American library books Β» Fiction Β» Herbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's Son by Jr. Horatio Alger (top reads .TXT) πŸ“•

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him the head of the family?” demanded the angry Maria. β€œI would have you to know, sir, that I am the head of the family.”

β€œThe 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€œDo you mean to insult me, sir?” gasped Mrs. Pinkerton, growing very red in the face.

β€œNot at all; but they were left either to you or your husband, as you might jointly agree.”

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.

β€œCome and see me some time in the city,” he said to Herbert, β€œand if you ever get a windfall just put it into my hands, and I'll go into business with you.”

β€œI'll remember,” said Herbert, β€œbut I'm afraid it'll be a good while before that.”

β€œI 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.”

Next Miss Nancy rose to go.

β€œTell your mother to call and see me, my boy,” she said, kindly, to Herbert. β€œI wish my brother'd left her more, for I know she needs it.”

β€œThank you, Miss Nancy,” said Herbert, respectfully; β€œbut we don't complain. We are thankful for what we have received.”

β€œYou're the best of 'em,” said the old lady, earnestly. β€œYou're a good boy, and God will prosper you.”

She went out, and of the eight heirs Herbert alone remained.





CHAPTER VI THE LAWYER'S HOME

The lawyer regarded Herbert with a smile.

β€œYour uncle's will doesn't seem to have given general satisfaction,” he said.

β€œNo,” responded Herbert; β€œbut for my part I have come out as well as I expected.”

β€œI suppose you know Mr. Carter was rich?”

β€œSo my mother told me.”

β€œHow much do you think he was worth?”

Herbert was rather surprised at this question. Why should the lawyer ask it, when of course he knew much more about the matter?

β€œAbout a hundred thousand dollars, I suppose,” he answered.

β€œYou are not far wrong. Now doesn't your share, and your mother's, seem very small compared with this large amount?”

β€œIt 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€œYou are a model heir,” said Mr. Spencer, smiling β€œYou alone do not find fault, except, of course, Miss Nancy, who has fared the best.”

β€œI would rather make a fortune for myself than inherit one from another,” said Herbert, sturdily.

β€œI respect your independence, my boy,” said the lawyer, who felt favorably disposed toward our hero. β€œStill, a legacy isn't to be despised. Now tell me when you want to take your trunk.”

β€œI want to ask your advice about that,” said Herbert. β€œI walked over from Wrayburn. How shall I carry the trunk back?”

β€œYou will have to return by the stage to-morrow morning, that is, if you are ready to go back so soon.”

β€œDo they charge much to stop overnight at the hotel?” 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.

β€œI don't know exactly how much. I think they charge fifty cents for a bed, and the same for each meal.”

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.

β€œI think you would find it lonely at the hotel, my boy,” he said, β€œand I shall therefore invite you to pass the night at my house instead.”

β€œYou are very kind, sir,” said Herbert, gratefully, finding his difficulty happily removed. β€œI accept your invitation with pleasure.”

β€œThe boy has been well brought up, if he is poor,” thought Mr. Spencer. β€œWell,” he said, β€œthat 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€œIs it James Leech?” asked Herbert, remembering what James had told him.

β€œYes. Do you know him?”

β€œWe are schoolmates.”

β€œThen it will be pleasant for you to meet.”

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.

β€œHello, Carter!” exclaimed James, in surprise, β€œhow came you here?”

β€œMr. Spencer invited me,” said Herbert, not surprised at the mode of address.

β€œDid your uncle leave you anything?” asked James, with interest.

β€œYes.”

β€œHow much?”

β€œHe left my mother a hundred dollars.”

β€œThat isn't much,” said James, contemptuously. β€œWas that all?”

β€œNo, he left me a trunk, and what is in it.”

β€œWhat is in it?”

β€œClothes, I believe.”

β€œA lot of old clothes!” commented James, turning up his nose. β€œThat's a fine legacy, I must say.”

β€œI shall find them useful,” said Herbert, quietly.

β€œOh, no doubt. You can roll

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