hit with a
fence rail at the battle of Cedar Mountain."

"Waal, I guess if you git my war record you will find I didn't tell yer
any lie about that."

"Well, no," said Quincy, "that's all right; but why didn't you tell me
that on one occasion, when the captain of your company was shot down,
together with half the attacking force, that you took his body on your
back and bore him off the field, at the same time sounding the retreat
with your bugle? Why didn't you tell me that on two separate occasions,
when the color sergeants of your company were shot and the flag fell
from their grasp, that you took the flag and bore it forward, sounding
the charge, until you were relieved of your double duty? In other words,
when there were so many good things that you could say for yourself, why
didn't you say them?"

Hiram thought for a moment and then he said, "Waal, I didn't think that
I had any right to interduce outside matters not connected with what we
were talkin' about. You asked me if I'd ever been shot, and I told yer
how I got hit; but I didn't consider the luggin' the cap'n off the field
or h'istin' Old Glory, when there wasn't anybody else to attend to it
jest that minute, come under the head of bein' shot."

Quincy laughed outright and extended his hand, which Hiram took. Quincy
gave it a hearty shake and said, "Hiram, I think you're all right. I've
decided to buy that grocery store for you for two reasons. The first is
that you have served me well; Mandy has been very kind and attentive to
me, and I want to see you both prosper and be happy. My second reason
relates to the Professor, and, of course, does not need any explanation,
so far as you're concerned. Now, you go up to the house, put on your
best suit of clothes, tell the Deacon that I want your company this
afternoon; I will drive up your way about two o'clock, and we will go to
the auction."

While these events were taking place, others, perhaps equally
interesting, were transpiring in another part of Mason's Corner. The
Professor had not arisen until late, but ten o'clock found him dressed
in his best and surveying his personal appearance with a pleased
expression. He felt that this was a day big with the fate of Professor
Strout and Mason's Corner!

When he left Mrs. Hawkins's boarding house he went straight to Deacon
Mason's.

"Is the Deacon in?" he asked, as pleasant-faced Mrs. Mason opened the
door.

"No, he has gone over to the Centre. He said