Five Hundred Dollars | Page 6

out in the open air a good deal."
"I hope he has. It is twenty-five years since he went to California. Does
he look as if he had prospered?"
"I am afraid he is poor, mother, for although his clothing is neat and
clean, it is plain and the cloth is faded?"
"I am sorry to hear that, but I will welcome him none the less warmly.
It will indeed seem like old times to have Uncle Jacob in my house."
Meanwhile Bert had been bringing in wood and doing chores for his
mother.
"Did Uncle Jacob tell you how long he intended to stay in Lakeville?"
"No, mother; I only had a short time to talk with him when Percy rode
by, and then he started to call on the squire. Do you know, mother, I am
rather surprised that he should have been so well received, poor as he
looks."
"I think better of Albert for it. It shows that he is not so worldly as I
feared. Certainly Uncle Jacob ought to be well received by Albert
Marlowe, for when Albert's father was in trouble Jacob lent him five

hundred dollars--all in money he had--and I feel sure the money has not
been repaid to him to this day."
"I don't think Percy will be very cordial. You know what high notions
he has."
"He gets them principally from his mother, who is extremely
aristocratic in her ideas."
"Was she of a high family?"
Mrs. Barton smiled.
"Her father was a fisherman," she replied, "and when a girl she used to
run barefoot on the sand. Later on she sewed straw for a living. She is
no worse for that, certainly, but it doesn't give her any claims to
aristocracy."
"Do you think Percy knows about his mother's early life?"
"I presume she has kept it secret from him."
"I shall think of it when Percy gets into one of his patronizing moods."
"Remember, Bert, that neither he nor his mother is any the worse for
her humble birth."
"I understand that, I hope, mother, just as I don't feel ashamed of our
being poor."
"As long as we can make an honorable living, we have no right to
complain."
"That reminds me, mother, that I heard bad news at the shop to-day."
"What is that?"
"That the shop is likely to be shut down all next month."

"Why is that?" asked Mrs. Barton, an anxious look coming over her
face.
"I believe the market is over-supplied with shoes, and it is thought best
to suspend temporarily. It'll be rather hard on me."
"Yes, it will," said his mother, gravely. "I earn so little at sewing balls."
"Don't you think I could get a job at that, mother?"
"No, you could not do the work satisfactorily. Besides there are hands
enough for all that is required. Well, we must hope for the best."
"I think I can manage to earn something, mother," said Bert, hopefully.
"I'll try hard, anyway."
"We won't worry till the time comes, Bert."
An hour later there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Barton answered it in
person.
"Why, Uncle Jacob, is it really you?" she exclaimed, joyfully.
"I'm delighted to see you, Mary," said the old man, his face lighting up.
"I've been waiting twenty-five years for this meeting."
"Come right in, Uncle Jacob. I can hardly believe it is really you. Now
tell me why you have not written these many years."
"I've no good excuse, Mary, but perhaps I shall think of one bimeby.
Now tell me how you are getting along?"
"I am not rich, as you can see, Uncle Jacob; but as long as Bert and I
have our health, and work to do, I shall be contented."
"Do you know, Mary," said Jacob Marlowe, looking about the plain
little sitting-room, "I like your house better than Albert's?"
"I don't think you will find many to agree with you."

"Perhaps not, but this seems like home, and that doesn't."
"Albert's house is finely furnished."
"True, and he lives in fine style; but I don't think I should ever be
contented to live with him."
"Has he invited you?"
"Yes," answered Jacob; "but," he added, with a smile, "I don't think the
invitation will hold good after to-morrow."
"Why not?"
"The fact is, Albert and the whole family think I am rich."
"I shouldn't think they would judge that from your appearance."
"Oh, they think I am eccentric and plain in my tastes, and that I've got
my pile safe somewhere."
"I wish you had, Uncle Jacob."
"Happiness doesn't depend on money, Mary, as you realize in your own
case. I am an old man, to be sure, but I am well and strong, and able to
work for a living."