sounded out the words: "O Mother Moulton, the British will search
the wells the VERY first thing. Of course, they EXPECT to find
things in wells!"

"Why didn't you tell me before, Joe? but now it is too late."

"I would, if I'd known what you was going to do; they'd been a
sight safer, in the honey tree."

"Yes, and what a fool I've been--flung MY WATCH into the well
with the spoons!"

"Well, well! Don't stand there, looking," as she hovered over
the high curb, with her hand on the bucket. "Everybody will
know, if you do, there."

"Martha! Martha?" shrieked Uncle John's quavering voice from the
house door.

"Bless my heart!" she exclaimed, hurrying back over the stones.

"What's the matter with your heart?" questioned Joe.

"Nothing. I was thinking of Uncle John's money," she answered.

"Has he got money?" cried Joe. "I thought he was poor, and you
took care of him because you were so good"

Not one word that Joe uttered did the little woman hear. She was
already by Uncle John's side and asking him for the key to his