I belonged to them. That's where I had my schooling. I worked in
the tin ware; and clock mending I took up of myself. I left my people on
account of a church-organ. My father and mother were dead. I had no
brother or sister; nor any relation. But I had friends, and they would
have kept me; but I had to choose between them and the rest. I couldn't
learn the organ in the woods and meadows; I was caught by the music as
easily as a pink by a pin. But I kept to the clock mending. I used to
travel about on my business once in a while, for a man can't settle down
to four walls and a tread-mill in a minute, when he's been used to all
creation. Then I learned to take pictures, and I travelled about for a
time, carrying the machine with me. But for the last year I've lived in
this shop and had the church organ. So you see how it is. I have all these
things to look after, and I try to keep in tune, and up to pitch.

"You are a happy man," said Mr. Rush, who had listened with attention to
this humble story. "But," he added, "you could not understand--for you
have had no cares, no one dependent on you--how necessary to some persons
money is for happiness. What ruin follows the loss of it. How many a man
would prefer death to such a loss."

"I guess not," said Summerman, in a low tone. "I believe in the Good Will
doctrine."

"What has that to do with it?" asked the stranger, impatiently.

To this Summerman replied, speaking slowly--humblest acquiescence sounding
through his speech.

"When I settled down, and got the situation in the church, I was about to
bring her here.... You understand.... She died about that time. I have not
seen her picture. Her brother had died before. I was to be the son of the
old people. We were sure that after awhile they would be attracted by our
happy home, and by our fireside all their wanderings would end. They
should be free as in the forests.... It is all changed now--but I am still
their son, and I wish nothing better than to work for them. The old man is
failing, and I think that I shall yet persuade them to come and live with
me--we might be one family still--and it would please her. If I succeed,
there are two or three rooms close by where we can be tolerably happy,
all together. God is not indifferent. He sees all. And sure I am that He
bears me no ill will. So it must be for the best. She used to wear this
ribbon around her splendid hair. She was so young and gay! It would have
done you goo