g those things into the house, Harry, and we'll make
a bran mash."

For more than an hour they were fussing over the animals. Then they came
in and sat down. The inside of the Englishman's house was as untidy as
the outside. There was no upstairs to it--only one large room with a
dirty curtain stretched across it. On one side was a low bed with a heap
of clothes on it, a chair and a wash-stand. On the other was a stove, a
table, a shaky rocking-chair that Miss Laura was sitting in, a few
hanging shelves with some dishes and books on them, and two or three
small boxes that had evidently been used for seats.

On the walls were tacked some pictures of grand houses and ladies and
gentlemen in fine clothes, and Miss Laura said that some of them were
noble people. "Well, I'm glad this particular nobleman has left us,"
said Mr. Wood, seating himself on one of the boxes, "if nobleman he is.
I should call him in plain English, a scoundrel. Did Harry show you his
note?"

"No, uncle," said Miss Laura.

"Read it aloud," said Mr. Wood. "I'd like to hear it again."

Miss Laura read:

J. WOOD, Esq.
Dear Sir:--It is a matter of great regret to me that I am suddenly
called away from my place at Penhollow, and will, therefore, not be
able to do myself the pleasure of calling on you and settling my
little account. I sincerely hope that the possession of my live stock
which I make entirely over to you, will more than reimburse you for
any trifling expense which you may have incurred on my account. If it
is any gratification to you to know that you have rendered a slight
assistance to the son of one of England's noblest noblemen, you have
it. With expressions of the deepest respect, and hoping that my stock
may be in good condition when you take possession,

I am, dear sir, ever devotedly yours,
HOWARD ALGERNON LEDUC BARRON.

Miss Laura dropped the paper. "Uncle, did he leave those animals to
starve?"

"Didn't you notice," said Mr. Wood, grimly, "that there wasn't a wisp of
hay inside that shanty, and that where the poor beasts were tied up the
wood was knawed and bitten by them in their torture for food? Wouldn't
he have sent me that note, instead of leaving it here on the table, if
he'd wanted me to know? The note isn't dated, but I judge he's been gone
five or six days. He has had a spite against me ever since I lent him
that hundred dollars. I don't know why, for I've stood up for him when
others w