"I know, Jerry Rook, you will be wanting for your son-in-law some one
with means; at least, enough to support your daughter in a decent
position in society. I am fortunate enough to have this, obtained by
hard toil, in the gold _placers_ of California. If you wish
satisfaction on this head, I can refer to the Pacific Banking Company of
San Francisco, where, three years ago, I deposited my three year's
gatherings--in all, I believe, about fifty thousand dollars."
"Fifty thousand dollars! D'ye mean that, Pierre Robideau?"
"I mean it. If I had a light here, I could show you the proof of the
deposit."
"Come into the house, Pierre. I don't mean for a light. Ye'll stay all
night? Thar's a spare bed; and Lena'll see to your heving some supper.
Come along in."
The lucky gold-seeker made no opposition to the proffered hospitality;
and in five minutes after he was seated by the fireside of the man who,
but five minutes before, had been chafing at having lost the opportunity
of spilling his blood!