“You’ve done better for me than my cousin would have done, Andy,” said Graham, a few days later.  “You’ve set me on my feet, and I’m not afraid now but I’ll get along.”

CHAPTER XXXIV.

SETH JOHNSON’S GIFT.

It was four weeks before Seth Johnson became convalescent.  His system was run down, and he was in a very critical state when found by Andy.  Careful nursing saved him.

When able to get out, he accompanied Andy to show him his lots.  The plot was about as large as Mr. Crawford’s, but was a little further from the center of the town.  It would make about twenty-five lots of the average size.

“How much will you take for the entire plot?” asked Andy.

“I don’t want to sell the whole,” said Johnson.

“I thought you meant to leave Tacoma for good?”

“So I do, but I propose to give one-fifth of the land to a friend.”

“Then let me know how much you will take for the remaining four-fifths.”

“Will five thousand dollars be too much?”

“I will buy it at that figure,” said Andy, promptly.

“You don’t ask me to whom I intend to give the fifth which I reserve?”

“It is probably no one whom I know.”

“On the contrary, it is one whom you know well—­it is yourself.”

Andy looked his amazement.

“But how have I deserved such a gift?” he asked.

“You have saved my life.  If you had not found and befriended me, I should not have been living at this moment.  ’All that a man hath will he give in exchange for his life,’ the Bible says.  I don’t give all, but I give merely one-fifth of my land.  I have ten thousand dollars, besides, in San Francisco.”

“I am deeply grateful to you, Mr. Johnson.  I am a poor boy, and this unexpected gift will help me to carry out some plans for the benefit of my father, who is in an embarrassed condition.”

“I advise you not to sell the land till you can sell at an advanced price.”

“I shall not do so.  When the Northern Pacific is completed I am sure lots will be much higher.”

“To be sure.  You are young and can wait.  I am old, and I have no particular desire to make money.  I have enough to see me through.”

When Andy started for New York he had the company of Seth Johnson.  It was agreed that the final arrangements for the transfer of the lots should take place in Mr. Crawford’s office.

They reached the city without adventure, and Andy, with his new friend, reported at his employer’s.

“I hope you are satisfied with what I have done, Mr. Crawford,” said Andy.

“Thoroughly so.  You have made a good purchase.  I shall pay you five hundred dollars as an acknowledgment of the service you have rendered me.”

“But, Mr. Crawford, Mr. Johnson has already given me five lots.”

“True; but this is his gift, not mine.  You must not be afraid of becoming too rich.  You will need all your money.”