“What do you get for the keep of this old man?” he asked.

“Only a hundred,” was the surly reply.  “Not half enough.”

“Well, look here, will you give him to me?  I will take care of him for nothing.”

Into Jim Goban’s eyes came a look of surprise mingled with doubt.  The man must surely be making sport of him, he thought.  Then his natural cupidity overcame him.  Here was a chance to get clear of the pauper and at the same time receive money for his keep.  But how would the overseers of the poor regard such a transaction?

“Will you let me have him?” Jasper again asked.

“Give me twenty-five dollars and he is yours,” Jim replied.

“Twenty-five dollars!  No, not a cent.  You will make out of it as it is; far more than you deserve.”

“I can’t do it, then,” and Jim made as though to go.  “Come on,” he ordered David and Betty.  “Let’s git away from here.”

“Hold on,” and Jasper stepped, up close to him; “if you do not let me have the old man, I’ll lay a charge against you for ill treating him, I saw enough this morning to satisfy any one.  Let me have him, and you need have no more worry.  Refuse, and you will regret it.”

“But what will the overseers say if I give him up?” Jim whined.

“Oh, that can be easily settled.  If they make a fuss, send them to me.  But I guess they won’t bother their heads.”

Jim still hesitated.  He longed to get more out of this bargain.

“Hurry up,” Jasper demanded.  “What do you say?”

“Oh, take the cuss, then.  I wish ye joy of him.  I’m off now.  Come, girl, let’s git home.”

During the whole of this affair Betty had been a most interested and excited witness.  She was delighted at the thought of David’s freedom, and when Jim at last agreed to part with him she could hardly repress a cry of joy.  It took her but a second to make up her mind, and she was ready when Jim spoke to her.

“I’m not going with you,” she told him.

“Not goin’!  Why, what d’ye mean?” and Jim looked his astonishment.

“I’m going to stay with Mr. David.  He needs me more than you do.  I’m going to take him to my own home.  He will be happy there and treated like a gentleman.”

“Ho, ho! so that’s the game, eh?  Treat him like a gentleman!  Well, do as ye like; it’s nothin’ to me, so I’m off.”

They watched him as he strode across the field, unhitched his horse and drove away.

“There, we’re rid of him at last,” and Jasper gave a sigh of relief.

“Isn’t it great!” Betty exclaimed turning to David.  “To think that you are going home with me!”

But the old man was looking at Jasper and did not hear the girl’s cry of delight.  In his eyes was an expression of gratitude.  He tried to speak but words failed him, and tears flowed down his cheeks.  Jasper was visibly moved, and turned suddenly to Betty.