"I don't know,"said the man from the cabin.He wore a troubled face and had white hair and a white beard."It may be--Wha--where did you come from?"he gasped.
"Where did I come from?"asked Joe.
"Yes!yes!Answer me quickly!You are --you must be a ghost!Isaw you in my dreams last week!"
"I don't understand you,"said Joe,and arose slowly to his feet,at which Bill Butts did likewise and began to retreat."I never met you before.""No?It's queer."The man brushed his hand over his forehead.
"Yes,I must be dreaming.But I am glad I got my gold back.""So am I,but the rascal has run away."
"Never mind,let him go."
"What makes you think you've seen me before?"questioned Joe,and his breath came thick and fast.
"I--er--I don't know.You mustn't mind me--I have queer spells at times.You see,I had a whole lot of trouble once,and when Iget to thinking about it--"The man did not finish.
"May I ask your name?"asked Joe,and his voice trembled in spite of his efforts at self-control.
"Sure you can.It's Bill Bodley."
"William A.Bodley?"
"Yes.But how do you happen to know my full name?""Did you once own a farm in Millville,Iowa?""I had a farm in Iowa,yes.It was Millville Center in those days."Joe drew closer and looked at the man with care and emotion.
"Did you ever have a brother named Hiram Bodley?""I did--but he has been dead for years."
"No,Hiram Bodley died only a short time ago,"answered Joe."Iused to live with him.My name is Joe Bodley.He told me I was his nephew.""You his nephew!Hiram Bodley's nephew!We didn't have any brothers or sisters,and he was a bachelor!""I know he was a bachelor.But I don't know--"Joe paused.
"He told me Joe died,at least I got a letter from somebody to that effect.But I was near crazy just then,and I can't remember exactly how it was.I lost my wife and two children and then I guess I about lost my mind for a spell.I sold out,and the next thing I knew I was roving around the mountains and in rags.Then I took to mining,and now I've got a mine of my own,up yonder in the mountains.Come in and talk this over."Joe entered the cabin and sat down,and William Bodley plied him with questions,all of which he answered to the best of his ability.
"There was a blue tin box I had,"said he,presently,"that contained some documents that were mine.""A blue tin box!"ejaculated Joe."Hiram Bodley had it and it got lost.I found it a long time afterwards and some parts of the documents were destroyed.I have the rest in my suit case at the hotel.""Can I see those papers?"
"Certainly."
"Perhaps you are my son,Joe?"
"Perhaps I am,sir."
They went to the hotel,and the documents were produced.Then William Bodley brought out some letters he possessed.Man and boy went over everything with care.
"You must be my son!"cried William Bodley."Thank heaven you are found!"And they shook hands warmly.
He told Joe to move over to the cabin,and our hero did so.It was a neat and clean place and soon Joe felt at home.Then he heard his father's tale in detail--an odd and wonderful story--of great trials and hardship.
"There will always be something of a mystery about this,"said William Bodley."But,no matter,so long as I have you with me.""Uncle Hiram was a queer stick,"answered Joe."I suppose if he was alive he could explain many things."And in this Joe was correct.
Let us add a few words more and then draw our tale to a close.
When Joe told Maurice Vane how he had found a father the gentlemen was much astonished.So were the Badgers,but all were glad matters had ended so well.
It was found that William Bodley's mine was a valuable one.The ore in it was about equal to the ore in the mine owned by Maurice Vane,and this was likewise equal to that in the mine run by Mr.Badger.
After some conversation on the subject it was agreed by all the interested parties to form a new company,embracing all the mines.Of the shares of this new concern,one-third went to Maurice Vane,one-third to the Badgers,and one-third to William Bodley and Joe.The necessary machinery was duly installed,and to-day the new company is making money fast.
On the day after his trouble with Mr.Bodley,Bill Butts disappeared from town.But a week later he was arrested in Denver and sent to jail for two years for swindling a ranchman.
During the following summer Joe received a visit from his old friend Ned,and the two boys had a delightful time together.In the meantime Joe spent half of his time at the mine and half over his books,for he was determined to get a good education.
For a long time William Bodley had been in feeble health,but with the coming of Joe on the scene he began to mend rapidly,and was soon as hale and hearty as anybody.He was an expert miner,and was made general superintendent for the new company.
To-day Joe has a good education and is rich,but come what may,it is not likely that he will forget those days when he was known as "Joe the Hotel Boy."
End