The Young Explorer

Young Explorer, The

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Young Explorer, by Horatio Alger (#13 in our series by Horatio Alger)
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Title: The Young Explorer
Author: Horatio Alger
Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5623] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on July 24, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, THE YOUNG EXPLORER ***

This eBook was created by Charles Aldarondo ([email protected]).

THE YOUNG EXPLORER
OR
CLAIMING HIS FORTUNE
BY
HORATIO ALGER, JR.
NEW YORK

CONTENTS.

I. Ben's Inheritance
II. Deacon Pitkin's Offer
III. Sam Sturgis' New Idea
IV. A Brilliant Chance
V. In Search of a Place
VI. Mr. Fitch, The Senior Partner
VII. Ben's Dinner Guest
VIII. A Strange Acquaintance
IX. At the Astor House
X. Ben Receives a Call
XI. Miss Sinclair's Stratagem
XII. In San Francisco
XIII. Preliminary Arrangements
XIV. The Canon Hotel
XV. A Polite Hostess
XVI. A New Acquaintance
XVII. A Tight Place
XVIII. An Evening Call
XIX. Ben's Midnight Excursion
XX. A Thief's Disappointment
XXI. Ben's Savings-Bank
XXII. The Arrival at Murphy's
XXIII. Among the Sierras
XXIV. Beaten at His Own Game
XXV. The Horse-Thieves
XXVI. What Next?
XXVII Ki Sing
XXVIII. The Duel of the Miners
XXIX. Chinese Cheap Labor
XXX. A Midnight Visit
XXXI. On the Mountain Path
XXXII. The Mountain Cabin

THE YOUNG EXPLORER
CHAPTER I.
BEN'S INHERITANCE.

"I've settled up your father's estate, Benjamin," said Job Stanton. "You'll find it all figgered out on this piece of paper. There was that two-acre piece up at Rockville brought seventy-five dollars, the medder fetched a hundred and fifty, the two cows--"
"How much does it all come to, Uncle Job?" interrupted Ben, who was impatient of details.
"Hadn't you better let me read off the items, nephew?" asked Job, looking over his spectacles.
"No, Uncle Job. I know you've done your best for me, and there's no need of your going through it all. How much is there left after all expenses are paid?"
"That's what I was a-comin' to, Ben. I make it out that there's three hundred and sixty-five dollars and nineteen cents. That's a dollar for every day in the year. It's a good deal of money, Ben."
"So it is, Uncle Job," answered Ben, and he was quite sincere. There are not many boys of sixteen to whom this would not seem a large sum.
"You're rich; that is, for a boy," added Uncle Job.
"It's more than I expected, uncle. I want you to take fifteen dollars and nineteen cents. That'll leave me just three hundred and fifty."
"Why should I take any of your money, nephew?"
"You've had considerable trouble in settling up the estate, and it's taken a good deal of your time, too."
"My time ain't of much vally, and as to the trouble, it's a pity ef I can't take some trouble for my brother's son. No, Ben, I won't take a cent. You'll need it all."
"But you said yourself it was a good deal of money for a boy, Uncle Job."
"So it is, but it's all you've got. Most boys have fathers to take care of 'em, while you're alone in the world."
"Yes I am alone in the world," said Ben sadly, his cheerful face clouding over.
"But you've got an uncle, lad," continued Job Stanton, laying his hand gently on the boy's shoulder. "He's a poor man, but as much as in him lies, he'll be your friend and helper."
"I know it, Uncle Job. You've always been kind to me."
"And allus will be, Ben. Now, Ben, I've got a plan for you. I don't know what you'll think of it, but it's the best I've been able to think of."
"What is it, Uncle Job?"
"Ef you'll stay with me and help me in the shop, I'll give you a home, such as it is, and fifty dollars a year toward your clothes. Your Aunt Hannah and your Cousin Jane want you to make your home with us."
"I'm very much obliged to you, Uncle Job," said Ben slowly.
"You needn't be, boy. It's a sort of mutooal arrangement. It'll be as good for me as for you. You can put your money in the bank, and let it stay till you're twenty-one. Why, it'll be nigh on to five hunderd dollars