DRIVEN BACK TO EDEN

BY

E. P. ROE

THIS VOLUME

IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED TO

"JOHNNIE"

PREFACE

Months since, with much doubt and diffidence, I began this simplestory. I had never before written expressly for young people, and Iknew that the honest little critics could not be beguiled with wordswhich did not tell an interesting story. How far I have succeeded, the readers of this volume, and of the "St. Nicholas" magazine, wherein the tale appeared as a serial, alone can answer. 

I have portrayed no actual experience, but have sought to presentone which might be verified in real life. I have tried to avoid allthat would be impossible or even improbable. The labors performed bythe children in the story were not unknown to my own hands, inchildhood, nor would they form tasks too severe for many littlehands now idle in the cities. 

The characters are all imaginary; the scenes, in the main, are real:and I would gladly lure other families from tenement flats intogreen pastures. 

E. P. R. 

CORNWALL-ON-THE-HUDSON, August 10, 1885. 

CONTENTS

CHAPTER IA PROBLEM

CHAPTER III STATE THE CASE

CHAPTER IIINEW PROSPECTS

CHAPTER IVA MOMENTOUS EXPEDITION

CHAPTER VA COUNTRY CHRISTMAS IN A CITY FLAT

CHAPTER VIA BLUFF FRIEND

CHAPTER VIIMR. JONES SHOWS ME THE PLACE

CHAPTER VIIITELLING ABOUT EDEN

CHAPTER IX"BREAKING CAMP"

CHAPTER XSCENES ON THE WHARF

CHAPTER XIA VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON

CHAPTER XIIA MARCH EVENING IN EDEN

CHAPTER XIIIRESCUED AND AT HOME

CHAPTER XIVSELF-DENIAL AND ITS REWARD

CHAPTER XVOUR SUNNY KITCHEN

CHAPTER XVIMAKING A PLACE FOR CHICKENS

CHAPTER XVIIGOOD BARGAINS IN MAPLE SUGAR

CHAPTER XVIIIBUTTERNUTS AND BOBSEY'S PERIL

CHAPTER XIXJOHN JONES, JUN

CHAPTER XXRASPBERRY LESSONS

CHAPTER XXITHE "VANDOO"

CHAPTER XXIIEARLY APRIL GARDENING

CHAPTER XXIIIA BONFIRE AND A FEAST

CHAPTER XXIV"NO BLIND DRIFTING"

CHAPTER XXVOWLS AND ANTWERPS

CHAPTER XXVIA COUNTRY SUNDAY

CHAPTER XXVIISTRAWBERRY VISIONS AND "PERTATERS"

CHAPTER XXVIIICORN, COLOR, AND MUSIC

CHAPTER XXIXWE GO A-FISHING

CHAPTER XXXWEEDS AND WORKING FOR DEAR LIFE

CHAPTER XXXINATURE SMILES AND HELPS

CHAPTER XXXIICHERRIES, BERRIES, AND BERRY-THIEVES

CHAPTER XXXIIIGIVEN HIS CHOICE

CHAPTER XXXIVGIVEN A CHANCE

CHAPTER XXXV"WE SHALL ALL EARN OUR SALT"

CHAPTER XXXVIA THUNDERBOLT

CHAPTER XXXVIIRALLYING FROM THE BLOW

CHAPTER XXXVIIIAUGUST WORK AND PLAY

CHAPTER XXXIXA TRIP TO THE SEASHORE

CHAPTER XLA VISIT TO HOUGHTON FARM

CHAPTER XLIHOARDING FOR WINTER

CHAPTER XLIIAUTUMN WORK AND SPORT

CHAPTER XLIIITHANKSGIVING DAY

CHAPTER XLIVWE CAN MAKE A LIVING IN EDEN

DRIVEN BACK TO EDEN

CHAPTER I

A PROBLEM

"Where are the children?"

"They can't be far away, " replied my wife, looking up from herpreparations for supper. "Bobsey was here a moment ago. As soon asmy back's turned he's out and away. I haven't seen Merton since hebrought his books from school, and I suppose Winnie is upstairs withthe Daggetts. "

"I wish, my dear, you could keep the children at home more, " I said, a little petulantly. 

"I wish you would go and find them for me now, and to-morrow take myplace--for just one day. "

"Well, well, " I said, with a laugh that had no mirth in it; "onlyone of your wishes stands much chance of being carried out. I'llfind the children now if I can without the aid of the police. Mousie, do you feel stronger to-night?"

These words were spoken to a pale girl of fourteen, who appeared tobe scarcely more than twelve, so diminutive was her frame. 

"Yes, papa, " she replied, a faint smile flitting like a ray of lightacross her features. She always said she was better, but never gotwell. Her quiet ways and tones had led to the household name of"Mousie. "

As I was descending the narrow stairway I was almost overthrown by atorrent of children pouring down from the flats above. In the dimlight of a gas-burner I saw that Bobsey was one of the recklessatoms. He had not heard my voice in the uproar, and before I couldreach him, he with the others had burst out at the street door andgone tearing toward the nearest corner. It seemed that he hadslipped away in order to take part in a race, and I found him"squaring off" at a bigger boy who had tripped him up. Without aword I carried him home, followed by the jeers and laughter of theracers, the girls making their presence known in the early Decembertwilight by the shrillness of their voices and by manners no gentlerthan those of the boys. 

I put down the child--he was only seven years of age--in the middleof our general living-room, and looked at him. His little coat wassplit out in the back; one of his stockings, already well-darned atthe knees, was past remedy; his hands were black, and one wasbleeding; his whole little body was throbbing with excitement, anger, and violent exercise. As I looked at him quietly the defiantexpression in his eyes began to give place to tears. 

"There is no use in punishing him now, " said my wife. "Please leavehim to me and find the others. "

"I wasn't going to punish him, " I said. 

"What are you going to do? What makes you look at him so?"

"He's a problem I can't solve--with the given conditions. "

"O Robert, you drive me half wild. If the house was on fire you'dstop to follow out some train of thought about it all. I'm tired todeath. Do bring the children home. When we've put them to bed youcan figure on your problem, and I can sit down. "

As I went up to the Daggetts' flat I was dimly conscious of anotherproblem. My wife was growing fretful and nervous. Our rooms wouldnot have satisfied a Dutch housewife, but if "order is heaven'sfirst law" a little of Paradise was in them as compared to theDaggetts' apartments. "Yes, " I was told, in response to myinquiries; "Winnie is in the bed-room with Melissy. "

The door was locked, and after some hesitation the girls opened it. As we were going downstairs I caught a glimpse of a newspaper in mygirl's pocket. She gave it to me reluctantly, and said "Melissy" hadlent it to her. I told her to help her mother prepare supper while Iwent to find Merton. Opening the paper under a street lamp, I foundit to be a cheap, vile journal, full of flashy pictures that sooften offend the eye on news-stands. With a chill of fear I thought, "Another problem. " The Daggett children had had the scarlet fever afew months before. "But here's a worse infection, " I reflected. "Thank heaven, Winnie is only a child, and can't understand thesepictures;" and I tore the paper up and thrust it into its properplace, the gutter. 

"Now, " I muttered, "I've only to find Merton in mischief to make theevening's experience complete. "

In mischief I did find him--a very harmful kind of mischief, itappeared to me. Merton was little over fifteen, and he and two orthree other lads were smoking cigarettes which, to judge by theirodor, must certainly have been made from the sweepings of themanufacturer's floor. 

"Can't you find anything better than that to do after school?" Iasked, severely. 

"Well, sir, " was the sullen reply, "I'd like to know what there isfor a boy to do in this street. "

During the walk home I tried to think of an answer to his impliedquestion. What would I do if I were in Merton's place? I confessthat I was puzzled. After sitting in school all day he must dosomething that the police would permit. There certainly seemed verylittle range of action for a growing boy. Should I take him out ofschool and put him into a shop or an office? If I did this hiseducation would be sadly limited. Moreover he was tall and slenderfor his age, and upon his face there was a pallor which I dislike tosee in a boy. Long hours of business would be very hard upon him, even if he could endure the strain at all. The problem which hadbeen pressing on me for months--almost years--grew urgent. 

With clouded brows we sat down to our modest little supper. Winifred, my wife, was hot and flushed from too near acquaintancewith the stove, and wearied by a long day of toil in a room thatwould be the better for a gale of wind. Bobsey, as we called mylittle namesake, was absorbed--now that he was relieved from thefear of punishment--by the wish to "punch" the boy who had trippedhim up. Winnie was watching me furtively, and wondering what hadbecome of the paper, and what I thought of it. Merton was somewhatsullen, and a little ashamed of himself. I felt that my problem wasto give these children something to do that would not harm them, fordo SOMETHING they certainly would. They were rapidly attaining thatage when the shelter of a narrow city flat would not answer, whenthe influence of a crowded house and of the street might be greaterthan any we could bring to bear upon them. 

I looked around upon the little group for whom I was responsible. Mywill was still law to them. While my little wife had positive waysof her own, she would agree to any decided course that I resolvedupon. The children were yet under entire control, so that I sat atthe head of the table, commander-in-chief of the little band. Wecalled the narrow flat we lived in "home. " The idea! with theDaggetts above and the Ricketts on the floor beneath. It was not ahome, and was scarcely a fit camping-ground for such a family squadas ours. Yet we had stayed on for years in this long, narrow line ofrooms, reaching from a crowded street to a little back-yard full ofnoisy children by day, and noisier cats by night. I had oftenthought of moving, but had failed to find a better shelter that waswithin my very limited means. The neighborhood was respectable, sofar as a densely populated region can be. It was not very distantfrom my place of business, and my work often kept me so late at theoffice that we could not live in the suburb. The rent was moderatefor New York, and left me some money, after food and clothing wereprovided, for occasional little outings and pleasures, which Ibelieve to be needed by both body and mind. While the children werelittle--so long as they would "stay put" in the cradle or on thefloor--we did not have much trouble. Fortunately I had good health, and, as my wife said, was "handy with children. " Therefore I couldhelp her in the care of them at night, and she had kept much of heryouthful bloom. Heaven had blessed us. We had met with no seriousmisfortunes, nor had any of our number been often prostrated byprolonged and dangerous illness. But during the last year my wifehad been growing thin, and occasionally her voice had a sharpnesswhich was new. Every month Bobsey became more hard to manage. Ourliving-room was to him like a cage to a wild bird, and slip away hewould, to his mother's alarm; for he was almost certain to get intomischief or trouble. The effort to perform her household tasks andwatch over him was more wearing than it had been to rock him throughlong hours at night when he was a teething baby. These details seemvery homely no doubt, yet such as these largely make up our lives. Comfort or discomfort, happiness or unhappiness, springs from them. There is no crop in the country so important as that of boys andgirls. How could I manage my little home-garden in a flat?

I looked thoughtfully from one to another, as with children'sappetites they became absorbed in one of the chief events of theday. 

"Well, " said my wife, querulously, "how are you getting on with yourproblem?"

"Take this extra bit of steak and I'll tell you after the childrenare asleep, " I said. 

"I can't eat another mouthful, " she exclaimed, pushing back heralmost untasted supper. "Broiling the steak was enough for me. "

"You are quite tired out, dear, " I said, very gently. 

Her face softened immediately at my tone and tears came into hereyes. 

"I don't know what is the matter with me, " she faltered. "I am sonervous some days that I feel as if I should fly to pieces. I do tryto be patient, but I know I'm growing cross!"

"Oh now, mamma, " spoke up warm-hearted Merton; "the idea of yourbeing cross. "

"She IS cross, " Bobsey cried; "she boxed my ears this very day. "

"And you deserved it, " was Merton's retort. "It's a pity they arenot boxed oftener. "

"Yes, Robert, I did, " continued my wife, sorrowfully. "Bobsey ranaway four times, and vexed me beyond endurance, that is, suchendurance as I have left, which doesn't seem to be very much. "

"I understand, dear, " I said. "You are a part of my problem, and youmust help me solve it. " Then I changed the subject decidedly, andsoon brought sunshine to our clouded household. Children's minds areeasily diverted; and my wife, whom a few sharp words would havegreatly irritated, was soothed, and her curiosity awakened as to thesubject of my thoughts. 

CHAPTER II

I STATE THE CASE

I pondered deeply while my wife and Winnie cleared away the dishesand put Bobsey into his little crib. I felt that the time for adecided change had come, and that it should be made before the evilsof our lot brought sharp and real trouble. 

How should I care for my household? If I had been living on a farfrontier among hostile Indians I should have known better how toprotect them. I could build a house of heavy logs and keep my wifeand children always near me while at work. But it seemed to me thatMelissa Daggett and her kin with their flashy papers, and theinfluence of the street for Merton and Bobsey, involved more dangerto my little band than all the scalping Modocs that ever whooped. The children could not step outside the door without danger ofmeeting some one who would do them harm. It is the curse of crowdedcity life that there is so little of a natural and attractive sortfor a child to do, and so much of evil close at hand. 

My wife asked me humorously for the news. She saw that I was notreading my paper, and my frowning brow and firm lips proved myproblem was not of a trifling nature. She suspected nothing more, however, than that I was thinking of taking rooms in some betterlocality, and she was wondering how I could do it, for she knew thatmy income now left but a small surplus above expenses. 

At last Winnie too was ready to go to bed, and I said to her, gravely: "Here is money to pay Melissa for that paper. It was onlyfit for the gutter, and into the gutter I put it. I wish you topromise me never to look at such pictures again, or you can neverhope to grow up to be a lady like mamma. "

The child flushed deeply, and went tearful and penitent to bed. Mousie also retired with a wistful look upon her face, for she sawthat something of grave importance occupied my mind. 

No matter how tired my wife might be, she was never satisfied to sitdown until the room had been put in order, a green cloth spread uponthe supper-table and the student lamp placed in its centre. 

Merton brought his school-books, and my wife took up her mending, and we three sat down within the circle of light. 

"Don't do any more work to-night, " I said, looking into my wife'sface, and noting for a few moments that it was losing its roundedlines. 

Her hands dropped wearily into her lap, and she began gratefully:"I'm glad you speak so kindly to-night, Robert, for I am so nervousand out of sorts that I couldn't have stood one bit of fault-finding--I should have said things, and then have been sorry all dayto-morrow. Dear knows, each day brings enough without carryinganything over. Come, read the paper to me, or tell me what you havebeen thinking about so deeply, if you don't mind Merton's hearingyou. I wish to forget myself, and work, and everything that worriesme, for a little while. "

"I'll read the paper first, and then, after Merton has learned hislessons, I will tell you my thoughts--my purpose, I may almost say. Merton shall know about it soon, for he is becoming old enough tounderstand the 'why' of things. I hope, my boy, that your teacherlays a good deal of stress on the WHY in all your studies. "

"Oh, yes, after a fashion. "

"Well, so far as I am your teacher, Merton, I wish you always tothink why you should do a thing or why you shouldn't, and to try notto be satisfied with any reason but a good one. "

Then I gleaned from the paper such items as I thought would interestmy wife. At last we were alone, with no sound in the room but thelow roar of the city, a roar so deep as to make one think that thetides of life were breaking waves. 

I was doing some figuring in a note-book when my wife asked:"Robert, what is your problem to-night? And what part have I in it?"

"So important a part that I couldn't solve it without you, " Ireplied, smiling at her. 

"Oh, come now, " she said, laughing slightly for the first time inthe evening; "you always begin to flatter a little when you want tocarry a point. "

"Well, then, you are on your guard against my wiles. But believe me, Winifred, the problem on my mind is not like one of my ordinarybrown studies; in those I often try to get back to the wherefore ofthings which people usually accept and don't bother about. Thequestion I am considering comes right home to us, and we must meetit. I have felt for some time that we could not put off action muchlonger, and to-night I am convinced of it. "

Then I told her how I had found three of the children engaged thatevening, concluding: "The circumstances of their lot are more toblame than they themselves. And why should I find fault with youbecause you are nervous? You could no more help being nervous and alittle impatient than you could prevent the heat of the lamp fromburning you, should you place your finger over it. I know the causeof it all. As for Mousie, she is growing paler and thinner everyday. You know what my income is; we could not change things much forthe better by taking other rooms and moving to another part of thecity, and we might find that we had changed for the worse. I proposethat we go to the country and get our living out of the soil. "

"Why, Robert! what do you know about farming or gardening?"

"Not very much, but I am not yet too old to learn; and there wouldbe something for the children to do at once, pure air for them tobreathe, and space for them to grow healthfully in body, mind, andsoul. You know I have but little money laid by, and am not one ofthose smart men who can push their way. I don't know much besidesbookkeeping, and my employers think I am not remarkably quick atthat. I can't seem to acquire the lightning speed with which thingsare done nowadays; and while I try to make up by long hours andhonesty, I don't believe I could ever earn much more than I amgetting now, and you know it doesn't leave much of a margin forsickness or misfortune of any kind. After all, what does my salarygive us but food and clothing and shelter, such as it is, with alittle to spare in some years? It sends a cold chill to my heart tothink what should become of you and the children if I should be sickor anything should happen to me. Still, it is the present welfare ofthe children that weighs most on my mind, Winifred. They are nolonger little things that you can keep in these rooms and watchover; there is danger for them just outside that door. It wouldn'tbe so if beyond the door lay a garden and fields and woods. You, myovertaxed wife, wouldn't worry about them the moment they were outof sight, and my work, instead of being away from them all day, could be with them. And all could do something, even down to paleMousie and little Bobsey. Outdoor life and pure air, instead of thatbreathed over and over, would bring quiet to your nerves and theroses back to your cheeks. The children would grow sturdy andstrong; much of their work would be like play to them; they wouldn'tbe always in contact with other children that we know nothing about. I am aware that the country isn't Eden, as we have imagined it--forI lived there as a boy--but it seems like Eden compared to thisplace and its surroundings; and I feel as if I were being drivenback to it by circumstances I can't control. "

CHAPTER III

NEW PROSPECTS

There is no need of dwelling further on the reasons for or againstthe step we proposed. We thought a great deal and talked it overseveral times. Finally my wife agreed that the change would be wiseand best for all. Then the children were taken into our confidence, and they became more delighted every day as the prospect grewclearer to them. 

