This morning, if it will interest you, I propose to take you into my confidence." The eagerness with which Frank greeted this proposal showed that for him the story would have no lack of interest.
"Let us sit down under this tree," said Henry Morton, pointing to a horse-chestnut, whose dense foliage promised a pleasant shelter from the sun's rays.
They threw themselves upon the grass, and he forthwith commenced his story.
"My father was born in Boston, and, growing up, engaged in mercantile pursuits.

He was moderately successful, and finally accumulated fifty thousand dollars.

He would not have stopped there, for he was at the time making money rapidly, but his health became precarious, and his physician required him absolutely to give up business.

The seeds of consumption, which probably had been lurking for years in his system, had begun to show themselves unmistakably, and required immediate attention.
"By the advice of his physician he sailed for the West India Islands, hoping that the climate might have a beneficial effect upon him.

At that time I was twelve years old, and an only child.