Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (top reads .TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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βThe law does not recognize you as such. As to the pantaloons, which form a part of the legacy, I will forward them to you, if you wish.β
βDo you mean to insult me, sir?β gasped Mrs. Pinkerton, growing very red in the face.
βNot at all; but they were left either to you or your husband, as you might jointly agree.β
The lady was about to decline accepting them at all, but it occurred to her that they might be made over to suit her husband, and so save the expense of a new pair, and, she directed that they should be sent to him.
Then, gathering her family about her, she strode majestically from the office, shaking off, metaphorically, the dust of her feet against it.
Next Mr. Granger, after a few words with the lawyer, departed. Mr. Cornelius Dixon also announced that he must depart.
βCome and see me some time in the city,β he said to Herbert, βand if you ever get a windfall just put it into my hands, and I'll go into business with you.β
βI'll remember,β said Herbert, βbut I'm afraid it'll be a good while before that.β
βI don't know about that. You can open a second-hand clothing store. The old man's left you a good stock in trade. Good joke, isn't it? Good-by.β
Next Miss Nancy rose to go.
βTell your mother to call and see me, my boy,β she said, kindly, to Herbert. βI wish my brother'd left her more, for I know she needs it.β
βThank you, Miss Nancy,β said Herbert, respectfully; βbut we don't complain. We are thankful for what we have received.β
βYou're the best of 'em,β said the old lady, earnestly. βYou're a good boy, and God will prosper you.β
She went out, and of the eight heirs Herbert alone remained.
CHAPTER VI THE LAWYER'S HOME
The lawyer regarded Herbert with a smile.
βYour uncle's will doesn't seem to have given general satisfaction,β he said.
βNo,β responded Herbert; βbut for my part I have come out as well as I expected.β
βI suppose you know Mr. Carter was rich?β
βSo my mother told me.β
βHow much do you think he was worth?β
Herbert was rather surprised at this question. Why should the lawyer ask it, when of course he knew much more about the matter?
βAbout a hundred thousand dollars, I suppose,β he answered.
βYou are not far wrong. Now doesn't your share, and your mother's, seem very small compared with this large amount?β
βIt is very small compared with that, but we had no claim to anything. The clothes and the money will be very useful to us.β
βYou are a model heir,β said Mr. Spencer, smiling βYou alone do not find fault, except, of course, Miss Nancy, who has fared the best.β
βI would rather make a fortune for myself than inherit one from another,β said Herbert, sturdily.
βI respect your independence, my boy,β said the lawyer, who felt favorably disposed toward our hero. βStill, a legacy isn't to be despised. Now tell me when you want to take your trunk.β
βI want to ask your advice about that,β said Herbert. βI walked over from Wrayburn. How shall I carry the trunk back?β
βYou will have to return by the stage to-morrow morning, that is, if you are ready to go back so soon.β
βDo they charge much to stop overnight at the hotel?β asked Herbert, anxiously, for he had but seventy-five cents with him. It occurred to him how foolish he had been not to consider that it would be necessary for him to spend the night in Randolph.
βI don't know exactly how much. I think they charge fifty cents for a bed, and the same for each meal.β
Herbert's face lengthened, and he became alarmed. How was he going to manage, on his limited resources?
The lawyer penetrated his perplexity, and, being a kind-hearted man, quickly came to his relief.
βI think you would find it lonely at the hotel, my boy,β he said, βand I shall therefore invite you to pass the night at my house instead.β
βYou are very kind, sir,β said Herbert, gratefully, finding his difficulty happily removed. βI accept your invitation with pleasure.β
βThe boy has been well brought up, if he is poor,β thought Mr. Spencer. βWell,β he said, βthat is settled. I think our supper must be ready, so we will go over to the house at once. By the way, there is a boy from your town visiting my son. You must know him?β
βIs it James Leech?β asked Herbert, remembering what James had told him.
βYes. Do you know him?β
βWe are schoolmates.β
βThen it will be pleasant for you to meet.β
Herbert was not quite sure about this, but forbore to say so.
He accompanied Mr. Spencer to his house, which was just across the street from the office, and followed the lawyer into an apartment handsomely furnished. James Leech and Tom Spencer were sitting at a small table, playing checkers.
βHello, Carter!β exclaimed James, in surprise, βhow came you here?β
βMr. Spencer invited me,β said Herbert, not surprised at the mode of address.
βDid your uncle leave you anything?β asked James, with interest.
βYes.β
βHow much?β
βHe left my mother a hundred dollars.β
βThat isn't much,β said James, contemptuously. βWas that all?β
βNo, he left me a trunk, and what is in it.β
βWhat is in it?β
βClothes, I believe.β
βA lot of old clothes!β commented James, turning up his nose. βThat's a fine legacy, I must say.β
βI shall find them useful,β said Herbert, quietly.
βOh, no doubt. You can roll
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