“Sophia, you are a goose!” said Priscilla, blushing a little.

“Just so, Priscilla.”

“We are too old to marry, Andrew,” said Priscilla; “but we thank you for your wish.”

“Shure, ma’am, you are only in the prime of life.”

“Just so,” said Sophia, brightening up.

“I shall be sixty next spring.  That can hardly be in the prime of life.”

“I was readin’ of a lady that got married at seventy-nine, ma’am.”

“Just so,” said Sophia, eagerly.

Miss Priscilla did not care to pursue the subject.

“We have thought of you,” she continued, “and, as you have been very obliging, we have bought you a Christmas present.  Here it is.”

Andy no sooner saw the skates than his face brightened up with the most evident satisfaction.

“It’s just what I wanted,” he said, joyfully.  “They’re regular beauties!  I’m ever so much obliged to you.”

“Sophia wanted to get you a pair of spectacles, but I thought these would suit you better.”

Andy went off into a fit of laughter at the idea, in which both the ladies joined him.  Then, after thanking them again, he hurried home, hardly knowing which gave him greater pleasure, his own present, or his mother’s.

I will not stop to describe Andy’s Christmas, for this is only a retrospect, but carry my reader forward to the next September, when Andy met with an adventure, which eventually had a considerable effect upon his fortunes.

CHAPTER XVII INTRODUCES AN ADVENTURER

Colonel Preston, as I have already said, was a rich man.  He owned no real estate in the town of Crampton, except the house in which he lived.  His property was chiefly in stocks of different kinds.  Included in these was a considerable amount of stock in a woolen manufacturing establishment, situated in Melville, some twelve miles distant.  Dividends upon these were paid semi-annually, on the first of April and October.  It was the custom of Colonel Preston at these dates to drive over to Melville, receive his dividends, and then drive back again.

Now, unfortunately for the welfare of the community, there are some persons who, unwilling to make a living by honest industry, prefer to possess themselves unlawfully of means to maintain their unprofitable lives.  Among them was a certain black-whiskered individual, who, finding himself too well known in New York, had sought the country, ready for any stroke of business which might offer in his particular line.  Chance led his steps to Melville, where he put up at the village inn.  He began at once to institute inquiries, the answers to which might serve his purpose, and to avert suspicion, casually mentioned that he was a capitalist, and thought of settling down in the town.  As he was well dressed, and had a plausible manner, this statement was not doubted.

Among other things, he made inquiries in regard to the manufactory, what dividends it paid, and when.  Expressing himself desirous of purchasing some stock, he inquired the names of the principal owners of the stock.  First among them was mentioned Colonel Preston.