Part 3 (1/2)
CHAPTER III
SOME PAPERS OF VALUE
Ever since his father had left him the papers Andy had thought they might be of considerable value, but now he was more convinced than ever of their importance.
”For all I know, that claim may be worth a fortune,” he reasoned.
”Anyway, it's worth something, or that man wouldn't be so anxious to get the papers.”
The youth tried his best to increase his speed, but the snow was deep in spots, and his long journey to the s...o...b..rgh camp had tired him, so it took some time to get even within sight of the cabin that was his home.
To the rear, under the shed, he saw a horse and cutter.
”He is there, that's sure,” he told himself. ”I wonder what they are doing?”
The path to the cabin wound in and out among some trees, so that those inside could not witness his approach unless they were on the watch. As the youth came closer a sudden thought struck him, and he darted behind some bushes, made a detour, and came up in the shed. Here there was a back door opening into a summer kitchen.
Placing his bundles on a shelf in the shed, Andy softly opened the door to the summer kitchen and entered the place. Here there was another door, opening into the general living room of the cabin. It was not well hung, and stood open several inches.
”Well, I know something about timber lands,” he heard his uncle saying.
”If they are wuth anything, they are generally wuth considerable.”
”I am offering you more than this claim is worth,” was the reply from Mr. A. Q. Hopton. He was standing in front of the fire warming himself, while Josiah Graham was hunched up in his usual att.i.tude in the easy chair. Both men were smoking cigars, the real estate man having stood treat.
”Wot makes you so anxious to git the papers?” went on Josiah Graham.
”My client simply wants to clear away this flaw, as I told you,”
answered A. Q. Hopton, smoothly. ”Of course he could go ahead and claim everything just as it is, and I don't think you could do a thing, but he prefers to treat everybody right. Mr. Graham gave a hundred dollars for this claim, so when you get three hundred for it you are getting a big price.”
”Humph!” Josiah Graham fell back on his favorite exclamation. ”If I--that is, if I let you have them papers, Andy may object.”
”How can he? You're his guardian, aren't you?”
”Sure I am, but----”
”Then you have a right to do as you please. You don't want me to buy the papers from him, do you?”
”No! no! You give the money to me!” cried Josiah Graham, in alarm. ”He don't know the vally of a dollar, an' I do. If he had thet three hundred dollars he'd squander it in no time.”
”Very well, give me the papers and I'll write you out a check.”
”Can't you give me cash? It ain't no easy matter fer me to git a check cashed up here.” Josiah Graham did not add that he was afraid the check might be worthless, although that was in his mind.
”I don't carry three hundred dollars in my clothes. I can give you fifty in cash though,” went on the real estate agent, as he saw the old man's face fall. ”And if you wish, I'll get one of the lumber bosses up here to vouch for the check.”
”Humph! I suppose thet will have to do then. But--er--one thing more, Mr.
Hopton----”