"I don't know, Dad," replied Jack in surprise. "I never saw them until I came here, but they are mighty fine people."
"Naturally," said his father, "but what makes you think so; the girl?"
"Not altogether," said Jack, "I have reasons to know."
"In what way?" asked his father.
"In more ways than one," was Jack's answer.
"Specify," said the old gentleman bluntly.
Then Jack told his father of his first meeting with Gully, of how he had sold Gully the lumber in his shack when he had become discouraged, and had then accompanied him to the harvest field, of how Gully had persuaded him to return and try once more, which he had done, and then when the contract for clearing the land was under consideration, Gully had taken him in on it and been the means of giving him a start.
He explained further that it had been under Gully's directions that he had accomplished the success he had, and when he had finished, his father asked:
"Is it out of gratitude for all this kindness that you propose to marry his daughter?"
"No," Jack replied.