First at the North Pole Part 49

"Oh, how glad I am of it!" murmured Chet.

A substantial supper was prepared for all,--Andy a.s.sisting his uncle in getting it ready.

"Uncle Si isn't a bit like his old self," whispered Andy to Chet, when they sat down. "Going to work has waked him up and made another man of him."

"Hope he sticks to it," answered Chet.

That evening, after all the stories had been told in detail, Josiah Graham brought out the papers Andy had lost in the woods. As the storekeeper had said, they had been well soaked by the snow and rain, but they were still decipherable.

"I am going to tell Mr. Dawson about them, and then turn them over to some first-cla.s.s lawyer," said Andy. "If they are really worth anything, I want to know it."

On the following day the two boys and Mr. Greene returned to Portland.

Chet's father conferred with the police, and as a consequence Mr. A. Q.

Hopton was located, some days later, in Augusta, and placed in custody.

He was subjected to a close examination, and finally broke down, and confessed his guilt. He said that Tolney Greene had had nothing to do with the crimes, and Chet's father was completely exonerated. He also told about the timber land in Michigan, and through a firm of good lawyers Andy's claim to a substantial interest was established,--an interest said to be worth fifteen thousand dollars.

"With all that money, you won't have to work no more," said Josiah Graham to the boy.

"But I am going to work, just the same," answered Andy. "And you are going to work with me, Uncle Si. Some day, we'll have a big lumber camp of our own."

"And what is thet Greene boy goin' to do?"

"He is going into partners.h.i.+p with me--when we are old enough," answered Andy.

"Do you think it's wuth it, to work so hard when you've got so much money?" asked Uncle Si, wistfully.

"Certainly I do. It's the best thing for me--and for you, too. I shouldn't want to be idle, even if I was a millionaire."

"Well, jest as you say, Andy." The old man heaved a long sigh. "I suppose you are right--anyway, it's your money." And then he went to work again, and said no more on the subject.

As soon as his name was cleared, Tolney Greene looked around for work.

Through Andy's influence, he obtained the position of superintendent at the lumber tract in Michigan, and Chet went to work with him.

"And what are you going to do?" asked Chet of Andy, one day.

"I am going to rest for a month or so," was the answer. "Then Mr.

Dawson, who has been appointed my guardian, is going to send me to a first-cla.s.s boarding school."

"And after that, Andy?"

"I am going into the lumber business--and you are going with me, Chet."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"But I haven't any money."

"Never mind, when I go in for myself you are going to have an interest,"

replied Andy, and his tone showed that he meant what he said.

The report that the Barwell Dawson expedition had reached the North Pole created a great stir. Many would not believe it, and the explorer and Professor Jeffer were called upon to submit proofs. This they did willingly. Then Barwell Dawson was asked to lecture, but declined. But Professor Jeffer took to the platform, and made a great deal of money thereby, and from the book he issued later.

"It was a grand trip--a truly marvelous trip," the professor was wont to say. "But--but I do not think I desire to go again."

"You are right," answered Barwell Dawson. "Once is sufficient. After this I shall devote my time to hunting and exploring in localities not quite so cold."

"And where there is plenty of food," put in Andy.

"Yes, don't forget the food," said Chet. "As long as I live I never want to get so close to starving again!"

And all the others agreed with him.

THE END