was not asleep, nor was there any

he open window when he had heard his uncle coming upstairs, and to dece

n a tumult. He felt that his uncle was not treat

when one must bear it on an empty stomach. As he made his way to h

ay!" he muttered to himself. "He trea

the death of his parents, and of the taking off of his au

gain. "Uncle Abner doesn't believe in giving a bo

such treatment. He felt that he was entitled to his supper, and also to some spendi

myself," he reasoned. "But I haven't even a few

n his room he had some trinkets from home and also a

ught, but then decided that it w

s a calf she had been given to Nat by his mother, and

lars," he said to himself. "That's a pile of money,

hat he would leave the farm at once. He had told his uncle that he wanted his

as certain both the housekeeper and his uncle had r

ned a clean shirt and collar and necktie and got out his best hat and shoes. Then, with his other possessions wrapped in a small bundle,

d to know, and in a short time he was devouring what was left of the fish and also some bread and butter and a generous quarter of a cherry pie, which the

old newspaper. Into this he wrapped half a dozen slices of bread an

th an apple or two," was the way he reasoned.

to one bundle, which he slung on a stick over his shoulder. Once outside, he put on his shoes and

with stars, so it was by no means dark. As he entered the lane Nat lo

heart to jump. A man was crossing th

he thought. "Perhaps he

of trees in the orchard hid both the barn and the house from view. He continued to run, how

several times before she would arise and move in the direction he de

d half aloud. "I don't want a th

his uncle was watching for him from the barn, and so he drove Jennie along a back road, leading to

it," the boy told himself. "Now

him as he trudged along, mile after mile, driving the tired cow before him.

g this, he turned into a small patch of woods and there tied the creature to a tree. T

, what are yo

hours later, and he sprang up to find himself

driving the cow to market and I go

l the cow?" a

if I

he

ille, if anybod

was after cows only d

I'll go an

an early start,"

tinued Nat, not caring to answer too

ur uncle ain't the one

e righ

want you to ge

I had her from the time she was a litt

w. Well, I hope you get

as much

e to go

o along if

n't anything else

ou one thing, Sam. Ca

Try me a

't tell

u my word. Bu

t comin

ha

s a

at you are goin

Sam. I'm tired of living with my

thinks he is the meanest

is pretty mean, I can tell you that.

are you

f the big cities. Somehow, I think I co

a big city. He don't know the ways, and he is sure

eat me," said

ty is full of sharpers, o

catch me for a gr

n store for him, and of the little trap into which h