ptains of industry," he remarked, with a nod at Dick and his
father. "The young and the--ah--er--I was about to say old--I will
change it to junior and senior," with a bow to Mr. Hamilton.

"Dick thinks he'd like to buy some gold mine stock," said the
millionaire. "I telephoned you about it, you recall, and explained my
son's position."

"I understand," remarked Mr. Vanderhoof. "He wants to make a good paying
investment."

"That's it," put in Dick, as he thought of his Uncle Ezra and what would
happen if he did not comply with the terms of his mother's will.

"Well, I think I can find him some good stock," went on the promoter.
"It won't be in the same mine you're in, Mr. Hamilton. That stock was
too valuable to last long. But I have some nearly as good. It is in the
same neighborhood. In fact, it is in the next mine to the Hop Toad--the
Dolphin. We think it very good. You can make the same inquiries that you
did in regard to the other stock. It will bear the closest
investigation."

"We'll take it, subject to a report from Yazoo City," said Mr. Hamilton,
with a look at Dick, who nodded an assent, for he knew very little about
buying stock.

"Then I suppose you'll pay enough to bind the bargain?" asked Mr.
Vanderhoof.

"Of course," replied Dick, producing his check book. "How much?"

"Five hundred dollars will do as a starter. But about how much stock
would you want?"

"Oh, I guess two thousand dollars' worth will do," replied Dick, with a
look at his father, who, by a nod of his head, assented.

Mr. Vanderhoof smiled, looking, Dick thought, more than ever like a cat
about to pounce on a mouse, and when the check was made out the promoter
handed him a document, showing that he was entitled to a certain number
of shares of stock in a gold mine bearing the name Dolphin.

"Well, Dick," remarked his father, when Mr. Vanderhoof had left, "you
are certainly getting right into business. How do you like it?"

"Very much. I only hope some of my investments pan out."

"Well, you haven't made very many, but what you have gone into you have
loaded up pretty well with. However, that may be a good way. Of course,
if they fail, the money loss will not make much difference to you, but I
don't want to see you lose. It would show a poor head for business if
you did, and I hope you haven't got that."

"So do I," remarked his son. "Oh, I'm going to make a success some way
or other," and once more the vision of his uncle's