“I don’t want to draw no wrong conclusions nor do anyone wrong in my thoughts,” said Mrs. Wes Johnson, on her way home that evening, speaking to a woman who walked with her. “But if I was any judge I should say that Cap’n Nymphus Bodfish better be lookin’ to his buttons in a certain quarter.” “By the style she spit out there before us all tonight, you might think her intentions was serious toward him,” commented the other. “I know they’re serious,” replied the other with decision. “Nymp’ has made his brags already, and I’m knowin’ to it that she’s been havin’ extra sewin’ done.” “You don’t s’pose she’d mitten him now, do you?’ asked the other in horrified tones. “Well, I don’t want to wrong nobody,” said Mrs Johnson, “but if I was goin’ to say, I shouldn’t be that Cap Nymp’ Bodfish would get Abby Snell till I see ’em comin’ down the aisle together. I tell ye, when a man’s got forty thousand to put into the bank ’side of the twenty thousand that Number One left to ye, a woman does a little second-thought thinkin’.” The Widow Snell stayed awake a long time that night, listening to the distant rumble of Hiram’s snores shuddering under the door of the best room. Possibly she was fulfilling Mrs. Johnson’s prediction about second thoughts. CHAPTER XV--SOME OF THE POSSIBILITIES IN A “CORNET BRASS BAND” AS FIGURED BY ITS PROMOTER, HIRAM LOOK Open order and forward march! Major in bearskin and stiffer than starch, Knees like a thoroughbred--he’s the kind! And all the musicianers marchin’ behind, Then poum-ta-roum! Oh, ain’t it grand To march with the Atkinson Full Brass Band? --From “Village Ballads.” When Hiram turned in at the dooryard of the Look place next day it was late in the afternoon, and he was riding in the rear of a farmer’s beach waggon, his long legs dangling over the tail-board. Imogene followed docilely at the end of a rope, her affectionate gaze on her master. Squire Phin and Peak, who had been sitting on the porch, came along to greet the new arrival and congratulate him. “Well, it’s taken leg-work a lot and head-work a lot,” said Hiram with a sigh of relief as he slid stiffly down from his perch. “Look-a-there!” He pointed to the horse that had drawn the waggon. “Had two runaways and one smash-up before I got that invented.” Two saplings were lashed to the thills and extended beyond the bit-rings through which they were thrust. The horse was unable to turn his head to look behind, and for further precaution the apprehensive country youth who drove had tied his ragged coat around the animal’s head like a muffler.