Aunt Jane's Nieces at Millville

gain. He had been racking his brain for a way to get more money out of the nabob, fo

ine profit in return for his labor. The books were printed upon cheap paper, fearfully illustrated with blurred cuts, but the covers were bound in bright red with gold lettering. Through misunderstandings three of these copies had come back to him, the subscribers refusing to accept them; and so thorough had been his canvassing that th

had been carefully dusted, reclining on the buggy seat beside him

emnly stumped around to the back door with the three red volumes tucked undernea

nabob?" he as

ed. She knew his voice, as she did that of nearly ev

ob; the boss;

the barn with

an overturned pail watching Old Hucks oil Joe's harn

a-botherin'; but I hev here three copies of Radford's fami

wha

hey's all out'n print 'cept these three, which I hain't no doubt many

of the ligh

shifted hi

books,

ake 'e

ha

t read

ee looks" speech had usually resulted in a sale. An idea f

ung lad

loaded with books,"

became d

left, says to tell ye she wants one o' these books migh

he doe

y bad,

ched Thomas po

oral work?

moraler, sir. All

much

gh, sir. Three d

ey and get out. You'

h obleeged, sir. Wher

t in the

and laid it carefully on the edge of the oat-bin.

to ye, Mr

said Uncle J

ent st

lars for Miss Ethel Thompson'

, Mr. M

he looked guiltily at his accuser, t

see that s

se, Mr.

once. Yo

is visit to the nabob that morning! To lose ten dollars in order to gain three was very bad business policy. McNutt reflected bitterly that he would have been better off had he stayed at home. He ou

the money came to sustain him; so he recovered somewhat his former spirits. As h

s a genius. He did not

ttered, "an' I'll learn thet nabob what it cos

ened over to

his most ingratiating voice.

barn?" asked the

e t'other day-'Radford's Lives o' the Saints'-an' perhaps

concerning the mystery of Captain Wegg, and she must be gracious to him in order to win his good

you to be pai

dollars

your name is McNutt, isn't it?-how

Thank 'e, miss. Go

ook in the hamm

ke you to tell me something about Captain

hurry ye ever knew. Good day to ye, miss," he repeated, and stumped quickly to the buggy awaiting him.

, but after a little thought she looked aft

nd that only confirms my suspicions tha

he had sold two "Lives of the Saints" to one family. That there might be future consequences to fo

barn with a red book in his hand and approach the hammock, whereupon the young lady arose and exhibited a second book. Then they both

earshot when a sudden apparition ahead caused the mare to halt abruptly. It also caused the cold chills to run down t

ir," said Patsy to the age

ered McNutt, who recognized the yo

ntic waves of Uncle John's chubby arms and Louise's energetic beckonings. They w

over his shoulder, and a sec

ll yer uncle fer five dollars; but he wanted it fer four. I ain't no haggler, you understan', so I jest driv away. Now Mr. Merrick has changed his mind an' is willin' to give five fer it; but

the little man'

u may as well take the five dollars, for unless Uncle had

he rejoined, taking the mone

e hands, and in answer to their renewed cries and gestures Patsy waved the "Lives

f their uncle, the agent was well out of sight and exulting in the possession of eleven dollars to pay for his morning's work. Even if Ethel accepted that ten,

nder when he saw his nieces approaching with the third red-and-gold book. Louise was leaning against the rail fenc

uch an audacious swindl

girl, wiping the tears of merriment f

talents the fellow possesses. Tell me, Patsy," he continued, as

ars. Uncle

o my collection. So far I've got three 'Lives of the Saints'-and I'm th