occasion, however, a really shrewd
and happy thought occurred to me. The somewhat malicious purpose it
contemplated was justified, I claim, by the context (so to speak) of
events.

"Neighbor Denslow," said I, confidentially, "when it comes to the
transfer of that property please be so kind as to have the warranty
deed made to me."

Mr. Denslow looked so surprised, and so did Mr. Black, that I deemed an
explanation necessary.

XII

I AM DECEIVED IN MR. WAX

I went on to say that it seemed to me to be unwise to invest too much
power in Alice's hands; that _I_ had certain rights which should be
protected, and that if I was not to be assured a life estate in Alice's
property I ought to have at least thirty-three feet to which I could,
in an emergency, retire to spend the evening of my existence in peace
and security.

"Possessed of that thirty-three feet," said I, "I make no question that
I shall soon be able to bring Alice to terms. Give me the power to
stand on my own patch of ground and defy Alice every Monday morning
when the weekly wash is ready to be hung out, and I will cheerfully
risk the future."

Mr. Denslow and Mr. Black are sensible and loyal men; they recognized
the propriety of standing by me in this emergency, and it was agreed
that the extra piece of ground should be conveyed to me.

That night I dreamed that Alice had been called to her heavenly reward
and that I had been turned out of doors by our heartless children. I
was an aged and tottering man. The wind blew lustily and a storm was
raging. I drew my threadbare coat closer about me, for I was shivering
with the cold.

"Alas," I cried (in my dream), "whither shall I turn? Is there no spot
on earth where I can die in peace?"

Then, O joy! it occurred to me (in my dream) that I owned the
thirty-three feet back of the dear old home. Two years' taxes were due
on it, but it was still mine--all mine!

"The snow is deep and clean and hospitable there," I cried (still in my
dream), "and it is all mine own! To that snowbank will I make my way,
and there will I lie down to sleep my last sleep."

But just then I awoke to discover that it was only a dream. Had I been
of a superstitious nature I might have read in this dream divers
premonitions and strange significances. As it was, it merely confirmed
me in my belief that I had done wisely in securing that
thirty-three-foot strip.

Mr. Black went back home next day, and nothing mor