le
to do anything in the future. I might as well have my satisfaction
when I can get it. So get up, or I'll knock the life out of your
measley carcass."

Seeing that Jasper was in earnest, Jim scrambled to his feet and barely
dodged the blow rained at his head.

"Fer God's sake, stop!" he yelled. "I won't do anything to ye. I
promise on me word of honour."

"And, you'll be good to this old man?" Jasper demanded.

"Yes, yes," and Jim trembled in every limb. "I'll be good to him if ye
don't hit me agin."

For a few seconds Jasper looked contemptuously upon the creature
cowering before film. He felt that he was lying, and just as soon as
he was out of his sight he would treat old David in a shameful manner,
and he himself would be helpless to interfere. What could he do? he
asked himself. A sudden idea came into his mind.

"What do you get for the keep of this old man?" he asked.

"Only a hundred," was the surly reply. "Not half enough."

"Well, look here, will you give him to me? I will take care of him for
nothing."

Into Jim Goban's eyes came a look of surprise mingled with doubt. The
man must surely be making sport of him, he thought. Then his natural
cupidity overcame him. Here was a chance to get clear of the pauper
and at the same time receive money for his keep. But how would the
overseers of the poor regard such a transaction?

"Will you let me have him?" Jasper again asked.

"Give me twenty-five dollars and he is yours," Jim replied.

"Twenty-five dollars! No, not a cent. You will make out of it as it
is; far more than you deserve."

"I can't do it, then," and Jim made as though to go. "Come on," he
ordered David and Betty. "Let's git away from here."

"Hold on," and Jasper stepped, up close to him; "if you do not let me
have the old man, I'll lay a charge against you for ill treating him, I
saw enough this morning to satisfy any one. Let me have him, and you
need have no more worry. Refuse, and you will regret it."

"But what will the overseers say if I give him up?" Jim whined.

"Oh, that can be easily settled. If they make a fuss, send them to me.
But I guess they won't bother their heads."

Jim still hesitated. He longed to get more out of this bargain.

"Hurry up," Jasper demanded. "What do you say?"

"Oh, take the cuss, then. I wish ye joy of him. I'm off now. Come,
girl, let's git home."

During the whole of this affair Betty had been a most interested and