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"Well, I do, an' it's the same way with Jim. I might be able to git up that thirty thousan' now, if I'd give up my suit an' go to work with nothin' but that in view, but if I hang on an' beat this suit, like I mean to, it'll be worth a quarter of a million to me, an it'll increase my real estate another quarter of a million. Now, you're goin' to marry Addy. You can see how you're goin' to git paid back for all you done. Do you think I'd let Jim Sandage ruin his political career for me an' not put him on easy street? Now, take a business view of it. Which is the most sense, for Jim to stay in jail a few days longer an' all of us get a independent future, or for me to git him out, and all of us, me an' you, an' Addy, an' Jim, be as pore as dust monkeys agin? They ain't no sense to that!
"He's been sendin' for me to come to the jail an' talk to him. What's the use? I know what he wants and I also know that ain't the best for none of us. So why go down to that stinkin' jail an' talk? Now, Abner, if you hadn't struck me as a young man o' brains I never would have picked you up like I done. Jest help me git this sack o' papers over to the courthouse, then you can go back an' tell Jim jest hol' tight an' play shut-mouth, an' he'll come out with thirty thousan' dollars of his own money, 'stid o' the county's."
Under the influence of Mr. Jones's buzz, trouble, financial difficulties, and even life itself had a way of straightening themselves out, of becoming simple, clear, and easily managed. It was on such simple, sensible advice as this that Jim Sandage had ridden triumphantly into office, and eventually into the county jail. However, his emergence from the jail was just as clear and simple as his entrance, and all of Abner's objections to the status quo were cut away under his feet.
The youth made one last effort.
"But, Mr. Jones, the dishonour of the thing—and his office will be gone . . ."
"Abner, if Jim ever puts the money back in the courthouse vaults, the people will say he's the honestest man they ever