“To Montana.”
“Isn’t that a good way off?”
“Yes.”
“What are you going to do there?”
“I may go to mining.”
“But how can you afford to go so far?”
“Really, Jasper, you show considerable curiosity
about my affairs. I have money enough to buy
my ticket, and I think I can find work when I get
out there.”
“It seems to me a crazy idea.”
“It might be—for you.”
“And why for me?” asked Jasper suspiciously.
“Because you might not be willing to rough it
as I am prepared to do.”
“I guess you are right. I have always been
used to living like a gentleman.”
“I hope you will always be able to do so.
Now I must bid you good by, as I am busy getting ready
for my journey.”
Jasper looked after Rodney, not without perplexity.
“I can’t make out that boy,” he
said. “So he is going to be a common miner!
Well, that may suit him, but it wouldn’t suit
me. There is no chance now of his interfering
with me, so I am glad he is going to leave the city.”
A MINING TOWN IN MONTANA.
The scene changes.
Three weeks later among the miners who were sitting
on the narrow veranda of the “Miners’
Rest” in Oreville in Montana we recognize two
familiar faces and figures—those of Jefferson
Pettigrew and Rodney Ropes. Both were roughly
clad, and if Jasper could have seen Rodney he would
have turned up his nose in scorn, for Rodney had all
the look of a common miner.
It was in Oreville that Mr. Pettigrew had a valuable
mining property, on which he employed quite a number
of men who preferred certain wages to a compensation
depending on the fluctuations of fortune. Rodney
was among those employed, but although he was well
paid he could not get to like the work. Of this,
however, he said nothing to Mr. Pettigrew whose company
he enjoyed, and whom he held in high esteem.
On the evening in question Jefferson rose from his
seat and signed to Rodney to follow him.
“Well, Rodney, how do you like Montana?”
he asked.
“Well enough to be glad I came here,”
answered Rodney.
“Still you are not partial to the work of a
miner!”
“I can think of other things I would prefer
to do.”
“How would you like keeping a hotel?”
“Is there any hotel in search of a manager?”
asked Rodney smiling.
“I will explain. Yesterday I bought the
‘Miners’ Rest.’”
“What—the hotel where we board?”
“Exactly. I found that Mr. Bailey, who
has made a comfortable sum of money, wants to leave
Montana and go East and I bought the hotel.”
“So that hereafter I shall board with you?”
“Not exactly. I propose to put you in charge,
and pay you a salary. I can oversee, and give
you instructions. How will that suit you?”
