ll," remarked Mr. Hamilton, with a little sigh, "I hope money doesn't
spoil him, for he is a fine lad. But I guess the remembrance of his
Uncle Ezra may have a large influence on what he does."

The first person Dick met on emerging from the bank was Henry Darby. He
hailed the poorer lad.

"Well, Henry, did you get that load of iron home safe?"

"Yes, and I sold it the next day. I'm much obliged to you for sending
that horse. I couldn't get the one I hired from the man, of whom I
bought the iron, to go another step. I'd have been there all night if it
hadn't been for you."

"That's all right. The next time I meet you in a fix like that I'll tow
you home myself."

"What do you mean?"

"Why, I'm going to get an automobile."

"An automobile?" and Henry's eyes opened as wide as possible. The
machines were rarely seen in Hamilton Corners.

"Yes. You see, Henry, I've come into some property, and I can spend as
much money as I like--of course, not waste it. I've always wanted an
auto, and I'm going to get one. I'm going for it now."

"Whew, I wish I was you," exclaimed Henry, with a sigh, as he started
down the street after some more old iron he had heard was for sale.

Henry was an energetic lad, always looking for a chance to make money.
He lived with his father, who was never called anything else than "Hank"
Darby, and who was known as the most "shiftless" man in town. Mr. Darby
was always talking of big schemes he was going to put into operation as
soon as he could command the capital, but he never got the money. As a
consequence he never did anything, but lived off what his son earned.

Dick had decided that his first purchase with his new wealth should be
an automobile. He wanted to get a big touring car, but his father
suggested that he had better start with a runabout.

"It will be less expensive if you have a smash-up learning how to run
it," counseled Mr. Hamilton, and Dick wisely agreed with him.

"When I get my car I'll take a run about the country and see what sort
of an investment I'll make," said Dick. "I may want to go in for real
estate. There's money in that, isn't there, dad?"

"Yes, if you buy right and sell right. But that business is like
everything else, you've got to learn it. However, you are your own
master to a certain extent. Good luck to you."

Dick went to a neighboring city that same afternoon and purchased his
runabout. He wanted to drive it home alone, but the manager of the
g