old mare's head; "he wheedled me out of several little sums on one
pretence and another,--he had a brother in New York that he wanted to send
some to, and goods that he wanted to get out of pawn, and so on,--and I
let him have it! and then there was one of those fatting steers that he
proposed to me to let him have on account, and I thought it was as good a
way of paying him as any; and that made up pretty near the half of what
was due to him."

"I warrant you his'n was the fattest of the whole lot. Well, keep a tight
hold of the other half, brother Elzevir, that's my advice to you."

"The other half he was to make upon shares."

"Whew I--well--I wish you well rid of him; and don't make such another
bargain again. Good-day to ye!"

It was with a keen pang that little Fleda saw the down-hearted look of her
grandfather as again he pave the old mare notice to move on. A few minutes
passed in deep thought on both sides.

"Grandpa," said Fleda, "wouldn't Mr. Jolly perhaps know of somebody that
might have some money to lend?"

"I declare!" said the old gentleman after a moment, "that's not a bad
thought. I wonder I didn't have it myself."

They turned about, and without any more words measured back their way to
Queechy Run. Mr. Jolly came out again, brisk and alert as ever; but after
seeming to rack his brains in search of any actual or possible
money-lender was obliged to confess that it was in vain; he could not