"
"What is he doing in Jacksonville?" asked Mollie. "If we go to Amy's
orange grove we may see him."
"He writes that he has a chance to get in with a concern that is going
to develop some of the Everglade lands," went on Mr. Ford, referring to
the letter. 'The company plans to drain the swamps, and grow pecans,
oranges and other tropical fruits and nuts.' Will says he was offered a
sort of secretaryship to one of the developers, and took it.
"He asks my permission to stay and 'make good,' as he calls it. He
thinks it is a great chance; better even than the cotton business,
Isaac."
"Oh, yes, I s'pose so. There's a lot of folks been fooled in those
Everglade-developing concerns, though. They're fakes, to my way of
thinking. But let him live and learn. That's the only way."
"Are you going to let him stay down there?" asked Grace.
"Well, I don't know," said Mr. Ford, musingly. "I don't bank much on
Will's knowledge of affairs. This company may be all right, and again it
may not. I'd rather investigate a bit."
"Will says," he went on, again referring to the letter, "that he is
sorry he went off in the abrupt way he did, but he felt that it was the
only method to pursue.
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