work he does
here, but let me tell you, no son of his ever had his influence or
opportunity, or ever will have."

"All this is news to me," said Mr. Pryor.

"You didn't expect us to come over, force our way in and tell you?"

It was his turn to blush and he did.

"Laddie has been at our house often," he said. "He might have
mentioned----"

Mother laughed. She was the gayest that morning.

"He 'might,' but he never would. Neither would I if you hadn't seemed
to think that the men who do the things Mr. Stanton REFUSES to do are
the ones worth while."

"He could accomplish much in legislative halls."

"He figures in the large. He thinks that to be a commissioner, travel
his county and make all of it the best possible, to stand in primaries
and choose only worthy men for all offices, is doing a much bigger work
than to take one place for himself, and strive only for that. Besides,
he really loves his land, his house, and family. He says no man has a
right to bring twelve children into the world and not see personally to
rearing and educating them. He thinks the farm and the children too
much for me, and he's sure he is doing the biggest thing for the
community at large, to go on as he does."

"Perhaps so," said Mr. Pryor slowly. "He should know best. Perhaps he
is."

"I make no doubt!" said mother, lifting her head proudly. "And as
Laddie feels and has fitted himself, I look to see him go head and
shoulders above any other son I have. Trade is not the only way to
accumulate. Law is not the only path to the legislature. Comfort,
independence, and freedom, such as we know here, is not found in any
city I ever have visited. We think we have the best of life, and we
are content on land. We have not accumulated much money; we have spent
thousands; we have had a big family for which to provide, and on
account of the newness of the country, taxes always have been heavy.
But we make no complaint. We are satisfied. We could have branched
off into fifty different things after we had a fair start here. We
didn't, because we preferred life as we worked it out for ourselves.
Paul says when he leaves the city, and his horses' hoofs strike the
road between our fields, he always lifts his head higher, squares his
shoulders, and feels a man among men. To own land, and to love it, is
a wonderful thing, Mr. Pryor."

She made me think of something. Ever since I had added to my quill and
arrow money, the great