Our Western people are so indigent--in plain terms, poor--they _can't_ do any better than they do.

But we pull through--we pull through! John, you look like a stout fellow, but I'll bet a hat I can _down_ you three out of five." "I bet you can't," grinned the hired man.

It was the climax of all, that bet.
"I'll take y' in hand an' flop y' both," roared Bacon from his lion-like throat, his eyes glistening with rare good-nature from the shadow of his gray brows.

But he admired the minister's broad shoulders at the same time.

If this fellow panned out as he promised, he was a rare specimen.
After supper the Elder played a masterly game of croquet with Marietta, beating her with ease; then he wandered out to the barn and talked horses with the hired man, and finished by stripping off his coat and putting on one of Mrs.Bacon's aprons to help milk the cows.
* * * * * But at breakfast the next morning, when the family were about pitching into their food as usual without ceremony, "_Wait!_" said the visitor, in an imperious tone and with lifted hand.