But the hay stacks were dearer to him than the apple of his glass eye.

The barn was more precious than his wig.

And those who hoped to touch Bud in a tender place through this letter knew the Squire's weakness far better than they knew the spelling-book.

To see his new red barn with its large "Mormon" hay-press inside, and the mounted Indian on the vane, consumed, was too much for the Hawkins heart to stand.

Evidently the danger was on the side of his niece.