"Oh, father, I'm so glad;" and Jimmy in his excitement shed tears of joy.
He could not understand Dexter's shout of laughter, nor his mother's whispered "Hush! I wouldn't, husband." He only knew that he was very happy.
"What will the Doctor say?" he exclaimed joyfully. "Do you think he'll know it is his."
A fortnight later, the good physician was called to make a visit about two miles from home. Jimmy was out in the yard with his father when they heard the sound of the loose wheels rattling down the hill.
"He's going away, wont it be a good time now, father?" asked the boy.
"Yes, it will."
Mr. Dodge went to the barn, harnessed the black mare, put Jimmy on her back, and led her along to Mr. Morse's shop. The buggy looked so bright and handsome that the little fellow scarcely knew it. Mr. Dodge examined every part, then opened his pocket-book and counted out twenty dollars, harnessed the mare into the carriage and drove to the Doctor's house.
"I've got my letter all ready," Jimmy said, laughing in an excited manner. "After we've put the buggy in the Doctor's chaise-house, I'll pin the letter to the cushion. Mother said that would be the best way."
They had scarcely reached home and put the mare in the barn before back came the old wheels, and the Doctor's broad good-natured face. Jimmy had to turn around he felt so much like laughing.
It was not more than twenty minutes before there was a loud call at the front porch.