'Who is our new visitor, Belle, who indulges in a tandem?' said Hiram, turning his penetrating eyes on his daughter, but with no suspicious glance. 'New visitor! What do you mean, papa?' 'I thought I saw a phaeton drive from here.' 'Oh, that was at Mrs. Longworth's. Such a handsome man, though, papa! I was at the window when he got in.' Hiram patted his daughter's cheek playfully, and passed in. Keen and discerning as he was, his _child_ could deceive him. 'Where is your mamma?' he asked. 'Out for a drive.' 'Is Gus at home?' 'No, papa; I have not seen him to-day.' 'Give orders to have dinner served punctually. I must go out immediately after.' CHAPTER II. I have spoken of Hiram's three children. The individual referred to in the last chapter as 'Gus' is the oldest, and the only son. He is, at this period, about twenty-three years of age. His father undertook to bring him up in a very strict manner. He could, however, give none of his time to the important business of starting his son in the right path, and aiding him to continue in it. It was enough for Hiram that _he_ was secure. He contented himself with laying down severe courses, and holding his boy to the strictest fulfilment of 'duty.' The result can readily be imagined. The young man, as he grew up and understood fully his father's position, came to the conclusion that it was quite unnecessary for him to practise the strict habits which had been so despotically inculcated. So he gave loose rein to his fancies, and while yet in college was one of the wildest in the class. By his mother's interposition, he was sent abroad. He came back all the worse for the year's sojourn, and, young as he was, soon got to be a regular 'man about town.' He lived at home--ostensibly; but he was seldom to be seen in the house. He had come to entertain very little respect for his father; for he had a sort of native insight into his character. He constantly complains of his miserly treatment, though Hiram makes his son a respectable allowance--more, I think, to be rid of the annoyance of his repeated and incessant applications, than for any other reason. 'Gus' was a favorite with his mother (I forgot to say she had named him Augustus Myrtle Meeker, with her husband's full consent), and heavy were the drafts he made on her purse. This was a point of constant discussion between Mr. and Mrs. Meeker. It was of no use. The lady continued to indulge her only son, and her husband to protest against it. Of late, Gus had been in possession of pretty large sums of money, which he certainly had not obtained either from his father or mother. And it was something connected with this circumstance which takes Hiram out immediately after dinner. I think it is in place here to say something of Hiram Meeker's domestic life.