noon.

"Glad, father? Say, give me some of that money, quick! I want to make
that paying investment. I never could stand it at The Firs!"

Mr. Hamilton laughed.

"Well, in spite of his queer ways, your Uncle Ezra is a man of sterling
character," he said. "He is as true as steel----"

"And just about as hard," interrupted Dick, with a smile.

"But now to business," went on Mr. Hamilton. "I have deposited a large
sum to your credit in our bank, and if you will come downtown with me
now I'll introduce you to the cashier and see that you get a check book.
Then--well, the world is before you, and it's yours--to conquer or be
conquered by."

On their way to the bank father and son were greeted by many
acquaintances, for Mr. Hamilton was a person of great importance in
Hamilton Corners. The town was a good-sized one, situated on the shore
of Lake Dunkirk, a large body of water. Mr. Hamilton, besides being
president of the Hamilton National Bank, was vice-president of the
Hamilton Trust Company, and owned a stone quarry, a brass foundry, large
woolen mills, and a lumber concern, all in the town or its immediate
vicinity.

He was also a director of the Hamilton, Dorchester and Hatfield
Railroad, which ran through the town, and president of the Hamilton
Trolley Company. These were all sources of Mr. Hamilton's wealth, and,
as he employed many men in the various industries, which he controlled
or was interested in, he was regarded as the most important man in the
place.

But this did not make him overbearing in character. In fact, he was a
very kind man, always ready to help the poor, and as he had begun as a
poor boy and made his money by hard work, he had a great sympathy for
those not so well off in this world's goods.

Dick took after his father. Though surrounded by wealth all his life,
and accustomed to luxury, he was a lad of democratic spirit. He cared
little for money in itself, though he appreciated what could be done
with it, and he was always willing to use what he had for the benefit or
pleasure of himself and his friends. He was ambitious in no small
degree, and anxious to succeed in whatever he undertook.

It did not take long to get through with the formalities at the bank,
and Dick's eyes sparkled when he saw the substantial balance to his
credit. He took the little red check book with an air as though he had
used one all his life, put it into his pocket, and, nodding to his
father, walked out.

"We