with
the station-master, and thus all the preliminaries were settled quite
satisfactorily.

In a few days the negroes were at work, and as they both lived but a
short distance from the creek, on the village side, it was quite
convenient for them. John Walker had a stable in which to keep the
mules, and the cost of their feed was also to be added to his share of
the profits.

In a short time Harry had quite a number of applications from negroes
who wished to cut wood for him, but he declined to hire any additional
force until he saw how his speculation would turn out.

Old Uncle Braddock pleaded hard to be employed. He could not cut wood,
nor could he drive a team, but he was sure he would be of great use as
overseer.

"You see, Mah'sr Harry," he said, "I lib right on de outside edge ob
you' pa's woods, and I kin go ober dar jist as easy as nuffin, early
every mornin', and see dat dem boys does dere work, and don't chop down
de wrong trees. Mind now, I tell ye, you all will make a pile o' money
ef ye jist hire me to obersee dem boys."

For some time Harry resisted his entreaties, but at last, principally on
account of Kate's argument that the old man ought to be encouraged in
making something toward his living, if he were able and willing to do
so, Harry hired him on his own terms, which were ten cents a day.

About four o'clock every afternoon during his engagement, Uncle Braddock
made his appearance in the village, to demand his ten cents. When Harry
remonstrated with him on his quitting work so early, he said:

"Why, you see, Mah'sr Harry, it's a long way from dem woods here, and I
got to go all de way back home agin; and it gits dark mighty early dese
short days."

In about a week the old man came to Hurry and declared that he must
throw up his engagement.

"What's the matter?" asked Harry.

"I'm gwine to gib up dat job, Mah'sr Harry."

"But why? You wanted it bad enough," said Harry.

"But I'm gwine to gib it up now," said the old man.

"Well, I want you to tell me your reasons for giving it up," persisted
Harry.

Uncle Braddock stood silent for a few minutes, and then he said:

"Well, Mah'sr Harry, dis is jist de truf; dem ar boys, dey ses to me dat
ef I come foolin' around dere any more, dey'd jist chop me up, ole
wrapper an' all, and haul me off fur kindlin' wood. Dey say I was dry
enough. An' dey needn't a made sich a fuss about it, fur I didn't
trouble 'em much; hardly eber went nigh 'em. T