his note, and how
slow he was to pay it. He was fully aware that the note was not worth,
to him, the paper upon which it was written. But he reflected that the
note was an obligation upon his father, that he was very poor, and his
lot in life was hard. It certainly indicated much innate nobility of
nature that this boy, under these circumstances, should have accepted
the offer of the Quaker. But David did this. For six months he labored
assiduously, without the slightest hope of reward, excepting that he
would thus relieve his father, whom he had no great cause either to
respect or love, from the embarrassment of the debt.

For a whole half-year David toiled upon the farm of the Quaker, never
once during that time visiting his home. At the end of the term he
received his pay for those long months of labor, in a little piece of
rumpled paper, upon which his father had probably made his mark. It was
Saturday evening. The next morning he borrowed a horse of his employer
and set out for a visit home. He was kindly welcomed. His father knew
nothing of the agreement which his son had made with Mr. Kennedy. As
the family were talking together around the cabin fire, David drew the
note from his pocket and presented it to his father. The old man seemed
much troubled. He supposed Mr. Kennedy had sent it for collection. As
usual, he began to make excuses. He said that he was very sorry that he
could not pay it, that he had met with many misfortunes, that he had no
money, and that he did not know what to do.

David then told his father that he did not hand him the bill for
collection, but that it was a present from him--that he had paid it in
full. It is easy for old and broken-down men to weep. John Crockett
seemed much affected by this generosity of his son, and David says "he
shed a heap of tears." He, however, avowed his inability to pay
anything whatever, upon the note.

David had now worked a year without getting any money for himself. His
clothes were worn out, and altogether he was in a very dilapidated
condition. He went back to the Quaker's, and again engaged in his
service, desiring to earn some money to purchase clothes. Two months
thus passed away. Every ardent, impetuous boy must have a love
adventure. David had his. A very pretty young Quakeress, of about
David's age, came from North Carolina to visit Mr. Kennedy, who was her
uncle. David fell desperately in love with her. We cannot better
describe this adventure