“I say, Williams, when you came out here I thought you a tenderfoot, sure enough, who was likely to pay money for experience; but, by the jumping Jews! you’ve given us natives cards and spades.”

“I was a tenderfoot so far as practical experience goes, but I tried to use the everyday sense which God gave me, and I find that’s about all a man needs to run a business like this.”

“You run it all right, for returns, and that’s what we are after; and I’m beginning to catch on.  I want you to tell me, before Kyrle here, why you gave me that bull two years ago.”

“What’s the matter with the bull, Jackson?  Isn’t he all right?”

“Sure he’s all right, and as fine as silk; but why did you give him to me?  Why didn’t you keep him for yourself?”

“Well, Bill, I thought you would like him, and we were neighbors, and—­”

“You thought I would save you the trouble of keeping him, didn’t you?”

“Well, perhaps that did have some influence.  You see, this is a factory farm from fence to fence, except this forty which Polly bosses, and the utilitarian idea is on top.  Keeping the bull didn’t exactly run with my notion of economy, especially when I could conveniently have him kept so near, and at the same time be generous to a neighbor.”

“That’s it, and it’s taken me two years to find it out.  You’re trying to follow that idea all along the line.  You’re dead right, and I’m going to tag on, if you don’t mind.  I was glad enough for your present at the time, and I’m glad yet; but I’ve learned my lesson, and you may bet your dear life that no man will ever again give me a bull.”

“That’s right, Jackson.  Now you have struck the key-note; stick to it, and you will make money twice as fast as you have done.  Have a mark, and keep your eye on it, and your plough will turn a straight furrow.”

Jackson sent for his horse, and just before he mounted, I said, “Are you thinking of selling your farm?”

“I used to think of it, but I’ve been to school lately and can ’do my sums’ better.  No, I guess I won’t sell the paternal acres; but who wants to buy?”

“Kyrle, here, is looking for a farm about the size of yours, and to tell you the truth I should like him for a neighbor.  It’s dollars to doughnuts that I could give him a whole herd of bulls.”

“Indeed, you can’t do anything of the kind!  I wouldn’t take a gold dollar from you until I had it tested.  I’m on to your curves.”

“But seriously, Jackson, I must have more land; my stock will eat me out of house and home by the time the factory is running full steam.  What would you say to a proposition of $10,000 for one hundred acres along my north line?”

“A year ago I would have jumped at it.  Now I say ‘nit.’  I need it all, Doctor; I told you I was going to tag on.  But what’s the matter with the old lady’s quarter across your south road?”

“Nothing’s the matter with the land, only she won’t sell it at any price.”