OR, THE AVORLD HAS CHANGED. 147 



one more before we part. His tone was one of abject en- 

 treaty, and to get rid of the man, I smiled once more with 

 him, and said, "good-bye, good-byo, sir." As I walked off, 

 he watched me regretfully, hailed me again, and said : '' I, 

 say, my friend, have yon got anything to trade?" I stopped, 

 as my troublesome mule flashed across my mind, and an- 

 swered, "Yes, sir, I have a very fine jack that I would like 

 to trade." He said, " bring him out," at the same time draw- 

 ing another flask; then handing me a watch and chain, he 

 added, "I will give you this for him." I did not take time 

 to examine the trinkets, but called to a boy to bring out 

 Prince Albert. The trade was confirmed without further 

 talk, he only requesting that I let the boy go a mile or so, to 

 get the prince well started. I ordered the boy to go with 

 him twain. Before starting, however, he took my hand, and 

 said: "My friend, my benefactor, as long as my life lasts, I 

 shall feel grateful for your kiildness to a dying stranger. I 

 was athirst and you helped me to drink. I will never forget 

 you; I shall cherish your memory as that of a friend in my 

 time of need, and now, in this parting moment, perhaps for- 

 ever, favor me just once more." I favored him, and thus we 

 parted. I watched him and Prince Albert go down that long 

 lane until they passed beyond my sight. I have never heard 

 of either of them since, but have often hoped that both were 

 doing well. 



1 found both watch and chain to be good gold, and traded 

 them for a fine horse; and since that jackass trade, I have 

 concluded that there is always some hope, even under the 

 most adverse circumstances and the gloomiest out-look. 



