I was workin' for eight dollars a month and board." "It would be a great while before you could save up money to buy a farm out of that, Mr.Bickford." "That's so." "My experience was something like yours.

Before I came out here I was working on a farm." "Sho!" "And I didn't begin to get as much money as you.

I was bound out to a farmer for my board and clothes.

The board was fair but the clothes were few and poor." "You don't say!" "I hope you will be as lucky as I have been." "How much are you worth now ?" asked Joshua curiously.
"From one to two thousand dollars, I expect." "Sho! I never did! How long have you been out here ?" "Three months." "Je-rusalem! That's better than stayin' to hum." "I think so." By this time Mr.Bickford had completed his breakfast and in an anxious tone he inquired: "What's the damage ?" "Oh, I won't charge you anything, as you are going to be my traveling companion," said Joe.
"You're a gentleman, by gosh!" exclaimed Mr.Bickford, in unrestrained delight.
"Come in at one o'clock and you shall have some of your favorite beans and nothing to pay.

Can you start for the mines to-morrow ?" "Yes--I've got nothin' to prepare." "Take your meals here till we go." "Well, I'm in luck," said Bickford.