14 James Howard

           

           EarlyonemorninginDecemberJohnhadjustledmeintomyboxaftermydailyexercise,andwasstrappingmyclothonandJameswascominginfromthecornchamberwithsomeoats,whenthemastercameintothestable.Helookedratherserious,andheldanopenletterinhishand.Johnfastenedthedoorofmybox,touchedhiscap,andwaitedfororders.

           “Good-morning,John,”saidthemaster.“IwanttoknowifyouhaveanycomplainttomakeofJames.”

           “Complaint,sir?No,sir.”

           “Isheindustriousathisworkandrespectfultoyou?”

           “Yes,sir,always.”

           “Youneverfindheslightshisworkwhenyourbackisturned?”

           “Never,sir.”

           “That’swell;butImustputanotherquestion.Haveyounoreasontosuspect,whenhegoesoutwiththehorsestoexercisethemortotakeamessage,thathestopsabouttalkingtohisacquaintances,orgoesintohouseswherehehasnobusiness,leavingthehorsesoutside?”

           “No,sir,certainlynot;andifanybodyhasbeensayingthataboutJames,Idon’tbelieveit,andIdon’tmeantobelieveitunlessIhaveitfairlyprovedbeforewitnesses;it’snotformetosaywhohasbeentryingtotakeawayJames’character,butIwillsaythis,sir,thatasteadier,pleasanter,honester,smarteryoungfellowIneverhadinthisstable.IcantrusthiswordandIcantrusthiswork;heisgentleandcleverwiththehorses,andIwouldratherhavetheminchargewithhimthanwithhalftheyoungfellowsIknowofinlacedhatsandliveries;andwhoeverwantsacharacterofJamesHoward,”saidJohn,withadecidedjerkofhishead,“letthemcometoJohnManly.

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