"We'll all be good soon, won't we?" said my youngest, who had arather vivid sense of his own shortcomings, and kept them in theminds of others as well. 

"Why so, Bobsey?"

"'Cause mamma says that God put the first people in a garden andthey was very good, better'n any folks afterwards. God oughter knowthe best place for people. "

Thus Bobsey gave a kind of divine sanction to our project. Of coursewe had not taken so important a step without asking the Great Fatherof all to guide us; for we felt that in the mystery of life we toowere but little children who knew not what should be on the morrow, or how best to provide for it with any certainty. To our sanguineminds there was in Bobsey's words a hint of something more thanpermission to go up out of Egypt. 

So it was settled that we should leave our narrow suite of rooms, the Daggetts and the Ricketts, and go to the country. To menaturally fell the task of finding the land flowing with milk andhoney to which we should journey in the spring. Meantime we werealready emigrants at heart, full of the bustle and excitement ofmental preparation. 

I prided myself somewhat on my knowledge of human nature, which, inregard to children, conformed to comparatively simple laws. I knewthat the change would involve plenty of hard work, self-denial andcareful managing, which nothing could redeem from prose; but I aimedto add to our exodus, so far as possible, the elements of adventureand mystery so dear to the hearts of children. The question where weshould go was the cause of much discussion, the studying of maps, and the learning of not a little geography. 

Merton's counsel was that we should seek a region abounding inIndians, bears, and "such big game. " His advice made clear thenature of some of his recent reading. He proved, however, that hewas not wanting in sense by his readiness to give up theseattractive features in the choice of locality. 

Mousie's soft black eyes always lighted up at the prospect of aflower-garden that should be as big as our sitting-room. Even in ourcity apartments, poisoned by gas and devoid of sunlight, she usuallymanaged to keep a little house-plant in bloom, and the thought ofplacing seeds in the open ground, where, as she said, "the rootscould go down to China if they wanted to, " brought the first color Ihad seen in her face for many a day. 

Winnie was our strongest child, and also the one who gave me themost anxiety. Impulsive, warm-hearted, restless, she always made methink of an overfull fountain. Her alert black eyes were as eager tosee as was her inquisitive mind to pry into everything. She wassturdily built for a girl, and one of the severest punishments wecould inflict was to place her in a chair and tell her not to movefor an hour. We were beginning to learn that we could no more keepher in our sitting-room than we could restrain a mountain brook thatfoams into a rocky basin only to foam out again. Melissa Daggett wasof a very different type--I could never see her without the word"sly" coming into my mind--and her small mysteries awakened Winnie'scuriosity. Now that the latter was promised chickens, and rambles inthe woods, Melissa and her secrets became insignificant, and theready promise to keep aloof from her was given. 

As for Bobsey, he should have a pig which he could name and call hisown, and for which he might pull weeds and pick up apples. We soonfound that he was communing with that phantom pig in his dreams. 

CHAPTER IV

A MOMENTOUS EXPEDITION

By the time Christmas week began we all had agreed to do withoutcandy, toys, and knick-knacks, and to buy books that would tell ushow to live in the country. One happy evening we had an early supperand all went to a well-known agricultural store and publishing-houseon Broadway, each child almost awed by the fact that I had fifteendollars in my pocket which should be spent that very night in thepurchase of books and papers. To the children the shop seemed like aplace where tickets direct to Eden were obtained, while the coloredpictures of fruits and vegetables could portray the products of Edenonly, so different were they in size and beauty from the specimensappearing in our market stalls. Stuffed birds and animals were alsoon the shelves, and no epicure ever enjoyed the gamy flavor as wedid. But when we came to examine the books, their plates exhibitingalmost every phase of country work and production, we felt like along vista leading toward our unknown home was opening before us, illumined by alluring pictures. To Winnie was given a book onpoultry, and the cuts representing the various birds were even moreto her taste than cuts from the fowls themselves at a Christmasdinner. The Nimrod instincts of the race were awakened in Merton, and I soon found that he had set his heart on a book that gave anaccount of game, fish, birds, and mammals. It was a natural andwholesome longing. I myself had felt it keenly when a boy. Suchcountry sport would bring sturdiness to his limbs and the right kindof color into his face. 

"All right, Merton, " I said: "you shall have the book and a breech-loading shot-gun also. As for fishing-tackle, you can get along witha pole cut from the woods until you have earned money enoughyourself to buy what you need. "

The boy was almost overwhelmed. He came to me, and took my hand inboth his own. 

"O papa, " he faltered, and his eyes were moist, "did you say a gun?"

"Yes, a breech-loading shot-gun on one condition--that you'll notsmoke till after you are twenty-one. A growing boy can't smoke insafety. "

He gave my hand a quick, strong pressure, and was immediately at thefarther end of the store, blowing his nose suspiciously. I chuckledto myself: "I want no better promise. A gun will cure him ofcigarettes better than a tract would. "

Mousie was quiet, as usual; but there was again a faint color in hercheeks, a soft lustre in her eyes. I kept near my invalid child mostof the time, for fear that she would go beyond her strength. I madeher sit by a table, and brought the books that would interest hermost. Her sweet, thin face was a study, and I felt that she wasalready enjoying the healing caresses of Mother Nature. When westarted homeward she carried a book about flowers next to her heart. 

Bobsey taxed his mother's patience and agility, for he seemed allover the store at the same moment, and wanted everything in it, being sure that fifteen dollars would buy all and leave a handsomemargin; but at last he was content with a book illustrated frombeginning to end with pigs. 

What pleased me most was to see how my wife enjoyed our littleouting. Wrapped up in the children, she reflected their joy in herface, and looked almost girlish in her happiness. I whispered in herear, "Your present shall be the home itself, for I shall have thedeed made out in your name, and then you can turn me out-of-doors asoften as you please. "

"Which will be every pleasant day after breakfast, " she said, laughing. "You know you are very safe in giving things to me. "

"Yes, Winifred, " I replied, pressing her hand on the sly; "I havebeen finding that out ever since I gave myself to you. "

I bought Henderson's "Gardening for Profit" and some other practicalbooks. I also subscribed for a journal devoted to rural interestsand giving simple directions for the work of each month. At last wereturned. Never did a jollier little procession march up Broadway. People were going to the opera and evening companies, and carriagesrolled by, filled with elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen; butmy wife remarked, "None of those people are so happy as we are, trudging in this roundabout way to our country home. "

Her words suggested our course of action during the months whichmust intervene before it would be safe or wise for us to leave thecity. Our thoughts, words, and actions were all a roundabout meansto our cherished end, and yet the most direct way that we could takeunder the circumstances. Field and garden were covered with snow, the ground was granite-like from frost, and winter's cold breathchilled our impatience to be gone; but so far as possible we livedin a country atmosphere, and amused ourselves by trying to conformto country ways in a city flat. Even Winnie declared she heard thecocks crowing at dawn, while Bobsey had a different kind of grunt orsqueal for every pig in his book. 

CHAPTER V

A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS IN A CITY FLAT

On Christmas morning we all brought out our purchases and arrangedthem on a table. Merton was almost wild when he found a brightsingle-barrelled gun with accoutrements standing in the corner. EvenMousie exclaimed with delight at the bright-colored papers offlower-seeds on her plate. To Winnie were given half a dozen chinaeggs with which to lure the prospective biddies to lay in nestseasily reached, and she tried to cackle over them in absurdimitation. Little Bobsey had to have some toys and candy, but theyall presented to his eyes the natural inmates of the barn-yard. Inthe number of domestic animals he swallowed that day he equalled thelittle boy in Hawthorne's story of "The House of the Seven Gables, "who devoured a ginger-bread caravan of camels and elephantspurchased at Miss Hepzibah Pyncheon's shop. 

Our Christmas dinner consisted almost wholly of such vegetables aswe proposed to raise in the coming summer. Never before were suchconnoisseurs of carrots, beets, onions, parsnips, and so on throughalmost the entire list of such winter stock as was to be obtained atour nearest green-grocery. We celebrated the day by nearly a dozendishes which the children aided my wife in preparing. Then I hadMerton figure the cost of each, and we were surprised at thecheapness of much of country fare, even when retailed in very smallquantities. 

This brought up another phase of the problem. In many respects I waslike the children, having almost as much to learn as they--with theadvantage, however, of being able to correct impressions byexperience. In other words, I had more judgment; and while I shouldcertainly make mistakes, not many of them would be absurd or oftenrepeated. I was aware that most of the homely kitchen vegetablescost comparatively little, even though (having in our flat no goodplace for storage) we had found it better to buy what we needed fromday to day. It was therefore certain that, at wholesale in thecountry, they would often be exceedingly cheap. This fact would workboth ways: little money would purchase much food of certain kinds, and if we produced these articles of food they would bring us littlemoney. 

I will pass briefly over the period that elapsed before it was timefor us to depart, assured that the little people who are followingthis simple history are as eager to get away from the dusty cityflat to the sunlight, breezy fields, brooks, and woods as were thechildren in my story. It is enough to say that, during all my wakinghours not devoted to business, I read, thought, and studied on theproblem of supporting my family in the country. I haunted WashingtonMarket in the gray dawn and learned from much inquiry what productsfound a ready and certain sale at some price, and what appeared toyield to the grower the best profits. There was much conflict ofopinion, but I noted down and averaged the statements made to me. Many of the market-men had hobbies, and told me how to make afortune out of one or two articles; more gave careless, random, orignorant answers; but here and there was a plain, honest, sensiblefellow who showed me from his books what plain, honest, sensibleproducers in the country were doing. In a few weeks I dismissedfinally the tendency to one blunder. A novice hears or reads of anacre of cabbages or strawberries producing so much. Then he figures, "if one acre yields so much, two acres will give twice as much, " andso on. The experience of others showed me the utter folly of allthis; and I came to the conclusion that I could give my familyshelter, plain food, pure air, wholesome work and play in plenty, and that not very soon could I provide much else with certainty. Itried to stick closely to common-sense; and the humble circumstancesof the vast majority living from the soil proved that there was inthese pursuits no easy or speedy road to fortune. Therefore we mustpart reluctantly with every penny, and let a dollar go for only theessentials to the modest success now accepted as all we couldnaturally expect. We had explored the settled States, and even theTerritories, in fancy; we had talked over nearly every industry fromcotton and sugarcane planting to a sheep-ranch. I encouraged allthis, for it was so much education out of school-hours; yet all, even Merton, eventually agreed with me that we had better not go faraway, but seek a place near schools, markets, churches, and wellinside of civilization. 

"See here, youngsters, you forget the most important crop of allthat I must cultivate, " I said one evening. 

"What is that?" they cried in chorus. 

"A crop of boys and girls. You may think that my mind is chiefly oncorn and potatoes. Not at all. It is chiefly on you; and for yoursakes mamma and I decided to go to the country. "

At last, in reply to my inquiries and my answers to advertisements, I received the following letter:--

Maizeville, N. Y. March 1st, '83

Robert Durham, Esq. 

Dear Sir

I have a place that will suit you I think. It can be bought at aboutthe figure you name. Come to see it. I shan't crack it up, but wantyou to judge for yourself. 

Resp'y John Jones

I had been to see two or three places that had been "cracked up" sohighly that my wife thought it better to close the bargain at oncebefore some one else secured the prize--and I had come backdisgusted in each instance. 

"The soul of wit" was in John Jones's letter. There was also adownright directness which hit the mark, and I wrote that I would goto Maizeville in the course of the following week. 

CHAPTER VI

A BLUFF FRIEND

The almanac had announced spring; nature appeared quite unaware ofthe fact, but, so far as we were concerned, the almanac was right. Spring was the era of hope, of change, and hope was growing in ourhearts like "Jack's bean, " in spite of lowering wintry skies. Wewere as eager as robins, sojourning in the south, to take our flightnorthward. 

My duties to my employers had ceased the 1st of March: I had securedtenants who would take possession of our rooms as soon as we shouldleave them; and now every spare moment was given to studying theproblem of country living and to preparations for departure. Iobtained illustrated catalogues from several dealers in seeds, andwe pored over them every evening. At first they bewildered us withtheir long lists of varieties, while the glowing descriptions of newkinds of vegetables just being introduced awakened in us somethingof a gambling spirit. 

"How fortunate it is, " exclaimed my wife, "that we are going to thecountry just as the vegetable marvels were discovered! Why, Robert, if half of what is said is true, we shall make our fortunes. "

With us, hitherto, a beet had been a beet, and a cabbage a cabbage;but here were accounts of beets which, as Merton said, "beat allcreation, " and pictures of prodigious cabbage heads which well-nighturned our own. With a blending of hope and distrust I carried twoof the catalogues to a shrewd old fellow in Washington Market. Hewas a dealer in country produce who had done business so long at thesame stand that among his fellows he was looked upon as a kind ofpatriarch. During a former interview he had replied to my questionswith a blunt honesty that had inspired confidence. The day wassomewhat mild, and I found him in his shirt-sleeves, smoking hispipe among his piled-up barrels, boxes, and crates, after his eleveno'clock dinner. His day's work was practically over; and well itmight be, for, like others of his calling, he had begun it longbefore dawn. Now his old felt hat was pushed well back on his baldhead, and his red face, fringed with a grizzled beard, expressed asort of heavy, placid content. His small gray eyes twinkled asshrewdly as ever. With his pipe he indicated a box on which I mightsit while we talked. 

"See here, Mr. Bogart, " I began, showing him the seed catalogues, "how is a man to choose wisely what vegetables he will raise from alist as long as your arm? Perhaps I shouldn't take any of those old-fashioned kinds, but go into these wonderful novelties which promisea new era in horticulture. "

The old man gave a contemptuous grunt; then, removing his pipe, heblew out a cloud of smoke that half obscured us both as he remarked, gruffly, "'A fool and his money are soon parted. '"

This was about as rough as March weather; but I knew my man, andperhaps proved that I wasn't a fool by not parting with him then andthere. 

"Come now, neighbor, " I said, brusquely, "I know some things thatyou don't, and there are affairs in which I could prove you to be asgreen as I am in this matter. If you came to me I'd give you thebest advice that I could, and be civil about it into the bargain. I've come to you because I believe you to be honest and to know whatI don't. When I tell you that I have a little family dependent onme, and that I mean if possible to get a living for them out of thesoil, I believe you are man enough both to fall in with my plan andto show a little friendly interest. If you are not, I'll go fartherand fare better. "

As I fired this broadside he looked at me askance, with the pipe inthe corner of his mouth, then reached out his great brown paw, andsaid, --

"Shake. "

I knew it was all right now--that the giving of his hand meant notonly a treaty of peace but also a friendly alliance. The old fellowdiscoursed vegetable wisdom so steadily for half an hour that hispipe went out. 

"You jest let that new-fangled truck alone, " he said, "till you getmore forehanded in cash and experience. Then you may learn how tomake something out of them novelties, as they call 'em, if they areworth growing at all. Now and then a good penny is turned on a newfruit or vegetable; but how to do it will be one of the last tricksthat you'll learn in your new trade. Hand me one of them misleadin'books, and I'll mark a few solid kinds such as produce ninety-ninehundredths of all that's used or sold. Then you go to What-you-call-'em's store, and take a line from me, and you'll git the genuinearticle at market-gardeners' prices. "

"Now, Mr. Bogart, you are treating me like a man and a brother. "

"Oh thunder! I'm treating you like one who, p'raps, may deal withme. Do as you please about it, but if you want to take along a lotof my business cards and fasten 'em to anything you have to sell, I'll give you all they bring, less my commission. "

"I've no doubt you will, and that's more than I can believe of agood many in your line, if all's true that I hear. You have thrown abroad streak of daylight into my future. So you see the fool didn'tpart with his money, or with you either, until he got a good dealmore than he expected. "

"Well, well, Mr. Durham, you'll have to get used to my rough ways. When I've anything to say, I don't beat about the bush. But you'llalways find my checks good for their face. "

"Yes, and the face back of them is that of a friend to me now. We'llshake again. Good-by;" and I went home feeling as if I had solidground under my feet. At supper I went over the whole scene, takingoff the man in humorous pantomime, not ridicule, and even my wifegrew hilarious over her disappointed hopes of the "new-fangledtruck. " I managed, however, that the children should not lose thelesson that a rough diamond is better than a smooth paste stone, andthat people often do themselves an injury when they take offence tooeasily. 

