`` I know she will ! I 've dreamed of it , I 've prayed for it ; every battle I come out of safe makes me surer that I was kept for that , and when I 've borne enough to atone for my part of the fault , I 'll be repaid for all my patience , all my pain , by finding her again . She knows how well I love her still , and if there comes a time when she is sick and poor and all alone again , then she 'll remember her old John , then she 'll come home and let me take her in . '' Hope shone in Thorn 's melancholy eyes , and long-suffering , all-forgiving love beautified the rough , brown face , as he folded his arms and bent his gray head on his breast , as if the wanderer were already come . The emotion which Dick scorned to show on his own account was freely manifested for another , as he sniffed audibly , and , boy-like , drew his sleeve across his eyes . But Phil , with the delicate perception of a finer nature , felt that the truest kindness he could show his friend was to distract his thoughts from himself , to spare him any comments , and lessen the embarrassment which would surely follow such unwonted confidence . `` Now I 'll relieve Flint , and he will give you a laugh . Come on , Hiram , and tell us about your Beulah . '' The gentleman addressed had performed his duty by sitting on a fence and `` righting up '' his pockets , to beguile the tedium of his exile . 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 . ''
XXXXX 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 .
Beulah Dick Flint Hiram John Phil Thorn ef meetin naow