Gracious! if some of these papers in my pocket don't work the way they ought to, I don't know how things are going to come out." The deacon had almost reached the business street as this soliloquy went on, but he seemed inclined to carry on his conversation with himself: so he deliberately turned about and slowly paced the way backward towards his home.
"I shouldn't wonder," said he, after a few moments of silence, in which his mind seemed busily occupied,--"I shouldn't wonder if that was the best way out, after all.

I do believe I'll do it.

Yes, I will do it.

I'll go and buy out that shoe-shop of Larry Highgetty's, and I'll let Sam Kimper have it at just what it costs, and trust him for all the purchase-money.

I don't believe the good-will of the place and all the stock that is in it will cost over a couple of hundred dollars; and Larry would take my note at six months almost as quick as he'd take anybody else's money.