"I see it all, papa, " chuckled Merton; "if you had gone off mad whenhe the same as called you a fool, you would have lost all his goodadvice. "

"I should have lost much more than that, my boy, I should have lostthe services of a good friend and an honest man to whom we can sendfor its full worth whatever we can't sell to better advantage athome. But don't mistake me, Merton, toadyism never pays, no matterwhat you may gain by it; for you give manhood for such gain, andthat's a kind of property that one can never part with and make agood bargain. You see the old man didn't mean to be insolent. As hesaid, it was only his rough, blunt way of saying what was uppermostin his mind. "

CHAPTER VII

MR. JONES SHOWS ME THE PLACE

The next day, according to appointment, I went to Maizeville. JohnJones met me at the station, and drove me in his box-sleigh to seethe farm he had written of in his laconic note. I looked at himcuriously as we jogged along over the melting snow. The day wasunclouded for a wonder, and the sun proved its increasing power byturning the sleigh-tracks in the road into gleaming rills. Thevisage of my new acquaintance formed a decided contrast to therubicund face of the beef-eating marketman. He was sandy even to hiseyebrows and complexion. His scraggy beard suggested poverty of soilon his lantern jaws. His frame was as gaunt as that of a scare-crow, and his hands and feet were enormous. He had one redeeming feature, however--a pair of blue eyes that looked straight at you and madeyou feel that there was no "crookedness" behind them. His briefletter had led me to expect a man of few words, but I soon foundthat John Jones was a talker and a good-natured gossip. He knewevery one we met, and was usually greeted with a rising inflection, like this, "How are you, John?"

We drove inland for two or three miles. 

"No, I didn't crack up the place, and I ain't a-goin' to, " said myreal-estate agent. "As I wrote you, you can see for yourself when weget there, and I'll answer all questions square. I've got thesellin' of the property, and I mean it shall be a good bargain, goodfor me and good for him who buys. I don't intend havin' anyneighbors around blamin' me for a fraud;" and that is all he wouldsay about it. 

On we went, over hills and down dales, surrounded by scenery thatseemed to me beautiful beyond all words, even in its wintry aspect. 

"What mountain is that standing off by itself?" I asked. 

"Schunemunk, " he said. "Your place--well, I guess it will be yoursbefore plantin'-time comes--faces that mountain and looks up thevalley between it and the main highlands on the left. Yonder's thehouse, on the slope of this big round hill, that'll shelter you fromthe north winds. "

I shall not describe the place very fully now, preferring that itshould be seen through the eyes of my wife and children, as well asmy own. 

"The dwelling appears old, " I said. 

"Yes; part of it's a good deal more'n a hundred years old. It's beenadded to at both ends. But there's timbers in it that will standanother hundred years. I had a fire made in the livin'-room thismornin', to take off the chill, and we'll go in and sit down afterwe've looked the place over. Then you must come and take pot-luckwith us. "

At first I was not at all enthusiastic, but the more I examined theplace, and thought it over, the more it grew on my fancy. When Ientered the main room of the cottage, and saw the wide, old-fashioned fireplace, with its crackling blaze, I thawed so rapidlythat John Jones chuckled. "You're amazin' refreshin' for a citychap. I guess I'll crack on another hundred to the price. "

"I thought you were not going to crack up the place at all. "

"Neither be I. Take that old arm-chair, and I'll tell you all aboutit. The place looks rather run down, as you have seen. Old Mr. AndMrs. Jamison lived here till lately. Last January the old man died, and a good old man he was. His wife has gone to live with adaughter. By the will I was app'inted executor and trustee. I'vefixed on a fair price for the property, and I'm goin' to hold ontill I get it. There's twenty acres of plowable land and orchard, and a five-acre wood-lot, as I told you. The best part of theproperty is this. Mr. Jamison was a natural fruit-grower. He had aheap of good fruit here and wouldn't grow nothin' but the best. Hewas always a-speerin' round, and when he come across something extrahe'd get a graft, or a root or two. So he gradually came to have thebest there was a-goin' in these parts. Now I tell you what it is, Mr. Durham, you can buy plenty of new, bare places, but your hairwould be gray before you'd have the fruit that old man Jamisonplanted and tended into bearing condition; and you can buy placeswith fine shade trees and all that, and a good show of a garden andorchard, but Jamison used to say that an apple or cherry was apretty enough shade tree for him, and he used to say too that a treethat bore the biggest and best apples didn't take any more room thanone that yielded what was fit only for the cider press. Now thep'int's just here. You don't come to the country to amuse yourselfby developin' a property, like most city chaps do, but to make alivin'. Well, don't you see? This farm is like a mill. When thesun's another month higher it will start all the machinery in theapple, cherry, and pear trees and the small fruits, and it will turnout a crop the first year you're here that will put money in yourpocket. "

Then he named the price, half down and the rest on mortgage, if I sopreferred. It was within the limit that my means permitted. 

I got up and went all over the house, which was still plainlyfurnished in part. A large wood-house near the back door had beenwell filled by the provident old man. There was ample cellar room, which was also a safeguard against dampness. Then I went out andwalked around the house. It was all so quaint and homely as to makeme feel that it would soon become home-like to us. There was nothingsmart to be seen, nothing new except a barn that had recently beenbuilt near one of the oldest and grayest structures of the kind Ihad ever seen. The snow-clad mountains lifted themselves about me ina way that promised a glimpse of beauty every time I should raise myeyes from work. Yet after all my gaze lingered longest on theorchard and fruit-trees that surrounded the dwelling. 

"That's sensible, " remarked Mr. Jones, who followed me with no traceof anxiety or impatience. "Paint, putty, and pine will make a housein a few weeks, but it takes a good slice out of a century to buildup an orchard like that. "

"That was just what I was thinking, Mr. Jones. "

"Oh, I knowed that. Well, I've got just two more things to say, thenI'm done and you can take it or leave it. Don't you see? The houseis on a slope facing the south-east. You get the morning sun and thesouthern breeze. Some people don't know what they're worth, but I, who've lived here all my life, know they're worth payin' for. Again, you see the ground slopes off to the crick yonder. That means gooddrainage. We don't have any malary here, and that fact is worth asmuch as the farm, for I wouldn't take a section of the garden ofEden if there was malary around. "

"On your honor now, Mr. Jones, how far is the corner around whichthey have the malaria?"

"Mr. Durham, it ain't a mile away. "

I laughed as I said, "I shall have one neighbor, it seems, to whom Ican lend an umbrella. "

"Then you'll take the place?"

"Yes, if my wife is as well satisfied as I am. I want you to give methe refusal of it for one week at the price you named. "

"Agreed, and I'll put it in black and white. "

"Now, Mr. Jones, " I began with an apologetic little laugh, "you growone thing up here in all seasons, I fancy--an appetite. As I feelnow, your pot-luck means good luck, no matter what is in it. "

"Now you talk sense. I was a-hankerin' myself. I take stock rightoff in a man or a critter with an appetite. They're alwaysimprovin'. Yes, sir; Maizeville is the place to grow an appetite, and what's more we can grow plenty to satisfy it. "

Mrs. Jones made a striking contrast to her husband, for she firstimpressed me as being short, red, and round; but her friendly, bustling ways and hearty welcome soon added other and very pleasantimpressions; and when she placed a great dish of fricasseed chickenon the table she won a good-will which her neighborly kindness hassteadily increased. 

CHAPTER VIII

TELLING ABOUT EDEN

Never was a traveller from a remote foreign clime listened to withmore breathless interest than I as I related my adventures at ourlate supper after my return. Mousie looked almost feverish in herexcitement, and Winnie and Bobsey exploded with merriment over thename of the mountain that would be one of our nearest neighbors. They dubbed the place "Schunemunks" at once. Merton put on seriousand sportsman-like airs as he questioned me, and it was evident thathe expected to add largely to our income from the game he shouldkill. I did not take much pains to dispel his illusions, knowingthat one day's tramp would do this, and that he would bring backincreased health and strength if nothing else. 

No fairy tale had ever absorbed the children like the description ofthat old house and its surroundings; and when at last they wereinduced to retire I said to my wife, after explaining more inpractical detail the pros and cons to be considered: "It all dependson you. If you wish I will take you up the first pleasant day, sothat you can see for yourself before we decide. "

She laughed as she said, "I decided two minutes after you arrived. "

"How is that?"

"I saw you had the place in your eyes. La, Robert! I can read youlike a book. You give in to me in little things, and that pleases awoman, you know. You must decide a question like this, for it is aquestion of support for us all, and you can do better on a placethat suits you than on one never quite to your mind. It has grownmore and more clear to me all the evening that you have fallen inlove with the old place, and that settles it. "

"Well, you women have a way of your own of deciding a question. "

My wife was too shrewd not to make a point in her favor, and sheremarked, with a complacent nod, "I have a way of my own, but thereare women in the world who would have insisted on a smart newhouse. "

"Little wife, " I said, laughing, "there was another girl that I wasa little sweet on before I met you. I'm glad you are not the othergirl. "

She put her head a little to one side with the old roguish lookwhich used to be so distracting when the question of questions withme was whether pretty Winnie Barlow would give half a dozen youngfellows the go-by for my sake, and she said, "Perhaps the other girlis glad too. "

"I've no doubt she is, " I sighed, "for her husband is getting rich. I don't care how glad she is if my girl is not sorry. "

"You do amuse me so, Robert! You'd like to pass for something of aphilosopher, with your brown studies into the hidden causes andreasons for things, yet you don't half know yet that when a womansets her heart on something, she hasn't much left with which to longfor anything else. That is, if she has a heart, which seems to beleft out of some women. "

"I think it is, and others get a double allowance. I should becontent, for I was rich the moment I won yours. "

"I've been more than content; I've been happy--happy all these yearsin city flats. Even in my tantrums and bad days I knew I was happy, deep in my heart. "

"I only hope you will remain as blind about your plodding oldhusband who couldn't make a fortune in the city. "

"I've seen men who made fortunes, and I've seen their wives too. "

I thanked God for the look on her face--a look which had been therewhen she was a bride, and which had survived many straitened years. 

So we chose our country home. The small patrimony to which we hadadded but little--(indeed we had often denied ourselves in order notto diminish it)--was nearly all to be invested in the farm, and adebt to be incurred, besides. While yielding to my fancy, I believedthat I had at the same time chosen wisely, for, as John Jones said, the mature fruit trees of the place would begin to bring returnsvery soon. 

CHAPTER IX

"BREAKING CAMP"

We were now all eager to get away, and the weather favored ourwishes. A warm rain with a high south wind set in, and the icedisappeared from the river like magic. I learned that the afternoonboat which touched at Maizeville would begin its trips in thefollowing week. 

I told my wife about the furniture which still remained in thehouse, and the prices which John Jones put upon it. We thereforefound that we could dispose of a number of bulky articles in ourcity apartments, and save a goodly sum in cartage and freight. Likesoldiers short of ammunition, we had to make every dollar tell, andwhen by thought and management we could save a little it was talkedover as a triumph to be proud of. 

The children entered into the spirit of the thing with great zest. They were all going to be hardy pioneers. One evening I describedthe landing of the "Mayflower, " and some of the New-England wintersthat followed, and they wished to come down to Indian meal at onceas a steady diet. Indeed, toward the last, we did come down torather plain fare, for in packing up one thing after another we atlast reached the cooking utensils. 

On the morning of the day preceding the one of our departure I beganto use military figures of speech. 

"Now we must get into marching order, " I said, "and prepare to breakcamp. Soldiers, you know, when about to move, dispose of all theirheavy baggage, cook several days' provisions, pack up and load onwagons what they mean to take with them, and start. It is a tryingtime--one that requires the exercise of good soldierly qualities, such as prompt obedience, indifference to hardship and discomfort, and especially courage in meeting whatever happens. "

Thus the children's imaginations were kindled, and our prosaicbreaking up was a time of grand excitement. With grim satisfactionthey looked upon the dismantling of the rooms, and with sighs ofrelief saw carts take away such heavy articles as I had sold. 

Winnie and Bobsey were inclined to take the children of neighborsinto their confidence, and to have them around, but I said that thiswould not do at all--that when soldiers were breaking camp the greatpoint was to do everything as secretly and rapidly as possible. Thenceforward an air of mystery pervaded all our movements. 

Bobsey, however, at last overstepped the bounds of our patience andbecame unmanageable. The very spirit of mischief seemed to haveentered his excited little brain. He untied bundles, placed thingswhere they were in the way, and pestered the busy mother with somany questions, that I hit upon a decided measure to keep him quiet. I told him about a great commander who, in an important fight, wasstrapped to a mast, so that he could oversee everything. Then I tiedthe little fellow into a chair. At first he was much elated, andchattered like a magpie, but when he found he was not to be releasedafter a few moments he began to howl for freedom. I then carriedhim, chair and all, to one of the back rooms. Soon his cries ceased, and tender-hearted Mousie stole after him. Returning she said, withher low laugh, "He'll be good now for a while; he's sound asleep. "

And so passed the last day in our city rooms. Except as wife andchildren were there, they had never appeared very homelike to me, and now they looked bare and comfortless indeed. The childrengloated over their appearance, for it meant novelty to them. "Theold camp is about broken up, " Merton remarked, with the air of aveteran. But my wife sighed more than once. 

"What troubles you, Winifred?"

"Robert, the children were born here, and here I've watched overthem in sickness and health so many days and nights. "

"Well, my dear, the prospects are that in our new home you will nothave to watch over them in sickness very much. Better still, youwill not have to be so constantly on your guard against contagionsthat harm the soul as well as the body. I was told that there arerattle-snakes on Schunemunk, but greater dangers for Winnie andMerton lurk in this street--yes, in this very house;" and I exultedover the thought that we were about to bid Melissa Daggett a finalgood-by. 

"Oh, I know. I'm glad; but then--"

"But then a woman's heart takes root in any place where she hasloved and suffered. That tendency makes it all the more certain thatyou'll love your new home. "

"Yes; we may as well face the truth, Robert. We shall suffer in thenew home as surely as in the old. There may be stronger sunshine, but that means deeper shadow. "

CHAPTER X

SCENES ON THE WHARF

The last night in the city flat was in truth like camping out, thefatigues of the day brought us sound sleep, and we looked and feltlike emigrants. But in the morning we rose with the dawn, from ourshakedowns on the floor, to begin eagerly and hopefully our finalpreparations for departure. In response to my letters John Jones hadpromised to meet us at the Maizeville Landing with his strongcovered rockaway, and to have a fire in the old farmhouse. Loadafter load was despatched to the boat, for I preferred to deal withone trusty truckman. When all had been taken away, we said good-byto our neighbors and took the horse-car to the boat, making ourquiet exit in the least costly way. I knew the boat would be warmand comfortable, and proposed that we should eat our lunch there. 

The prospect, however, of seeing the wharves, the boats, and theriver destroyed even the children's appetites. We soon reached thecrowded dock. The great steamer appeared to be a part of it, lyingalong its length with several gangways, over which boxes, barrels, and packages were being hustled on board with perpetual din. Theyounger children were a little awed at first by the noise andapparent confusion. Mousie kept close to my side, and even Bobseyclung to his mother's hand. The extended upper cabin had state-roomsopening along its sides, and was as comfortable as a floating parlorwith its arm and rocking chairs. Here, not far from the greatheater, I established our headquarters. I made the children locatethe spot carefully, and said: "From this point we'll makeexcursions. In the first place, Merton, you come with me and seethat all our household effects are together and in good order. Youmust learn to travel and look after things like a man. "

We spent a little time in arranging our goods so that they would besafer and more compact. Then we went to the captain and laughinglytold him we were emigrants to Maizeville, and hoped before long tosend a good deal of produce by his boat. We therefore wished him to"lump" us, goods, children, and all, and deliver us safely at theMaizeville wharf for as small a sum as possible. 

He good-naturedly agreed, and I found that the chief stage of ourjourney would involve less outlay than I had expected. 

Thus far all had gone so well that I began to fear that a changemust take place soon, in order that our experience should be morelike the common lot of humanity. When at last I took all thechildren out on the afterdeck, to remove the first edge of theircuriosity, I saw that there was at least an ominous change in theweather. The morning had been mild, with a lull in the usual Marchwinds. Now a scud of clouds was drifting swiftly in from theeastward, and chilly, fitful gusts began to moan and sigh about us. A storm was evidently coming, and my hope was that we might reachour haven before it began. I kept my fears to myself, and we watchedthe long lines of carts converging toward the gang-planks of our ownand other steamboats. 

"See, youngsters, " I cried, "all this means commerce. These loadsand loads of things will soon be at stores and homes up the river, supplying the various needs of the people. Tomorrow the residentsalong the river will bring what they have to sell to this same boat, and by daylight next morning carts will be carrying country produceand manufactured articles all over the city. Thus you see commerceis made by people supplying themselves and each other with what theyneed. Just as soon as we can bring down a crate of berries and sendit to Mr. Bogart we shall be adding to the commerce of the world inthe best way. We shall become what are called the 'producers, ' andbut for this class the world would soon come to an end. "

"'Rah!" cried Bobsey, "I'm goin' to be a p'oducer. "

He promised, however, to be a consumer for a long time to come, especially of patience. His native fearlessness soon asserteditself, and he wanted to go everywhere and see everything, askingquestions about machinery, navigation, river craft, the contents ofevery box, bale, or barrel we saw, till I felt that I was being usedlike a town pump. I pulled him back to the cabin, resolving to stophis mouth for a time at least with the contents of our lunch basket. 

