and only a burden and expense. My offer is a good one."

"Make it seven hundred and I'll take it."

Mr. Dinsmore considered a moment. "That is too high," he said at length,
"but for the sake of making two poor creatures happy, I will give it."

"Cash down?"

"Yes, a check on a New Orleans bank."

"Please walk down into the cabin then, sir, and we'll conclude the
business 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."