The Rambles of an Idler 



a-comin' up and up, and I know'd trouble was 

 a-brewin' for the folks in the low lands. Talk 

 about streaks o' luck! 'Fore I reached Biles 's 

 I seen a strange boat with oars in it comin* 

 down stream lodged in some bresh. I know'd 

 it was from up the river, so I'd a right to take 

 possession, an' you bet, I did. 'If,' says I, 'if 

 the ol' man's ugly, I'm here to watch out for 

 Nance, if he won't have 'sistance from me.' I 

 had to wade to get the boat and was wet 

 through, then and there, an' shakin' with cold, 

 but that wasn't nothin'. 'It was all for Nance,' 

 says I, and I work'd 'long the edge of the water 

 like till I got to the big net-frame, and then I 

 hollered. 



" 'Who be ye?' hollered the ol' man back. 



" 'Me, Job,' says I, and then Nance show'd 

 at the winder. She was teary-like 'round the 

 eyes, it sort o' seemed to me, tho', course, I 

 couldn't see her real plain that far away. 



" '(Mn' to stay in there?' I hollered, not 

 goin' up to the house. 



" 'You can give your help where it's wanted,' 

 hollered the ol' man, and slammed the door. 



"That there settled it for me. '01' man or 

 no oP man, Nance ain't goin' to be drowned, if 



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