seat near Captain Raymond as he made the remark.
“I reckon now we’ll have to own that yer a better marksman than most o’ the fellers about these here diggin’s,” he added, puffing away at his pipe.
“That does not follow, by any means, Mr. Riggs,” returned the captain modestly. “I happened to get the best opportunity to aim at a vital part. That was all.”
“Well, now, I’ll say fer you that you don’t seem to be noways stuck up about it, an’ I’ve seen fellers as proud as a peacock over a smaller streak o’ luck (or maybe ’twas skill) than that. But you’re a lucky man, sir; nobody kin deny that, seein’ how this ere tract o’ land that they tell me ye bought for a mere trifle, has riz in value.”
“Yes, I have been very fortunate in that and many other things,” replied the captain, with a glance at his son and daughter, seated near, that seemed to include them among the blessings that had been granted him, “though wealth has sometimes proved a curse rather than a blessing to its owner.”
“It’s a curse as most folks is glad to git,” laughed the old man, “and I tell you I was wild with joy when it fell to my lot to come upon the biggest nugget as has ever been seen in these parts. I began life poor, and never had no eddication to speak of, but I’ve more money now than half the fellers that’s rubbed their backs agin’ a college.”
“But education has other uses than enabling a man to accumulate wealth. Also, there are things that contribute more to one’s happiness than money. How many millions do you suppose would tempt me to part with my son or daughter, for instance?” and with the question the captain turned his gaze upon his children, his eyes full of fatherly pride and affection.
“Well, Cap’n, I don’t s’pose you’d be for sellin’ of ’em fer no price,” returned the old man, with a grin. “They’re a likely lookin’ lot, and you’ve plenty o’ the evil fur them and yourself, too.”
Lulu, mistaking the old man’s meaning, shot an angry glance at him, moved nearer to her father, and slipped her hand into his.