Winnie was almost as bad, or as good, perhaps I should say; for, however great the drain and strain on me might be, I knew that theseactive little brains were expanding to receive a host of new ideas. 

Mousie was quiet as usual, and made no trouble, but I saw withrenewed hope that this excursion into the world awakened in her akeen and natural interest. Ever since the project of country lifehad been decided upon, her listless, weary look had been givingplace to one of greater animation. The hope of flowers and a gardenhad fed her life like a deep, hidden spring. 

To Merton I had given larger liberty, and had said: "It is notnecessary for you to stay with me all the time. Come and go on theboat and wharf as you wish. Pick up what knowledge you can. All Iask is that you will use good sense in keeping out of trouble anddanger. "

I soon observed that he was making acquaintances here and there, andasking questions which would go far to make good his loss ofschooling for a time. Finding out about what one sees is, in mybelief, one of the best ways of getting an education. The troublewith most of us is that we accept what we see, without inquiry orknowledge. 

The children were much interested in scenes witnessed from the sideof the boat farthest from the wharf. Here in the enclosed water-space were several kinds of craft, but the most curious in theireyes was a group of canal boats--"queer travelling houses" Mousiecalled them; for it was evident that each one had a family on board, and the little entrance to the hidden cabin resembled a hole fromwhich men, women, and children came like rabbits out of a burrow. Tough, hardy, barefooted children were everywhere. While we werelooking, one frowsy-headed little girl popped up from her burrow inthe boat, and, with legs and feet as red as a boiled lobster, ranalong the guards like a squirrel along a fence. 

"O dear!" sighed Mousie, "I'd rather live in a city flat than insuch a house. "

"I think it would be splendid, " protested Winnie, "to live in atravelling house. You could go all over and still stay at home. "

I was glad on our return to find my wife dozing in her chair. Shewas determined to spend in rest the hours on the boat, and had saidthat Mousie also must be quiet much of the afternoon. 

Between three and four the crush on the wharf became very great. Horses and drays were so mixed up that to inexperienced eyes itlooked as if they could never be untangled. People of everydescription, loaded down with parcels, were hurrying on board, andit would seem from our point of view that American women shared withtheir French sisters an aptness for trade, for among the passengerswere not a few substantial, matronly persons who appeared as if theycould look the world in the face and get the better of it. 

CHAPTER XI

A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON

As four P. M. Approached, I took the children to a great glass windowin the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery. 

"Now, " said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in amoment or two he will move. "

True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and thenslowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that hadbeen like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive andwere waking up. 

"Now, " I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our lastlook at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we aregoing?"

"Forward! forward!" cried all in chorus. 

"That's the difference between youth and age, " I thought. "With theyoung it is always 'forward. '" But we found that we could not go outon the forward deck, for the wind would have carried away my light, frail Mousie, like a feather. Indeed it was whistling a wild tune aswe stood in a small room with glass windows all round. The waveswere crowned with foaming white-caps, and the small craft that hadto be out in the gale were bobbing up and down, as if possessed. Onthe river was a strange and lurid light, which seemed to come morefrom the dashing water than from the sky, so dark was the latterwith skurrying clouds. 

Mousie clung timidly to my side, but I reassured her by saying: "Seehow steadily, how evenly and boldly, our great craft goes out on thewide river. In the same way we must go forward, and never be afraid. These boats run every day after the ice disappears, and they aremanaged by men who know what to do in all sorts of weather. "

She smiled, but whispered, "I think I'll go back and stay withmamma;" but she soon found much amusement in looking at passingscenes from the windows of the warm after-cabin--scenes that werelike pictures set in oval frames. 

The other children appeared fascinated by the scene, especiallyWinnie, whose bold black eyes flashed with excitement. 

"I want to see everything and know everything, " she said. 

"I wish you to see and know about things like these, " I replied, "but not such things as Melissa Daggett would show you. "

"Melissy Daggett, indeed!" cried Winnie. "This beats all herstories. She tried to tell me the other day about a theatre at whicha woman killed a man--"

"Horrid! I hope you didn't listen?"

"Only long enough to know the man came to life again, and danced inthe next--"

"That will do. I'm not interested in Melissa's vulgar stories. Asyou say, this, and all like this, is much better, and will neverprevent you from becoming a lady like mamma. "

Winnie's ambition to become a lady promised to be one of my stronglevers in uplifting her character. 

I confess that I did not like the looks of the sky or of the snow-flakes that began to whirl in the air, but the strong steamer plowedher way rapidly past the city and the villa-crowned shores beyond. The gloom of the storm and of early coming night was over all, andfrom the distant western shores the Palisades frowned dimly throughthe obscurity. 

My wife came, and after a brief glance shivered and was turningaway, when I said, "You don't like your first glimpse of thecountry, Winifred?"

"It will look different next June. The children will take cold here. Let them come and watch the machinery. "

This we all did for a time, and then I took them on excursions aboutthe enclosed parts of the boat. The lamps were already lighted, andthe piled-up freight stood out in grotesque light and shadow. 

Before very long we were standing by one of the furnace rooms, andthe sooty-visaged man threw open the iron doors of the furnace. Inthe glare of light that rushed forth everything near stood outalmost as vividly as it would have done in a steady gleam oflightning. The fireman instantly became a startling silhouette, andthe coal that he shovelled into what was like a flaming mouth of acavern seemed sparkling black diamonds. The snow-flakes glimmered asthe wind swept them by the wide-open window, and in the distancewere seen the lights and the dim outline of another boat rushingtoward the city. Clang! the iron doors are shut, and all is obscureagain. 

"Now the boat has had its supper, " said Bobsey. "O dear! I wish Icould have a big hot supper. "

The smoking-room door stood open, and we lingered near it for somemoments, attracted first by a picture of a great fat ox, thatsuggested grassy meadows, plowing, juicy steaks, and other pleasantthings. Then our attention was drawn to a man, evidently a cattle-dealer, who was holding forth to others more or less akin to him intheir pursuits. 

"Yes, " he was saying, "people in the country eat a mighty lot ofcow-beef, poor and old at that. I was buying calves out nearShawangunk Mountains last week, and stopped at a small tavern. Theybrought me a steak and I tried to put my knife in it--thought theknife might be dull, but knew my grinders weren't. Jerusalem! Imight have chawed on that steak till now and made no impression. Icalled the landlord, and said, 'See here, stranger, if you serve meold boot-leather for steak again I'll blow on your house. '--'I vow, 'he said, 'it's the best I kin get in these diggin's. You fellersfrom the city buy up every likely critter that's for sale, and wehave to take what you leave. ' You see, he hit me right between thehorns, for it's about so. Bless your soul, if I'd took in a lot ofcow-beef like that to Steers and Pinkham, Washington Market, they'd'a taken my hide off and hung me up 'longside of my beef. "

"Grantin' all that, " said another man, "folks in the country wouldbe a sight better off if they'd eat more cow-beef and less pork. Youknow the sayin' about 'out of the frying-pan into the fire'? Well, in some parts I've travelled they had better get out of the fryin'-pan, no matter where they fetch up. "

We went away laughing, and I said: "Don't you be troubled, Mousie;we won't go to the frying-pan altogether to find roses for yourcheeks. We'll paint them red with strawberries and raspberries, thecolor put on from the inside. "

As time passed, the storm increased, and the air became so thickwith driving snow that the boat's speed was slackened. Occasionallywe "slowed up" for some moments. The passengers shook their headsand remarked, dolefully, "There's no telling when we'll arrive. "

I made up my mind that it would be good economy for us all to have ahearty hot supper, as Bobsey had suggested; and when, at last, thegong resounded through the boat, we trooped down with the others tothe lower cabin, where there were several long tables, with coloredwaiters in attendance. We had not been in these lower regionsbefore, and the eyes of the children soon wandered from their platesto the berths, or sleeping-bunks, which lined the sides of thecabin. 

"Yes, " I replied, in answer to their questions; "it is a big supper-room now, but by and by it will be a big bedroom, and people will betucked away in these berths, just as if they were laid on shelves, one over the other. "

The abundant and delicious supper, in which steaks, not from cow-beef, were the chief feature, gave each one of us solid comfort andsatisfaction. Bobsey ate until the passengers around him werelaughing, but he, with superb indifference, attended strictly tobusiness. 

My wife whispered, "You must all eat enough to last a week, for Isha'n't have time to cook anything;" and I was much pleased at thegood example which she and Mousie set us. 

Both before and after supper I conducted Bobsey to the wash-room, and he made the people laugh as he stood on a chair and washed hisface. But he was a sturdy little fellow, and only laughed back whena man said he looked as though he was going to dive into the basin. 

Mousie at last began to show signs of fatigue; and learning that itwould be several hours still before we could hope to arrive, sosevere was the storm, I procured the use of a state-room, and soonBobsey was snoring in the upper berth, and my invalid girl smilingand talking in soft tones to her mother in the lower couch. Winnie, Merton, and I prowled around, spending the time as best we could. Occasionally we looked through the windows at the bow, and wonderedhow the pilot could find his way through the tempest. I confess Ihad fears lest he might not do this, and felt that I should begrateful indeed when my little band was safe on shore. The people incharge of the boat, however, knew their business. 

CHAPTER XII

A MARCH EVENING IN EDEN

At length we were fast at the Maizeville Landing, although longafter the usual hour of arrival. I was anxious indeed to learnwhether John Jones would meet us, or whether, believing that wewould not come in such a storm, and tired of waiting, he had gonehome and left us to find such shelter as we could. 

But there he was, looking in the light of the lanterns as grizzledas old Time himself, with his eyebrows and beard full of snow-flakes. He and I hastily carried the three younger children ashorethrough the driving snow, and put them in a corner of thestorehouse, while Merton followed with his mother. 

"Mr. Jones, " I exclaimed, "you are a neighbor to be proud ofalready. Why didn't you go home and leave us to our fate?"

"Well, " he replied, laughing, "'twouldn't take you long to getsnowed under to-night. No, no; when I catch fish I mean to land 'em. Didn't know but what in such a buster of a storm you might beinclined to stay on the boat and go back to the city. Then wherewould my bargain be?"

"No fear of that. We're in for it now--have enlisted for the war. What shall we do?"

"Well, I vow I hardly know. One thing first, anyhow--we must getMrs. Durham and the kids into the warm waiting-room, and then lookafter your traps. "

The room was already crowded, but we squeezed them in, white fromscarcely more than a moment's exposure to the storm. Then we tookhold and gave the deck-hands a lift with my baggage, Merton showingmuch manly spirit in his readiness to face the weather and the work. My effects were soon piled up by themselves, and then we held acouncil. 

"Mrs. Durham'll hardly want to face this storm with the children, "began Mr. Jones. 

"Are you going home?" I asked. 

"Yes, sir. I'd rather travel all night for the sake of being home inthe morning. "

"To tell the truth I feel the same way, " I continued, "but reasonmust hold the reins. Do you think you could protect Mrs. Durham andthe children from the storm?"

"Yes, I think we could tuck 'em in so they'd scarcely know it wassnowin', and then we could sled your things up in the mornin'. 'Commodations on the landin' to-night will be pretty crowded. "

"We'll let her decide, then. "

When I explained how things were and what Mr. Jones had said, sheexclaimed, "Oh, let us go home. "

How my heart jumped at her use of the word "home" in regard to aplace that she had never seen. "But, Winifred, " I urged, "do yourealize how bad a night it is? Do you think it would be safe forMousie?"

"It isn't so very cold if one is not exposed to the wind and snow, "she replied, "and Mr. Jones says we needn't be exposed. I don'tbelieve we'd run as much risk as in going to a little hotel, thebest rooms of which are already taken. Since we can do it, it willbe so much nicer to go to a place that we feel is our own!"

"I must say that your wishes accord with mine. "

"Oh, I knew that, " she replied, laughing. "Mr. Jones, " she added, sociably, "this man has a way of telling you what he wishes by hislooks before asking your opinion. "

"I found that out the day he came up to see the place, " chuckled myneighbor, "and I was half a mind to stick him for another hundredfor being so honest. He don't know how to make a bargain any morethan one of the children there. Well, I'll go to the shed and getthe hosses, and we'll make a pull for home. I don't believe you'llbe sorry when you get there. "

Mr. Jones came around to the very door with the rockaway, and wetucked my wife and children under the buffalo robes and blanketstill they could hardly breathe. Then we started out into the white, spectral world, for the wind had coated everything with the soft, wet snow. On we went at a slow walk, for the snow and mud were bothdeep, and the wheeling was very heavy. Even John Jones's loquacitywas checked, for every time he opened his mouth the wind half filledit with snow. Some one ahead of us, with a lantern, guided ourcourse for a mile or so through the dense obscurity, and then heturned off on another road. At first I hailed one and another in theblack cavern of the rockaway behind me, and their muffled voiceswould answer, "All right. " But one after another they ceased toanswer me until all were fast asleep except my wife. She insistedthat she was only very drowsy, but I knew that she was also very, very tired. Indeed, I felt myself, in a way that frightened me, thestrange desire to sleep that overcomes those long exposed to coldand wind. 

I must have been nodding and swaying around rather loosely, when Ifelt myself going heels over head into the snow. As I picked myselfup I heard my wife and children screaming, and John Jones shoutingto his horses, "Git up, " while at the same time he lashed them withhis whip. My face was so plastered with snow that I could see only adark object which was evidently being dragged violently out of aditch, for when the level road was reached, Mr. Jones shouted, "Whoa!"

"Robert, are you hurt?" cried my wife. 

"No, are you?"

"Not a bit, but I'm frightened to death. "

Then John Jones gave a hearty guffaw and said:

"I bet you our old shanghai rooster that you don't die. "

"Take you up, " answered my wife, half laughing and half crying. 

"Where are we?" I asked. 

"I'm here. Haven't the remotest idea where you be, " replied Mr. Jones. 

"You are a philosopher, " I said, groping my way through the stormtoward his voice. 

"I believe I was a big fool for tryin' to get home such a night asthis; but now that we've set about it, we'd better get there. That'sright. Scramble in and take the reins. Here's my mittens. "

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to 'light and smell out the road. This is equal to anyblizzard I've read of out West. "

"How far have we to go now?"

"Half a mile, as nigh as I can make out;" and we jogged on again. 

"Are you sure you are not hurt?" Mousie asked me. 

"Sure; it was like tumbling into a feather bed. "

"Stop a bit, " cried Mr. Jones. "There's a turn in the road here. Letme go on a little and lay out your course. "

"Oh, I wish we had stayed anywhere under shelter, " said my wife. 

"Courage, " I cried. "When we get home, we'll laugh over this. "

"Now, " shouted Mr. Jones, "veer gradually off to the left toward myvoice--all right;" and we jogged on again, stopping from time totime to let our invisible guide explore the road. 

Once more he cried, "Stop a minute. "

The wind roared and shrieked around us, and it was growing colder. With a chill of fear I thought, "Could John Jones have mistaken theroad?" and I remembered how four people and a pair of horses hadbeen frozen within a few yards of a house in a Western snow-storm. 

"Are you cold, children?" I asked. 

"Yes, I'm freezing, " sobbed Winnie. "I don't like the country onebit. "

"This is different from the Eden of which we have been dreaming, " Ithought grimly. Then I shouted, "How much farther, Mr. Jones?"

The howling of the wind was my only answer. I shouted again. Theincreasing violence of the tempest was the only response. 

"Robert, " cried my wife, "I don't hear Mr. Jones's voice. "

"He has only gone on a little to explore, " I replied, although myteeth chattered with cold and fear. 

"Halloo--oo!" I shouted. The answering shriek of the wind in thetrees overhead chilled my very heart. 

"What has become of Mr. Jones?" asked my wife, and there was almostanguish in her tone, while Winnie and Bobsey were actually cryingaloud. 

"Well, my dear, " I tried to say, reassuringly, "even if he were verynear to us we could neither see nor hear him. "

Moments passed which seemed like ages, and I scarcely knew what todo. The absence of all signs of Mr. Jones filled me with a namelessand unspeakable dread. Could anything have happened to him? Could hehave lost his way and fallen into some hole or over some steep bank?If I drove on, we might tumble after him and perish, maimed andfrozen, in the wreck of the wagon. One imagines all sorts ofhorrible things when alone and helpless at night. 

"Papa, " cried Merton, "I'll get out and look for Mr. Jones. "

"You are a good, brave boy, " I replied. "No; you hold the reins, andI'll look for him and see what is just before us. "

At that moment there was a glimmer of light off to the left of us. 

CHAPTER XIII

RESCUED AND AT HOME

All that the poets from the beginning of time have written aboutlight could not express my joy as I saw that glimmer approaching onthe left. Before it appeared I had been awed by the tempest, benumbed with cold, shivering in my wet clothes, and a prey to manyterrible fears and surmises; but now I cried, "Cheer up; here comesa light. "

Then in my gladness I shouted the greeting that met Mr. Joneseverywhere, "How are YOU, JOHN?"

A great guffaw of laughter mingled with the howl of the storm, andmy neighbor's voice followed from the obscurity: "That's famous--keepin' up your courage like a soldier. "

"Oh, I won't brag about keeping up my courage. "

"Guess you didn't know what had become of me?"

