“When does the next steamer go?”

“In six days.”

“I guess it’ll carry me.”

Watson turned to Joe.

“I suppose you will now take charge of your own business?” said lie.  “I am ready to hand over my trust at any minute.”

“Would you object to retaining charge for—­say for four months to come?” asked Joe.

“Object?  I should be delighted to do it.  I couldn’t expect to make as much money any other way.”

“You see, Mr. Watson, I am thinking of going home myself on a visit.  I feel that I can afford it, and I should like to see my old friends and acquaintances under my new and improved circumstances.”

Watson was evidently elated at the prospect of continued employment of so remunerative a character.

“You may depend upon it that your interests are safe in my hands,” said he.  “I will carry on the business as if it were my own.  Indeed, it will be for my interest to do so.”

“I don’t doubt it, Mr. Watson.  I have perfect confidence In your management.”

Joe’s next call was on his friend Morgan, by whom also he was cordially welcomed.

“Have you called on Watson?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Then he has probably given you an idea of how your business has gone on during your absence.  He is a thoroughly reliable man, in my opinion.  You were fortunate to secure his services.”

“So I think.”

“Have you done well at the mines?” asked Mr. Morgan doubtfully.

“You hope so, but you don’t feel confident?” said Joe, smiling.

“You can read my thoughts exactly.  I don’t consider mining as reliable as a regular business.”

“Nor I, in general, but there is one thing you don’t take into account.”

“What is that?”

Mr. Bickford answered the question.

“Joe’s luck.”

“Then you have been lucky?”

“How much do you think I have brought home?”

“A thousand dollars?”

“Five times that sum.”

“Are you in earnest?” asked Mr. Morgan, incredulous.

“Wholly so.”

“Then let me congratulate you—­on that and something else.”

“What is that?”

“The lots you purchased, including the one on which your restaurant is situated, have more than doubled in value.”

“Bully for you, Joe!” exclaimed Mr. Bickford enthusiastically.

“It never rains but it pours,” said Joe, quoting an old proverb.  “I begin to think I shall be rich some time, Mr. Morgan.”

“It seems very much like it.”

“What would you advise me to do, Mr. Morgan—­sell out the lots at the present advance?”

“Hold on to them, Joe.  Not only do that, but buy more.  This is destined some day to be a great city.  It has a favorable location, is the great mining center, and the State, I feel convinced, has an immense territory fit for agricultural purposes.  Lots here may fluctuate, but they will go up a good deal higher than present figures.”