you for it?'

Well, that is so, I guess,' said the third. 'It _is_ agin the town. I'll
take my chances, for one--had rather settle it that way, any how.'

The result of the conference was, that the whole business, including the
twenty dollars and seventy-two cents, was handed over to Mr. Bellows,
leaving his colleagues to make out and collect their bill at leisure.
Joel's aunt was written to, and freely gave her consent that the boy
should go with his new friend. The latter promptly paid the bill at the
inn, and the doctor for his services, and soon after paid his colleagues
what they claimed, lest it might in the future be a subject of comment
when Joel grew up.

He was a good man, this Mr. Bellows; not specially refined in manner,
but possessing a delicacy of character and a lively sensibility which
placed him among the ranks of nature's noblemen. He had been fortunate
in business, and owned the principal store in the place, where he
exercised a decided influence.

Little Joel gave promise of not disappointing his patron's expectations.
In fact, he was a child of most engaging manners. His features were not
regular, nor indeed handsome; but he had bright black eyes, a fine
complexion, and an open, ingenuous countenance. He was treated by Mr.
Bellows as considerately as if he were his own son. To be sure, Joel had
some unpleasant scenes to pass through. As nothing is ever lost sight of
in a small country village, the story of how he came to be living with
Mr. Bellows was not forgotten. At school, occasionally, one of the boys
would, on some slight provocation, point at him and call him 'Bellows's
nigger,' or make faces and cry 'charity boy,' 'town's poor.' Now,
fortunately, Joel had a happy, joyous nature--somewhat fiery and
irascible, but still joyous--else he might have become morbidly
miserable. As it was, these manifestations only provoked his anger, and
led him forthwith into a rough-and-tumble fight, in which, whether
victor or not, he always showed unquestionable pluck. If he came off
second-best a dozen times, he went confidently into the thirteenth
trial, brave as Bruce, and equally successful. At length the voice of
gossip was hushed. Joel became the most popular lad in the village.
Every body liked him, and what is better, he deserved it.

But the evil days came at last to good Mr. Bellows--came after years of
happy, moderate, unclouded prosperity. First his wife died. This was
when Joel was twenty ye