THE END OF THE TRAIL 133 



From time to time I forwarded gifts of money, 

 telling Mrs. Weldon whence they came and ex- 

 plaining to her how the funds had been intrusted 

 to me for her benefit. A year later the Weldons 

 moved for the third time, and this change took 

 them a long distance from their last abode, quite 

 out of touch with the region about my camp. For 

 a long period I heard nothing about them, until, 

 by inquiring, I learned that they were living in a 

 small town, some fifty miles away from their for- 

 mer home. 



In order to get into communication with them 

 again, I wrote to a provision store in the place, 

 to see if by chance the Weldons traded there. It so 

 happened that they did, and the grocer knew them 

 well. Though he spoke in the highest terms of 

 their integrity and worthiness, he had a pathetic 

 story to tell of their efforts to keep the wolf from 

 the door. This merchant was a very fine man, 

 whose heart was in the right place. A plan was 

 soon arranged whereby the family could have 

 whatever they needed from his store, and never 

 know who was connected with the scheme. 



Mr. Weldon's foot had grown much worse again, 

 and instant relief was necessary or he might lose 

 his leg. Immediate arrangements were made and 

 a date was set for his coming to the Massachusetts 

 General Hospital in Boston, when I received a 



