"No; he ran away the next morning, and I haven't seen him since."
"Then he ran away with the money—the young thief! I told him there was money in it."
"Bless my soul! I didn't think Sam was so bad," ejaculated the deacon.
"Didn't you go after him?"
"No; he wasn't very good to work, and I thought I'd let him run. Ef I'd knowed about the money, I'd have gone after him."
"It isn't too late, now."
"I'll ask my wife what I'd better do."
The deacon conferred with his wife, who was greatly incensed against Sam, and would have advised pursuit, but they had no clue to his present whereabouts.
"He'll come back some time, deacon," said she. "When he does, have him took up."
But years passed, and Sam did not come back, nor did the deacon set eyes on him for four years, and then under the circumstances recorded in the first chapter.