Under the Great Bear | Page 2

more important
at the time, that he had allowed day after day to slip by without making
the required effort, and now it appeared that no one wanted him.
Yes, there was one person who had made him a proposition that very
day. Thorpe Walling, the wealthiest fellow in the class, and one of its
few members who had failed to gain a diploma, had said:
"Look here, Grant, what do you say to taking a year's trip around the
world with me, while I coach for a degree next June? There is no such
educator as travel, you know, and we'll make a point of going to all
sorts of places where we can pick up ideas. At the same time it'll be no
end of a lark."
"I don't know," Cabot had replied doubtfully, though his face had
lighted at the mere idea of taking such a trip. "I'd rather do that than
almost anything else I know of, but----"
"If you are thinking of the expense," broke in the other.
"It isn't that," interrupted Cabot, "but it seems somehow as though I
ought to be doing something more in the line of business. Anyway, I
can't give you an answer until I have seen my guardian, who has sent
me word to meet him in New York day after to-morrow. I'll let you
know what he says, and if everything is all right, perhaps I'll go with
you."
With this the matter had rested, and during the manifold excitements of
the day our lad had not given it another thought, until he tumbled into

bed, wondering what would happen next. Then for a long time he lay
awake, considering Thorpe's proposition, and wishing that it had been
made by any other fellow in the class.
Until about the time of entering the Technical Institute, from which he
was just graduated, Cabot Grant, who was an only child, had been
blessed with as happy a home as ever a boy enjoyed. Then in a breath it
was taken from him by a railway accident, that had caused the instant
death of his mother, and which the father had only survived long
enough to provide for his son's immediate future by making a will. By
its terms his slender fortune was placed in the hands of a trust and
investment company, who were constituted the boy's guardians, and
enjoined to give their ward a liberal education along such lines as he
himself might choose.
The corporation thus empowered had been faithful to its trust, and had
carried out to the letter the instructions of their deceased client during
the past five years. Now less than a twelvemonth of their guardianship
remained and it was to plan for his disposal of this time that Cabot had
been summoned to New York.
He had never met the president of the corporation, and it was with no
little curiosity concerning him that he awaited, in a sumptuously
appointed anteroom, his turn for an audience with the busy man. At
length he was shown into a plainly furnished private office occupied by
but two persons, one somewhat past middle age, with a shrewd,
smooth-shaven face, and the other much younger, who was evidently a
private secretary.
Of course Cabot instantly knew the former to be President Hepburn;
and also, to his surprise, recognised him as one who had occupied a
prominent position on the platform of the Institute hall when he had
graduated two days earlier.
"Yes," said Mr. Hepburn, in a crisp, business tone, as he noted the lad's
flash of recognition, "I happened to be passing through and dropped in
to see our ward graduate. I was, of course, disappointed that you did
not take higher rank. At the same time I concluded not to make myself

known to you, for fear of interfering with some of your plans for the
day. It also seemed to me better that we should talk business here. Now,
with your Institute career ended, how do you propose to spend the
remainder of your minority? I ask because, as you doubtless know, our
instructions are to consult your wishes in all matters, and conform to
them as far as possible."
"I appreciate your kindness in that respect," replied Cabot, who was
somewhat chilled by this business-like reception, "and have decided, if
the funds remaining in your hands are sufficient for the purpose, to
spend the coming year in foreign travel; in fact, to take a trip around the
world."
"With any definite object in view," inquired Mr. Hepburn, "or merely
for pleasure?"
"With the definite object of studying my chosen profession wherever I
may find it practised."
"Um! Just so. Do you propose to take this trip alone or in company?"
"I propose to go with Thorpe