s at once."

In a few moments Mr. Dinsmore returned to his daughter's side, and placing
the receipted bill of sale in her hands, asked, "Have I given too much?"

"Oh, no, papa, no indeed! I should have given a thousand without a
moment's hesitation, if asked it--five, ten thousand, if need be, rather
than have them parted again," she exclaimed, the bright tears shining in
her eyes. "Mammy, my poor old mammy, Uncle Joe belongs to me now, and you
can have him always with you as long as the Lord spares your lives."

"Now bress de Lord!" cried the old woman devoutly, raising her streaming
eyes and clasped hands to heaven; "de good Lord dat hears de prayers ob
His chilen's cryin' to Him when dere hearts is oberwhelmed!"

"Go break the news to Uncle Joe, mammy," said Elsie; "see, yonder he
stands looking so eager and wistful."

Chloe hurried to his side, spoke a few rapid words; there was another
long, clinging, tearful embrace, and they hastened to their master and
mistress to pour out their thanks and blessings upon them, mingled with
praises and fervent thanksgivings to the Giver of all good.

The joy and gratitude of the poor old couple were very sweet, very
delightful to Elsie, and scarcely less so to her father.

"Mammy dear, I never saw you wear so happy a face," Elsie said, as Chloe
returned to her after an hour or two spent in close conversation with her
newly recovered spouse.

"Ah, honey, your ole mammy tinks she neber so glad in all her life!" cried
the poor old creature, clasping her hands together in an ecstasy of joy
and gratitude while the big tears shone in her eyes. "I'se got ole Uncle
Joe back agin, an' he not de same, he bettah man, Christian man. He say,
'Aunt Chloe we uns trabble de same road now, honey: young Joe proud,
angry, swearing drinkin' boy, your Ole Joe he lub de Lord an' try to sarve
Him wid all he might. And de Lord good Massa. De debbil berry bad one.'"

"Dear mammy, I am very glad for you; I think nothing else could have made
you so happy."

Chloe, weeping again for joy, went on to tell her young mistress that
Uncle Joe had discovered a grandchild in New Orleans, Dinah by name,
waiting-maid in a wealthy family.

"But how is that, mammy? Papa and I thought all your children died young."

"No, darlin', when Massa Grayson buy me in New Orleans, an' de odder
gentleman buy Uncle Joe, we hab little girl four years ole, an' de ole
missus keep her," sobbed Chloe, living over again the a