"You're right and we didn't know what was to become of us. Nowaren't we nearly home? For we are all half frozen. "

"Just let me spy a bit with the lantern, and I'll soon tell youeverything. " He bobbed back and forth for a moment or two like awill-o'-the-wisp. "Now turn sharp to the left, and follow thelight. "

A great hope sprung up in my heart, and I hushed Winnie's andBobsey's crying by saying, "Listen, and you'll soon hear some goodnews. "

Our wheels crunched through the deep snow for a few moments, andsoon I saw a ruddy light shining from the window of a dwelling, andthen Mr. Jones shouted, "Whoa! 'Light down, neighbors; you're atyour own door. "

There was a chorus of delighted cries. Merton half tumbled over mein his eagerness to get down. A door opened, and out poured acheerful glow. Oh the delicious sense of safety and warmth given byit already!

I seized Mousie, floundered through the snow up to my knees, andplaced her in a big rocking-chair. Mr. Jones followed with Winnie, and Merton came in with Bobsey on his back. The little fellow wasunder such headway in crying that he couldn't stop at once, althoughhis tears were rapidly giving place to laughter. I rushed back andcarried in my wife, and then said, in a voice a little unsteady fromdeep feeling, "Welcome home, one and all. "

Never did the word mean more to a half-frozen and badly frightenedfamily. At first safety, warmth, and comfort were the uppermost inour thoughts, but as wraps were taken off, and my wife and childrenthawed out, eager-eyed curiosity began to make explorations. TakingMousie on my lap, and chafing her hands, I answered questions andenjoyed to the full the exclamations of pleasure. 

Mr. Jones lingered for a few moments, then gave one of his bigguffaws by way of preface, and said: "Well, you do look as if youwas at home and meant to stay. This 'ere scene kinder makes mehomesick; so I'll say good-night, and I'll be over in the mornin'. There's some lunch on the table that my wife fixed up for you. Imust go, for I hear John junior hollerin' for me. "

His only response to our profuse thanks was another laugh, which thewind swept away. 

"Who is John junior?" asked Merton. 

"Mr. Jones's son, a boy of about your age. He was here waiting forus, and keeping the fire up. When we arrived he came out and tookthe horses, and so you didn't see him. He'll make a good playmatefor you. To use his father's own words, 'He's a fairish boy as boysgo, ' and that from John Jones means that he's a good fellow. "

Oh, what a happy group we were, as we gathered around the great, open fire, on which I piled more wood!

"Do you wish to go and look around a little?" I asked my wife. 

"No, " she replied, leaning back in her rocking-chair: "let me takethis in first. O Robert, I have such a sense of rest, quiet, comfort, and hominess that I just want to sit still and enjoy itall. The howling of the storm only makes this place seem more like arefuge, and I'd rather hear it than the Daggetts tramping overheadand the Ricketts children crying down-stairs. Oh, isn't it nice tobe by ourselves in this quaint old room? Turn the lamp down, Robert, so we can see the firelight flicker over everything. Isn't itsplendid?--just like a picture in a book. "

"No picture in a book, Winifred--no artist could paint a picturethat would have the charm of this one for me, " I replied, leaning myelbow on the end of the mantel-piece, and looking fondly down on thelittle group. My wife's face looked girlish in the ruddy light. Mousie gazed into the fire with unspeakable content, and declaredshe was "too happy to think of taking cold. " Winnie and Bobsey weresitting, Turk-fashion, on the floor, their eyelids drooping. Thelong cold ride had quenched even their spirit, for after runningaround for a few moments they began to yield to drowsiness. Merton, with a boy's appetite, was casting wistful glances at the lunch onthe table, the chief feature of which was a roast chicken. 

There seemed to be no occasion for haste. I wished to let thepicture sink deep into my heart. At last my wife sprang up andsaid:--

"I've been sentimental long enough. You're not of much account inthe house, Robert"--with one of her saucy looks--"and I must see tothings, or Winnie and Bobsey will be asleep on the floor. I feel asif I could sit here till morning, but I'll come back after thechildren are in bed. Come, show me my home, or at least enough of itto let me see where we are to sleep. "

"We shall have to camp again to-night. Mrs. Jones has made up theone bed left in the house, and you and Mousie shall have that. We'llfix Winnie and Bobsey on the lounge; and, youngsters, you can sleepin your clothes, just as soldiers do on the ground. Merton and Iwill doze in these chairs before the fire. To-morrow night we canall be very comfortable. "

I took the lamp and led the way--my wife, Mousie, and Mertonfollowing--first across a little hall, from which one stairway ledto the upper chambers and another to the cellar. Opening a dooropposite the living-room, I showed Winifred her parlor. Cosey andcomfortable it looked, even now, through Mr. And Mrs. Jones's kindoffices. A Morning Glory stove gave out abundant warmth and a richlight which blended genially with the red colors of the carpet. 

"Oh, how pretty I can make this room look!" exclaimed my wife. 

"Of course you can: you've only to enter it. "

"You hurt your head when you fell out of the wagon, Robert, and area little daft. There's no place to sleep here. "

"Come to the room over this, warmed by a pipe from this stove. "

"Ah, this is capital, " she cried, looking around an apartment whichMrs. Jones had made comfortable. "Wasn't I wise when I decided tocome home? It's just as warm as toast. Now let the wind blow--Why, Idon't hear it any more. "

"No, the gale has blown itself out. Finding that we had escaped, itgot discouraged and gave up. Connected with this room is another forMousie and Winnie. By leaving the door open much of the time it willbe warm enough for them. So you see this end of the house can beheated with but little trouble and expense. The open fire in theliving-room is a luxury that we can afford, since there is plenty ofwood on the place. On the other side of the hall there is a room forMerton. Now do me a favor: don't look, or talk, or think, any moreto-night. It has been a long, hard day. Indeed"--looking at mywatch--"it is already to-morrow morning, and you know how much weshall have to do. Let us go back and get a little supper, and thentake all the rest we can. "

Winifred yielded, and Bobsey and Winnie waked up for a time at theword "supper. " Then we knelt around our hearth, and made it an altarto God, for I wished the children never to forget our need of Hisfatherly care and help. 

"I will now take the children upstairs and put them to bed, and thencome back, for I can not leave this wood fire just yet, " remarked mywife. 

I burst out laughing and said, "You have never been at home untilthis night, when you are camping in an old house you never sawbefore, and I can prove it by one question--When have you taken thechildren UPSTAIRS to bed before?"

"Why--why--never. "

"Of course you haven't--city flats all your life. But your nature isnot perverted. In natural homes for generations mothers have takentheir children upstairs to bed, and, forgetting the habit of yourlife, you speak according to the inherited instinct of the mother-heart. "

"O Robert, you have so many fine-spun theories! Yet it is a littlequeer. It seemed just as natural for me to say upstairs as--"

"As it was for your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. "

"Very well. We are in such an old house that I suppose I shall beginto look and act like my great-grandmother. But no more theories to-night--nothing but rest and the wood fire. "

She soon joined me at the hearth again. Merton meanwhile hadstretched himself on the rag-carpet, with his overcoat for a pillow, and was in dreamless sleep. My wife's eyes were full of languor. Shedid not sit down, but stood beside me for a moment. Then, laying herhead on my shoulder, she said, softly, "I haven't brains enough fortheories and such things, but I will try to make you all happyhere. "

"Dear little wife!" I laughed; "when has woman hit upon a higher orbetter wisdom than that of making all happy in her own home? and youhalf asleep, too. "

"Then I'll bid you good-night at once, before I say somethingawfully stupid. "

Soon the old house was quiet. The wind had utterly ceased. I openedthe door a moment, and looked on the white, still world without. Thestars glittered frostily through the rifts in the clouds. SchunemunkMountain was a shadow along the western horizon, and the easternhighlands banked up and blended with the clouds. Nature has itsrestless moods, its storms and passions, like human life; but thereare times of tranquillity and peace, even in March. How differentwas this scene from the aspect of our city street when I had takenmy farewell look at a late hour the previous night! No grandsweeping outlines there, no deep quiet and peace, soothing and atthe same time uplifting the mind. Even at midnight there is anuneasy fretting in city life--some one not at rest, and disturbingthe repose of others. 

I stole silently through the house. Here, too, all seemed in accordwith nature. The life of a good old man had quietly ceased in thishome; new, hopeful life was beginning. Evil is everywhere in theworld, but it seemed to me that we had as safe a nook as could befound. 

CHAPTER XIV

SELF-DENIAL AND ITS REWARD

I remember little that followed until I was startled out of my chairby a loud knocking. The sunlight was streaming in at the window andJohn Jones's voice was at the door. 

"I think we have all overslept, " I said, as I admitted him. 

"Not a bit of it. Every wink you've had after such a day asyesterday is like money put in the bank. But the sleighing is betternow than it will be later in the day. The sun'll be pretty powerfulby noon, and the snow'll soon be slush. Now's your chance to getyour traps up in a hurry. I can have a two-hoss sled ready in halfan hour, and if you say so I can hire a big sleigh of a neighbor, and we'll have everything here by dinner-time. After you get thingssnug, you won't care if the bottom does fall out of the roads for atime. Well, you HAVE had to rough it. Merton might have come andstayed with us. "

"Oh, I'm all right, " said the boy, rubbing his eyes open as he rosefrom the floor, at the same time learning from stiff joints that acarpet is not a mattress. 

"Nothing would suit me better, Mr. Jones, than your plan of promptaction, and I'm the luckiest man in the world in having such a long-headed, fore-handed neighbor to start with. I know you'll make agood bargain for the other team, and before I sleep to-night I wishto square up for everything. I mean at least to begin business inthis way at Maizeville. "

"Oh, go slow, go slow!" said Mr. Jones. "The town will mob you ifthey find you've got ready money in March. John junior will be overwith a pot of coffee and a jug of milk in a few minutes, and we'llbe off sharp. "

There was a patter of feet overhead, and soon Bobsey came tearingdown, half wild with excitement over the novelty of everything. Hestarted for the door as if he were going head first into the snow. 

I caught him, and said: "Do you see that chair? Well, we all have abusy day before us. You can help a good deal, and play a little, butyou can't hinder and pester according to your own sweet will onebit. You must either obey orders or else be put under arrest andtied in the chair. "

To go into the chair to-day would be torture indeed, and the littlefellow was sobered at once. 

The others soon joined us, eager to see everything by the broadlight of day, and to enter upon the task of getting settled. We hadscarcely come together before John junior appeared with the chieffeatures of our breakfast. The children scanned this probableplaymate very curiously, and some of us could hardly repress a smileat his appearance. He was even more sandy than his father. Indeedhis hair and eyebrows were nearly white, but out of his red andalmost full-moon face his mother's black eyes twinkled shrewdly. They now expressed only good-will and bashfulness. Every one of usshook hands with him so cordially that his boy's heart was evidentlywon. 

Merton, to break the ice more fully, offered to show him his gun, which he had kept within reach ever since we left the boat. It madehim feel more like a pioneer, no doubt. As he took it from its stoutcloth cover I saw John junior's eyes sparkle. Evidently a deep chordwas touched. He said, excitedly: "To-day's your time to try it. Arabbit can't stir without leaving his tracks, and the snow is sodeep and soft that he can't get away. There's rabbits on your ownplace. "

"O papa, " cried my boy, fairly trembling with eagerness, "can't Igo?"

"I need you very much this morning. "

"But, papa, others will be out before me, and I may lose my chance;"and he was half ready to cry. 

"Yes, " I said; "there is a risk of that. Well, YOU shall decide inthis case, " I added, after a moment, seeing a chance to do a littlecharacter-building. "It is rarely best to put pleasure beforebusiness or prudence. If you go out into the snow with those boots, you will spoil them, and very probably take a severe cold. Yet youmay go if you will. If you help me we can be back by ten o'clock, and I will get you a pair of rubber boots as we return. "

"Will there be any chance after ten o'clock?" he asked, quickly. 

"Well, " said John junior, in his matter-of-fact way, "that depends. As your pa says, there's a risk. "

The temptation was too strong for the moment. "O dear!" exclaimedMerton, "I may never have so good a chance again. The snow will soonmelt, and there won't be any more till next winter. I'll tie mytrousers down about my boots, and I'll help all the rest of the dayafter I get back. "

"Very well, " I said quietly: and he began eating his breakfast--theabundant remains of our last night's lunch--very rapidly, while Johnjunior started off to get his gun. 

I saw that Merton was ill at ease, but I made a sign to his mothernot to interfere. More and more slowly he finished his breakfast, then took his gun and went to the room that would be his, to loadand prepare. At last he came down and went out by another door, evidently not wishing to encounter me. John junior met him, and theboys were starting, when John senior drove into the yard andshouted, "John junior, step here a moment. "

The boy returned slowly, Merton following. "You ain't said nothin'to me about goin' off with that gun, " continued Mr. Jones, severely. 

"Well, Merton's pa said he might go if he wanted to, and I had to goalong to show him. "

"That first shot wasn't exactly straight, my young friend John. Itold Merton that it wasn't best to put pleasure before business, butthat he could go if he would. I wished to let him choose to doright, instead of making him do right. "

"Oho, that's how the land lays. Well, John junior, you can have yourchoice, too. You may go right on with your gun, but you know thelength and weight of that strap at home. Now, will you help me? orgo after rabbits?"

The boy grinned pleasantly, and replied, "If you had said I couldn'tgo, I wouldn't; but if it's choosin' between shootin' rabbits and astrappin' afterward--come along, Merton. "

"Well, go along then, " chuckled his father; "you've made yourbargain square, and I'll keep my part of it. "

"Oh, hang the rabbits! You shan't have any strapping on my account, "cried Merton; and he carried his gun resolutely to his room andlocked the door on it. 

John junior quietly went to the old barn, and hid his gun. 

"Guess I'll go with you, pa, " he said, joining us. 

"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed Mr. Jones. "It was a good bargain to back outof. Come now, let's all be off as quick as we can. Neighbor Rollinsdown the road will join us as we go along. "

"Merton, " I said, "see if there isn't a barrel of apples in thecellar. If you find one, you can fill your pockets. "

He soon returned with bulging pockets and a smiling face, feelingthat such virtue as he had shown had soon brought reward. My wifesaid that while we were gone she and the children would explore thehouse and plan how to arrange everything. We started in goodspirits. 

"Here's where you thought you was cast away last night, " Mr. Jonesremarked, as we passed out of the lane. 

The contrast made by a few short hours was indeed wonderful. Then, in dense obscurity, a tempest had howled and shrieked about us; now, in the unclouded sunshine, a gemmed and sparkling world revealedbeauty everywhere. 

For a long distance our sleighs made the first tracks, and it seemedalmost a pity to sully the purity of the white, drift-covered road. 

"What a lot of mud's hid under this snow!" was John Jones's proseover the opening vistas. "What's more, it will show itself beforenight. We can beat all creation at mud in Maizeville, when once weset about it. "

Merton laughed, and munched his apples, but I saw that he wasimpressed by winter scenery such as he had never looked upon before. Soon, however, he and John junior were deep in the game question, and I noted that the latter kept a sharp lookout along the roadside. Before long, while passing a thicket, he shouted, "There's tracks, "and floundered out into the snow, Merton following. 

"Oh, come back, " growled his father. 

"Let the boys have a few moments, " I said. "They gave up thismorning about as well as you could expect of boys. Would Junior havegone and taken a strapping if Merton hadn't returned?"

"Yes, indeed he would, and he knows my strappin's are no make-believe. That boy has no sly, mean tricks to speak of, but he's astough and obstinate as a mule sometimes, especially about shootingand fishing. See him now a-p'intin' for that rabbit, like a hound. "

True enough, the boy was showing good woodcraft. Restraining Merton, he cautiously approached the tracks, which by reason of thelightness and depth of the snow were not very distinct. 

"He can't be far away, " said Junior, excitedly. "Don't go too fasttill I see which way he was a-p'intin'. We don't want to follow thetracks back, but for'ard. See, he came out of that old wall there, he went to these bushes and nibbled some twigs, and here he goes--here he went--here--here--yes, he went into the wall again justhere. Now, Merton, watch this hole while I jump over the other sideof the fence and see if he comes out again. If he makes a start, grab him. "

John Jones and I were now almost as excited as the boys, and Mr. Rollins, the neighbor who was following us, was standing up in hissleigh to see the sport. It came quickly. As if by some instinct therabbit believed Junior to be the more dangerous, and made a breakfrom the wall almost at Merton's feet, with such swiftness and poweras to dash by him like a shot. The first force of its bound over, itwas caught by nature's trap--snow too deep and soft to admit ofrapid running. 

John Jones soon proved that Junior came honestly by his passion forhunting. In a moment he was floundering through the bushes with hisson and Merton. In such pursuit of game my boy had the advantage, for he was as agile as a cat. But a moment or two elapsed before hecaught up with the rabbit, and threw himself upon it, then rose, white as a snow-man, shouting triumphantly and holding the littlecreature aloft by its ears. 

"Never rate Junior for hunting again, " I said, laughingly, to Mr. Jones. "He's a chip of the old block. "

"I rather guess he is, " my neighbor acknowledged, with a grin. "Iown up I used to be pretty hot on such larkin'. We all keepforgettin' we was boys once. "

As we rode on, Merton was a picture of exultation, and Junior was onthe sharp lookout again. His father turned on him and said: "Nowlook a' here, enough's as good as a feast. I'll blindfold you if youdon't let the tracks alone. Mrs. Durham wants her things, so she canbegin to live. Get up there;" and a crack of the whip ended allfurther hopes on the part of the boys. But they felt well repaid forcoming, and Merton assured Junior that he deserved half the credit, for only he knew how to manage the hunt. 

