roll of
bills, accompanied by this note:

To FRED FENTON,

MY YOUNG FRIEND:--Though I have not yet had a chance to communicate
with my uncle in Elmira, I feel authorized to act as his
representative, and in his name ask you to accept the inclosed sum as
an acknowledgment of your valuable assistance in bringing about the
recovery of the securities stolen from his house, and incidentally as a
recompense for the annoyance you experienced in being yourself
suspected. Your conduct has been very creditable, and I feel that to
you we are largely indebted for the recovery of the property and the
conviction of the burglar. I infer that you are mainly dependent, on
your earnings, which are probably limited, and I therefore take
pleasure in handing you a substantial reward which I hope will be of
service to you.

Yours sincerely,

EDMUND LAWRENCE.

Fred counted the bills, and alike to his surprise and gratification
found that they amounted to two hundred dollars.

"Where did you get so much money, Fred?" asked his mother, entering the
room as he completed his count.

"That letter will explain, mother," answered Fred radiant with delight.

"We are indeed rich!" said Mrs. Fenton joyfully. "This removes all
anxiety for a long time to come."

"Yes, we can afford to snap our fingers at the landlord."

"I hope you are not going to carry all this money round with you, Fred.
You might get robbed."

"I shall deposit it in the Dime Savings Bank this forenoon."

"But you will leave before the bank opens."

"No, I am to take a midday train."

At ten o'clock Fred went to the Union Dime Savings Bank fronting on
Thirty-Second Street, and deposited the hundred dollars in gold left
him by his mining friend, and one hundred and seventy-five dollars
besides from his recent gift. The other twenty-five he handed to his
mother.

"Mother," he said, "you need a new dress, and Albert needs a new suit.
Take this money, and buy what you think best."

"I can go a little longer without a dress, Fred."

"But I don't want you to. We can spare the money well enough, and there
is no better way to spend it."

Mrs. Fenton made no further opposition, but during the day asked Ruth
Patton to accompany her to one of the large stores on Sixth Avenue,
where the necessary purchases were made.

In the evening Ruth set out for her call upon Mr. Robert Ferguson.

She ascended the steps in a state