They are down on their luck , now , and I 'd like to pay my debts . ' By this time everyone was interested , and Dansville began to lose its charm . But prudent Mr Bhaer suggested that one honest agent among many could not do much , and noble as the effort would be , it was wiser to think over the matter carefully , get influence and authority from the right quarters , and meantime look at lands before deciding . ` Well , I will . I 'm going to take a run to Kansas and see how that promises . Met a fellow in ` Frisco who 'd been there , and he spoke well of it . The fact is , there 's so much to be done every where that I do n't know where to catch on , and half wish I had n't any money , ' answered Dan , knitting his brows in the perplexity all kind souls feel when anxious to help at the great task of the world 's charity . ` I 'll keep it for you till you decide . You are such an impetuous lad you 'll give it to the first beggar that gets hold of you . I 'll turn it over while you are prospecting , and hand it back when you are ready to invest , shall I ? ' asked Mr Laurie , who had learned wisdom since the days of his own extravagant youth . ` Thanky , sir , I 'd be glad to get rid of it . You just hold on till I say the word ; and if anything happens to me this time , keep it to help some other scamp as you helped me . This is my will , and you all witness it . Now I feel better . ' And Dan squared his shoulders as if relieved of a burden , after handing over the belt in which he carried his little fortune . No one dreamed how much was to happen before Dan came to take his money back , nor how nearly that act was his last will and testament ; and while Mr Laurie was explaining how he would invest it , a cheery voice was heard singing : ` Oh , Peggy was a jolly lass , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho ! She never grudged her Jack a glass , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho ! And when he sailed the raging main , She faithful was unto her swain , Ye heave ho , boys , ye heave ho ! ' Emil always announced his arrival in that fashion , and in a moment he came hurrying in with Nat , who had been giving lessons in town all day .
It was good to see the latter beam at his friend as he nearly shook his hand off ; better still to see how Dan gratefully remembered all he owed XXXXX , and tried to pay the debt in his rough way ; and best of all to hear the two travellers compare notes and reel off yarns to dazzle the land-lubbers and home-keepers .
Dan Dansville Laurie Nat day days first ho quarters swain