CHAPTER XV

OUR SUNNY KITCHEN

Before we reached the landing I had invested a goodly sum in fourpairs of rubber boots, for I knew how hopeless it would be to try tokeep Winnie and Bobsey indoors. As for Mousie, she would have to beprudent until the ground should become dry and warm. 

There is no need of dwelling long on the bringing home of oureffects and the getting to rights. We were back soon after ten, andfound that Winnie and Bobsey, having exhausted the resources of thehouse, had been permitted to start at the front door, and, with anold fire-shovel and a piece of board, had well-nigh completed a pathto the well, piling up the snow as they advanced, so that theirovershoes were a sufficient protection. 

After we had carried in the things I interceded with Mr. Jones andthen told the boys that they could take their guns and be absent twoor three hours if they would promise to help faithfully the rest ofthe day. 

I had bought at Maizeville Landing such provisions, tools, etc. , asI should need immediately. Therefore I did not worry because thefickle March sky was clouding up again with the promise of rain. Aheavy downpour now with snow upon the ground would cause almost aflood, but I felt that we could shut the door and find the old housea very comfortable ark. 

"A smart warm rain would be the best thing that could happen toyer, " said Mr. Jones, as he helped me carry in furniture and put upbeds; "it would take the snow off. Nat'rally you want to get out onthe bare ground, for there's allus a lot of clearin' up to be donein the spring and old man Jamison was poorly last year and didn'tkeep things up to the mark. "

"Yes, " I replied, "I am as eager to get to work outdoors as the boyswere to go after rabbits. I believe I shall like the work, but thatis not the question. I did not come to the country to amuse myself, like so many city people. I don't blame them; I wish I could affordfarming for fun. I came to earn a living for my wife and children, and I am anxious to be about it. I won't ask you for anything exceptadvice. I've only had a city training, and my theories about farmingwould perhaps make you smile. But I've seen enough of you already tofeel that you are inclined to be kind and neighborly, and the bestway to show this will be in helping me to good, sound, practical, common-sense advice. But you mustn't put on airs, or be impatientwith me. Shrewd as you are, I could show you some things in thecity. "

"Oh, I'd be a sight queerer there than you here. I see your p'int, and if you'll come to me I won't let you make no blunders I wouldn'tmake myself. Perhaps that ain't saying a great deal, though. "

By this time everything had been brought in and either put in placeor stowed out of the way, until my wife could decide where and howshe would arrange things. 

"Now, " I said, when we had finished, "carry out our agreement. "

Mr. Jones gave me a wink and drove away. 

Our agreement was this--first, that he and Mr. Rollins, the owner ofthe other team, should be paid in full before night; and second, that Mrs. Jones should furnish us our dinner, in which the chiefdish should be a pot-pie from the rabbit caught by Merton, and thatMr. Jones should bring everything over at one o'clock. 

My wife was so absorbed in unpacking her china, kitchen-utensils, and groceries that she was unaware of the flight of time, but atlast she suddenly exclaimed, "I declare it's dinner-time!"

"Not quite yet, " I said; "dinner will be ready at one. "

"It will? Oh, indeed! Since we are in the country we are to pick upwhat we can, like the birds. You intend to invite us all down to theapple barrel, perhaps. "

"Certainly, whenever you wish to go; but we'll have a hot dinner atone o'clock, and a game dinner into the bargain. "

"I've heard the boys' guns occasionally, but I haven't seen thegame, and it's after twelve now. "

"Papa has a secret--a surprise for us, " cried Mousie; "I can see itin his eyes. "

"Now, Robert, I know what you've been doing. You have asked Mrs. Jones to furnish a dinner. You are extravagant, for I could havepicked up something that would have answered. "

"No; I've been very prudent in saving your time and strength, andsaving these is sometimes the best economy in the world. Mousie isnearer right. The dinner is a secret, and it has been furnishedchiefly by one of the family. "

"Well, I'm too busy to guess riddles to-day; but if my appetite is aguide, it is nearly time we had your secret. "

"You would not feel like that after half an hour over a hot stove. Now you will be interrupted, in getting to rights, only long enoughto eat your dinner. Then Mousie and Merton and Winnie will clear upeverything, and be fore night you will feel settled enough to takethings easy till to-morrow. "

"I know your thoughtfulness for me, if not your secret, " she said, gratefully, and was again putting things where, from housewifelyexperience, she knew they would be handy. 

Mr. And Mrs. Jamison had clung to their old-fashioned ways, and haddone their cooking over the open fire, using the swinging cranewhich is now employed chiefly in pictures. This, for the sake of thepicture it made, we proposed to keep as it had been left, althoughat times it might answer some more prosaic purpose. 

At the eastern end of the house was a single room, added unknownyears ago, and designed to be a bed-chamber. Of late it had beenused as a general storage and lumber room, and when I firstinspected the house, I had found little in this apartment of serviceto us. So I had asked Mr. Jones to remove all that I did not carefor, and to have the room cleansed, satisfied that it would justsuit my wife as a kitchen. It was large, having windows facing theeast and south, and therefore it would be light and cheerful, as akitchen ever should be, especially when the mistress of the house iscook. There Mr. Jones and I set up the excellent stove that I hadbrought from New York--one to which my wife was accustomed, and fromwhich she could conjure a rare good dinner when she gave her mind toit. Now as she moved back and forth, in such sunlight as theclouding sky permitted, she appeared the picture of pleased content. 

"It cheers one up to enter a kitchen like this, " she said. 

"It is to be your garden for a time also, " I exclaimed to Mousie. "Ishall soon have by this east window a table with shallow boxes ofearth, and in them you can plant some of your flower-seeds. I onlyask that I may have two of the boxes for early cabbages, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. You and your plants can take a sun-bath every morninguntil it is warm, enough to go out of doors, and you'll find theplants won't die here as they did in the dark, gas-poisoned cityflat. "

"I feel as if I were going to grow faster and stronger than theplants, " cried the happy child. 

Junior and Merton now appeared, each carrying a rabbit. My boy'sface, however, was clouded, and he said, a little despondently, "Ican't shoot straight--missed every time; and Junior shot 'em after Ihad fired and missed. "

"Pshaw!" cried Junior; "Merton's got to learn to take a quick steadysight, like every one else. He gets too excited. "

"That's just it, my boy, " I said. "You shall go down by the creekand fire at a mark a few times every day, and you'll soon hit itevery time. Junior's head is too level to think that anything can bedone well without practice. Now, Junior, " I added, "run over homeand help your father bring us our dinner, and then you stay and helpus eat it. "

Father and son soon appeared, well laden. Winnie and Bobsey came inravenous from their path-making, and all agreed that we had alreadygrown one vigorous rampant Maizeville crop--an appetite. 

The pot-pie was exulted over, and the secret of its existenceexplained. Even Junior laughed till the tears came as I describedhim, his father, and Merton, floundering through the deep snow afterthe rabbit, and we all congratulated Merton as the one who hadprovided our first country dinner. 

CHAPTER XVI

MAKING A PLACE FOR CHICKENS

Before the meal was over, I said, seriously, "Now, boys, there mustbe no more hunting until I find out about the game-laws. They shouldbe obeyed, especially by sportsmen. I don't think that we areforbidden to kill rabbits on our own place, particularly when theythreaten to be troublesome; and the hunt this morning was sounexpected that I did not think of the law, which might be used tomake us trouble. You killed the other rabbits on this place, Junior?"

"Yes, sir, both of 'em. "

"Well, hereafter you must look after hawks, and other enemies ofpoultry. Especially do I hope you will never fire at our usefulsong-birds. If boys throughout the country would band together toprotect game when out of season, they would soon have fine sport inthe autumn. "

In the afternoon we let Winnie and Bobsey expend their energy inmaking paths and lanes in every direction through the snow, whichwas melting rapidly in the south wind. By three o'clock the rainbegan to fall, and when darkness set in there was a gurgling soundof water on every side. Our crackling fire made the warmth andcomfort within seem tenfold more cheery. 

A hearty supper, prepared in our own kitchen, made us feel that ourhome machinery had fairly started, and we knew that it would runmore and more smoothly. March was keeping up its bad name for stormand change. The wind was again roaring, but laden now with rain, andin gusty sheets the heavy drops dashed against the windows. But ourold house kept us dry and safe, although it rocked a little in theblasts. They soon proved a lullaby for our second night at home. 

After breakfast the following morning, with Merton, Winnie, andBobsey, I started out to see if any damage had been done. The skywas still clouded, but the rain had ceased. Our rubber boots servedus well, for the earth was like an over-full sponge, while downevery little incline and hollow a stream was murmuring. 

The old barn showed the need of a good many nails to be driven hereand there, and a deal of mending. Then it would answer for corn-stalks and other coarse fodder. The new barn had been fairly built, and the interior was dry. It still contained as much hay as would beneeded for the keeping of a horse and cow until the new crop shouldbe harvested. 

"Papa, " cried Winnie, "where is the chicken place?"

"That is one of the questions we must settle at once, " I replied. "As we were coming out I saw an old coop in the orchard. We'll goand look at it. "

It was indeed old and leaky, and had poultry been there the previousnight they would have been half drowned on their perches. "Thismight do for a summer cottage for your chickens, Winnie, " Icontinued, "but never for a winter house. Let us go back to thebarn, for I think I remember a place that will just suit, with somechanges. "

Now the new barn had been built on a hillside, and had an amplebasement, from which a room extending well into the bank had beenpartitioned, thus promising all one could desire as a cellar forapples and roots. The entrance to this basement faced the east, andon each side of it was a window. To the right of the entrance weretwo cow-stalls, and to the left was an open space half full ofmouldy corn-stalks and other rubbish. 

"See here, Winnie and Merton, " I said, after a little examination, "I think we could clear out this space on the left, partition itoff, make a door, and keep the chickens here. After that window iswashed, a good deal of sunlight can come in. I've read that in coldweather poultry need warmth and light, and must be kept dry. Here wecan secure all these conditions. Having a home for ourselves, suppose we set to work to make a home for the chickens. "

This idea delighted Winnie, and pleased Merton almost as much ashunting rabbits. "Now, " I resumed, "we will go to the house and getwhat we need for the work. "

"Winifred, " I said to my wife, "can you let Winnie have a small pailof hot water and some old rags?"

"What are you up to now?"

"You know all about cleaning house; we are going to clean barn, andmake a place for Winnie's chickens. There is a window in theirfuture bedroom--roost-room I suppose I should call it--that looks asif it had never been washed, and to get off the dust of years willbe Winnie's task, while Merton, Bobsey, and I create an interiorthat should satisfy a knowing hen. We'll make nests, too, children, that will suggest to the biddies that they should proceed at once tobusiness. "

"But where are the chickens to come from?" my wife asked, as shegave the pan to Merton to carry for his sister. 

"Oh, John Jones will put me in the way of getting them soon;" and westarted out to our morning's work. Mousie looked after us wistfully, but her mother soon found light tasks for her, and she too felt thatshe was helping. "Remember, Mousie, " I said, in parting, "that Ihave three helpers, and surely mamma needs one;" and she wascontent. 

Merton at first was for pitching all the old corn-stalks out intothe yard, but I said: "That won't do. We shall need a cow as well aschickens, and these stalks must be kept dry for her bedding. We'llpile them up in the inner empty stall. You can help at that, Bobsey;" and we set to work. 

Under Winnie's quick hands more and more light came through thewindow. With a fork I lifted and shook up the stalks, and the boyscarried them to the empty stall. At last we came to rubbish that wasso damp and decayed that it would be of no service indoors, so weplaced it on a barrow and I wheeled it out to one corner of theyard. At last we came down to a hard earth floor, and with a hoethis was cleared and made smooth. 

"Merton, " I said, "I saw an old broom upstairs. Run and get it, andwe'll brush down the cobwebs and sweep out, and then we shall beready to see about the partition. "

CHAPTER XVII

GOOD BARGAINS IN MAPLE SUGAR

By eleven o'clock we had all the basement cleaned except the onecow-stall that was filled to the ceiling with litter; and Winnie hadwashed the windows. Then John Jones's lank figure darkened thedoorway, and he cried, "Hello, neighbor, what ye drivin' at?"

"Look around and see, and then tell us where to get a lot ofchickens. "

"Well, I declare! How you've slicked things up! You're not goin' toscrub the dirt floor, are you? Well, well, this looks like business--just the place for chickens. Wonder old man Jamison didn't keep 'emhere; but he didn't care for fowls. Now I think of it, there's to bea vandoo the first of the week, and there was a lot o' chickensprinted on the poster. "

I smiled. 

"Oh, I don't mean that the chickens themselves was on the poster, but a statement that a lot would be sold at auction. I'll bid 'em infor you if they're a good lot. If you, a city chap, was to bid, somestraw-bidder would raise 'em agin you. I know what they're wuth, andeverybody there'll know I do, and they'll try no sharp games withme. "

"That will suit me exactly, Mr. Jones. I don't want any game-fowlsof that kind. "

"Ha, ha! I see the p'int. Have you looked into the root-cellar?"

"Yes; we opened the door and looked, but it was dark as a pocket. "

"Well, I don't b'lieve in matches around a barn, but I'll show yousomething;" and he opened the door, struck a match, and, holding italoft, revealed a heap of turnips, another of carrots, five barrelsof potatoes, and three of apples. The children pounced upon the lastwith appetites sharpened by their morning's work. 

"You see, " resumed Mr. Jones, "these were here when old man Jamisondied. If I hadn't sold the place I should have taken them out beforelong, and got rid of what I didn't want. Now you can have the lot ata low figure, " which he named. 

"I'll take them, " I said, promptly. 

"The carrots make it look like a gold-mine, " cried Merton. 

"Well, you're wise, " resumed Mr. Jones. "You'll have to get a cowand a horse, and here's fodder for 'em handy. Perhaps I can pick 'emout for you, too, at the vandoo. You can go along, and if anythingstrikes your fancy I'll bid on it. "

"O papa, " cried the children, in chorus, "can we go with you to thevandoo?"

"Yes, I think so. When does the sale take place?"

"Next Tuesday. That's a good breed of potatoes. Jamison allus hadthe best of everything. They'll furnish you with seed, and supplyyour table till new ones come. I guess you could sell a barrel or soof apples at a rise. "

"I've found a market for them already. Look at these children; andI'm good for half a barrel myself if they don't decay too soon. Where could we find better or cheaper food? All the books say thatapples are fattening. "

"That's true of man and beast, if the books do say it. They'll keepin this cool, dark cellar longer than you'd think--longer thanyou'll let 'em, from the way they're disappearin'. I guess I'll tryone. "

"Certainly, a dozen, just as if they were still yours. "

"They wasn't mine--they belonged to the Jamison estate. I'll helpmyself now quicker'n I would before. I might come it over a liveman, you know, but not a dead one. "

"I'd trust you with either. "

While I was laughing at this phase of honesty, he resumed: "This isthe kind of place to keep apples--cool, dry, dark, even temperature. Why, they're as crisp and juicy as if just off the trees. I cameover to make a suggestion. There's a lot of sugar-maple trees onyour place, down by the brook. Why not tap 'em, and set a couple ofpots b'ilin' over your open fire? You'd kill two birds with onestone; the fire'd keep you warm, and make a lot of sugar in thebargain. I opinion, too, the children would like the fun. "

They were already shouting over the idea, but I said dubiously, "Howabout the pails to catch the sap?"

"Well, " said Mr. Jones, "I've thought of that. We've a lot of sparemilk-pails and pans, that we're not usin'. Junior understands thebusiness; and, as we're not very busy, he can help you and take hispay in sugar. "

The subject of poultry was forgotten; and the children scampered offto the house to tell of this new project. 

Before Mr. Jones and I left the basement, he said: "You don't wantany partition here at present, only a few perches for the fowls. There's a fairish shed, you remember, in the upper barnyard, andwhen 'tain't very cold or stormy the cow will do well enough therefrom this out. The weather'll be growin' milder 'most every day, andin rough spells you can put her in here. Chickens won't do her anyharm. Law sakes! when the main conditions is right, what's the useof havin' everything jes' so? It's more important to save your timeand strength and money. You'll find enough to do without one strokethat ain't needful. " Thus John Jones fulfilled his office of mentor. 

CHAPTER XVIII

BUTTERNUTS AND BOBSEY'S PERIL

I restrained the children until after dinner, which my wifehastened. By that time Junior was on hand with a small wagon-load ofpails and pans. 

"Oh, dear, I wanted you to help me this afternoon, " my wife hadsaid, but, seeing the dismayed look on the children's faces, hadadded, "Well, there's no hurry, I suppose. We are comfortable, andwe shall have stormy days when you can't be out. "

I told her that she was wiser than the queen of Sheba and did notneed to go to Solomon. 

The horse was put in the barn, for he would have mired in the longspongy lane and the meadow which we must cross. So we decided to runthe light wagon down by hand. 

