hat we have
had our share, and may look forward now to happier days."

Now that their future was arranged, the boys were in a hurry to leave
the city and visit their friends. Obed sympathized with them.

"Boys," said he, "I'm gettin' kinder homesick. There's an old man and a
girl I want to see, and tell 'em of my good luck."

"Your father and----"

"Suke Stanwood. Suke has been waitin' for me five years, and there aint
no need of waitin' any longer. If all goes well she'll be Mrs. Obed
Stackpole within a month."

"She may not be able to get her wedding things so soon, Obed."

"She don't need any wedding things. Any dress'll do to be married in."

"You will send us some cards and cake, I hope, Obed."

"Better'n that: I'll send you an invite to the weddin'."

"Then it'll have to come soon, Obed. I shall be gone to the city, and
Jack to sea within a month."

"Then we'll hurry it up. It'll give me a good excuse. But there's one
thing I'm going to do before I get married."

"What is that?"

"Pay off the mortgage on dad's farm. It's only a thousand dollars, but
dad couldn't lift it if he lived to a hundred."

"And what are you going to do, Obed?"

"There's a farm alongside I can buy for twenty-five hundred dollars,
with a comfortable house thrown in. I can buy it, and have more than
enough money left to furnish the house and stock the farm."

"I wish you happiness, Obed; but don't you think you'll ever pine to be
back in Australia?"

"I may hanker after a sight of Fletcher and his two cronies, Colson and
Ropes," returned Obed with dry humor, "but we can't have everything in
this world, and I'll try to rub along with the blessings I have."

Let me add here that Obed carried out his programme. He paid the
mortgage, bought the farm, and in less than three weeks he was a married
man. Harry and Jack were at the wedding, and received great attention
from all Obed's friends. To the inhabitants of the little village it
seemed wonderful that boys so young should have traveled so far, and
passed through such varied experiences.

"I expect an invite to each of your weddings, boys," said Obed, as they
were on the point of leaving him. "One good turn deserves another."

"You will have to exercise a little patience, Obed," said Harry,
smiling.

"Don't wait as long as I did," said Obed. "I got to be a cranky old
bachelor before I hitched horses."

"Mrs. Stackpole will soon cure you of that," said Harry, with a smil