He almost regretted having seen the advertisement.  However, notwithstanding his lack of self-confidence, he presented to Mr. Quintin the letter which the preacher in New York had given him to be delivered to that gentleman.

“Ah!” exclaimed Mr. Quintin as he read, “this is from one of our best boys; you know him, eh?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Ah, Charlie is as true as steel, Charlie is.”

“He says better words of you, Mr. Quintin,” remarked Billy.

“Indeed!  What does he say?”

“He says you are true as gold.”

“Well, I doubt whether that is better.  That is Charlie’s way of showing his appreciation.  But steel is better than gold.  I don’t know of any useful thing made of gold; but what could we do without steel?”

They drove away from the Monastery and stopped in front of the farmhouse.  Then Mr. Quintin, in quiet tones, asked:  “Well, Mr. Sparrow, what do you think of Monastery Farm?  Would you not like to live in that good old house?  I am authorized to pay the right man seven hundred dollars a year, besides house rent, garden, milk, etc.  What do you think of such a chance?”

“Mr. Quintin,” replied the other, slowly, “I am afraid that it is too much of an undertaking.  I fear that my experience is too limited.  It would perhaps be better for me to look for a lighter job.  I am a farmer, Mr. Quintin, and love the work.  For four years I have managed my father’s small farm, and have succeeded in making some money.  But this work needs a man of more experience.  Everything is on a larger scale, and I fear I am not experienced enough for so large an undertaking.”

Mr. Quintin was an astute reader of men and had formed a favorable opinion of this modest young man.  “How old are you?” he asked.

“I am twenty-six years old next month,” was the reply.

“I’m afraid you are in danger of making a mistake.  You may never have an opportunity like this again.  The crops for the season are all in, and the two men on the place understand everything, and during this year you can familiarize yourself with the machinery, cattle, and all other necessary details.  My advice to you is to take hold and feel that you are master of the situation as you soon will be.”

Quintin, in fact, was so favorably impressed with this young man of twenty-six that Billy was finally persuaded to take charge of Monastery Farm, and in two weeks the new farmer and his young wife and child were comfortably located in the old farmhouse.  And time had proven that Quintin had made no mistake in this selection.  Each year had enhanced his opinion of the character and ability of Sparrow; the great farm had never been so productive, the cattle had never been more thrifty, and the revenue had never been as large.