Mr. Noman evidently meant to give his caller a flattering impression of his hospitality, for he heaped the boy's plate with cold pork, brown bread and vegetables, and even called on his wife to get some of that "apple sass" for the young stranger. The boy was hungry, and the food was, after all, wholesome, and he stowed away a quantity that surprised himself, if not his host. When supper was eaten, Mr. Noman pushed back his chair and abruptly asked his guest: "Who air ye?" "Matt Rives," promptly replied the boy. "That's a kinder cur'us name, now, ain't it?" questioned Mr. Noman. "I dunno any Riveses round here. Where be ye from?" "I came from New York State," replied Matt, with the air of one who had studied his answer, but it seemed for some reason to be very satisfactory to his questioner. "Any parents?" next inquired Mr. Noman. "No, sir--nor brothers nor sisters. I've no one but myself to look out for." "I guess ye ain't used to farm work, be ye?" now inquired Mr. Noman, doubtingly, and looking at Matt's hands, which were as white and soft as a lady's. "No, sir; but I'm willing to learn," assured Matt. "Of course ye can't expect much in the way of wages," remarked Mr. Noman, cautiously. "No, not until I can do my full share of work," replied Matt, indifferently. A light gleamed for a moment in Mr. Noman's eyes. "I might give ye ten dollars a month an' board, beginnin' the fust of next month, ye to work round for yer board till then," he ventured. "Very well," responded the boy; and immediately after he added, "I've walked a good ways to-day, and if you don't mind I'll go to my room." "Perhaps we'd better draw up a paper of agreement an' both of us sign it," suggested Mr. Noman, rubbing his hands vigorously together, as though well pleased with himself and everybody else. "All right, if that is your custom," said Matt. "Draw up the paper to suit you, and I'll sign it." After considerable effort, Mr. Noman produced the following document: "On this 10th day of April, Matt Rives, a miner of New York State, agres to work for me, Thomas Noman. He's to begin work May fust, an' work 6 munths at 10 dollers an' bord. He's too work till May fust for his bord. If he quits work 'fore his time is up he's to have no pay. To this we agre. "THOMAS NOMAN, on his part." Matt read the paper, and could scarcely suppress a smile as he signed his name under Mr. Noman's, and, in imitation of him, added the words "on his part" after the signature. He knew, however much importance Mr. Noman might attach to it, that as a legal document it had no special force. He simply set down the whole act as one of the whims of his eccentric employer, and gave no more thought to the matter. But it was destined to serve that gentleman's purpose, nevertheless, until taken forcibly from him. Mr. Noman now showed Matt up to a back room on the second floor, and, telling him that he would call him early in the morning, bade him good-night.