“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 humour, “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 travelled 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.”
“You will have to exercise a little patience, Obed,” said Harry, smiling.
“Don’t wait as long as I did,” said Obed. “I got to be a cranky old bachelor before I hitched horses.”
“Mrs. Stackpole will soon cure you of that,” said Harry, with a smile.
CHAPTER XXI
CONCLUSION
