CHAPTER III.
HUGH HAS SUSPICIONS "Well, old man," remarked Thad, "I'm afraid you're in for a disappointment about as soon as you strike Scranton; because if Mrs.
Hosmer is your long-lost sister, she isn't in any position to help you pass the time away till you kick the bucket.

Why, even as it is, she has a hard time getting along, and my mother as well as some of the other ladies give her sewing to do to help tide over.

She can hardly make enough to keep herself and her husband going." The tramp shook his head sadly.
"Say, I'm right grieved to hear that, son," he went on to observe, seriously.

"Course it's goin' to be a hard blow to poor old Lu, after working his way up here all these months, and nearly coughing his head off at times, to find out that his only relation in the wide world ain't well off in this world's goods.

But then Matilda she always was soft-hearted, and mebbe now she might find a hole in her humble home where her poor old brother could stay the short time he's got in this world of trouble and sorrow.