t of the line had left the room, "I
used ter think I'd ruther do enything than be a skule teacher, but I
swan ef you don't hev it wuss yet!"

David made no response. The excitement of his boyish pleasure in
showing Uncle Barnabas about had died away as he listened to the
troubles and demands of his callers, and now the recollection of the
old man's errand confronted him in full force.

Barnabas looked at him keenly.

"Dave," he said slowly, "'t ain't no snap you hev got! I never knowed
till to-day jest what it meant to you. I'm proud of you, Dave! I
wish--I wish you hed been my son!"

The governor arose impetuously and crossed the room.

"I would have been, Uncle Barnabas, if she had not cared for Joe!"

"I know it, Dave, but you hev a sweet little gal who will make you
happy."

The governor's face lighted in a look of exquisite happiness.

"I have, Uncle Barnabas. We will go to see her this evening."

"I'd like to see her, sartain. Hain't seen her sence the night you
was elected. And, Dave," with a sheepish grin, "I'm a-goin' to git
spliced myself."

"What? No! May I guess, Uncle Barnabas--Miss Rhody?"

"Dave, you air a knowin' one. Yes, it's her! Whenever we set down to
our full table I got to thinkin' of that poor little woman a-settin'
down alone, and I've never yet knowed a woman livin' alone to feed
right. They allers eat bean soup or prunes, and call it a meal."

"I am more glad than I can tell you, Uncle Barnabas, and I shall
insist on giving the bride away. But what will Penny think about some
one stepping in?"

"Wal, Dave, I'll allow I wuz skeered to tell Penny, and it tuk a hull
lot of bracin' to do it, and what do you suppose she sed? She sez,
'I've bin wantin' tew quit these six years, and now, thank the Lord,
I've got the chance.'"

"Why, what in the world did she want to leave for?"

"I guess you'll be surprised when I tell you. To marry Larimy
Sasser!"

"Uncle Larimy! She'll scour him out of house and home," laughed
David.

"We'll hev both weddin's to the same time. Joe and Janey are a-comin',
and we'll hev a grand time. I hain't much on the write, Dave, and I've
allers meant to see you here in this great place. Some of the boys sez
to me: 'Mebby Dave's got stuck on himself and his job by this time,
and you'll hev to send in yer keerd by a nigger fust afore you kin see
him,' but I sez, 'No! Not David Dunne! He ain't that kind and never
will be.' So when I go back I kin tell them ho