He said I'd be back in rags before a year was out.

Now, the old man thinks a good deal of his opinion, and he won't like it to find how badly he's mistaken." "Then he would prefer to see you come home in rags ?" "You bet he would." "How about Susan?
Ain't you afraid she has married the store clerk ?" Joshua looked grave for a moment.
"I won't say but she has," said he; "but if she has gone and forgotten about me jest because my back is turned, she ain't the gal I take her for, and I won't fret my gizzard about her." "She will feel worse than you when she finds you have come back with money." "That's so." "And you will easily find some one else," suggested Joe.
"There's Sophrony Thompson thinks a sight of me," said Mr.Bickford.
"She's awful jealous of Susan.

If Susan goes back on me, I'll call round and see Sophrony." Joe laughed.
"I won't feel anxious about you, Joshua," he said, "since I find you have two girls to choose between." "Not much danger of breakin' my heart.

It's pretty tough." There was a brief silence.
Then Joshua said: "What are your plans, Joe?
Shall you remain in San Francisco ?" "I've been thinking, Mr.Bickford, that I would like to go home on a visit.

If I find that I have left my business in good hands in the city, I shall feel strongly tempted to go home on the same steamer with you." "That would be hunky," said Bickford, really delighted.