e myself in a couple of picturs, one
with me and my van as they was, and t'other with the likeness of Mister
Reuben Gregson in a brand new suit of clothes and a white choker,
looking for all the world like a regular parson. 'Twouldn't do me no
good. I just want to do a little work in a quiet way--to jog along,
telling how the Lord has done great things for me, and just to mix up a
few Bibles, and Testaments, and tracts as I'm selling my goods. And I
don't want no reward here, and no notice, leastways no public notice.
I've had more reward nor I deserve already; and if I make a few kind
friends, such as yourself and the colonel maybe, I'd rather do it, Mr
Horace, in a quiet way, and then I shall feel as I'm doing the work for
the Lord himself out and out."

"Well, dear old friend," said Horace, "it shall be as you say, so far as
I am concerned, and I can answer for my uncle too. And I feel sure that
you are right, I understand now how the change has taken place in James
Grimes. Yes, the Lord honours steady consistent example, and I do
heartily thank him that he has seen fit to enlist you in the increasing
and noble army of `workers in the shade.'"

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

A SURPRISE.

Mr Horace Jackson has completed his twenty-first year, and the day is
to be marked by a grand gathering in the grounds in front of Park House.
The persons invited on the occasion were all the tenants on the estate,
the two Misses Stansfield, and Lady Willerly and her daughter. Ruby
Grigg also and his wife Sally were present by special invitation.

The colonel had never formally declared that his nephew was to be his
heir, though it had been generally understood that such was to be the
case. And now the proceedings at Riverton Park were to be of so quiet a
character, that people began to question whether after all this
celebration of the young man's coming of age might not merely be an
ordinary keeping of the majority of one who might not in the end turn
out to be the real heir to the property. Such was the conjecture of the
public as the preparations were watched and commented upon. "And yet
who can tell?" exclaimed ungratified curiosity reproachfully, "for the
colonel never does anything like other people." There was, however, one
person who was abundantly satisfied, and that was old John Price; but
nothing could be got from him, though a host of questioners assailed him
as he made his way down to the house, on the morning of t