"Uncle Abner, where are you?"

 

"Who's thet a-callin' me?" came from the farmer, as he looked forth¹ from one of the horse stalls.

 

"I've come to ask you for a job," went on Nat, lightly.

 

"Nat! How be you?" Abner came and shook hands. "Want a job? Is it all up in New York?"

 

"No, uncle, I was only fooling. I came home for a vacation of a couple of days, that's all."

 

"Well, you're welcome, Nat. But it must cost money to travel so far for jest two days' vacation."

 

"I came for another purpose, too. Do you remember those old papers in the trunk in the garret?"

 

"Those thet belonged to your father an' grandfather?"

 

"Yes. Well, I am going to look them over and see if they are of any value."

 

"Ain't nuthin' of any use, Nat. I looked over 'em myself, one rainy day when I didn't have nuthin' else to do."

 

"Mr. Garwell thinks some of them might be valuable."

 

"Does he know about 'em?"

 

"He only knows what I told him."

 

"The old debts is all outlawed²."

 

"But there are other papers—something about some land grandfather had an interest in."

 

"I don't know nuthin' about that. It's so long ago, I don't believe they are worth a cent."

 

"Well, it won't do any harm to look them over, and show them to Mr. Garwell," returned our hero.

 

It was approaching the noon hour, and in honor of Nat's arrival, Mrs. Balberry prepared an extra good dinner, of which the boy partook freely. It was plainly to be seen that the former widow was the ruler of the house, and that she compelled Abner Balberry to be far more liberal than had been his habit in years gone by.

 

"Have another piece of pie, Nat," said the lady of the house, graciously.

 

"Thank you, but I've had enough," answered Nat.

 

"Better save what's left for to-morrow," suggested Abner Balberry.

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