y tub should
stand on its own bottom."

"I say so, too, uncle. Do you know whether this boy, Carl Crawford, has
any father or mother?"

"From a word Jennings let fall I infer that he has relatives, but is not
on good terms with them. I have been a little afraid he might stand in
your light."

"How so, uncle?"

"Should there be any good opening for one of your age, I am afraid he
would get it rather than you."

"I didn't think of that," said Leonard, jealously.

"Living as he does with Mr. Jennings, he will naturally try to
ingratiate himself with him, and stand first in his esteem."

"That is true. Is Mr. Jennings a rich man, do you think?"

"Yes, I think he is. The factory and stock are worth considerable money,
but I know he has other investments also. As one item he has over a
thousand dollars in the Carterville Savings Bank. He has been very
prudent, has met with no losses, and has put aside a great share of his
profits every year."

"I wonder he don't marry."

"Marriage doesn't seem to be in his thoughts. Hannah makes him so
comfortable that he will probably remain a bachelor to the end of his
days."

"Perhaps he will leave his money to her."

"He is likely to live as long as she."

"She is a good deal longer than he," said Leonard, with a laugh.

The bookkeeper condescended to smile at this joke, though it was not
very brilliant.

"Before this boy Carl came," he resumed thoughtfully, "I hoped he might
take a fancy to you. He must die some time, and, having no near blood
relative, I thought he might select as heir some boy like yourself, who
might grow into his favor and get on his blind side."

"Is it too late now?" asked Leonard, eagerly.

"Perhaps not, but the appearance of this new boy on the scene makes your
chance a good deal smaller."

"I wish we could get rid of him," said Leonard, frowning.

"The only way is to injure him in the estimation of Mr. Jennings."

"I think I know of a way."

"Mention it."

"Here is an advertisement of a lottery," said Leonard, whose plans, in
view of what his uncle had said, had experienced a change.

"Well?"

"I will write to the manager in Carl's name, inquiring about tickets,
and, of course, he will answer to him, to the care of Mr. Jennings. This
will lead to the suspicion that Carl is interested in such matters."

"It is a good idea. It will open the way to a loss of confidence on the
part of Mr. Jennings."

"I will sit down at your desk