O good Lord, in my soul!"
in which one after another joined, and the rising tumult was soon assuaged.
"I say," said father Bonnie to the trader, in an undertone, as he was walking away, "you got a good cook in your lot, hey?"
"Got a prime one," said the trader; "an A number one cook, and no mistake! Picked her up real cheap, and I'll let you have her for eight hundred dollars, being as you are a minister."
"You must think the Gospel a better trade than it is," said father Bonnie, "if you think a minister can afford to pay at that figure!"
"Why," said the trader, "you haven't seen her; it's dirt cheap for her, I can tell you! A sound, strong, hearty woman; a prudent, careful housekeeper; a real pious Methodist, a member of a class-meeting! Why, eight hundred dollars an't anything! I ought to get a thousand for her; but I don't hear preaching for nothing,—always think right to make a discount to ministers!"
"Why couldn't you bring her in?" said father Bonnie. "Maybe I'll give you seven hundred and fifty for her."
"Couldn't do that, no way!" said the trader. "Couldn't, indeed!"
"Well, after the meetings are over I'll talk about it."
"She's got a child, four years old," said the trader, with a little cough; "healthy, likely child; I suppose I shall want a hundred dollars for him!"