Herbert Carters Legacy | Page 5

whom he
hardly remembered, and who had appeared scarcely to be aware of his
existence. It was natural that the thought of his wealth should be
uppermost in his young nephew's mind. The reader will hardly be
surprised to hear that Herbert, knowing only too well the disadvantages
of poverty, should have speculated a little about his uncle's property
after he went to bed. Indeed, it did not leave him even with his waking
consciousness. He dreamed that his uncle left him a big lump of gold,
so big and heavy that he could not lift it. He was considering anxiously
how in the world he was going to get it home, when all at once he
awoke, and heard the church clock strike five.
"Time I was on my way!" he thought, and, jumping out of bed, he
dressed himself as quickly as possible, and went downstairs. But, early
as it was, his mother, was down before him. There was a fire in the
kitchen stove, and the cloth was laid for breakfast.
"What made you get up so early, mother?" asked Herbert.
"I wouldn't have you go away without breakfast, Herbert, especially for
such a long walk."
"I meant to take something from the closet. That would have done well
enough."
"You will be all the better for a good, warm cup of tea. Sit right down.
It is all ready."
Early as it was, the breakfast tasted good. Herbert ate hastily, for he
was anxious to be on his way. Knowing that he could not afford to buy

lunch, he put the remnants of the breakfast, including some slices of
bread and butter and meat, into his satchel, and started on his long
walk.

CHAPTER III
HERBERT MEETS A RELATIVE
Herbert had never been to Randolph. In fact, he had never been so far
away from Wrayburn. He was not afraid of losing his way, however.
Here and there along the road guideposts were conveniently placed, and
these removed any difficulty on that score.
When he had gone about six miles, the coach rattled by. It had started
more than an hour later. Herbert turned out for the lumbering vehicle,
and waited for it to pass. There was a boy on top, but such was the
cloud of dust that he could not at first recognize him. It happened,
however, that one of the traces broke, so that the driver was compelled
to make a stop just as he overtook our hero. Then he saw that the boy
on top was James Leech.
With James curiosity overcame his disinclination to speak to one so far
beneath him.
"Where are you going. Carter?" he inquired.
"To Randolph," was the answer.
"Going to walk all the way?"
"I expect to," said Herbert, not relishing the cross-examination.
"Why don't you ride?"
James did not ask for information. He knew well enough already, but as
there are purse-proud men, so there are boys who are actuated by
feelings equally unworthy, and it delighted him to remind Herbert of

his poverty. Herbert divined this, but he was proud in his way, and
answered: "Because I choose."
"Well, you must like the dust, that's all," said James, complacently
tapping his well-polished boot with a light cane which he had bought.
"Where are you going?" asked Herbert, thinking it about time for him
to commence questioning.
"I'm going to Randolph, too," answered James, with unwonted
affability. "I'm going to stop a few days with a friend of mine, Tom
Spencer. His father's a rich man--got a nice place there. Didn't you ever
hear of Mr. Spencer, the lawyer?"
"I don't think I have."
"That's his father. He makes a load of money by his law business. I
think I shall study law some time. Perhaps I'll go into partnership with
him. What are you going to be?"
"I don't know yet," said Herbert.
"I suppose you'll be a mechanic of some kind--a carpenter, or mason, or
bricklayer."
"Perhaps so," said Herbert, quietly.
"What are you going to Randolph for?" asked James, with sudden
curiosity.
"To attend my uncle's funeral."
"What's your uncle's name?"
"The same as mine."
"I suppose he was poor."
"No, he was rich."

"Was he?" repeated James, in some surprise. "What do you think he
was worth?"
"About a hundred thousand dollars."
"Sho! you don't say so. Perhaps," continued James, with new-born
respect, "he has left you something in his will."
"I don't think so."
"Why not?"
"He hasn't shown any interest in us for six years, and I don't think he'll
remember us now."
James looked thoughtful. He had never before heard of this relationship,
or he would have treated Herbert differently. The mere fact of having a
wealthy relative elevated our hero considerably in his eyes. Then, too,
there was a