"She said: 'Boy, I will report you to the railroad company for
insolence.' She's a sweet girl, Cousin Luella!"

"But you were not really insolent?"

Thereupon Fred told the whole story, and his mother agreed with him
that Miss Ferguson's conduct was very selfish and unladylike.

"What's more, mother, Miss Patton tells me that Cousin Ferguson has
cheated her mother and herself out of ten thousand dollars. I'll tell
you about it to-morrow. It is just striking twelve, and I can hardly
keep my eyes open."

CHAPTER XIX.

RUTH PATTON CALLS ON MR. FERGUSON.

The next day Ruth Patton confided her story to Mrs. Fenton.

"My mother and I," she said, "in our grief for father's death, never
dreamed that it would bring us destitution. Though he never furnished
us particulars of his pecuniary condition, he gave us to understand
that he would be comfortably provided for. Robert Ferguson we knew to
have been a life-long friend, or perhaps I should rather say
acquaintance, and we felt that as a trustee he would consider our
interests. We were thunderstruck when a letter was received from him
last week, stating that, in place of the ten thousand dollars on which
we fully counted, a pitiful balance of seventy-five dollars alone
remained to us."

"It was shameful!" said Mrs. Fenton indignantly.

"Nearly all of this sum will be swallowed up by small debts due in Port
Jervis. You will understand now why I have come to lay our case before
Mr. Ferguson, and see if he cannot give us more, or at any rate find me
employment, for on me now rests the duty of providing for my poor
mother."

"I wish I could encourage you, Miss Patton----"

"Don't call me Miss Patton. I look upon yon as a kind friend, and hope
you will call me Ruth."

"So indeed I will, for I feel a strong interest in you, Ruth."

"And I will look to you for advice."

"Then I advise you to call this evening on Mr. Ferguson, and find out
the worst."

"Meanwhile perhaps you can direct me to a cheap boarding-house."

"You will stay here till you have had time to form your plans."

"I will gladly do so if you will let me pay you."

"All in good time, Ruth. To-day you can help me if you will, and it
will be time to pay board when you are earning something."

It was not till he sat down to an early breakfast that Fred thought of
the package handed him by Mr. Lawrence at the Niagara Falls station. He
opened it in some curiosity, and to his surprise discovered a