"Then it'll have to come soon, Obed. I shall be gone to the city, and Jack to sea within a month."
"Then we'll hurry it up. It'll give me a good excuse. But there's one thing I'm going to do before I get married."
"What is that?"
"Pay off the mortgage on dad's farm. It's only a thousand dollars, but dad couldn't lift it if he lived to a hundred."
"And what are you going to do, Obed?"
"There's a farm alongside I can buy for twenty-five hundred dollars, with a comfortable house thrown in. I can buy it, and have more than enough money left to furnish the house and stock the farm."
"I wish you happiness, Obed; but don't you think you'll ever pine to be back in Australia?"
"I may hanker after a sight of Fletcher and his two cronies, Colson and Ropes," returned Obed with dry humor, "but we can't have everything in this world, and I'll try to rub along with the blessings I have."
Let me add here that Obed carried out his programme. He paid the mortgage, bought the farm, and in less than three weeks he was a married man. Harry and Jack were at the wedding, and received great attention from all Obed's friends. To the inhabitants of the little village it seemed wonderful that boys so young should have traveled so far, and passed through such varied experiences.
"I expect an invite to each of your weddings, boys," said Obed, as they were on the point of leaving him. "One good turn deserves another."