Gerald found the house better furnished than he had anticipated. Jim Morris had a wife and young family, and had provided them a comfortable home. The house seemed completely furnished, even to crockery and kitchen furniture. Gerald was much pleased. "I will recommend Mr. Nixon to hire it, and after a while I hope he will buy it. Can he move in to-night?" "Sure." "Then I will take it. I am sure Mr. Nixon will do what I advise." "You don't ask what I shall charge!" "No, Mr. Loche, because I know you will only ask a fair price; and, besides, there is no other house I can get." "That is true. Well, it will be all right about the terms." "One thing more. Have you a wagon in which you can bring Mr. Nixon over? He is too feeble to walk." "I'll send at once. My assistant, Dennis Carlyle, will harness up and go back with you." "Thank you, Mr. Loche." "I say, boy, you seem to be a pretty smart kid. So you are going to look after the old man?" "Yes." "Then he's in luck. You have begun well." "What was done with the man who tried to rob him?" "He got an everlasting thrashing. We made him run the gauntlet, and he was pretty sore when he crept away. We thought at first of hanging him!" "I am glad you didn't. I don't think he will trouble his uncle again." "No, he won't come within fifty miles of Campville again as long as he lives." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER XXIV A NEW HOME GERALD jumped from the wagon and entered the cabin. Thomas Nixon sat in his old, listless attitude, but his eyes brightened when Gerald entered the room. "Well, Mr. Nixon," said Gerald, "are you ready to move?" "I don't understand. Where am I to move to?" "I have hired a house for you—the one till recently occupied by a man whom they call Jim Morris. I have hired it completely furnished, and all you will have to do is to walk in." The old man seemed almost bewildered by the suddenness of the proposition. "But I can't walk so far," he said. "You won't have to. I have a wagon at the door; we will help you into it, and in fifteen minutes you will find yourself in a more comfortable home." "If you think it best," said the old man, hesitatingly. "I do; and so will you when you have made the change." "Then I will go." "What do you want carried with you?" "I am used to this chair." "Very well, we will take it. Is there anything else?" Thomas Nixon pointed to the tin box. "Oh, yes; we mustn't forget that. Is there anything else?" "No." "Then, Mr. Carlyle, will you help get Mr. Nixon into the wagon?" Dennis Carlyle, who was a stout, muscular young man, lent a hand, and the old man soon found himself in the wagon, sitting in his favorite chair. "Sha'n't we need to carry some dishes? There's a few in yonder closet." "Not to-day, Mr. Nixon. We shall have all the dishes and kitchen utensils left by Mr. Morris."