ten to some of the provisions
of your dear, departed mother's will. I have a copy of it, the original
being on file at the court house according to law. Soon after you were
born she had it drawn up, and, having told me the nature of it, asked if
I was satisfied. I told her I was, absolutely.

"You may have heard, in a general way, that your mother was very wealthy
in her own right. She was, more so than you have any idea of, perhaps.
It is not necessary to go into figures now, but sufficient to say that
her fortune was a very large one, and that it can be counted in the
millions. Part of it was left her by her father, and the rest
accumulated through wise investments.

"In fact, your mother was a great believer in wise and paying
investments, as you will see. She was worried lest her only son, when he
grew up, would not appreciate the value of money; nor understand how
much good can be done with it.

"Therefore, in order to make sure that you would not do as so many rich
youths have done--wasted the wealth left to them--she has seen fit to
make certain provisions and restrictions. You are to inherit her great
wealth--if you fulfill these conditions."

"What are they?" asked Dick, who was not a little impressed by what his
father had said. "Down, Grit, down," he commanded gently, for the dog
was trying to clamber all over its master, so glad was it to see Dick.
"Down, Grit," and the noble animal obeyed, crouching at the youth's
feet, but ever keeping a watchful eye on his face, ready to begin the
demonstration again at the first sign of encouragement.

"You are to inherit your mother's wealth on this condition, among
others," went on Mr. Hamilton. "Beginning with this, your birthday,
which is the time she set, you are to be supplied with a large amount of
cash. You are to be allowed to spend it as you please, when you please,
and for what you please, subject, of course, to certain common-sense
restrictions, of which I am to be the judge."

"Does that mean I'll have all the money I want to spend just as I
please?" asked Dick joyfully.

"Practically so. But here is the restriction: You are required to make,
within one year from date, one wise and paying investment with some of
the money you spend. It may be a large one or it may be a small one, but
at the end of the year it must show a respectable profit."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then you will lose considerable," went on Mr. Hamilton. "In the event
of your failu