Part 19 (1/2)
But the croas too thick and too large to find hi auctioneer gave it up
It was now getting late, and as soon as he was satisfied that the confidenceon his errand
He found that the lady who had purchased the goods had just reached home She had heard of the brown bear episode, and insisted upon Matt giving her the particulars, which he did She was very much interested in his story, and after she had heard how the affair ter the auction business
”You th ”But the reason I ask is becauseauctioneer about three ot into a difficulty in school, and when I insisted that he apologize to his teachers, he grew angry and left the house”
”How old was he?”
”To to becoh for the business”
”He has made a friend of this auctioneer--who used to stand up in a wagon and sing songs, and then sell cheap jewelry--and he went off with hione to New York with his uncle”
”And doesn't he want to come back?” asked Matt, deeply interested
”I have never heard of him since he went away” Mrs Inwold put her handkerchief to her eyes to dry the tears which had started ”One reason I wished these goods delivered was because I thought I et a chance to talk to you about Tom You intend to travel from place to place, do you not?”
”Yes, madam; we shall remain here but a few days”
”Then, perhaps, in your travels you may run across Tom If you do I wish you would tell hiht to come home of hi”
”I should think he would prefer a good ho around with a cheap jewelry man,” was Matt's comment, as he looked around at the comfortable house Mrs Inwold occupied ”I knoould”
”Boys do not always knohat is best for theenerally had his oay, and thatHe is my only son, and as his father is away ently than was good for him”
”You have no idea where he and the jewelry htest I notified the police and sent out several detectives, but could learn nothing The detectives told me that the jewelry man was little better than a thief, and always covered his tracks when he left a city, so that his victims could not trace him up”
”That's most likely true But I trust you do not take my partner and me for such fellows,” added Matt honestly
”No; you look like a young gentle s on the square We never willfully ht, and if you keep on that way you will be bound to prosper No one ever yet gained ”
Mrs Inwold talked to Matt for quite awhile after this, and promised to come down to the store and buy several other articles of which she thought she stood in need It was nearly five o'clock when the boy left the ht Matt, as he hurried back to the auction store ”I hope I meet her son To away, and advise hiracious! you wouldn't catcha home like that in order to put up with the hardshi+ps of the road!”
CHAPTER XVII
THE STORM