Page 125 - In A New World

"I say, you're uncommon jolly, you chaps," he began, as he stood in a
lounging attitude watching the little party at their work.

"If we are it's a credit to us," returned Obed dryly, "for there isn't much to

be jolly about."

"Isn't your claim a good one?"

"That's what we're trying to find out. Where's yours, stranger?"

The tramp returned an evasive answer and shambled off.

"Do you think he's got a claim, Obed?" asked Jack.

"No; but he's prowling around to see what he can pick up."

"Do you think he's a thief?"

"I think he's willing to be. He heard us whistling, and thought we'd found

something."

"We are safe from robbery for the present." said Harry.

"Yes, there's that advantage about being poor. It reminds me of old Jack

Pierce in our village."

"What about him?" asked Harry.

"He read in the paper one day that a certain bank had burst. So he went

home in a hurry to see if he had any bills on that bank. He found that he had
no bills on that bank or any other--and then he felt better."

Harry laughed.

"It was a poor consolation, I think," he said. "I remember hearing a sermon
from our minister at home in which he said that riches were a great