When he found the officer of the law only wanted to know the number of stock he owned, he talked freely--he was delighted.

He said, "Yes, sir," and "No, sir," and "Jusso, sir," to everything the policeman said.
Dad wished to learn some law.

He said: "Now, tell me this: supposing a horse gets into my paddock--or into your paddock--and I advertise that horse and nobody claims him, can't I put my brand on him ?" The policeman jerked back his head and stared at the shingles long enough to recall all the robberies he had committed, and said: "Ye can--that's so--ye can." "I knew it," answered Dad; "but a lawyer in town told Maloney, over there, y' could n't." "COULD N'T ?" And the policeman laughed till he nearly had the house down, only stopping to ask, while the tears ran over his well-fed cheeks, "Did he charge him forrit ?" and laughed again.

He went away laughing, and for all I know the wooden-head may be laughing yet.
Everything was favourable to a good harvest.

The rain fell just when it was wanted, and one could almost see the corn growing.