oppose your wishes, Tom," said Mrs. Nelson gravely, "though
it will be a sad day for me when you leave your home."

"That isn't the way to look at it, mother," said Tom. "If gold pieces
grew on currant bushes, it wouldn't be necessary for me to leave home
to make a living."

"I wish they did," said Harry, a boy nine years of age.

"What would you do then, Harry?" asked his brother, smiling.

"I would buy a velocipede and a pair of skates."

"I heard of a boy once who found a penny in the field, right under a
potato-vine," said Walter.

"I don't believe it," said Harry.

"It's true, for I was the boy."

"Where did it come from?"

"Tom put it there to fool me."

"Won't you put one there to fool me, Tom?" asked Harry.

"You are too smart, Harry," said Tom, laughing. "My pennies are too few
to try such experiments. I hope, by the time you are as old as Walter,
to give you something better."

The conversation drifted to other topics, with which we are not
concerned. Tom, however, did not forget it. He felt that an important
question had that evening been decided for him. He had only thought of
making a start for himself hitherto. Now he had broached the subject,
and received the permission of his father and mother. The world was all
before him where to choose. His available capital was small, it is true,
amounting only to thirty-seven cents and a jack-knife; but he had,
besides, a stout heart, a pair of strong hands, an honest face, and
plenty of perseverance--not a bad equipment for a young adventurer.

CHAPTER II.

TOM FINDS A WALLET.

Since the time of which I am writing, over sixty years have passed, for
it was in the year 1850 that Tom made up his mind to leave home and seek
a fortune. The papers were full of the new gold discoveries in the new
country which had recently been added to the great republic. Thousands
were hurrying to the land of gold; men who had been unfortunate at home,
or, though moderately well situated, were seized by the spirit of
adventure. At considerable sacrifice many raised the means of reaching
the new El Dorado, while others borrowed or appropriated the necessary
sum. Some, able to do neither, set out on a venture, determined to get
there in some way.

In the weekly paper, to which Mr. Nelson had for years been a
subscriber, Tom had read a good deal about California. His youthful
fancy had been wrought upon by the brilliant pictures of a land where a
penniless man