"What's more, mother, Miss Patton tells me that Cousin Ferguson has cheated her mother and herself out of ten thousand dollars. I'll tell you about it to-morrow. It is just striking twelve, and I can hardly keep my eyes open." CHAPTER XIX. RUTH PATTON CALLS ON MR. FERGUSON. The next day Ruth Patton confided her story to Mrs. Fenton. "My mother and I," she said, "in our grief for father's death, never dreamed that it would bring us destitution. Though he never furnished us particulars of his pecuniary condition, he gave us to understand that he would be comfortably provided for. Robert Ferguson we knew to have been a life-long friend, or perhaps I should rather say acquaintance, and we felt that as a trustee he would consider our interests. We were thunderstruck when a letter was received from him last week, stating that, in place of the ten thousand dollars on which we fully counted, a pitiful balance of seventy-five dollars alone remained to us." "It was shameful!" said Mrs. Fenton indignantly. "Nearly all of this sum will be swallowed up by small debts due in Port Jervis. You will understand now why I have come to lay our case before Mr. Ferguson, and see if he cannot give us more, or at any rate find me employment, for on me now rests the duty of providing for my poor mother." "I wish I could encourage you, Miss Patton----" "Don't call me Miss Patton. I look upon yon as a kind friend, and hope you will call me Ruth." "So indeed I will, for I feel a strong interest in you, Ruth." "And I will look to you for advice." "Then I advise you to call this evening on Mr. Ferguson, and find out the worst." "Meanwhile perhaps you can direct me to a cheap boarding-house." "You will stay here till you have had time to form your plans." "I will gladly do so if you will let me pay you." "All in good time, Ruth. To-day you can help me if you will, and it will be time to pay board when you are earning something." It was not till he sat down to an early breakfast that Fred thought of the package handed him by Mr. Lawrence at the Niagara Falls station. He opened it in some curiosity, and to his surprise discovered a roll of bills, accompanied by this note: To FRED FENTON, MY YOUNG FRIEND:--Though I have not yet had a chance to communicate with my uncle in Elmira, I feel authorized to act as his representative, and in his name ask you to accept the inclosed sum as an acknowledgment of your valuable assistance in bringing about the recovery of the securities stolen from his house, and incidentally as a recompense for the annoyance you experienced in being yourself suspected. Your conduct has been very creditable, and I feel that to you we are largely indebted for the recovery of the property and the conviction of the burglar. I infer that you are mainly dependent, on your earnings, which are probably limited, and I therefore take pleasure in handing you a substantial reward which I hope will be of service to you.