Chapter 45 - Page 2

'Poor little orphan!' said she, in a whisper that trembled. She was
thinking of my childhood - of her own happier days.

Then she went away and I heard, in the silence, a ripple of
measureless waters.

Next morning I took flowers and strewed them on the graves of
David and Uncle Eb; there, Hope and I go often to sit for half a
summer day above those perished forms, and think of the old time
and of those last words of my venerable friend now graven on his
tombstone:

I AIN'T AFRAID.
'SHAMED O'NUTHIN'I EVER DONE.
ALWUSS KEP'MY TUGS TIGHT,
NEVER SWORE 'LESS 'TWAS NECESSARY,
NEVER KETCHED A FISH BIGGER 'N 'TWAS
ER LIED 'N A HOSS TRADE
ER SHED A TEAR I DIDN'T HEV TO.
NEVER CHEATED ANYBODY BUT EBEN HOLDEN.
GOIN' OFF SOMEWHERES, BILL
DUNNO THE WAY NUTHER
DUNNO 'F IT'S EAST ER WEST ER NORTH ER SOUTH,
ER ROAD ER TRAIL;
BUT I AIN'T AFRAID.