rested.
The next day Dick and Jack went in the runabout to the bank where they
delivered the cash box and other things which evidently belonged to it,
leaving the package of registered letters and the postage stamps at the
station at the foot of the hill.
"I am authorized by the bank to pay you a reward of one hundred dollars
for the recovery of this property," said the president, after he had
thoroughly examined the contents of the bag. "Shall I pay it to you or
put it to your credit in the bank? I will have a book made out if you
prefer the latter."
"I think that will be satisfactory," the boy replied. "Then if I desire
to draw against it or add to it I can do so."
"Very good, my dear sir. You show the proper spirit. Many young men
would wish to spend the amount at once."
"I believe I have learned the value of money, sir," said Jack, quietly,
while Dick laughed and said.
"H'm! I am afraid I would have done just what the president hints at.
Perhaps I have not learned the value of money from having so much of
it."
The money was left to the boy's credit and he was supplied with a bank
book and blank checks, feeling quite proud at having so much money as it
would give him an opportunity to help his mother as well as to pay his
bills at the Academy.
"You did not expect to get this, did you, Jack?" asked Dick.
"No, but I am glad to get it just the same. It means a good deal to me,
Dick, although I suppose you regard it as a mere trifle."
"Well, not so much after all," laughed Dick, "but, come on. I want to
stop at the office of the Riverton News. I furnish them with school
items now and then and this is the day before publication. You might
tell the editor of your experience yesterday. I have no doubt that he
will regard it as a bit of valuable news. He does not get much."
"I would like to see him at any rate," Jack returned. "I always did like
to go into a newspaper office."
The newspaper office was down the street a short distance and on the
opposite side from the bank and in a decidedly less pretentious
building, being in a little two-story wooden affair which looked fully a
hundred years old and as if it might fall down at any moment.
They found the editor in his office, sitting at his typewriter in his
shirt sleeves and busy preparing an article for the paper, this being
the eve of publication day.
He was a fat little man; the top of his head being very bald and shiny
with a fringe of bl
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