Part 48 (1/2)

”Yes, he was here this morning, Chet. He was full of business.”

”Where did he go?”

”Up to your cabin. He was very much put out that you had gone away.”

”Do you know anything of my Uncle Si?” asked Andy.

”Well, rather.” The storekeeper laughed outright. ”Richest thing ever was!” he chuckled.

”What?”

”The way the men around here treated him. They got tired of his laziness and habit of borrowing money, and told him he must go to work. He wouldn't do it at first, and they hauled him out of bed one night, and said they were going to tar and feather him. Then he got scared to death, and promised to go to work, and he's been at work ever since--over at Larrington's sawmill. He came in last Sat.u.r.day and paid his bill in full, and bought some groceries for spot cash. I reckon he's turned over a new leaf.”

”I'll be thankful if he has,” said Andy.

”By the way,” continued the storekeeper, ”he was talking of some property that is coming to you.”

”Property?”

”Yes,--some timber land in Michigan. I believe you had the papers and lost 'em. Well, one day some hunters found the papers in the woods--pretty well soaked, but all there--and they brought 'em to your Uncle Si. He's got 'em now, and he's waiting to hear from you. He told me a real estate fellow named Hopton wanted 'em, but he was going to hold on to 'em until he heard from you.”

”Good for Uncle Si!” cried Andy. ”He is coming to his senses at last! I am glad the papers have been found. I must see him at once!”

CHAPTER x.x.xI

GOOD NEWS--CONCLUSION

To get to his own place, Chet had to pa.s.s the cabin belonging to Andy, and so the chums left the village together, in a carriage they hired with some of the money Barwell Dawson had given them.

The thoughts of each youth were busy, so but little was said by them during the journey. As they came in sight of Andy's home, they saw smoke curling from the chimney.

”Uncle Si must have gotten back from work,” said Andy. ”Most likely he's cooking supper. Chet, will you stop?”

”Well, I'd rather see my father first,” was the answer.

”I don't blame you. Well, come over tomorrow, unless----h.e.l.lo, there is a stranger!”

Andy pointed to a man who had come to the cabin door, he having heard the sound of the carriage wheels. Chet stared hard at the individual.

Then he took a flying leap to the ground and ran forward.

”Father!”

The man started, and then flung out his hands.

”If it isn't Chet--my own son Chet!” he burst out, joyfully. ”I was just wis.h.i.+ng with all my heart that I knew where you were.” And he shook hands over and over again.

”And I've been hurrying to you as fast as I could for weeks,” answered Chet, with a glad look in his eyes. ”I heard you were at our cabin, and was going there.”