Part 33 (1/2)

”You cannot tell how thankful I am that all this happened after my visit to New York,” continued the returned wanderer. ”I could not, if I would, banish from my thoughts the image of Jenny Kent, who led me to believe in truth and goodness, and to strive to live for them.”

”I should hev been skeered to death ef't hadn't been for f.a.n.n.y. She was so good that she made me feel strong.”

”And this is our f.a.n.n.y Jane!” added Mr. Grant.

”I have tried to be good all the time,” replied f.a.n.n.y, wiping away a tear she could not repress.

”And you hev been!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Ethan, with emphasis. ”Creation hokee!

n.o.body couldn't do no better, nohow!”

The family could not help laughing at the earnestness of Ethan.

”She's been the makin' o' me, ef I ever do come out anywhere,” he continued.

”I have taught him to believe in goodness, to hope for it, and then labor to have it,” said f.a.n.n.y Jane.

”Hope and have,” added Miss f.a.n.n.y.

Mr. Grant promptly decided that Ethan's greatest need was a better education, and the prairie boy went to school with f.a.n.n.y during the following winter. In the spring he talked like a civilized being; did not say ”hyer” for _here_, nor ”kim” for _come_, and has banished ”creation hokee” from the list of his pet phrases. In the summer he went to learn the trade of a machinist, for which he has decided taste and ability, and the prospect is, that he will become a good and useful man, if not a brilliant one.

Mrs. Kent's husband returned home during f.a.n.n.y's absence, having been ”sick and in prison” in the rebel country. When he had drawn his pay, he insisted upon returning to Mr. Grant the sums advanced to his wife by her kind friends; but they persistently refused to accept them. He wept over his lost child, and thanked G.o.d for raising up such friends for her while he was absent.