THE TIN BOX

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER

I A COLLISION 1
II SIGNS OF A TEMPEST 8
III MRS. ROSS MAKES TWO UNSATISFACTORY VISITS 15
IV HARRY LOSES HIS PLACE, AFTER ALL 23
V LOOKING FOR WORK 30
VI UNCLE OBED ARRIVES FROM ILLINOIS 38
VII AN UNWELCOME GUEST 46
VIII UNCLE OBED MAKES A PROPOSAL 53
IX NOTICE TO QUIT 57
X PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH 67
XI THE TWO CONSPIRATORS 73
XII AN UNEXPECTED INVITATION 77
XIII THREE YOUNG SPORTSMEN 81
XIV WHAT HAPPENED TO HARRY IN THE WOOD 87
XV PHILIP'S BAD ADVISOR 93
XVI BOUND HAND AND FOOT 101
XVII WHAT HARRY SAW IN THE WOOD 108
XVIII HARRY'S COMMISSION 115
XIX A SECOND VISIT TO THE WOOD 122
XX ON THE WAY TO NEW YORK 130
XXI A REWARD OFFERED 138
XXII BROUGHT TO BAY 145
XXIII FINDING THE BOX 153
XXIV PHILIP IN A TIGHT PLACE 159
XXV PHILIP BECOMES A PRISONER 166
XXVI PHILIP IS FORCED TO APOLOGIZE 174
XXVII THE ARREST 181
XXVIII MR. CHASE IS BROUGHT TO JUSTICE 188
XXIX HARRY BECOMES A "BONDHOLDER" 196
XXX CONGREVE'S SCHEME 203
XXXI THE TEMPTER 210
XXXII PHILIP DOES NOT FEEL HAPPY 214
XXXIII STEALING THE BONDS 217
XXXIV PHILIP GETS RID OF HIS PLUNDER 224
XXXV THROWING SUSPICION ON HARRY 231
XXXVI HARRY IS CHARGED WITH THEFT 237
XXXVII SEARCHING THE COTTAGE 244
XXXVIII PHILIP'S SURPRISE 251
XXXIX HOW CONGREVE SUCCEEDED 257
XL PREPARING TO PROSECUTE 265
XLI HARRY MANAGES HIS OWN CASE 269
XLII CONCLUSION 277




THE TIN BOX



CHAPTER I

A COLLISION

"Have you finished breakfast already, Harry?" asked Mrs. Gilbert, as
Harry rose hurriedly from the table and reached for his hat, which hung
on a nail especially appropriated to it.

"Yes, mother. I don't want to be late for the store. Saturday is always
a busy day."

"It is a long day for you, Harry. You have to stay till nine o'clock in
the evening."

"I am always glad to have Saturday come, for then I can get my money,"
replied Harry, laughing. "Well, good-by, mother--I'm off."

"What should I do without him?" said Mrs. Gilbert to herself, as Harry
dashed out of the yard on the way to Mead's grocery store, where he had
been employed for six months.

That would have been a difficult question to answer. Mrs. Gilbert was
the widow of a sea captain, who had sailed from the port of Boston three
years before, and never since been heard of.

It was supposed that the vessel was lost with all hands, but how the
disaster occurred, or when, was a mystery that seemed never likely to be
solved.

Captain Gilbert had left no property except the small cottage, which was
mortgaged for half its value, and a small sum of money in the savings
bank, which, by this time, was all expended for the necessaries of
life.

Fortunately for the widow, about the time this sum gave out Harry
obtained a situation at Mead's grocery store, with a salary of four
dollars a week. This he regularly paid to his mother, and, with the
little she herself was able to earn, they lived comfortably. It was hard
work for Harry, but he enjoyed it, for he was an active boy, and it was
a source of great satisfaction to him that he was able to help his
mother so materially.