had not walked far when the shrill voice of the old woman was heard
calling.

'Nancy, Nancy!'

'I must leave you; but I will return as soon as I can. I have many
things to tell you and many warnings to give. The Lifter, I think,
has taken a great fancy to your ways; and I think you will be able to
credit what he says to you. I will join you up the brook and we'll
have a fish together. Good-bye, dearie;' and the girl flung a kiss to
him from her finger tips and was away.

A minute later The Lifter came whiffling along and joined our hero.

'Well, stranger, what do you think of the parseen?'

'I think that he is a blasphemous villian; and I wonder that God
Almighty does not send a bolt from heaven upon such a wretch.'

'But it is said that they have a good deal of patience in heaveen.
Well, I think they must or they never would suffer the Rev. Mr. Jonas
to walk the earth. I often sit a thinkeen about him; and always come
to the conclusion that he is not _sincere_.'

'Cease your knavery, fellow. What purpose can it serve to talk in
this fashion to me?'

'Well, I will. I like you, because you knocked down the bully. I
have a great likeen for the fellow's gal; but till you came she cared
best for Joe. I'd like to tell you summat of my brethreen. But say,