He regarded Bert with some anxiety, for he had been suddenly left in the lurch by a hired man who had received a better offer elsewhere, and hardly knew where to turn for assistance. "I'll tell you what I'll do," said Bert. "I've got to go to New York on Thursday on business, but I'll come and work for you till Wednesday night for half a dollar and my board." "I'll give you thirty-five cents," replied the farmer cautiously. Bert shook his head. "Forty, then, and that's high pay for a half grown boy." "I'm more than half grown," returned Bert. "It's no use, Mr. Wilson, I won't take less than fifty cents." "Then jump on the wagon. It's a big price to pay, but I'm in a hole, and won't stop to dicker." "I will go and tell my mother first." "Well, hurry up, for part of the day is gone already." "I don't believe you'll like it, Bert," said Mrs. Barton. "Nor I, but I made up my mind to accept the first offer I got, and I shall feel better satisfied if I keep my word. I'll come round this evening, after work, and tell you how I like it as far as I've got." Bert seated himself in the wagon next to the farmer. "Be you the boy that Jones charged with stealin'?" asked Silas. "Yes, sir." "You didn't do it?" asked Silas, in some apprehension. "No, of course not!" answered Bert, indignantly. "Didn't you know I was acquitted, and that it was shown that there were two twenty-dollar bills?" "It's wicked to steal," observed the farmer, apparently a little anxious still. "Of course it is." "One of the boys that worked for me stole some money from a chest-of-drawers in my chamber. You see Mis' Wilson and me sleep in a bedroom on the first floor openin' out of the settin' room." "Did the boy take much?" asked Bert, in some curiosity. "Yes; he took a twenty-five cent piece," answered Silas Wilson, soberly. Bert wanted to laugh, but controlled his facial muscles, though he eyed his companion with a queer look. "That was a good deal of money," he said, soberly. "Yes, it was." "How did you find him out--the boy, I mean?" "He spent the money at Jones's store." "What did he buy with it?" "He bought some doughnuts." "Did he board with you?" asked Bert significantly. "Yes, he did." "Then," thought Bert, "I don't wonder much that he was tempted." "I've got fifty cents in my pocket," he said aloud, producing the coin. "I show it to you, so that if you hear of my spending money you needn't think I took it from you." Silas Wilson eyed the half-dollar with a covetous look, which the sight of money always brought to his face. "Hadn't you better give it to me to keep for you?" "No, thank you; I am very careful. I shall not lose it." "Boys ginerally are keerless. They are apt to lose money." "I don't believe you ever lose money, Mr. Wilson." "Not since I was a boy. I lost two cents once, but it was a lesson to me, and I've never lost a copper since."