ck.
"Twenty minutes after twelve! Bank closes at two! An hour and a half,--I
believe I could git there in an hour and a half. I will. I'll take a
bite and drive right back."

Which he accordingly did, and brought the tape-tied envelope home with
him again. That night he slept with it under his pillow. The next day
was Sunday; and although Mr. Ducklow did not like to have the bonds on
his mind during sermon-time, and Mrs. Ducklow "dreaded dreadfully," as
she said, "to look the minister in the face," they concluded that it was
best, on the whole, to go to meeting, and carry the bonds. With the
envelope once more in his breast-pocket, (stitched in this time by Mrs.
Ducklow's own hand,) the farmer sat under the droppings of the
sanctuary, and stared up at the good minister, but without hearing a
word of the discourse, his mind was so engrossed by worldly cares, until
the preacher exclaimed vehemently, looking straight at Ducklow's pew,--

"What said Paul? 'I would to God that not only thou, but also all that
hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, _except
these bonds_.' _'Except these bonds'!_" he repeated, striking the Bible.
"Can you, my hearers,--can you say, with Paul, 'Would that all were as I
am, _except these bonds_'?"

A point which seemed for a moment so personal to himself, that Ducklow
was filled with confusion, and would certainly have stammered out some
foolish answer, had not the preacher passed on to other themes. As it
was, Ducklow contented himself with glancing around to see if the
congregation was looking at him, and carelessly passing his hand across
his breast-pocket to make sure the bonds were still there.

Early the next morning, the old mare was harnessed, and Taddy's adopted
parents set out to visit their daughter,--Mrs. Ducklow having postponed
her washing for the purpose. It was afternoon when they arrived at their
journey's end. Laura received them joyfully, but Josiah was not expected
home until evening. Mr. Ducklow put the old mare in the barn, and fed
her, and then went in to dinner, feeling very comfortable indeed.

"Josiah's got a nice place here. That's about as slick a little barn as
ever I see. Always does me good to come over here and see you gittin'
along so nicely, Laury."

"I wish you'd come oftener, then," said Laura.

"Wal, it's hard leavin' home, ye know. Have to git one of the Atkins
boys to come and sleep with Taddy the night we're away."

"We sho