what it means,” said Dr. Sampson. “Can you throw any light upon it?”
“Here is my letter, doctor. You can read it for yourself.”
Dr. Sampson’s face changed as he read Rodney’s letter. It changed and hardened, and his expression became quite different from that to which Rodney had been accustomed.
“This is a bad business, Ropes,” said the doctor in a hard tone.
He had always said Rodney before.
“Yes, sir.”
“That was a handsome fortune which your father left you.”
“Yes, sir. I never knew before how much it amounted to.”
“You only learn when you have lost it. Mr. Fielding has treated you shamefully.”
“Yes, sir, I suppose he has, but he says he will try to make it up to me in the future.”
“Pish! that is all humbug. Even if he is favored by fortune you will never get back a cent.”
“I think I shall, sir.”
“You are young. You do not know the iniquities of business men. I do.”
“I prefer to hope for the best.”
“Just as you please.”
“Have you anything more to say to me?”
“Only that I will figure up your account and see how much money is to come to you out of the check your guardian has sent. You can stay here till Monday; then you will find it best to make new arrangements.”
“Very well, sir.”
Rodney left the room, realizing that Dr. Sampson’s feelings had been changed by his pupil’s reverse of fortune.
It was the way of the world, but it was not a pleasant way, and Rodney felt depressed.
CHAPTER II
THE CASKET OF JEWELS
It was not till the latter part of the afternoon that the casket arrived. Rodney was occupied with a recitation, and it was only in the evening that he got an opportunity to open it. There was a pearl necklace, very handsome, a pair of bracelets, two gold chains, some minor articles of jewelry and a gold ring.
A locket attracted Rodney’s notice, and he opened it. It contained the pictures of his father and mother.
His father he could barely remember, his mother died before he was old enough to have her image impressed upon his memory. He examined the locket and his heart was saddened. He felt how different his life would have been had his parents lived.
He had never before realized the sorrow of being alone in the world. Misfortune had come upon him, and so far as he knew he had not a friend. Even Dr. Sampson, who had been paid so much money on his account, and who had always professed so great friendship for him, had turned cold.
As he was standing with the locket in his hand there was a knock at the door.
“Come in!” he called out.
The door opened and a stout, coarse looking boy, dressed in an expensive manner, entered.
“Good evening, John,” said Rodney, but not cordially.
Next to himself, John Bundy, who was the son of a wealthy saloon keeper in the city of New York, had been a favorite with Dr. Sampson.
If there was anything Dr. Sampson bowed down to and respected it was wealth, and Mr. Bundy, senior, was reputed to be worth a considerable fortune.
In Rodney’s mood John Bundy was about the last person whom he wanted to see.
“Ha!” said John, espying the open casket, “where did you get all that jewelry?”
“It contains my mother’s jewels,” said Rodney gravely.
“You never showed it to me before.”
“I never had it before. It came to me by express this afternoon.”
“It must be worth a good pile of money,” said John, his eyes gleaming with cupidity.
“I suppose it is.”
“Have you any idea what it is worth?”
“I have no thought about it.”
“What are you going to do with it? It won’t be of use to you, especially the diamond earrings,” he added, with a coarse laugh.
“No,” answered Rodney shortly.
“My eyes, wouldn’t my mother like to own all this jewelry. She’s fond of ornament, but pa won’t buy them for her.”
Rodney did not answer.
“I say, Ropes, I mustn’t forget my errand. Will you do me a favor?”
“What is it?”
“Lend me five dollars till the first of next month. My allowance comes due then. Now I haven’t but a quarter left.”
“What makes you apply to me, Bundy?”
“Because you always have money. I don’t suppose you are worth as much as my father, but you have more money for yourself than I have.”
“I have had, perhaps, but I haven’t now.”
“Why, what’s up? What has happened?”
“I have lost my fortune.”
John whistled. This was his way of expressing amazement.
“Why, what have you been doing? How could you lose your fortune?”
“My guardian has lost it for me. That amount to the same thing.”
“When did you hear that?”
“This morning.”
“Is that true? Are you really a poor boy?”
“Yes.”
John Bundy was astonished, but on the whole he was not saddened. In the estimation of the school Rodney had always ranked higher than he, and been looked upon as the star pupil in point of wealth.
Now that he was dethroned John himself would take his place. This would be gratifying, though just at present, and till the beginning of the next month, he would be distressed for ready money.
“Well, that’s a stunner!” he said. “How do you feel about it? Shall you stay in school?”
“No; I can’t afford it. I must get to work.”
“Isn’t there anything left—not a cent?”
“There may be a few dollars.”
“And then,”
