er after the bank closed, or after "tea," and it
was a pleasure in itself to observe David's dexterous handling of his
horses, and his content and satisfaction in the enjoyment of his
favorite pastime. In pursuit of business he "jogged 'round," as he said,
behind the faithful Jinny, but when on pleasure bent, a pair of
satin-coated trotters drew him in the latest and "slickest" model of
top-buggies.

"Of course," he said, "I'd ruther ride all alone than not to ride at
all, but the's twice as much fun in't when you've got somebody along. I
ain't much of a talker, unless I happen to git started" (at which
assertion John repressed a smile), "but once in a while I like to have
somebody to say somethin' to. You like to come along, don't ye?"

"Very much indeed."

"I used to git Polly to come once in a while," said David, "but it
wa'n't no pleasure to her. She hadn't never ben used to hosses an' alwus
set on the edge of the seat ready to jump, an' if one o' the critters
capered a little she'd want to git right out then an' there. I reckon
she never went out but what she thanked mercy when she struck the hoss
block to git back with hull bones."

"I shouldn't have thought that she would have been nervous with the
reins in your hands," said John.

"Wa'al," replied David, "the last time she come along somethin' give the
team a little scare an' she reached over an' made a grab at the lines.
That," he remarked with a grin, "was quite a good while ago. I says to
her when we got home, 'I guess after this you'd better take your airin's
on a stun-boat. You won't be so liable to git run away with an' throwed
out,' I says."

John laughed a little, but made no comment.

"After all," said David, "I dunno 's I blamed her fer bein' skittish,
but I couldn't have her grabbin' the lines. It's curi's," he reflected,
"I didn't used to mind what I rode behind, nor who done the drivin', but
I'd have to admit that as I git older I prefer to do it myself, I ride
ev'ry once in a while with fellers that c'n drive as well, an' mebbe
better, 'n I can, an' I know it, but if anythin' turns up, or looks like
it, I can't help wishin' 't I had holt o' the lines myself."

The two passed a good many hours together thus beguiling the time.
Whatever David's other merits as a companion, he was not exacting of
response when engaged in conversation, and rarely made any demands upon
his auditor.

* * * * *

During that firs