le to toddle, was throwing
stones at a blowing old goose.

Kintchin tied his horse to a "swinging limb," and the ladies were
assisted to the ground. Tom conducted them into the post-office, a store
wherein the merchant had for sale snuff, red calico, brown jeans, plug
tobacco, cast iron plow points, nails and cove oysters. The post-master
came forward dragging after him two splint-bottom chairs.

"Set down," he said. "Never seed you befo', but I'm glad to see you
now."

Tom inquired if there were anything in the office for Mrs. Mary Mayfield
or himself, calling his name; and the post-master looked at him closely
and asked: "Any kin to old Zeb Elliot that used to sell mink skins?"

"No, I have no relatives in this part of the country."

"Wall, old Zeb was a good deal of a man."

"That may be, but he was no relation of mine."

"Had long red whiskers and his hair stood up straight--seed him climb a
tree one night and shake a coon out as slick as a whistle. Had a dog
named Tige--feller pizened him. Where you frum?"

"Nashville. I wish you'd look--"

"Yes, that's what I'm goin' to do. And ain't this Jasper Starbuck's
daughter? I thought so," he added when Lou nodded at him. "I've knowed
Jasper a long time, but folks don't git round a visitin' now like they
uster. Never seed yo' father drunk in my life--swear it's a fact; never
did. I'll bet he kin whup a ground-hog as big as he is. And I'll sw'ar,
ain't this little Jimmie Starbuck?"

"My name is Jim and I am a Starbuck," the preacher answered.

"Thought I know'd you. Ah, hah, and they tell me you air preachin' the
gospel now. Which one o' the gospels air you preachin', Luke or John?
Wall, no diffunce, either of 'em is good enough, I reckon. I never tried
to preach."

"I wish you'd try to look over your stock of mail matter," said Tom.

"I'll do that, too. What was the other name. Mayfield? Well, that's a
familiar name to me. My grandmother was a Mayfield--no, Mayhew. Putty
nigh the same anyhow. You air expectin' a letter, I reckon."

"Yes, if you please."

"From yo' husband? No, you ain't married, of co'se. And I want to tell
you that you may have any letter in this shop, don't make no odds who
it's writ to. I'm allus glad to have folks come. I set here day after
day, by myself a good deal of the time, and I like comp'ny, too; uster
be a mighty hand to go round, but sorter give it up atter I got busy.
Now, let me see whar I put them letters." He scratched h