“What's to become of her grandson--he's consumptive they tell me.” “He's going to a sanatorium to get cured.” “And you are going to pay the bills?” Quincy nodded again. “I get a lesson very often. You are using your money to help others, while I've hoarded mine.” Quincy looked at the speaker inquiringly. Alice had given him to understand that her uncle had used his income for himself. “I know what you're thinking, Mr. Sawyer. I did tell Alice I had an annuity, but I haven't spent one-tenth of what's coming to me. I arranged to have it put in a savings bank, and I've drawn just as little as I could and get along. I bought a fifty thousand dollar annuity at sixty. I got nine per cent, on my money, besides the savings bank interest. As near as I can figure it out I'm worth about two hundred thousand dollars. I've beat the insurance company bad, and I ain't dead yet. I have all this money, but what good has it done anybody?” “It can do good in the future, Uncle.” “I want to leave something to Mandy's boys--not too much--for I'm afraid they'd squander it, and become do-nothings. What shall I do with it?” “Do you wish me to suggest a public use for your fortune?” “That's what I've been telling you about it for. You've a good knack of disposing of your own and other folks' money, and I thought you could help me out.” Quincy did not speak for some time. Finally he said, “Uncle Ike, the Town Hall in Fernborough is but one mile from the centre of the city of Cottonton. That city is peopled, principally, with low-paid cotton mill operatives. Their employers, as a rule, are more intent on dividends than the moral or physical condition of their help. Accidents are common in the mills, many are broken down in health by overwork, and those who become mothers are forced by necessity to resume work in the mills before their strength is restored.” Uncle Ike shut his teeth with a snap. “That's worse than hoarding money as I've done. Mine may, as you say, do good in the future, but theirs is degrading human beings at the present. I wish I could do something for them, especially the mothers. It's a shame _they_ have to suffer.” “You can do something, Uncle Ike. My suggestion is, that you leave the bulk of your fortune to build a hospital in Fernborough, but provide in your will that the mill operatives of Cottonton, or all its poorer inhabitants, if you so wish it, shall be entitled to free treatment therein.” “I'll do it,” cried Uncle Ike. “As soon as I get settled at 'Zeke's, I'll send for Squire Rundlett to come and make out my will. You've taken a big load off my mind, Mr. Sawyer.” As Quincy was mounting Obed's Hill slowly, for it was very steep, he thought to himself--“Getting Uncle Ike to do something practical towards helping others was much better than talking theoretical religion to him.” When he reached the Hawkins House, Andrew was getting ready to drive to Cottonton to meet the three o'clock express from Boston.