called a gruff voice ; and , feeling very much as if he were going to have a tooth out , Ben meekly followed the good woman , who put on her pleasantest smile , anxious to make the best possible impression . A white-headed old gentleman sat reading a paper , and peered over his glasses at the new-comers with a pair of sharp eyes , saying in a testy tone , which would have rather daunted any one who did not know what a kind heart he had under his capacious waistcoat , -- `` Good-morning , ma'am . What 's the matter now ? Young tramp been stealing your chickens ? '' `` Oh , dear no , sir ! '' exclaimed Mrs. Moss , as if shocked at the idea . Then , in a few words , she told Ben 's story , unconsciously making his wrongs and destitution so pathetic by her looks and tones , that the Squire could not help being interested , and even Ben pitied himself as if he were somebody else . `` Now , then , boy , what can you do ? '' asked the old gentleman , with an approving nod to Mrs. Moss as she finished , and such a keen glance from under his bushy brows that Ben felt as if he was perfectly transparent . '' ` Most any thing , sir , to get my livin ' . '' `` Can you weed ? '' `` Never did , but I can learn , sir . '' `` Pull up all the beets and leave the pigweed , hey ? Can you pick strawberries ? '' `` Never tried any thing but eatin ' 'em , sir , '' `` Not likely to forget that part of the job . Can you ride a horse to plow ? '' `` Guess I could , sir ! '' -- and Ben 's eyes began to sparkle , for he dearly loved the noble animals who had been his dearest friends lately . `` No antics allowed . My horse is a fine fellow , and I 'm very particular about him . ''
The Squire spoke soberly , but there was a twinkle in his eye , and Mrs. XXXXX tried not to smile ; for the Squire 's horse was a joke all over the town , being about twenty years old , and having a peculiar gait of his own , lifting his fore-feet very high , with a great show of speed , though never going out of a jog-trot .
Ben Good-morning Moss Squire destitution eatin livin new-comers pigweed stealing