is sure to do
well, if he keeps well. That's all a man has a right to expect, or
to hope for."

"To be sure it is."

"What made you come home, Seth, if you were gettin' on so well?"
inquired one.

"That's a fair question," said Seth, "and I'm willin' to answer it.
It was because of the rheumatics. I had 'em powerful bad at the
mines, and I've come home to kinder recuperate, if that's the right
word. But I'm goin' back ag'in, you may bet high on that. No more
work in the shoe shop for me at the old rates. I don't mean that I'd
mind bein' a manufacturer on a big scale. That's a little more
stiddy and easy than bein' at the mines, but that takes more capital
than I've got."

"How much does it cost to go out there?" asked Dan Tompkins.

"More money than you can scare together, Dan. First-class, nigh on
to three hundred dollars, I believe."

This statement rather dampened the ardor of more than one of the
listeners. Three hundred dollars, or even two, were beyond the
convenient reach of most of those present. They would have to
mortgage their places to get it.

"You can go second-class for a good deal less, and you can go round
the Horn pretty cheap," continued Seth.

"How far away is Californy?" inquired Sam Stone.

"By way of the isthmus, it must be as much as six thousand miles, and
it's twice as fur, I reckon, round the Horn. I don't exactly know
the distance."

"Then it's farther away than Europe," said Joe, who had been
listening with eager interest.

"Of course it is," said Seth. "Why, that's Joe Mason, isn't it? How
you've grown since I saw you."

"Do you think I have?" said Joe, pleased with the assurance.

"To be sure you have. Why, you're a big boy of your age. How old
are you?"

"Fifteen---nearly sixteen."

"That's about what I thought. Where are you livin' now, Joe?"

"I'm working for Major Norton."

Seth burst into a laugh.

"I warrant you haven't made your fortune yet, Joe," he said.

"I haven't made the first start yet toward it."

"And you won't while you work for the major. How much does he pay
you?"

"Board and clothes."

"And them are the clothes?" said Seth, surveying Joe's appearance
critically.

"Yes."

"I guess the major's tailor's bill won't ruin him, then. Are they
the best you've got?"

"No; I've got a better suit for Sunday."

"Well, that's something. You deserve to do better, Joe."

"I wish I could," said Joe wistfully. "Is there any cha