"I can't," whined the tramp. "If I had as much money as you,"--for he had noticed that Ernest had changed a gold piece--"I'd be happy, but I'm out of luck." Ernest paid no attention to his words, but left the store, and struck the path homeward. "Who's that boy?" asked the tramp. "It's Ernest Ray." "Where'd he get that gold?" "He lives with his uncle, a mile from the village." "Is his uncle rich?" "Folks think so. They call him a miser." "Is he goin' to die?" "That's what the boy says." "And the boy'll get all his money?" "It's likely." "I'd like to be his guardian." Joe and Luke Robbins laughed. "You'd make a pretty guardian," said Luke. "I won't get it," said the tramp, mournfully. "I never had no luck." CHAPTER II. A DEATHBED REVELATION. Ernest made the best of his way home, for he knew his uncle would be waiting for him. The old man's eyes were closed, but he opened them when Ernest entered the room. "Was I gone long?" asked the boy. "I don't know. I think I fell asleep." "Shall I give you some of the drink?" "Yes." He drank a small amount, and it seemed to brighten him up so much that Ernest said, "You look better, Uncle Peter. You may live some time." Peter shook his head. "No, boy," he replied; "my time has come to die. I know it. I would like to live for your sake. You will miss me when I am gone, Ernest?" "Yes, uncle, I shall miss you very much." The old man seemed gratified. Ernest was the only one he cared for in all the world. "I don't care so much about dying, but I am anxious for you. I wish I had money to leave you, Ernest, but I haven't much." "I am young and strong. I can get along." "I hope so. You will go away from here." "Yes, uncle. I don't think I shall care to stay here after you are gone." "You will need money to take you away." "There is a little more in the trunk." "But only a little. It is not quite all I have. I have a hundred dollars in gold laid away for you." Ernest looked surprised. "I must tell you where it is while I still have life. Do you remember the oak tree on the little knoll half a mile away?" "Yes, I know it." "Dig under that tree five feet in a westerly direction. There is a wooden box about half a foot below the surface of the earth. There's nothing to mark the spot, for it was buried a year since, and the grass has grown over it, hiding all traces of the earth's being disturbed. After I am gone go there and get the money." "Yes, uncle." "Don't let any one see you when you visit the spot. It will be best to go at night. There are evil-disposed men who would rob you of it if they had the chance. I am sorry it is so little, Ernest." "But it seems to me a good deal." "To a boy it may seem so. Once I thought I might have a good deal more to leave you. Go to the trunk and search till you find a paper folded in an envelope, and inscribed with your name." "Shall I search now?" "Yes."