t you. I am afraid I
couldn't have overtaken it myself."

"I am afraid not," said Robert, smiling at the thought of a man of the
merchant's figure engaging in a race for a hat.

"I could run when I was a boy like you," said Mr. Tudor pleasantly, "but
there's rather too much of me now. Do you live in the village?"

"Out on the cliff, sir. My uncle is a fisherman."

"And do you ever fish?"

"Sometimes--a little, sir."

"But you don't expect to be a fisherman when you grow up?"

"Not if I can find anything better."

"A bright-looking lad like you ought to find something better. Please
accept this."

He drew from his vest pocket a two-dollar bill, which he placed in
Robert's hand.

"What!" exclaimed our young hero in astonishment. "All this for saving
your hat? It is quite too much, sir."

Mr. Tudor smiled.

"You will no doubt be surprised," he said, "when I tell you that my hat
cost me fifty dollars. It is a very fine Panama."

"Fifty dollars!" ejaculated Robert.

He had not supposed it worth two.

"So you see it is worth something to save it, and I should undoubtedly
have lost it but for you."

"I am very much obliged to you, sir," said Robert. "I wouldn't accept
the money if it were for myself, but it will be very acceptable to my
aunt."

"I suppose your uncle does not find fishing very remunerative?"

"It isn't that, sir; but he spends nearly all of his money at the
tavern, and----"

"I understand, my boy. It is a very great pity. I, too, had an uncle who
was intemperate, and I can understand your position. What is your
name?"

"Robert Coverdale."

"There is my business card. If you ever come to Boston, come and see
me."

Robert took the card, from which he learned that his new acquaintance
was Lawrence Tudor.

CHAPTER IV

ROBERT'S PURCHASES

When Robert parted from Mr. Tudor he felt as if he had unexpectedly
fallen heir to a fortune. Two dollars is not a very large sum, but to
Robert, nurtured amid privation, it assumed large proportions.

He began at once to consider what he could do with it, and it is to his
credit that he thought rather of his aunt than himself.

He would buy a whole pound of tea, he decided, and a pound of sugar to
make it more palatable. This would last a considerable time and take
less than half his money. As to the disposal of the remainder, he would
consider how to expend that.

In a long, low building, with brooms, brushes and a variety of
nondesc