"You seem to be spending more money; some day you"ll be put to it to get along."
But that has not yet come. Two years have pa.s.sed, and Chester is still in the employ of _The Phoenix_, but he now receives forty dollars per week. He has sold his other two lots in Tacoma for five thousand dollars each, and still has the cheaper lots he bought as an investment. He could sell these at a handsome profit, but will hold them a while longer.
About a year ago he received intelligence from Edward Granger that his stepfather had died suddenly of heart trouble, brought on by an undue use of alcoholic mixtures. Edward concluded: "Now there is nothing to mar my mother"s happiness. I live at home and manage her business, besides filling a responsible place in a broker"s office. We hope you will pay us a visit before long. We have never forgotten your kindness to me in my time of need."
A month since Mr. Fairchild was surprised by receiving a remittance from Tacoma. His old bookkeeper, David Mullins, remitted to him the amount he had stolen at the time of his hurried departure from New York, with interest up to date.
"I hope, Mr. Fairchild," he concluded, "you will now forgive me for my treachery. I feel great satisfaction in paying my debt. I have been a.s.sisted by a fortunate investment in outside lots. I am glad to hear that Felix is doing well. You were kind to retain him."
Felix is really doing well, and bids fair to make a good business man.
He was weak and influenced to evil by his cousin; but with good surroundings he is likely to turn out creditably.
Chester retains the friendship and good opinion of his first friend, Carl Conrad, and is a favorite visitor at the house of Prof. Hazlitt, whose great work has just appeared from the press of a subscription publisher. His nephew, Arthur Burks, is now in college, and he and Chester remain intimate friends.
Silas Tripp has ceased to expect to secure the services of Chester in his store. He had never been able to understand the secret of Chester"s success, but has been heard to remark: "It does beat all how that boy gets along!"
Fortunately, prosperity has not spoiled Chester. He is still the same modest and warm-hearted boy, or perhaps I should say young man, and his friends all agree that he deserves his success.
THE END.