"You don't say so! I would hardly have believed it. Now, I don't want to be curious nor anything; but would you mind telling me what you had to pay for it?" "Nothing. He gave it to us." "He--what?" "He gave it to us to be used as a flag-staff on the grounds of the public school at Chestnut Hill." "You don't mean that he gave you that wonderful spruce that stands down in the corner of his swamp; the one Morrissey and Campbell were up looking at yesterday?" "I believe that is the one." "Why, colonel, that spruce was the apple of his eye. If I've heard him brag that tree up once, I've heard him brag it up fifty times. He never gave away anything in his life before. What's come over the old man, anyway?" "Well, when he learned that I had donated the flag, he declared that he would donate the staff. I suppose he didn't want to be outdone in the matter of patriotism." "Good for him!" exclaimed Henry Cobb. "He'll be a credit to his country yet;" and he laughed merrily. Then, sobering down, he added: "But, say; look here! can't you let me in on this thing too? I don't want to be outdone by either of you. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll cut the tree, and trim it, and haul it to town to-morrow, free gratis for nothing. What do you say?" Then the colonel laughed in his turn, and he reached out his one hand and shook hands warmly with Henry Cobb. "Splendid!" he cried. "This efflorescence of patriotism in the rural districts is enough to delight an old soldier's heart!" "All right! I'll have the pole there by four o'clock to-morrow afternoon, and you can depend on it." "I will. And I thank you, sir; not only on my own account, but also in the name of the public of Chestnut Hill, and on behalf of our beloved country. Now I must go. I have decided, in returning, to drive across by Darbytown, strike the creek road, and go down home by that route in order to avoid drifts and bare places. Oh, by the way, there's a little matter I neglected to speak to Mr. Walker about. It's of no great moment, but I understand his grandson came up here this afternoon, and, if he is still here, I will take the opportunity to send back word by him." He made the inquiry with as great an air of indifference as he could assume, but his breath came quick as he waited for an answer. "Why," replied Henry Cobb, "Pen was here along about three o'clock. He was looking for a two-year old heifer that strayed away yesterday. He went over toward Darbytown. You might run across him if you're going that way. But I'll send your message down to Enos Walker if you wish." "Thank you! It doesn't matter. I may possibly see the young man along the road. Good night!" "Good night, colonel!" The impatient horses were given rein once more, and dashed away to the music of the two score bells that hung from their shining harness.