Junior had the auger with which to bore holes in the trees. "Itapped 'em last year, as old Mr. Jamison didn't care about doin'it, " said the boy, "an' I b'iled the pot of sap down in the grove;but that was slow, cold work. I saved the little wooden troughs Iused last year, and they are in one of the pails. I brought over abig kittle, too, which mother let me have, and if we can keep thisand yours a-goin', we'll soon have some sugar. "

Away we went, down the lane, Junior and Merton in the shafts, playing horses. I pushed in some places, and held back in others, while Winnie and Bobsey picked their way between puddles andquagmires. The snow was so nearly gone that it lay only on thenorthern slopes. We had heard the deep roar of the Moodna Creek allthe morning, and had meant to go and see it right after breakfast;but providing a chickenhome had proved a greater attraction to thechildren, and a better investment of time for me. Now from the topof the last hillside we saw a great flood rushing by with a hoarse, surging noise. 

"Winnie, Bobsey, if you go near the water without me you marchstraight home, " I cried. 

They promised never to go, but I thought Bobsey protested a littletoo much. Away we went down the hill, skirting what was now a good-sized brook. I knew the trees, from a previous visit; and the maple, when once known, can be picked out anywhere, so genial, mellow, andgenerous an aspect has it, even when leafless. 

The roar of the creek and the gurgle of the brook made genuine Marchmusic, and the children looked and acted as if there were nothingleft to be desired. When Junior showed them a tree that appeared tobe growing directly out of a flat rock, they expressed a wonderwhich no museum could have excited. 

But scenery, and even rural marvels, could not keep their attentionlong. All were intent on sap and sugar, and Junior was speedily atwork. The moment he broke the brittle, juicy bark, the tree's life-blood began to flow. 

"See, " he cried, "they are like cows wanting to be milked. "

As fast as he inserted his little wooden troughs into the trees, weplaced pails and pans under them, and began harvesting the firstcrop from our farm. 

This was rather slow work, and to keep Winnie and Bobsey busy I toldthem they could gather sticks and leaves, pile them up at the footof a rock on a dry hillside, and we would have a fire. I meanwhilepicked up the dead branches that strewed the ground, and with my axetrimmed them for use in summer, when only a quick blaze would beneeded to boil the supper kettle. To city-bred eyes wood seemed arare luxury, and although there was enough lying about to supply usfor a year, I could not get over the feeling that it must all becared for. 

To children there are few greater delights than that of building afire in the woods, and on that cloudy, chilly day our blaze againstthe rock brought solid comfort to us all, even though the smoke didget into our eyes. Winnie and Bobsey, little bundles of energy thatthey were, seemed unwearied in feeding the flames, while Mertonsought to hide his excitement by imitating Junior's stolid, business-like ways. 

Finding him alone once, I said: "Merton, don't you remember sayingto me once, 'I'd like to know what there is for a boy to do in thisstreet'? Don't you think there's something for a boy to do on thisfarm?"

"O papa!" he cried, "I'm just trying to hold in. So much hashappened, and I've had such a good time, that it seems as if I hadbeen here a month; then again the hours pass like minutes. See, thesun is low already. "

"It's all new and exciting now, Merton, but there will be longhours--yes, days and weeks--when you'll have to act like a man, andto do work because it ought to be done and must be done. "

"The same would be true if we stayed in town, " he said. 

Soon I decided that it was time for the younger children to return, for I meant to give my wife all the help I could before bedtime. Wefirst hauled the wagon back, and then Merton said he would bringwhat sap had been caught. Junior had to go home for a time to do hisevening "chores, " but he promised to return before dark to helpcarry in the sap. 

"There'll be frost to-night, and we'll get the biggest run in themorning, " was his encouraging remark, as he made ready to depart. 

Mrs. Jones had been over to see my wife, and they promised to becomegood friends. I set to work putting things in better shape, andbringing in a good pile of wood. Merton soon appeared with abrimming pail. A kettle was hung on the crane, but before the sapwas placed over the fire all must taste it, just as it had beendistilled by nature. And all were quickly satisfied. Even Mousiesaid it was "too watery, " and Winnie made a face as she exclaimed, "I declare, Merton, I believe you filled the pails from the brook!"

"Patience, youngsters; sap, as well as some other things, is betterfor boiling down. "

"Oh what a remarkable truth!" said my wife, who never lost a chanceto give me a little dig. 

I laughed, and then stood still in the middle of the floor, lost inthought. 

"A brown study! What theory have you struck now, Robert?"

"I was thinking how some women kept their husbands in love with themby being saucy. It's an odd way, and yet it seems effective. "

"It depends upon the kind of sauce, Robert, " she said with a knowingglance and a nod. 

By the time it was dark, we had both the kettles boiling andbubbling over the fire, and fine music they made. With Junior forguest, we enjoyed our supper, which consisted principally of bakedapples and milk. 

"'Bubble, bubble, ' 'Toil' and no 'trouble'--"

"Yet, worth speaking of, " said my wife; "but it must come, Isuppose. "

"We won't go half-way to meet it, Winifred. "

When the meal was over, Junior went out on the porch and returnedwith a mysterious sack. 

"Butternuts!" he ejaculated. 

Junior was winning his way truly, and in the children's eyes wasalready a good genius, as his father was in mine. 

"O papa!" was the general cry, "can't we crack them on the hearth?"

"But you'll singe your very eyebrows off, " I said. 

"Mine's so white 'twouldn't matter, " said Junior; "nobody'd miss'em. Give me a hammer, and I'll keep you goin'. "

And he did, on one of the stones of the hearth, with such a livelyrat-tat-snap! that it seemed a regular rhythm. 

"Cracked in my life well-nigh on to fifty bushel, I guess, " heexplained, in answer to our wonder at his skill. 

And so the evening passed, around the genial old fireplace; andbefore the children retired they smacked their lips over sirup sweetenough to satisfy them. 

The following morning--Saturday--I vibrated between the sugar-campand the barn and other out-buildings, giving, however, most of thetime to the help of my wife in getting the house more to her mind, and in planning some work that would require a brief visit from acarpenter; for I felt that I must soon bestow nearly all myattention on the outdoor work. I managed to keep Bobsey under my eyefor the most part, and in the afternoon I left him for only a fewmoments at the sugar-bush while I carried up some sap. A man calledto see me on business, and I was detained. Knowing the littlefellow's proneness to mischief, and forgetfulness of all commands, Iat last hastened back with a half guilty and worried feeling. 

I reached the brow of the hill just in time to see him throw a stickinto the creek, lose his balance, and fall in. 

With an exclamation of terror, his own cry forming a faint echo, Isprang forward frantically, but the swift current caught and borehim away. 

CHAPTER XIX

JOHN JONES, JUN

My agonized shout as I saw Bobsey swept away by the swollen currentof the Moodna Creek was no more prompt than his own shrill scream. It so happened, or else a kind Providence so ordered it, that Juniorwas further down the stream, tapping a maple that had beenoverlooked the previous day. He sprang to his feet, whirled aroundin the direction of the little boy's cry, with the quickness ofthought rushed to the bank and plunged in with a headlong leap likea Newfoundland dog. I paused, spellbound, to watch him, knowing thatI was much too far away to be of aid, and that all now depended onthe hardy country lad. He disappeared for a second beneath the tide, and then his swift strokes proved that he was a good swimmer. In amoment or two he caught up with Bobsey, for the current was tooswift to permit the child to sink. Then, with a wisdom resultingfrom experience, he let the torrent carry him in a long slant towardthe shore, for it would have been hopeless to try to stem the tide. Running as I never ran before, I followed, reached the bank wherethere was an eddy in the stream, sprang in up to my waist, seizedthem both as they approached and dragged them to solid ground. Merton and Winnie meanwhile stood near with white, scared faces. 

Bobsey was conscious, although he had swallowed some water, and Iwas soon able to restore him, so that he could stand on his feet andcry: "I--I--I w-won't d-do so any--any more. "

Instead of punishing him, which he evidently expected, I clasped himto my heart with a nervous force that almost made him cry out withpain. 

Junior, meanwhile, had coolly seated himself on a rock, emptied thewater out of his shoes, and was tying them on again, at the sametime striving with all his might to maintain a stolid composureunder Winnie's grateful embraces and Merton's interrupting hand-shakings. But when, having become assured of Bobsey's safety, Irushed forward and embraced Junior in a transport of gratitude, hislip began to quiver and two great tears mingled with the water thatwas dripping from his hair. Suddenly he broke away, took to hisheels, and ran toward his home, as if he had been caught in somemischief and the constable were after him. I believe that he wouldrather have had at once all the strappings his father had ever givenhim than to have cried in our presence. 

I carried Bobsey home, and his mother, with many questionings andexclamations of thanksgiving, undressed the little fellow, wrappedhim in flannel, and put him to bed, where he was soon sleeping asquietly as if nothing had happened. 

Mrs. Jones came over, and we made her rubicund face beam and growmore round, if possible, as we all praised her boy. I returned withher, for I felt that I wished to thank Junior again and again. Buthe saw me coming, and slipped out at the back door. Indeed, thebrave, bashful boy was shy of us for several days. When at last mywife got hold of him, and spoke to him in a manner natural tomothers, he pooh-poohed the whole affair. 

"I've swum in that crick so often that it was nothin' to me. I onlyhad to keep cool, and that was easy enough in snow water, and theswift current would keep us both up. I wish you wouldn't sayanything more about it. It kinder makes me feel--I don't know how--all over, you know. "

But Junior soon learned that we had adopted him into our inmosthearts, although he compelled us to show our good-will after his ownoff-hand fashion. 

Sunday was ushered in with another storm, and we spent a long, quiet, restful day, our hearts full of thankfulness that the greatsorrow, which might have darkened the beginning of our country life, had been so happily averted. 

On Sunday night the wind veered around to the north, and on Mondaymorning the sky had a clear metallic hue and the ground was frozenhard. Bobsey had not taken cold, and was his former self, exceptthat he was somewhat chastened in spirit and his bump of caution waslarger. I was resolved that the day should witness a good beginningof our spring work, and told Winnie and Bobsey that they could helpme. Junior, although he yet avoided the house, was ready enough tohelp Merton with the sap. Therefore soon after breakfast we all werebusy. 

Around old country places, especially where there has been somedegree of neglect, much litter gathers. This was true of our newhome and its surroundings. All through the garden were dry, unsightly weeds, about the house was shrubbery that had becometangled masses of unpruned growth, in the orchard the ground wasstrewn with fallen branches, and I could see dead limbs on many ofthe trees. 

Therefore I said to my two little helpers: "Here in this open spacein the garden we will begin our brush-pile, and we will bring to itall the refuse that we wish to burn. You see that we can make animmense heap, for the place is so far away from any buildings that, when the wind goes down, we can set the pile on fire in safety, andthe ashes will do the garden good. "

During the whole forenoon I pruned the shrubbery, and raked up therubbish which the children carried by armfuls to our prospectivebonfire. They soon wished to see the blaze, but I told them that thewind was too high, and that I did not propose to apply the matchuntil we had a heap half as big as the house; that it might beseveral days before we should be ready, for I intended to have atremendous fire. 

Thus with the lesson of restraint was given the hope of somethingwonderful. For a long time they were pleased with the novelty of thework, and then they wanted to do something else, but I said: "No, no; you are gardeners now, and I'm head gardener. You must both helpme till dinner-time. After that you can do something else, or playif you choose; but each day, even Bobsey must do some steady work toearn his dinner. We didn't come to the country on a picnic, I cantell you. All must do their best to help make a living;" and sowithout scruple I kept my little squad busy, for the work was light, although it had become monotonous. 

Mousie sometimes aided her mother, and again watched us from thewindow with great interest. I rigged upon the barrow a rack, inwhich I wheeled the rubbish gathered at a distance; and by the timemy wife's mellow voice called, "Come to dinner"--how sweet her voiceand summons were after long hours in the keen March wind!--we had apile much higher than my head, and the place began to wear a tidyaspect. 

Such appetites, such red cheeks and rosy noses as the outdoorworkers brought to that plain meal! Mousie was much pleased with thepromise that the bonfire should not be lighted until some still, mild day when she could go out and stand with me beside it. 

Merton admitted that gathering the sap did not keep him busy morethan half the time; so after dinner I gave him a hatchet, and toldhim to go on with the trimming out of the fallen branches in ourwood lot--a task that I had begun--and to carry all wood heavyenough for our fireplace to a spot where it could be put into awagon. 

"Your next work, Merton, will be to collect all your refusetrimmings, and the brush lying about, into a few great heaps; and byand by we'll burn these, too, and gather up the ashes carefully, forI've read and heard all my life that there is nothing better forfruit then wood-ashes. Some day, I hope, we can begin to put moneyin the bank; for I intend to give all a chance to earn money forthemselves, after they have done their share toward our generaleffort to live and thrive. The next best thing to putting money inthe bank is the gathering and saving of everything that will makethe ground richer. In fact, all the papers and books that I've readthis winter agree that as the farmer's land grows rich he growsrich. "

CHAPTER XX

RASPBERRY LESSONS

It must be remembered that I had spent all my leisure during thewinter in reading and studying the problem of our country life. Therefore I knew that March was the best month for pruning trees, and I had gained a fairly correct idea how to do this work. Untilwithin the last two or three years of his life, old Mr. Jamison hadattended to this task quite thoroughly; and thus little was left forme beyond sawing away the boughs that had recently died, and cuttingout the useless sprouts on the larger limbs. Before leaving the cityI had provided myself with such tools as I was sure I should need;and finding a ladder under a shed, I attacked the trees vigorously. The wind had almost died out, and I knew I must make the most of allstill days in this gusty month. After playing around for a time, Winnie and Bobsey concluded that gathering and piling up my pruningswould be as good fun as anything else; and so I had helpers again. 

By the middle of the afternoon Mr. Jones appeared, and I was glad tosee him, for there were some kinds of work about which I wanted hisadvice. At one end of the garden were several rows of blackcapraspberry bushes, which had grown into an awful snarl. The old canesthat had borne fruit the previous season were still standing, raggedand unsightly; the new stalks that would bear the coming seasonsprawled in every direction; and I had found that many tips of thebranches had grown fast in the ground. I took my neighbor to seethis briery wilderness, and asked his advice. 

"Have you got a pair of pruning-nippers?" he asked. 

Before going to the house to get them, I blew a shrill whistle tosummon Merton, for I wished him also to hear all that Mr. Jonesmight say. I carried a little metallic whistle one blast on whichwas for Merton, two for Winnie, and three for Bobsey. When theyheard this call they were to come as fast as their feet could carrythem. 

Taking the nippers, Mr. Jones snipped off from one-third to one-halfthe length of the branches from one of the bushes and cut out theold dead cane. 

"I raise these berries myself for home use, " he said; "and I cantell you they go nice with milk for a July supper. You see, aftertaking off so much from these long branches the canes stand straightup, and will be self-supporting, no matter how many berries theybear; but here and there's a bush that has grown slant-wise, or isbroken off. Now, if I was you, I'd take a crow-bar 'n' make a hole'longside these weakly and slantin' fellers, put in a stake, and tie'em up strong. Then, soon as the frost yields, if you'll get out thegrass and weeds that's started among 'em, you'll have a dozen bushelor more of marketable berries from this 'ere wilderness, as you callit. Give Merton a pair of old gloves, and he can do most of the job. Every tip that's fast in the ground is a new plant. If you want toset out another patch, I'll show you how later on. "

"I think I know pretty nearly how to do that. "

"Yes, yes, I know. Books are a help, I s'pose, but after you've seenone plant set out right, you'll know more than if you'd 'a' read amonth. "

"Well, now that you're here, Mr. Jones, I'm going to make the mostof you. How about those other raspberries off to the southeast ofthe house?"

"Those are red ones. Let's take a look at 'em. "

Having reached the patch, we found almost as bad a tangle as in theblackcap patch, except that the canes were more upright in theirgrowth and less full of spines or briers. 

"It's plain enough, " continued Mr. Jones, "that old man Jamison wastoo poorly to take much care of things last year. You see, these redraspberries grow different from those black ones yonder. Thoseincrease by the tips of the branches takin' root; these by suckers. All these young shoots comin' up between the rows are suckers, andthey ought to be dug out. As I said before, you can set them outsomewhere else if you want to. Dig 'em up, you know; make a trenchin some out-of-the-way place, and bury the roots till you want 'em. Like enough the neighbors will buy some if they know you have 'em tospare. Only be sure to cut these long canes back to within sixinches of the ground. "

"Yes, " I said, "that's all just as I have read in the books. "

"So much the better for the books, then. I haven't lived in thisfruit-growin' region all my life without gettin' some ideas as towhat's what. I give my mind to farmin'; but Jamison and I were greatcronies, and I used to be over here every day or two, and so it'snatural to keep comin'. "

"That's my good luck. "

"Well, p'raps it'll turn out so. Now Merton's just the right age tohelp you in all this work. Jamison, you see, grew these raspberriesin a continuous bushy row; that is, say, three good strong canesevery eighteen inches apart in the row, and the rows five feetapart, so he could run a horse-cultivator between. Are you catchin'on, Merton?"

"Yes, sir, " said the boy, with much interest. 

"Well, all these suckers and extra plants that are swampin' theground are just as bad as weeds. Dig 'em all out, only don't disturbthe roots of the bearin' canes you leave in the rows much. "

"How about trimming these?" I asked. 

