Page 29 - In A New World

About ten o’clock the next morning the little party got off. It is needless to
say that Obed Stackpole contributed his full share of expense, and more

too, for he furnished the yoke of oxen that were to draw the cart which
conveyed their provisions and other outfit.

"I don’t want to push in where I aint wanted," he said, "but I’m used to
oxen, and if you want me to, I’ll drive these critters, and you three can foller

along as you please."

"That’ll suit me," said Fletcher with unusual graciousness. "I’ve no doubt
you understand the business better than I do."

"I ought to understand it," said Stackpole. "I was raised on a farm in New
Hampshire, and used to drive oxen when I wasn’t tall enough to see over

their backs. I never thought then that I’d be drivin’ a team in Australy."

"What led you to come out here, Mr. Stackpole?" asked Harry.

"Well, a kinder rovin’ disposition, I guess. A year ago I was in Californy,

but things didn’t pan out very well, so when I read accounts of the gold
fields out here, I jist dropped my pick and started, and here I am."

"Didn’t you find any gold-dust in California?" asked Fletcher, with sudden
interest.

"Well, I found some," answered the Yankee, with drawling deliberation,
"but not enough to satisfy me. You see," he added, "I’ve got two to make

money for."

"And who are those two?" inquired Fletcher.

"The first is my old dad--he’s gettin’ kinder broken down, and can’t work as

well as he could when he was a young man. He’s got a thousand-dollar
mortgage on his farm, and I want to pay that off. It’ll kinder ease the old

man’s mind."