Midnight
The insurance companies also were represented , and Bob Davidson -- he declined at all times the `` Mr. '' -- managed to get in a word privately to the effect that he hoped that the Reverend Hartigan would make no business alliance until he had been to the Davidson office and seen the possibilities of one or two little schemes that needed `` only a very little capital to pay -- '' The reception lasted three hours and the account of it in the paper next day covered several columns . The impression it left on Jim was pleasing , but confusing . The single immediate and pleasant result was when the local lumberman , learning that Hartigan wished to erect a stable for his own team , volunteered to send round one thousand feet of the special siding , of which he was exclusive agent , together with the necessary amount of tar paper , on condition that the stable should bear the signboard : ------------------------------------- | SQUELCHE 'S SPECIAL MATCHED SIDING | | JOHN JOHNSON , SOLE AGENT | ------------------------------------- So the siding came and Jim built the stable with his own hands and gloried in every nail as he drove it . Midnight was thereupon withdrawn from a livery stable and installed with due pride and pomp . The Fork in the Trail The reception was over . Jim and Belle had supped at Aunt Collins 's and were back again in the cottage , sitting by the kitchen stove , in which Jim had just kindled a blazing fire , for the evenings were cold . They were glad to be together again by themselves , and to talk things over .