“But you havn’t answered my question, Davis. What say you?”
“Oh, sir, if you are really in earnest?”
“I am in earnest. Ned ought to go to school. If you can keep him home a few years longer I will pay for his education during the time. Ned”—Mr. Winslow spoke to the boy—“what say you? Would you like to go to school again?”
“Yes, indeed, sir,” quickly answered the boy, while his bright young face was lit up with a gleam of intelligence.
“Then you shall go, my fine fellow. There’s the right kind of stuff in you, or I’m mistaken. We’ll give you a trial at any rate.”
Mr. Winslow was as good as his word. Ned was immediately entered at an excellent school. The boy, young as he was, appreciated the kind act of his benefactor, and resolved to profit by it to the full extent.
“I made an investment of ten dollars to-day,” said Mr. Winslow, jestingly to a mercantile friend, some three months after the occurrence just related took place, “and here’s the certificate.”
He held up a small slip of paper as he spoke.
“Ten dollars! A large operation. In what fund?”
“A charity fund.”