"H’m, is that so? Well, I guess it’s the bear-trap I’d better set. There’ll be more skunks around this place before long, if I’m not mistaken, an’ two-legged ones at that. There was one here yesterday, but I soon cleared him out."
"Who was that?" Mrs. Andrews sharply asked. "What in the world were you up to?"
"It was Ikey Dimock. He was the skunk. He wants to buy our farm fer a summer place. What de ye think o’ that?"
Abner slipped out of the house before his wife could recover from her astonishment to question him further.
"I’ve given Tildy a jolt," he chuckled, as he moved across the field toward Zeb’s house. "I wonder what she’d think of the Dimocks livin’ here? Mebbe it’ll make her consider the old place is of some value after all."
Abner soon returned, harnessed Jerry and drove into town. He was hitching his horse to the post near the station-house when the agent appeared around the corner of the building.
"Mornin’, Sam," he accosted. "How’s the train?"
"On time," was the reply. "Expecting anyone?"
Abner gave the rope a final yank, and then turned toward the agent.
"Say, Sam," he began, "will ye do me a favor?"
"Well, ye see, I’m expectin’ company on the train this mornin’, an’ as you’re mighty slick with women folks I thought mebbe ye’d meet her, in case I don’t git back in time."
"Why, Belle Rivers, of course. Didn’t I tell ye? She’s the ’torney General’s gal, an’ she’s comin’ on a visit to our place. I’m here to meet her, but if you’d do it fer me, break the ice, so to speak, I’d consider it a great favor."
Sam was all alert now, and keen with interest. The Attorney General Rivers’ daughter! What a piece of news he would have for the reporter of _The Live Wire_ when he made his regular afternoon call. The whole town would be agog at the news, and he mentally pictured the excitement of Mrs. Dimock and Mrs. Rackshaw when they heard it.
"Sure, I shall be only too delighted. But how shall I know her?"
"Oh, ye’ll have no trouble. Let me see," and Abner scratched the back of his head. "Jess gave me a full description. She’s got hair like fire; eyes like diamonds; cheeks like roses; and teeth like the white of an egg; dresses like one of the fashion picters, an’ doesn’t wear any hat."