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"You are spending at that rate for your dinners alone. I don't understand how you can do it." "I am an old man, Albert. I can't live many years, and I think it sensible to get as much comfort out of life as possible for my few remaining years." "Still----" "I had a little money, you know, five hundred dollars, and I have managed to turn it to good account, so that I don't feel quite so cramped as when I was at Lakeville." "The old man's been speculating!" thought Albert Marlowe, "and he has had a stroke of luck; but he's a fool to think he can live like a banker on the strength of that. Very likely his next venture will sweep away his small amount of capital. Well, if he comes to grief, he needn't apply to me. Henceforth I wash my hands of him and his affairs altogether." "Of course it's your own lookout," he said, "but to me you seem recklessly extravagant." "Because I come in here? Well, perhaps so. When I find I can't afford it, I'll go to a cheaper place. Have you seen Mary Barton lately?" "Yes; she is well. By the way, what have you done with her boy?" "He is traveling." "So I heard. It seems to me a very foolish proceeding. Who is paying his expenses?" "Himself." "Is he working, then?" asked the squire in surprise. "Yes; he is a member of the 'Streets of Gotham' company, and is earning his living as an actor." "What does he know about acting?" asked the squire in amazement. "It appears that he is giving satisfaction. He sent me a paper containing a highly commendatory notice of his first appearance." "It won't last," said Albert Marlowe, his wish being father to the thought. When he returned to Lakeville that evening, he carried with him two pieces of news--first, that Uncle Jacob was living in luxury, and secondly, that Bert Barton was on the stage. "If he can act, I can," said Percy jealously. "They must have been hard up for an actor when they took Bert Barton. A boy brought up in a country town. Never been to a theatre in his life before. Pooh! I dare say he appeared for one night only. The idea of Mary Barton's son acting before a regular audience, a boy who has hoed corn for farmer Wilson!" CHAPTER XXXII. HIRAM FRENCH, OF CHICAGO. From Harrisburg the dramatic company with which Bert was connected went directly to Chicago. "We don't like to make such long jumps," said Mr. Pearson, with whom Bert had become quite friendly, "but we could secure Hoole
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