Under almost any other circumstances David would have had a good deal to say about it; but just now he seemed to have lost all interest in his business.  It would have been hard for any boy to wear a merry smile and keep up a light heart after such a scene as David had passed through that morning.  He could not banish it from his memory.  His father was hiding in the woods, because he was afraid to show his face among his neighbors again; he was a receiver of stolen property and his brother Dan was a thief, and the remembrance of these facts was enough to depress the most buoyant spirits.  David wanted to do something to bring his father and brother to their senses, and induce them to become decent, respected members of the community, but he did not know how to set about it, and there was no one of whom he could ask advice.  He never talked to his mother about the family difficulties now.  She had more than her share of trouble, and David always tried to talk about cheerful things when he was in her presence.

“Doesn’t it cheer you up any to know that your business is prospering?” exclaimed Bert.  “Then we will tell you something else.  How would you like to be mail carrier?  How would you like to put thirty dollars in your pocket every month?”

“That is more money than I shall be able to earn for long years to come,” replied David.

“Perhaps not.  Father told us this morning that the old mail carrier is going to give up his route, his contract having expired, and he thinks he can get you appointed in his place.  He’s been to see Colonel Packard, and Silas Jones, and all the rest of the prominent men in the settlement, and they have promised to give you all their influence and to go on your bond.”

“What does that mean?” asked David, who now began to show some interest in the matter.

“Why, there are certain legal forms to go through with, which father explained, but which I don’t pretend to understand,” said Bert.  “You must promise to attend to your business——­”

“O, I’ll do that,” exclaimed David.

“Of course you will,” said Don, “but that will not satisfy the authorities in Washington.  They don’t know you, and even if they did it would make no difference.  The law must be complied with, and you must give bonds for the faithful performance of your duty.  But that needn’t trouble you; father will attend to it.  He says your chances are good, for you are the only one on the track so far.”

This was the first time David knew that there was anybody on the track.  He was greatly astonished and delighted, and his attempts to express his gratitude for the General’s kindness and thoughtfulness were awkward enough.  Thirty dollars was a large sum of money in his eyes.  His earnings would amount to three hundred and sixty dollars a year, and couldn’t he and his mother live nicely on that and save something for a rainy day besides?  If he could get the contract, and his father and Dan would only abandon their lazy, worthless mode of life and go to work, how happy they would all be!