The Dugdale Millions — page 185: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE DUGDALE HETR. 175 “Is it considerable?” he asked, modestly and rather timidly. “It is vast,” answered Mr. Hetlow solemnly, as be- fitted so important a statement. ‘“ One of the great fortunes of the world.” The young man seemed overwhelmed by amazement. He did not reply but smoked for some moments, puff- ing vigorously as if it were an escape for suppressed excitement. Perhaps there was real excitement, and not all of it acting. “Surely,” he said at length, “ you will pardon me, if I seem to fail in a proper appreciation of your ex- traordinary statement. I am somewhat bewildered and do not seem to think clearly.” All this seemed so proper to Mr. Hetlow that he was strongly impressed in favor of the young man, “To be thus suddenly raised from a condition of very limited means to the contemplation of the pros- pect of such wealth is confusing,” he said, as if ia apology. Dick thought this was rather glib for a man pro- fessing to be so much amazed. “Well,” he went on, “really I do not know what to say. I never knew until some six years ago that I was the adopted son of Orton Pierson. At the time of the telling of it to me, and growing out of it, differ- ences arose between my father and myself which sent me abroad. I never knew until after Mr. Mason’s call that my name was Dugdale. And at this moment { know very little more. Mr. Pierson is a singular man in many respects, and I have learned more of my an- tecedents from you, Mr. Hetlow, than I ever knew before, supposing always I am the person you sup- pose me to be.” This was so modest in statement that all his witnesses were impressed by it. “ Tam bound to admit,” said Mr. Hetlow, “ that the Comicboclk C@ 3