“I don’t know how to build a log house,” said Ben; “and they’ve been out of use so long round here, I don’t know anybody that does.”
“I do. Isaac Murch; he helped tear down our old log house, when I was a boy. I suppose you know he is the most ing’nious critter that ever lived. I believe he could make a man, if he should set out for it; and I don’t know but he could put a soul in him after he was done. Your grandfather was old and childish, and hated to have the house torn down; so I got Isaac to make a model of it, to please him. I know that he could make one exactly like it, if he had a mind to. I really think I should come to see you a good deal oftener if you were living in the old house, or one that looked just like it.”
“But, father, he wouldn’t work out.”
“He’d do most anything to accommodate you or Sally Hadlock; for, when her father was living, he and Isaac were like two fingers on one hand. I believe he thinks as much of the Hadlock children as he does of his own. There’s no knowing how much he’s done for those children first and last.”
The next day Ben rode over to Isaac’s, who, with his wife, gave him a warm welcome.
“By the way,” said she, “are you engaged to be married to Sally Hadlock? At any rate, I heard so, and it come pretty straight; own up like a man; murder will out.”
“If it is so, I hope it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Ben Rhines, if you’ve got Sally Hadlock, it’s the best day’s work you ever did in your life.”
“I don’t know what you’ll say when I tell you the rest of it.” He then informed them that he had bought Elm Island, and was going to live on it.
“But, Ben, is Sally willing to go on that island to live? I’m sure I should be frightened to death to live there.”