Leaving Kit in the Castle, thinking over his future operations, I went to the house of Mr. Gracewood, in order to consult him in regard to the disposal of the farm. I found him with his pipe in his mouth, playing on the grand piano, and lost in the inspiration of the "Gloria." I could not interrupt him, and I waited till he had finished, which, however, was not till his pipe was exhausted.
"Phil, I must take this piano with me; but we have not force enough to put it in the box."
"I think we have, sir," I replied. "If you say it must go, it shall be at the landing when the steamer comes down."
"Two men and a boy cannot put it into the box, to say nothing of loading it upon the wagon."
"I think we can, sir, if we have time enough; for, as you taught me, what is gained in power is lost in time. I will take the job, sir."
"You are very confident, Phil Farringford," added Mr. Gracewood, with a smile.
"I got up the plan by which we brought it over here from the island."
"But you had a dozen men to lift it up and put it in the box."
"As we haven't a dozen now, we can do it with two men and a boy, if we have time. The next boat will not come down for a week. But I wanted to see you about another matter. Kit wants to buy the farm of me, and I don't think I own it. We left the decision to you."
"If Matt Rockwood has any heirs, they can obtain whatever legal rights he had in the premises."
"Matt owns the quarter section, as an actual settler. I found the paper signed by a land agent."
"Then his heirs, if he has any, can claim it, as well as all his property."
"Then you think I have no right to the money found in Matt's chest?"
"So long as no heirs appear, I think you have a moral right to keep it."
"I do not think it would be right for you to sell it. You cannot give him a legal title to it. But it is right for him to pay you for your share of the produce now on the place."
This seemed to me to be a fair and just decision, and I repeated it to Kit, who was, of course, entirely satisfied. It was agreed that he should pay me one hundred dollars for my share, and the business was completed. Mr. Gracewood presented him, as a free gift, the house and all it contained, except the piano, books, and other articles which were strictly personal. The barge was included in the gift, and Kit suddenly became a rich man, in his own estimation.