Five Hundred Dollars | Page 7

church clock struck ten, and he bade Bert good-night.
Shortly after his return, Uncle Jacob was shown to his room, and being fatigued he soon fell asleep, not waking till seven in the morning.
After breakfast, Squire Marlowe said graciously: "Have you any plans, Uncle Jacob, in which I can assist you? If you would like to consult me about any investments, I can perhaps be of service to you."
"Now for it!" thought the old man.
"I was thinkin', Albert," he said, "of askin' your advice. I'm gettin' on in years, and can't work as well as I could once. Do you think it would pay me to open here in Lakeville a cigar and candy store, and----"
"What!" exclaimed Squire Marlowe, with an expression of horror and disgust on his face.
"You see I've got about five hundred dollars, which I think would be enough to stock it comfortably and----"
"But I thought you were a rich man," gasped Squire Marlowe. "Didn't you tell me you had a hundred thousand dollars in a Sacramento bank?"
"Yes, many years ago; but I bought mining stocks, and after a while they went down to nothing, and----"
"Then you are a pauper!" said the squire, harshly.
"No. I have five hundred dollars, and I hope with that to get started, so as to earn an honest living."
Words cannot describe the scorn and disgust that appeared on the faces of Percy and his mother at the old man's confession of poverty.
"Albert," said the wife, "may I speak with you outside a moment?"
"Certainly, my dear."
"Get rid of the old man as soon as you can!" she said, imperiously. "He doesn't eat another meal in my house!"
"Be easy, my dear," said the squire. "I'll manage it."
CHAPTER V.
UNCLE JACOB RECEIVES HIS WALKING PAPERS.
Squire Marlowe returned to the breakfast room, wearing rather an embarrassed expression. Percy had followed his mother, and the old man found himself for a short time alone. There was a twinkle of amusement in his eyes, which vanished on the reappearance of his nephew.
"I am sorry to have left you alone, Uncle Jacob," said the squire, civilly.
"Oh, don't treat me with any ceremony, Albert. Being as we are such near relations, we ought to be free and easy like."
"I am glad to hear you say so, for I shall be obliged to treat you unceremoniously."
"Eh?" said Uncle Jacob, inquiringly.
"I regret to say that my wife, who is of a very delicate organization, is taken suddenly ill, and I am afraid I shall have to ask you to cut your visit short, and come again some other time."
"I'm surprised to hear that, Albert. I thought Mrs. Marlowe looked in excellent health."
"You can't always tell by outward appearances. She is subject to severe headaches, and in that condition can't bear the least noise or excitement. That is why I can't invite you to stay any longer."
"I understand," said Uncle Jacob, with--it might have been--a little significance in his tone.
"I have no doubt," went on the squire, "that Mrs. Barton will be glad to have you pay her a short visit. I will get Percy to drive you down there."
"Thank you," answered the old man, dryly, "but it's only a little way, and I don't mind walking."
"Just as you prefer," said the squire, relieved by Uncle Jacob's declination of his offer, for he knew that Percy would not enjoy the trip.
"I'll get ready to go at once, Albert. Oh, about my plan of opening a cigar store in Lakeville?"
"I cannot advise you to do it," rejoined the squire, hastily. "You wouldn't make enough to pay your rent, or not much more."
"Don't the men in your factory smoke? There's a good many of them. If I could get their trade----"
"They smoke pipes for the most part," said the squire, hurriedly. "They'd find cigars too expensive."
"I meant to combine candy with cigars. That would be a help."
"They keep candy at the grocery store, Uncle Jacob."
"I see there isn't much show for me. Now if I only understood your business, you could give me something to do in the factory, Albert."
"But you don't, and, in fact, Uncle Jacob, it's too hard work for a man of your age."
"Then what would you advise me to do, Albert?" asked the old man, earnestly.
Squire Marlowe assumed a thoughtful look. In fact, he was puzzled to decide how best to get rid of the troublesome old man. To have him remain in Lakeville was not to be thought of. He would gladly have got rid of Mrs. Barton and her son, whose relationship to his family was unfortunately known, but there seemed to be no way clear to that without the expenditure of money. To have Uncle Jacob for a neighbor, in addition, would be a source of mortification, not only to himself, but even more to his wife and Percy, whose