on, "is that on
this date there is to be placed a large sum to your credit in the local
national bank, of which you know I am president. You will be given a
check book and allowed to draw upon it as you please, subject, as I said
before, to certain reasonable restrictions on my part."

"Where is the check book?" asked Dick. "I've always wanted to have one."

"Not so fast," continued his father, with a smile. "You must first go to
the bank and be identified by the proper officials, and also leave your
signature there. Then you shall have the check book, Dick. But there is
another matter," and Mr. Hamilton turned to the second page of the
document in his hand.

Dick's heart sank. Perhaps, after all, he was not to have the wealth
with which his imagination was already building fairy castles in the
air.

"In case you fail to make this paying investment," went on Mr. Hamilton,
"not only do you lose control of the money for a long time, but you have
to undergo a sort of penance. It is this. You will have to go and live
with your Uncle Ezra Larabee at Dankville----"

"Uncle Ezra!" exclaimed Dick, and his face fell.

"Yes, your Uncle Ezra and Aunt Samanthy. You will have to remain in
their charge for a certain period and attend any boarding school they
may select for you. That is done to teach you the value of money, and I
think, from what I know of your Uncle Ezra, it will be a good place to
learn," and Mr. Hamilton smiled rather grimly.

"In order that you may fully appreciate the situation, your mother has
provided," proceeded Dick's father, "that you are to spend a week with
your Uncle Ezra, beginning to-morrow. Her idea was that you should get
better acquainted with her only brother, who, as you may have heard, is
quite well off, and one of the wisest men in the matter of money I ever
met. He is very conservative about investments, but he makes them pay.
Your dear mother thought it would be a good school for you, and I have
no doubt but what you will see that for yourself if you spend a week
with him. If you should not be able, in the year, to make the paying
investment, you will, of course, pass under the control of Mr. Larabee.

"I think I have now told you enough for the present. As I said, there
are other provisions in the will regarding you, but we can discuss them
when the time comes. I have written to your uncle, and he expects you
to-morrow.

"Now, Dick, my son, having gotten this somewhat sad business ov