Facing the World | Page 9

see what Harry was doing. He saw our hero digging at a particular spot, and concluded that he was going to hide the fifteen dollars there. What was his surprise and delight when he saw him dig up and expose to view a large roll of bills.
"Oh, cracky!" ejaculated Joel, "there must be a hundred dollars in that roll of bills. Wouldn't dad open his eyes if he saw it?"
Unconscious of observation, Harry held the money in his hand and deliberated. Then he put it in his pocket, resolved to think over at his leisure its ultimate place of deposit.
Now, unfortunately for Joel, just at this moment he slipped from his perch on the branch of a small tree, and for about half a minute what Harry did was concealed from him. He clambered into the tree again, but only to see Harry filling up the hole again.
He didn't want Harry to catch sight of him when he descended from the hill, and accordingly scuttled away sufficiently far to escape suspicion, yet not too far to entirely lose sight of Harry's movements.
Five minutes later Harry descended from the hill, and bent his steps toward that part of the railway where the accident had occurred. Joel, who had hastened away in a different direction, went back to the hill as soon as he thought it would be safe, and eagerly ascended it. He found without difficulty the spot where Harry had been digging. With the help of a fragment of wood which he had picked up below, he in turn began to dig--his eyes glistening with expectation and cupidity.
He kept digging, but gradually became anxious, as the expected treasure did not show itself.
"I'm sure I have dug deep enough," he said to himself.
"He must have took the money when I fell from the tree," thought Joel, crestfallen. "He's served me a mean trick. Won't I tell dad, though, and get him into trouble? Oh, no!"
Meanwhile Harry, not knowing how narrowly he had escaped being robbed, pursued his way to the railway.
"If I were only in my old home," he thought, "I would ask Mr. Howard to take care of it for me. Then I should know it was all right."
He thought of the president of the railroad, to whom he was principally indebted for the money.
"If I could only see him," he thought, "I would ask him to take care of it for me."
What was his surprise, when, on reaching the depot, the first person on whom his eyes fell was the very gentleman of whom he was thinking.
"How do you do, sir?" said Harry, politely.
"Ah, my young friend that saved the train!" said the president cordially. "I hope you haven't spent the money you received on riotous living."
"No. Will you take care of it for me? I don't want to spend it, and I am afraid of losing it."
"Well, my boy, if you really desire it, I will take the money."
"I shall regard it as a very great favor."
No sooner said than done. They went into the depot and Harry, counting out two hundred and fifty dollars, passed it over to the president.
He made out a brief receipt, signing it, "Thomas Conway, President of the Craven County Railroad," and Harry pocketed it with a feeling of relief.
While he was standing in front of the depot waiting for the arrival of the eight-thirty train, Joel came up.
"Goin' a-travelin'?" asked Joel, with a grin.
"Not this morning."
"I wish I had a hundred dollars!" continued Joel, surveying Harry sharply. "I'd make a journey out West. Say, Harry, did you ever have a hundred dollars in your pocket?"
"Yes."
"Maybe you've got it now?"
"Where should I get it?" demanded Harry.
"I do'no. Jest empty your pockets, and le'me see how much you've got."
"Thank you; I don't see any use in it," said Harry.
"You dassent!"
"Very well! Call it that."
"Joel's been spying on me. He must have seen me on the hill," concluded Harry. "It's well I gave most of my money to Mr. Conway."

CHAPTER V
MR. FOX LEARNS HARRY'S SECRET
Harry had acted none too soon. It happened that his secret had been discovered not only by Joel, but by Joel's father, that very morning.
About ten o'clock Mr. Fox had occasion to go to the village. In the post office he met an acquaintance from a neighboring town, with whom he passed the usual compliments.
"By the way, Fox," said his friend, "I had a narrow escape the other day."
"What was it, Pearson?"
"Came near being smashed up on the railroad. There would have been an end to us, but for a brave boy, who signaled the train in time."
"That boy was my ward," said John Fox, complacently.
"You don't say so! Well, he was a lucky chap."
"I don't think so. He didn't get much for his bravery."
"I don't see how you can say