Guess the prospect sort o’ scared him; so, that

ev’nin’ after tea,

—After he had smoked a pipeful—pretty sol-

emn, then says he,

“Reckin, son, ye’ve noticed lately that your

dad is gittin’ old,

An’ your marm is nigh as feeble;—much as

ever she can scold!”

Uncle Tascus said so grinnin’; for the folks

around here know