"He didn't stay poar, you bet a hoss!" and with this the coal was deposited on the pipe, and the lips began to crack like parchment as each puff of smoke escaped.

"He married rich, you see," and here another significant look at the young master, and another fond look at Mirandy, as she puffed away reflectively.

"His wife hadn't no book-larnin'.

She'd been through the spellin'-book wunst, and had got as fur as 'asperity' on it a second time.

But she couldn't read a word when she was married, and never could.