I made
a great mistake when I married in not asking
him to settle a definite sum on his daughter.
It would have been so much saved from the wreck."
"Did aunt want him to come and live here?"
"Yes, women are always unreasonable. She
would have had me support the old man in
idleness, but I am not one of that kind.
Every tub should stand on its own bottom."
"I say so, too, uncle. Do you know whether
this boy, Carl Crawford, has any father or mother?"
"From a word Jennings let fall I infer
that he has relatives, but is not on good terms
with them. I have been a little afraid he
might stand in your light."
"How so, uncle?"
"Should there be any good opening for one
of your age, I am afraid he would get it rather
than you."
"I didn't think of that," said Leonard, jealously.
"Living as he does with Mr. Jennings, he
will naturally try to ingratiate himself with
him, and stand first in his esteem."
"That is true. Is Mr. Jennings a rich man,
do you think?"
"Yes, I think he is. The factory and stock
are worth considerable money, but I know he
has other investments also. As one item he
has over a thousand dollars in the Carterville
Savings Bank. He has been very pru-
dent, has met with no losses, and has put aside
a great share of his profits every year."
"I wonder he don't marry."
"Marriage doesn't seem to be in his
thoughts. Hannah makes him so comfortable
that he will probably remain a bachelor to
the end of his days."
"Perhaps he will leave his money to her.
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