Sure, he wouldn’t hark to my going at all. You can see his teeth-marks on my shin this minute, sir. Could you give me something harmless to put in his food that’d make him sleep the sounder?”

Harvey said he’d think about it. He wasn’t obliged to. Less than a week later he got a note in the mail:

“Dear Sir—I could not stand it any longer. I have Absconded to Buffalo to Take a Rest. Please be Good to Billy Wigg. I inclose his Board and Lodging any place you Put him. He is a good Dog, but too Bossy. I am Going to See Things till my Eyes get Tired. I will come Back in Future.—Yrs respectfully,

“Solomon J. Boles.

“P.S.—I know you will Treat Billy Good.”

The enclosure was a twenty-dollar bill. It was the price of freedom, and cheap at the price.