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*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE YOUNG EXPLORER *** Etext produced by Charles Aldarondo HTML file produced by David Widger








THE YOUNG EXPLORER OR CLAIMING HIS FORTUNE By Horatio Alger, Jr.





CONTENTS

THE YOUNG EXPLORER

CHAPTER I. — BEN'S INHERITANCE.

CHAPTER II. — DEACON PITKIN'S OFFER.

CHAPTER III. — SAM STURGIS' NEW IDEA.

CHAPTER IV. — A BRILLIANT CHANCE.

CHAPTER V. — IN SEARCH OF A PLACE.

CHAPTER VI. — MR. PITCH, THE SENIOR PARTNER.

CHAPTER VII. — BEN'S DINNER-GUEST.

CHAPTER VIII. — A STRANGE ACQUAINTANCE.

CHAPTER IX. — AT THE ASTOR HOUSE.

CHAPTER X. — BEN RECEIVES A CALL.

CHAPTER XI. — MISS SINCLAIR'S STRATAGEM.

CHAPTER XII. — IN SAN FRANCISCO.

CHAPTER XIII. — PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.

CHAPTER XI. — THE CANON HOTEL.

CHAPTER XV. — A POLITE HOSTESS.

CHAPTER XVI. — A NEW ACQUAINTANCE.

CHAPTER XVII. — A TIGHT PLACE.

CHAPTER XVIII. — AN EVENING CALL.

CHAPTER XIX. — BEN'S MIDNIGHT EXCURSION.

CHAPTER XX. — A THIEF'S DISAPPOINTMENT.

CHAPTER XXI. — BEN'S SAVINGS-BANK.

CHAPTER XXII. — THE ARRIVAL AT MURPHY'S.

CHAPTER XXIII. — AMONG THE SIERRAS.

CHAPTER XXIV. — BEATEN AT HIS OWN GAME.

CHAPTER XXV. — THE HORSE-THIEVES.

CHAPTER XXVI. — WHAT NEXT?

CHAPTER XXVII. — KI SING.

CHAPTER XXVIII. — THE DUEL OF THE MINERS.

CHAPTER XXIX. — CHINESE CHEAP LABOR.

CHAPTER XXX. — A MIDNIGHT VISIT.

CHAPTER XXXI. — ON THE MOUNTAIN PATH.

CHAPTER XXXII. — THE MOUNTAIN CABIN.







THE YOUNG EXPLORER







CHAPTER I. — BEN'S INHERITANCE.

"I've settled up your father's estate, Benjamin," said Job Stanton. "You'll find it all figgered out on this piece of paper. There was that two-acre piece up at Rockville brought seventy-five dollars, the medder fetched a hundred and fifty, the two cows—"

"How much does it all come to, Uncle Job?" interrupted Ben, who was impatient of details.

"Hadn't you better let me read off the items, nephew?" asked Job, looking over his spectacles.

"No, Uncle Job. I know you've done your best for me, and there's no need of your going through it all. How much is there left after all expenses are paid?"

"That's what I was a-comin' to, Ben. I make it out that there's three hundred and sixty-five dollars and nineteen cents. That's a dollar for every day in the year. It's a good deal of money, Ben."

"So it is, Uncle Job," answered Ben, and he was quite sincere. There are not many boys of sixteen to whom this would not seem a large sum.

"You're rich; that is, for a boy," added Uncle Job.

"It's more than I expected, uncle. I want you to take fifteen dollars and nineteen cents. That'll leave me just three hundred and fifty."

"Why should I take any of your money, nephew?"

"You've had considerable trouble in settling up the estate, and it's taken a good deal of your time, too."

"My time ain't of much vally, and as to the trouble, it's a pity ef I can't take some trouble for my brother's son. No, Ben, I won't take a cent. You'll need it all."

"But you said yourself it was a good deal of money for a boy, Uncle Job."

"So it is, but it's all you've got. Most boys have fathers to take care of 'em, while you're alone in the world."

"Yes I am alone in the world," said Ben sadly, his cheerful face clouding over.

"But you've got an uncle, lad," continued Job Stanton, laying his hand gently on the boy's shoulder. "He's a poor man, but as much as in him lies, he'll be your friend and helper."

"I know it, Uncle Job. You've always been kind to me."

"And allus will be, Ben. Now, Ben, I've got a plan for you. I don't know what you'll think of it, but it's the best I've been able to think of."

"What is it, Uncle Job?"

"Ef you'll stay with me and help me in the shop, I'll give you a home, such as it is, and fifty dollars a year toward your clothes. Your Aunt Hannah and your Cousin Jane want you to make your home with us."

"I'm very much obliged to you, Uncle Job," said Ben slowly.

"You needn't be, boy. It's a sort of mutooal arrangement. It'll be as good for me as for you. You can put your money in the bank, and let it stay till you're twenty-one. Why, it'll be nigh on to five hunderd dollars by

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