Part 35 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXIX.
BAD NEWS FROM HOME.
Arriving in the city late in the afternoon, Tom went at once to see John Miles. When the latter caught sight of Tom, in his ragged attire, he came to the natural conclusion that our hero had met with hard luck.
”Why, Tom, where did you spring from?” he exclaimed, grasping the hand of his young partner.
”I am just in from the mines.”
”I suppose you are in want of money,” said Miles, his voice betraying sympathy.
Tom laughed.
”How do you like my appearance, John?” he asked.
”Never mind that, Tom. I see you have had a rough time; but I have been earning money for you.”
”Did you send money regularly to father?”
”Yes; I have sent him three hundred dollars in all.”
”That's good,” said Tom, in a tone of satisfaction. ”That has made him easy. I suppose that took up about all I was ent.i.tled to?”
”No; I have as much more to your credit. I am ready to pay it to you at once.”
”I see, John, you think I have not been doing well.”
”You don't look very prosperous, Tom, I must acknowledge.”
”Well, John, appearances are deceitful. I have been wonderfully lucky.”
”I am delighted to hear it, Tom,” said Miles, cordially. ”How much is it now?”
”What do you say to a thousand dollars?”
”Excellent.”
”Two thousand?”
”You don't mean it!”
”I won't keep you in suspense, John. I don't know exactly how much I've got, but it's over six thousand dollars!”
John Miles stared at our hero in undisguised astonishment.
”Are you sure you're quite right _here_?” he said, touching his forehead. ”You haven't been sun-struck, have you?”
”No, John, it's all as I tell you. Let me explain how my luck came.”