'll give you, say, a thousand dollars down, and the
balance immediately upon measurement as the logs are loaded upon the
cars."

The old man nodded in approval.

"The terms is all right," he said.

"How much will you take F. O. B. Restview?"

"Well, cuttin' and trimmin' and haulin' ain't much in my line,"
returned the old man, again cautious; "but after all, I reckon that
there'd be less damage to my property if I looked after it myself. Of
course, I'd have to have a profit for handlin' it. I'd feel like
holdin' out for--for--" and after some hesitation he again named a
figure.

"You've made that same proposition to others," charged Sam shrewdly,
"and you couldn't get the price." Upon the heels of this he made his
own offer.

The old man shook his head and turned as if to start back to the corn
field.

"No, I can get better than that," he declared, shaking his head.

"Come back here and let's talk turkey," protested Sam compellingly.
"You name the very lowest price you'll take, delivered on board the
cars at Restview."

The old man reached down, pulled up a blade of grass, chewed it
carefully, spit it out, and named his very, very lowest price; then he
added: "What's the most you'll give?"

Miss Stevens leaned forward intently.

Sam very promptly named a figure five dollars lower.

"I'll split the difference with you," offered the old man.

"It's a bargain!" said Sam, and reaching into the inside pocket of his
tennis coat, he brought out some queer furniture for that sort of
garment--a small fountain pen and an extremely small card-case, from
the latter of which he drew four folded blank checks.

He reached over and borrowed the chauffeur's enameled cap, dusted it
carefully with his handkerchief, laid a check upon it and held his
fountain pen poised. "What are your initials, please, Mr. Gifford?"

"Wait a minute," said the old man hastily. "Don't make out that check
just yet. I don't do any business or sign any contracts till I talk
with Hepseba."

"All right. Climb right in with Henry there," directed Sam, seizing
upon the chauffeur's name. "We'll drive straight up to see her."

"I'll walk," firmly declared Mr. Gifford. "I never have rode in one of
them things, and I'm too old to begin."

"Very well," said Sam cheerfully, jumping out of the machine with great
promptness. "I'll walk with you. Back to the house, Henry," and he
started anxiously to trudge up the road with Mr. Gifford, le