"
"I don't mind telling you, then. The fact is, I've got an old aunt
living about two miles from here. She's alone in the world--got
neither chick nor child--and is worth at least ten thousand dollars.
Do you see?"
"I think I do," said Clapp. "You want to come in for a share of the
stamps."
"Yes; I want to see if I can't get something out of the old girl,"
said Kensington, carelessly.
"Do you think the chance is good?"
"I don't know. I hear she's pretty tight-fisted. But I've run on
here on the chance of doing something. If she will only make me her
heir, and give me five hundred dollars in hand, I'll go to
California, and see what'll turn up."
"California!" repeated John Clapp and Luke in unison.
"Yes; were you ever there?"
"No; but we were talking of going there just as you came up," said
John. "An old school-mate of mine has just returned from there with
eight thousand dollars in gold."
"Lucky fellow! That's the kind of haul I'd like to make."
"Do you know how much it costs to go out there?"
"The prices are down just at present. You can go for a hundred
dollars--second cabin."
"It might as well be a thousand!" said Luke. "Clapp and I can't
raise a hundred dollars apiece to save our lives."
"I'll tell you what," said Kensington. "You two fellows are just the
company I'd like. If I can raise five hundred dollars out of the old
girl, I'll take you along with me, and you can pay me after you get
out there.
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