of the opinion t

Himes gave a little

gasp and sat down.

"Now, I hadn't no thoughts of tradin' for a wife," continued Thomas,
"especially in woollen goods and books; but when I considered
and turned the matter over in my mind, and thought what a woman

you was, and what a life there was afore me if I got you,
I agreed to do it. Then he wanted pay aforehand, and that I wouldn't
agree to, not because I thought you
wasn't wuth it, but because I couldn't trust

him if anybody offered him more before I got you. But that ain't the
wust of it;
yesterday

he come down to see me and went back on his
bargain, and that after I had spent the whole night thinkin' of you
and what I was goin' to
say. And he put on such high-cockalorum airs that I, bein' as soft as
mush around the heart, jest wilted
and agreed to give him everything he bargained for if he would
promise not to
hinder. But he wasn't
satisfied with that and wouldn't
come to no terms until I'd give him my Centennial pipe, what's been
like a child to me this many a year. And when he saw how disgruntled
I was

at sich a loss, he said that
my pipe might be very dear to me, but his sister
was jest as dear to him.

And then, on top of the whole thing, he pokes his head through the
shutters and hinders jest at the most ticklish
moment." "A dictionary and a pipe!" ejaculated poor Marietta, her
eyes fixed upon the floor. "But I'm goin'
to make him give 'em all back," exclaimed Thomas. "They was the price
of not hinderin', and he hindered." "He shall give them back," said
Marietta, rising, "but you must

understand, Mr. Rooper, that in no way did Asaph interfere with your
marrying me. That was a matter with which he did
have and could have nothing to do. And now I wish you could get away
without speaking to him. I do not want any quarrelling or high
words here, and I will see him and arrange the matter

better than you can do it." "Oh, I can git
away without speakin' to him,"
said Mr. Rooper, with reddened face. And so saying, he strode out of
the house, through the front yard, and out of the gate, without
turning his
head toward Asaph, still sitting under the tree. "Oh, ho!" said the
latter to himself; "she's bounced him short and