“Where’ll you go?” asked Barnabas curiously.
“I don’t know, yet,” said the boy, “but I’ll think out a plan to-night.”
It was Jud, after all, who cut the Gordian knot, and made one of his welcome disappearances, which lasted until David was ready to start in college. His savings, that he had accumulated by field work in the summers and a very successful poultry business for six years, netted him four hundred dollars.
“One hundred dollars for each year,” he 132 thought exultantly. “That will be ample with the work I shall find to do.”
Then he made known to his friends his long-cherished scheme of working his way through college. The Judge laughed.
“Your four hundred dollars, David, will barely get you through the first year. After that, I shall gladly pay your expenses, for as soon as you are admitted to the bar you are to come into my office, of course.”
David demurred.
“I shall work my way through college,” he said firmly.
He next told Barnabas of his intention and the Judge’s offer which he had declined.
“I’m glad you refused, Dave. You’ll only be in his office till you’re ripe fer what I kin make you. I’ve larnt that the law is a good foundation as a sure steppin’ stone tew it, so you kin hev a taste of it. But the Jedge ain’t a-goin’ to pay yer expenses.”