two dollars leaves a dollar'n
thirty-two cents."

"Forty-two," corrected Robert.

"I declare, so it does! You are a good hand at subtraction."

Robert felt that he could not truthfully return the compliment and
prudently remained silent.

"There is your money," continued the trader, putting in Robert's hand a
dollar bill and forty-two cents in change. "Your uncle must have been
quite lucky."

He looked questioningly at our hero, but Robert did not choose to
gratify his curiosity.

"Is it so very lucky to make two dollars?" he asked, and with these
words he left the store.

"That's a cur'us boy!" soliloquized Mr. Sands, looking after him. "I
can't get nothin' out of him. Looks as if John Trafton must have turned
over a new leaf to give him so much money to buy groceries. I hope he
has. It's better that I should get his money than the tavern keeper."

Mr. Sands did not have to wait long before his curiosity was partially
gratified, for the very man of whom he was thinking just then entered
the store.

"Has my nephew been here?" he inquired.

"Just went out."

"I thought you might be willing to let him have what little he wanted on
credit. I'll see that it's paid for."

"Why, he paid for the goods himself--fifty-eight cents."

_"What!"_ exclaimed the fisherman, astonished.

"He bought a pound of tea, at fifty cents, and a pound of sugar, at
eight cents, and paid for 'em."

"Where'd he get the money?" asked Trafton.

"I am sure I don't know. I supposed you gave it to him. He's got more
left. He paid for the articles with a two-dollar bill and he's got a
dollar and forty-two cents left!"

"The young hypocrite!" ejaculated John Trafton indignantly. "All the
while he had this money he was worryin' me for a quarter to buy some tea
and a loaf of bread."

"Looks rather mysterious--doesn't it?" said the grocer.

"Mr. Sands," said the fisherman, "I've took care of that boy ever since
he was three year old, and that's the way he treats me. He's a young
viper!"

"Jes so!" said Mr. Sands, who was a politic man and seldom contradicted
his neighbors.

"The rest of that money belongs to me by rights," continued the
fisherman, "and he's got to give it to me. How much did you say it
was?"

"A dollar and forty-two cents, John; but, seems to me, you'd better let
him keep it to buy groceries with."

"I must have the money!" muttered Trafton, not heeding this advice,
which was good, though selfish. "I guess I'