“But they’re comin’ back?”
“Sho’, sar. Dis is gwine teh be deyr home. Mistah Frank alwus did mean teh hab dis fo’ his home when he was married. He’s engaged me reg’ler fo’ teh obersee de ole place. Next year I ’spects he’ll mak lots ob changes an’ alterations an’ repairs. He says teh me, says he: ’Toots, when I come back from Mexico I’s gwine teh hab some fine horses an’ keep a prime stable, mah boy. Yo’ knows mo’ about horses dan anybody I ebber seen. I’s got teh hab yo teh look after dat stable an’ de ole place. Name yo’ price, Toots, an’ I’ll ’gage yo’ fo’ life.’ Ki-yi! Dat’s de sort of job teh fall into.”
“Well, well, well!” said Bill Kimball.
“Yes, sar, I’s bery well satisfied, sar. Mistah Frank is de fines’ gentleman ebber drew a bref. I knows him well, sar. He’s a prince, sho’. Some day yo’ll see one of de fines’ estates right heah dat can be foun’ anywhere in de country.”
“Well, I must git along back inter the village,” said old Bill. “Won’t the folks talk when they hear all about this!”
He hobbled away as fast as his old legs could carry him.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE WEDDING.
Excitement in Bloomfield was at fever heat. Scores of visitors were in the town. The old hotel was filled to overflowing. Nearly all these guests were young men and women, and a pleasant, jovial lot they were.