Page:The wrong box (IA wrongbox00stevrich).pdf/235

 occurred. It seems to me—Uncle Ned, I declare to heaven it seems to me I'm clear of it!'

'Clear of what?' asked the Squirradical.

'The whole affair!' cried Gideon. 'That man has been ass enough to steal the cart and the dead body; what he hopes to do with it, I neither know nor care. My hands are free, Jimson ceases; down with Jimson. Shake hands with me, Uncle Ned—Julia, darling girl, Julia, I'

'Gideon, Gideon!' said his uncle.

'Oh, it's all right, uncle, when we're going to be married so soon,' said Gideon. 'You know you said so yourself in the house-boat.'

'Did I?' said Uncle Ned; 'I am certain I said no such thing.'

'Appeal to him, tell him he did, get on his soft side,' cried Gideon. 'He's a real brick if you get on his soft side.'

'Dear Mr. Bloomfield,' said Julia, 'I know Gideon will be such a very good boy, and he has promised me to do such a lot of law, and I will see that he does too. And you know it is so very steadying to young men, everybody admits that; though, of course, I know I have no money, Mr. Bloomfield,' she added.

'My dear young lady, as this rapscallion told you to-day on the boat, Uncle Ned has plenty,' said