"You have more than a thousand dollars," I replied without looking up.
"A thousand dollars—sure enough money?" he exclaimed with delight, yet astonished and a little bit doubtful.
"Yes—you can go to any bank and get it in gold, if you desire."
"Why—a thousand dollars—I never expected to have that much money in my whole life—ah—ah reckon I'll let you keep it fer me, Mistah Wood. I got no use for money now."
"I'm afraid I can't keep it for you, Howard," I replied. "I am going back to Washington, and will enter another branch of the service."
"You can't keep it for me, Mistah Wood?"
"No—that wouldn't do, you must learn to take care of it yourself."
"What can I do with ut?" he finally asked, troubled and thoughtful, as I mentioned going away.
He amused me with his simplicity. Half in jest I said, "Buy up some of this stump land—it will make you rich some day."