[Gutenberg 62866] • The Young Game-Warden

Excerpt: ... chapter xxxiv. the transformation. silas morgan was one of the proudest men that the sun ever shone upon, and he would have been supremely happy if it had not been for two things, over which he could exercise no control. One was that Mr. Warren and the sheriff intended to keep a sharp eye on him, and see that he did not squander any of the money he had earned by capturing the robber. The other was that Dan claimed recognition, and was determined to have it, too, in spite of the mean trick he had played upon his father. When Silas arose the next morning the first thought that came into his mind was that he was a rich man. It excited him to such a degree that he could not eat any breakfast. He managed to drink a single cup of coffee, and then shouldered his gun and set out for Hobson's, to exhibit himself to the loafers who made the Half-way House, their headquarters, while Joe hastened off to Mr. Hallet's to assist Tom and Bob. Dan was left to pass the time as he pleased, and it suited him to sun himself on the bank of the river and bemoan his hard luck. The first man Silas saw as he drew near to Hobson's place of business was Brierly, who dropped some hints that set him to thinking. After congratulating Silas on his good fortune, he inquired what use he intended to make of the reward when he got it. "I ain't just made up my mind yet," was Silas Morgan's guarded reply. "I don't reckon I'm going to get it right away, 'cause old man Warren he's went and 'p'inted himself to be my guardeen, and I say that ain't right. Tketched that there bugglar without no help from anybody. The reward belongs to me, and I had oughter have it!" To his utter astonishment Brierly promptly answered: "No, you hadn't. You don't know how to take care of so much money, more'n I do, and it's ...