money. We didn't pretend to send it to the
heathen."

Palmer interrupted the boy: "Wait and see how you get along when you
strike your own gait, when you get your own show out. That's your idea;
that's why you are so unreasonable. I'm going to give you the money you
ask, not because it's right but because I want to do what's right. If
I'd let you go, you'd go back to Brownsville and it would not be a week
until you'd have some fool thing afloat that would bring all sorts of
trouble on your folks. I'm doing this for your people, not for you."

Alfred had won. He was not entirely free from the feeling that he had
not acted quite right but he stilled his conscience by arguing to
himself that Grandpap had no authority to enter into a contract for him;
besides hadn't his mother declared that no indenture was valid without
her signature, that no child of hers should ever be bound to anybody?
When she demanded to see the papers it was not convenient for those
interested to have them at hand. The mother had forcibly informed Palmer
that there must be no restraint upon Alfred should he become homesick
and that he must be permitted to return to his home at any time he
desired to do so. All of which Palmer had unreservedly agreed to.

BEDFORD, PA.

DEAR FATHER:

Your welcome letter came to hand today; glad you are all well
and hearty. I've had a big fuss with Palmer. I wanted to quit.
He coaxed me to stay and promised me fifty dollars a month. Is
that paper he holds on me binding? Could he hold my wages if he
wanted to. He told Gideon he was going to record the indenture
when we got to Leesburg and it would always stand in evidence
against me. He is not the kind of man Grandpap and Uncle Thomas
crack him up to be. If Palmer don't pay the fifty, I don't stay,
papers or no papers. He is gouging everybody and it is no sin to
gouge him. Say Pap, now don't get mad; how much did he set you
back? Tell me. If I get the fifty I think I can get yours. If
Cousin Charley has my hound he'll have to give it up when I get
home. If I get the fifty I'll buy me a new shotgun like Capt.
Abrams has.

My love to Muz and all the children and Lin.

Your affectionate son,
ALFRED GRIFFITH HATFIELD.

P. S. I am not afraid of Palmer; I could break him in two. But I
don't like to break the law. Let me know about the paper he
holds, he would do anyt