Before his multitudinous possessions could be restored to their native sphere , Thorn was himself again , and on his feet . `` Stay where you are , Phil ; I like to tramp , it seems like old times , and I know you 're tired . Just forget all this I 've been saying , and go on as before . Thank you , boys ! thank you , '' and with a grasp of the two hands extended to him , he strode away along the path already worn by his own restless feet . `` It 's done him good , and I 'm glad of that ; but I 'd like to see the little baggage that bewitched the poor old boy , would n't you , Phil ? '' `` Hush ! here 's Flint . '' `` What 's up naow ? want me tew address the meetin ' , hey ? I 'm willin ' , only the laugh 's ruther ag ` inst me , ef I tell that story ; expect you 'll like it all the better fer that . '' Flint coiled up his long limbs , put his hands in his pockets , chewed meditatively for a moment , and then began , with his slowest drawl : -- `` Waal , sir , it 's pretty nigh ten year ago , I was damster daown tew Oldtaown , clos ' t to Banggore . My folks lived tew Bethel ; there was only the old man , and Aunt Siloam , keepin ' house fer him , seein ' as I was the only chick he hed . I hed n't heared from 'em fer a long spell , when there come a letter sayin ' the old man was breakin ' up . He 'd said it every spring fer a number er years , and I did n't mind it no more 'n the breakin ' up er the river ; not so much , jest then ; fer the gret spring drive was comin ' on , and my hands was tew full to quit work all tew oncet . I sent word I 'd be ` long ` fore a gret while , and byme-by I went . I ought tew hev gone at fust ; but they 'd sung aout ` Wolf ! ' so often I war n't scared ; an ' sure ` nuff the wolf did come at last . Father hed been dead and berried a week when I got there , and aunt was so mad she would n't write , nor scurcely speak tew me for a consider ` ble spell . I did n't blame her a mite , and felt jest the wust kind ; so I give in every way , and fetched her raound .
Yeou see I bed a cousin who 'd kind XXXXX took my place tew hum while I was off , an ' the old man hed left him a good slice er his money , an ' me the farm , hopin ' to keep me there .
Bethel Oldtaown Waal clos er keepin meetin war wust years