"'I'll tell you what I'll do, as I don't care, after all, about waiting here. It's a little damp, and I'm subject to rheumatics. I'll let you have the whole thing if you give me twenty-five per cent, of the oil after it's barreled, barrels and all.' "The captain thought for a moment. "'You drive a close bargain.' "'Of course.' "'Well, it'll save a voyage, and that's something.' "'Something! Bless your heart! ain't that every thing?' "'Well, I'll agree. Come on board, and we'll make out the papers.' "So my grandfather went on board, and they made out the papers; and the ship hauled up alongside of the whale, and they went to work cutting, and slashing, and hoisting, and burning, and boiling, and at last, after ever so long a time--I don't remember exactly how long--the oil was all secured, and my grandfather, in a few months afterward, when he landed at Nantucket and made inquiries, sold his share of the oil for three thousand nine hundred and fifty-six dollars fifty-six cents, which he at once invested in business in New Bedford, and started off to Pennsylvania to visit his mother. The old lady didn't know him at all, he was so changed by sun, wind, storm, hardship, sickness, fatigue, want, exposure, and other things of that kind. She looked coldly on him. "'Who are you?' "'Don't you know?' "'No.' "'Think.' "'_Have you a strawberry on your arm_?' "'No.' "'Then--you are--_you are_--YOU ARE--my own--my long--lost son!' [Illustration: The Long-Lost Son.] "And she caught him in her arms. "Here endeth the first part of my grandfather's adventures, but he had many more, good and bad; for he was a remarkable man, though I say it; and if any of you ever want to hear more about him, which I doubt, all you've got to do is to say so. But perhaps it's just as well to let the old gentleman drop, for his adventures were rather strange; but the narration of them is not very profitable, not that I go in for the utilitarian theory of conversation; but I think, on the whole, that, in story-telling, fiction should be preferred to dull facts like these, and so the next time I tell a story I will make one up." The Club had listened to the story with the gravity which should be manifested toward one who is relating family matters. At its close the Senator prepared to speak. He cleared his throat: "Ahem! Gentlemen of the Club! our adventures, thus far, have not been altogether contemptible. We have a President and a Secretary; ought we not also to have a Recording Secretary--a Historian?" "Ay!" said all, very earnestly. "Who, then, shall it be?" All looked at Dick. "I see there is but one feeling among us all," said the Senator. "Yes, Richard, you are the man. Your gift of language, your fancy, your modesty, your fluency--But I spare you. From this time forth you know your duty." Overcome by this honor, Dick was compelled to bow his thanks in silence and hide his blushing face.