or him. He used to pray to beat creation, and
then some, but he was a straight man all right. And to-night your kids
and your family prayers made me think of them old days. Well, good-night
and thank you for the good time you gave me. Best I've had in a dog's
age."

"You will come again, Mr. Sleighter," said Mrs. Gwynne, giving him her
hand.

"Yes, and tell us more about that new country," added her son. "My, I'd
like to go out there!"

"It's a wonderful country all right and you might do a hull lot worse."

CHAPTER V

WESTWARD HO!

Mr. Gwynne accompanied Mr. Sleighter to the door. "Will you walk down to
the store?" said Mr. Sleighter.

"Very well," said Mr. Gwynne, setting off with him.

Mr. Sleighter evidently had something on his mind. The usual fountain
of his speech seemed to be dried up. As they drew near to the store, he
seized Mr. Gwynne by the arm, arrested him, and said:

"Say, Mr. Gwynne, you ain't got any right to be in business. You ain't
got the parts, and that Machine Company and the rest of 'em put it all
over you."

"We needn't go into that now, I suppose," said Mr. Gwynne.

"No, I guess I am buttin' in--a thing I don't often do--but I am off my
stride to-night anyway, and I am doin' what I never did in all my life
before. I guess it was them kids of yours and your missis. I know it
ain't my business, but what are you goin' to do with yourself?"

"I don't know yet," replied Mr. Gwynne, declining to be confidential.

"Not goin' into business, I hope. You ain't got the parts. Some people
ain't got 'em, and you ain't. Goin' to farm?"

"No, I think not. The fact is I'm about selling my farm."

"Selling it?"

"Yes, I had an offer to-day which I am thinking of accepting."

"An offer, eh, from a feller named Martin, I suppose?"

"How did you know?"

"I don't know. I just figgered. Offered you about a hundred dollars,
eh?"

"No; I wish he had. It's worth a hundred with the house and
buildings--they are good buildings."

"Say, I don't like to butt in on any man's business, but is the price a
secret?"

"Oh, no; he offers four thousand, half cash."

"And how much for the buildings?"

"Four thousand for everything, it's not enough but there are not many
buyers in this neighbourhood."

"Say, there's nothing rash about that feller. When do you close?"

"Must close to-morrow night. He has a chance of another place."

"Oh, he has, eh? Big rush on, eh? Well, don't you close unti