grocery store and he almost ran to this.

"Give me some bread," he said, "and some cake, and a pound of cheese,
and some smoked beef, and a pound of good tea, and some sugar. Be quick,
please."

The goods were weighed out and wrapped up, and with his arms full he ran
back to the cottage and kicked on the door.

"Who is there?" asked Mrs. Cullum, in alarm.

"Here are some groceries for you!" cried Joe. "All paid for!"

"Oh, look!" screamed the boy of seven. "Bread, and cheese!"

"And sugar!" came from one of the little girls.

"And tea! Mamma, just what you like!" said another.

"Where did this come from?" asked Mrs. Cullum.

"A friend," answered Joe. "It's all paid for."

"I am very thankful."

"Now we can have some bread, can't we?" queried the boy.

"Yes, and a bit of smoked beef and cheese, too," said the mother, and
placing the sleeping baby on a bed, she proceeded to deal out the good
things to her children.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE TIMID MR. GUSSING.

It was not until the children had been satisfied and put to bed that Joe
had a chance to talk to Mrs. Cullum. She was greatly astonished when she
learned who he was.

"I didn't expect this kindness," said she. "I understand that my husband
treated you shamefully."

"It was the liquor made him do it ma'am," answered our hero. "I think
he'd be all right if he'd leave drink alone."

"Yes, I am sure of it!" She gave a long sigh. "He was very kind and
true when we were first married. But then he got to using liquor
and--and--this is the result."

"Perhaps he will turn over a new leaf when he comes out of jail."

"I hope he does. If he doesn't, I don't know what I am going to do."

"Have you anything to do?"

"I used to wash for two families in town but they have regular hired
help now."

"Perhaps you can get more work, if you advertise. If you'll allow me,
I'll put an advertisement in the Riverside News for you."

"Thank you. I don't see what makes you so kind."

"Well, I have been down in the world myself, Mrs. Cullum, so I know how
to feel for others."

"Did you say you used to live with Bodley, the hermit?"

"Yes."

"My folks used to know him. He was rather a strange man after he got
shot by accident."

"Yes, but he was kind."

"Are you his son?"

"No. He said I was his nephew. But I never found out much about that."

"Oh, yes, I remember something about that. He had a brother who lost his
wife and several children. Are yo