Joshua wouldn't have changed places with the President of the United States on that day.

His old friends gathered about him, and listened open-mouthed to his stories of mining life in California and his own wonderful exploits, which lost nothing in the telling.

He found his faithful Susan unmarried, and lost no time in renewing his suit.

He came, he saw, he conquered! In four weeks Susan became Mrs.Bickford, her husband became the owner of the farm he coveted, and he at once took his place among the prominent men of Pumpkin Hollow.

In a few years he was appointed justice of the peace, and became known as Squire Bickford.