The $500 Check — page 169: what you’re looking at

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

152 THE $500 CHECK. ‘‘ Forty, then, and that’s high pay for a half- crown boy.” ‘¢T?'m more than half grown,” returned Bert. ‘‘Tt?s no use, Mr. Wilson, I wun’t take less than fifty cents.’’ ‘Then jump on the wagon. It’s a big price to pay, but I’m in a hole, and won’t stop to dicker.’’ ‘“T will go and tell my mother first.”’ ‘Well, hurry up, for part of the day is gone already.’’ ‘‘T don’t believe you'll like it, Bert,’’ said Mrs. Barton. ‘‘Nor I, but I made up my mind to accept the first offer I got, and I shall feel better sat- isfied if I keep my word. Ill come round this evening, after work, and tell you howl like it as far as I’ve got.’’ Bert seated himself in the wagon next to the farmer. ‘“Be you the boy that Jones charged with stealin’ ?”’ asked Silas. ‘Yes, sir.’’ ‘““You didn’t do it?’’ asked Silas, in some apprehension. CoO Al G JOO ESS