key should remain in the
yard.

Toby had an idea that Mr. Stubbs's brother would be treated as one of
the family; and, had any one hinted that the monkey would not be allowed
to share his bed and eat at the same table with him, he would have
resented it strongly.

But Uncle Daniel soon convinced him that the proper place for his pet
was in the wood-shed, where he could be chained to keep him out of
mischief, and Mr. Stubbs's brother was soon safely secured in as snug a
place as a monkey could ask for.

Not until this was done did the partners return to their homes, or the
centre of attraction--the tenting-grounds--nor did Toby find time to get
his supper and go for the cows.

Not once during the afternoon had Toby said anything to Abner of the
good fortune that might come to him through old Ben; but when he got
back from the pasture and met Uncle Daniel in the barn, he told him what
the old driver had said about Abner.

"Are you sure you heard him rightly, Toby, boy?" asked the old gentleman
as he pushed his glasses up on his forehead, as he always did when he
was surprised or perplexed.

"I know he said that; but it seems as if it was too good to be true,
don't it?"

"The Lord's ways are not our ways, my boy, and if he sees fit to work
some good to the poor cripple, he can do it as well through a circus
driver as through one of his elect," said Uncle Daniel reverentially,
and then he set about milking the cows in such an absent-minded way that
he worried old Short-horn until she kicked the pail over when it was
nearly half full.

CHAPTER X

THE ACCIDENT

That night Toby and Abner went to the circus grounds with Uncle Daniel
and Aunt Olive; and when old Ben approached the party as they were
nearing the tent, Toby motioned the cripple to come with him, for he
thought it might be better that the boy should not hear the conversation
concerning himself.

It had been decided by Uncle Daniel that the boys should go to the
circus grounds that evening, and stay there until it was nearly dark,
when they were to go home and go to bed; for he never believed it could
do boys any good to be out after dark, while he was certain it was
better for their health if they went to bed early.

Therefore Toby intended to make this visit simply one of farewell,
after Abner should see a little more of the bustle and confusion that
had so fascinated him in the afternoon.

To that end the boys walked around the enclosur