"Well, that depends. If you want early fruit, you'll let 'em standas they be; if you want big berries, you'll cut 'em back one-third. Let me see. Here's five rows of Highland Hardy; miserable poor-tastin' kind; but they come so early that they often pay the best. Let them stand with their whole length of cane, and if you canscatter a good top-dressin' of fine manure scraped up from thebarnyard, you'll make the berries larger. Those other rows ofCuthbert, Reliance, and Turner, cut back the canes one-third, andyou'll get a great deal more fruit than if you left more wood on'em. Cuttin' back'll make the berries big; and so they'll bring asmuch, p'raps, as if they were early. "

"Well, Merton, this all accords with what I've read, only Mr. Jonesmakes it much clearer. I think we know how to go to work now, andsurely there's plenty to do. "

"Yes, indeed, " resumed Mr. Jones; "and you'll soon find the workcrowdin' you. Now come to the big raspberry patch back of the barn, the patch where the canes are all laid down, as I told you. Theseare Hudson River Antwerps. Most people have gone out of 'em, butJamison held on, and he was makin' money on 'em. So may you. Theyare what we call tender, you see, and in November they must be bentdown close to the ground and covered with earth, or else every canewould be dead from frost by spring. About the first week in April, if the weather's mild, you must uncover 'em, and tie 'em to stakesdurin' the month. "

"Now, Mr. Jones, one other good turn and we won't bother you anymore to-day. All the front of the house is covered by two big grape-vines that have not been trimmed, and there are a great many othervines on the place. I've read and read on the subject, but I declareI'm afraid to touch them. "

"Now, you're beyond my depth. I've got a lot of vines home, and Itrim 'em in my rough way, but I know I ain't scientific, and we havepretty poor, scraggly bunches. They taste just as good, though, andI don't raise any to sell. There's a clever man down near thelandin' who has a big vineyard, and he's trimmed it as your vinesought to have been long ago. I'd advise you to go and see him, andhe can show you all the latest wrinkles in prunin'. Now, I'll tellyou what I come for, in the first place. You'll remember that I saidthere'd be a vandoo to-morrow. I've been over and looked at thestock offered. There's a lot of chickens, as I told you; a likely-looking cow with a calf at her side; a fairish and quiet old horsethat ought to go cheap, but he'd answer well the first year. Do youthink you'll get more'n one horse to start with?"

"No; you said I could hire such heavy plowing as was needed at amoderate sum, and I think we can get along with one horse for atime. My plan is to go slow, and, I hope, sure. "

"That's the best way, only it ain't common. I'll be around in themornin' for you and such of the children as you'll take. "

"On one condition, Mr. Jones. You must let me pay you for your timeand trouble. Unless you'll do this in giving me my start, I'll haveto paddle my own canoe, even if I sink it. "

"Oh, I've no grudge against an honest penny turned in any way thatcomes handy. You and I can keep square as we go along. You can giveme what you think is right, and if I ain't satisfied, I'll say so. "

I soon learned that my neighbor had no foolish sensitiveness. Icould pay him what I thought the value of his services, and hepocketed the money without a word. Of course, I could not pay himwhat his advice was really worth, for his hard common-sense stood mein good stead in many ways. 

CHAPTER XXI

THE "VANDOO"

The next morning at about eight o'clock Mr. Jones arrived in a longfarm-wagon on springs, with one seat in it; but Junior had halffilled its body with straw, and he said to Merton, "I thought thatp'raps, if you and the children could go, you'd like a straw-ride. "

The solemnity with which Winnie and Bobsey promised to obey ordersgave some hope of performance; so I tossed them into the straw, andwe drove away, a merry party, leaving Mousie consoled with the hopeof receiving something from the vendue. 

"There's allers changes and breakin's up in the spring, " said Mr. Jones, as we drove along; "and this family's goin' out West. Everything is to be sold, in doors and out. "

The farmhouse in question was about two miles away. By the time wearrived, all sorts of vehicles were converging to it on the muddyroads, for the weather had become mild again. Stylish-looking peopledrove up in top-buggies, and there were many heavy, springlesswagons driven by rusty-looking countrymen, whose trousers werethrust into the top of their cowhide boots. I strolled through thehouse before the sale began, thinking that I might find somethingthere which would please Mousie and my wife. The rooms were alreadyhalf filled with the housewives from the vicinity; red-faced Irishwomen, who stalked about and examined everything with great freedom;placid, peach-cheeked dames in Quaker bonnets, who softly cooedtogether, and took every chance they could to say pleasant words tothe flurried, nervous family that was being thrust out into theworld, as it were, while still at their own hearth. 

I marked with my eye a low, easy sewing-chair for my wife, and arose geranium, full of bloom, for Mousie, purposing to bid on them. I also observed that Junior was examining several pots of flowersthat stood in the large south window. Then giving Merton charge ofthe children, with directions not to lose sight of them a moment, Iwent to the barn-yard and stable, feeling that the day was acritical one in our fortunes. True enough, among the other stockthere was a nice-looking cow with a calf, and Mr. Jones said she hadJersey blood in her veins. This meant rich, creamy milk. I thoughtthe animal had a rather ugly eye, but this might be caused byanxiety for her calf, with so many strangers about. We also examinedthe old bay horse and a market wagon and harness. Then Mr. Jones andI drew apart and agreed upon the limit of his bids, for I proposedto act solely through him. Every one knew him and was aware that hewould not go a cent beyond what a thing was worth. He had a word anda jest for all, and "How ARE YOU, JOHN?" greeted him wherever hewent. 

At ten o'clock the sale began. The auctioneer was a rustic humorist, who knew the practical value of a joke in his business. Aware of thefoibles and characteristics of the people who flocked around andafter him, he provoked many a ripple and roar of laughter by histelling hits and droll speeches. I found that my neighbor, Mr. Jones, came in for his full share, but he always sent back as goodas he received. The sale, in fact, had the aspect of a countrymerrymaking, at which all sorts and conditions of people met oncommon ground, Pat bidding against the best of the landed gentry, while boys and dogs innumerable played around and sometimes vergedon serious quarrels. 

Junior, I observed, left his mark before the day was over. He wasstanding, watching the sale with his usual impassive expression, when a big, hulking fellow leered into his face and cried. 

"Tow head, white-head, Thick-head, go to bed. "

The last word was scarcely out of his mouth before Junior's fist wasbetween his eyes, and down he went. 

"Want any more?" Junior coolly asked, as the fellow got up. 

Evidently he didn't, for he slunk off, followed by jeers andlaughter. 

At noon there was an immense pot of coffee with crackers and cheese, placed on a table near the kitchen door, and we had a free lunch. Tothis Bobsey paid his respects so industriously that a great, gawkymountaineer looked down at him and said, with a grin, "I say, young'un, you're gettin' outside of more fodder than any critter of yoursize I ever knowed. "

"'Tain't your fodder, " replied Bobsey, who had learned, in thestreets, to be a little pert. 

The day came to an end at last, and the cow and calf, the old bayhorse, the wagon, and the harness were mine. On the whole, Mr. Joneshad bought them at reasonable rates. He also bid in for me, at onedollar per pair, two cocks and twenty hens that looked fairly wellin their coop. 

For my part, I had secured the chair and blooming geranium. To mysurprise, when the rest of the flowers were sold, Junior took partin the bidding for the first time, and, as a result, carried out tothe wagon several other pots of house-plants. 

"Why, Junior, " I said, "I didn't know you had such an eye forbeauty. "

He blushed, but made no reply. 

The chickens and the harness were put into Mr. Jones's conveyance, the wagon I had bought was tied on behind, and we jogged homeward, the children exulting over our new possessions. When I took in thegeranium bush and put it on the table by the sunny kitchen window, Junior followed with an armful of his plants. 

"They're for Mousie, " he said; and before the delighted child couldthank him, he darted out. 

Indeed, it soon became evident that Mousie was Junior's favorite. She never said much to him, but she looked a great deal. To thelittle invalid girl he seemed the embodiment of strength andcleverness, and, perhaps because he was so strong, his sympathieswent out toward the feeble child. 

The coop of chickens was carried to the basement that we had madeready, and Winnie declared that she meant to "hear the first crowand get the first egg. "

The next day the horse and the cow and calf were brought over, andwe felt that we were fairly launched in our country life. 

"You have a bigger family to look after outdoors than I haveindoors, " my wife said, laughingly. 

I was not long in learning that some of my outdoor family wereanything but amiable. The two cocks fought and fought until Junior, who had run over before night, showed Merton that by ducking theirheads in cold water their belligerent spirit could be partiallyquenched. Then he proceeded to give me a lesson in milking. The calfwas shut up away from the cow, which was driven into a corner, whereshe stood with signs of impatience while Junior, seated on a three-legged stool, essayed to obtain the nectar we all so dearly loved. At first he did not succeed very well. 

"She won't let it down--she's keepin' it for the calf, " said theboy. But at last she relented, and the white streams flowed. "Now, "said Junior to me, "you see how I do it. You try. "

As I took his place, I noticed that Brindle turned on me a viciouslook. No doubt I was awkward and hurt her a little, also; for thefirst thing I knew the pail was in the air, I on my back, andBrindle bellowing around the yard, switching her tail, Junior andMerton meanwhile roaring with laughter. I got up in no amiable moodand said, roughly, to the boys, "Quit that nonsense. "

But they couldn't obey, and at last I had to join in the laugh. 

"Why, she's ugly as sin, " said Junior. "I'll tell you what to do. Let her go with her calf now, and in the morning we'll drive herdown to one of the stalls in the basement of the barn and fasten herby the head. Then we can milk her without risk. After her calf isgone she'll be a great deal tamer. "

This plan was carried out, and it worked pretty well, although itwas evident that, from some cause, the cow was wild and vicious. Oneof my theories is, that all animals can be subdued by kindness. Mr. Jones advised me to dispose of Brindle, but I determined to test mytheory first. Several times a day I would go to the barn-yard andgive her a carrot or a whisp of hay from my hand, and she graduallybecame accustomed to me, and would come at my call. A week later Isold her calf to a butcher, and for a few days she lowed and mourneddeeply, to Mousie's great distress. But carrots consoled her, andwithin three weeks she would let me stroke her, and both Merton andI could milk her without trouble. I believe she had been treatedharshly by her former owners. 

CHAPTER XXII

EARLY APRIL GARDENING

Spring was coming on apace, and we all made the most of everypleasant hour. The second day after the auction proved a fine one;and leaving Winnie and Merton in charge of the house, I took mywife, with Bobsey and Mousie, who was well bundled up, to see thescientific grape-grower, and to do some shopping. At the same timewe assured ourselves that we were having a pleasure-drive; and itdid me good to see how the mother and daughter, who had been keptindoors so long, enjoyed themselves. Mr. Jones was right. I receivedbetter and clearer ideas of vine-pruning in half an hour fromstudying work that had been properly done, and by asking questionsof a practical man, than I could ever have obtained by reading. Wefound that the old bay horse jogged along, at as good a gait as wecould expect, over the muddy road, and I was satisfied that he wasquiet enough for my wife to drive him after she had learned how, andgained a little confidence. She held the reins as we drove home, and, in our own yard, I gave her some lessons in turning around, backing, etc. 

"Some day, " I said, "you shall have a carriage and a gay younghorse. " When we sat down to supper, I was glad to see that a littlecolor was dawning in Mousie's face. 

The bundles we brought home supplemented our stores of needfularticles, and our life began to take on a regular routine. Thecarpenter came and put up the shelves, and made such changes as mywife desired; then he aided me in repairing the out-buildings. Ifinished pruning the trees, while Merton worked manfully at theraspberries, for we saw that this was a far more pressing task thangathering wood, which could be done to better advantage in the lateautumn. Every morning Winnie and Bobsey were kept steadily busy incarrying our trimmings to the brush heap, which now began to assumevast proportions, especially as the refuse from the grape-vine andraspberry bushes was added to it. As the ground became settled afterthe frost was out, I began to set the stakes by the side of suchraspberry canes as needed tying up; and here was a new light taskfor the two younger children. Bobsey's little arms could go aroundthe canes and hold them close to the stake, while Winnie, a sturdychild, quickly tied them with a coarse, cheap string that I hadbought for the purpose. Even my wife came out occasionally andhelped us at this work. By the end of the last week in March I hadall the fruit-trees fairly pruned and the grape-vines trimmed andtied up, and had given Merton much help among the raspberries. Inshallow boxes of earth on the kitchen table, cabbage, lettuce, andtomato seeds were sprouting beside Mousie's plants. The little girlhailed with delight every yellowish green germ that appeared abovethe soil. 

The hens had spent their first few days in inspecting their quartersand becoming familiar with them; but one morning there was a noisycackle, and Winnie soon came rushing in with three fresh-laid eggs. A week later we had all we could use, and my wife began to put someby for the first brooding biddies to sit upon. 

The first day of April promised to be unusually dry and warm, and Isaid at the breakfast table: "This is to be a great day. We'll provethat we are not April-fools by beginning our garden. I was satisfiedyesterday that a certain warm slope was dry enough to dig and plantwith hardy vegetables, and I've read and studied over and over againwhich to plant first, and how to plant them. I suppose I shall makemistakes, but I wish you all to see how I do it, and then by nextspring we shall have learned from experience how to do better. Nodoubt, some things might have been planted before, but we've allbeen too busy. Now, Merton, you go and harness old Bay to the cart Ibought with the place, and I'll get out my treasure of seeds. Mousie, by ten o'clock, if the sun keeps out of the clouds, you canput on your rubbers and join us. "

Soon all was bustle and excitement. Among my seeds were two quartsof red and two of white onion sets, or little bits of onions, whichI had kept in a cool place, so that they should not sprout beforetheir time. These I took out first. Then with Merton I went to thebarn-yard and loaded up the cart with the finest and most decayedmanure we could find, and this was dumped on the highest part of theslope that I meant to plant. 

"Now, Merton, I guess you can get another load, while I spread thisheap and begin to dig;" and he went off with the horse and cart, having an increased idea of his importance. I marked a long strip ofthe sunny slope, fifteen feet wide, and spread the manure evenly andthickly, for I had read, and my own sense confirmed the view, that alittle ground well enriched would yield more than a good deal ofpoor land. I then dug till my back ached; and I found that it beganto ache pretty soon, for I was not accustomed to such toil. 

"After the first seeds are in, " I muttered, "I'll have the rest ofthe garden plowed. "

When I had dug down about four feet of the strip, I concluded torest myself by a change of labor; so I took the rake and smoothedoff the ground, stretched a garden line across it, and, with asharp-pointed hoe, made a shallow trench, or drill. 

"Now, Winnie and Bobsey, " I said, "it is time for you to do yourpart. Just stick these little onions in the trench about four inchesapart;" and I gave each of them a little stick of the right lengthto measure the distance; for they had vague ideas of four inches. "Be sure, " I continued, "that you get the bottom of the onion down. This is the top, and this is the bottom. Press the onion in the soiljust enough to make it stand firm, so. That's right. Oh, you'relearning fast. Now I can rest, you see, while you do the planting. "

In a few moments they had stuck the fifteen feet of shallow trench, or drill, full of onions, which I covered with earth, packing itlightly with my hoe. I then moved the line fourteen inches furtherdown and made another shallow drill. In this way we soon had all theonion sets in the ground. Merton came back with his load in time tosee how it was done, and nodded his head approvingly. I now feltrested enough to dig awhile, and Merton started off to the barn-yardagain. We next sowed, in even shallower drills, the little onionseed that looked like gunpowder, for my garden book said that theearlier this was planted the better. We had completed only a fewrows when Mr. Jones appeared, and said: "Plantin' onions here? Why, neighbor, this ground is too dry and light for onions. "

"Is it? Well, I knew I'd make mistakes. I haven't used near all myonion seed yet, however. "

"Oh, well, no great harm's done. You've made the ground rich, and, if we have a moist season, like enough they'll do well. P'raps it'sthe best thing, after all, 'specially if you've put in the seedthick, as most people do. Let 'em all grow, and you'll have a lot oflittle onions, or sets, of your own raisin' to plant early nextspring. Save the rest of your seed until you have some rich, strong, deep soil ready. I came over to say that if this weather holds a dayor two longer I'll plow the garden; and I thought I'd tell you, sothat you might get ready for me. The sooner you get your earlypertaters in the better. "

"Your words almost take the ache out of my back, " I said. "I fear weshouldn't have much of a garden if I had to dig it all, but Ithought I'd make a beginning with a few early vegetables. "

"That's well enough, but a plow beats a fork all hollow. You'll knowwhat I mean when you see my plow going down to the beam andloosenin' the ground from fifteen to twenty inches. So burn your bigbrush-pile, and get out what manure you're goin' to put in thegarden, and I'll be ready when you are. "

"All right. Thank you. I'll just plant some radishes, peas, andbeans. "

"Not beans yet, Mr. Durham. Don't put those in till the last of themonth, and plant them very shallow when you do. "

"How one forgets when there's not much experience to fall back upon!I now remember that my book said that beans, in this latitude, should not be planted until about the 1st of May. "

"And lima beans not till the 10th of May, " added Mr. Jones. "Youmight put in a few early beets here, although the ground is ratherlight for 'em. You could put your main crop somewhere else. Well, let me know when you're ready. Junior and me are drivin' things, too, this mornin';" and he stalked away, whistling a hymn-tune inrather lively time. 

I said: "Youngsters, I think I'll get my garden book and be sure I'mright about sowing the radish and beet seed and the peas. Mr. Joneshas rather shaken my confidence. "

When Merton came with the next load I told him that he could put thehorse in the stable and help us. As a result, we soon had severalrows of radishes and beets sown, fourteen inches apart. We plantedthe seed only an inch deep, and packed the ground lightly over it. Mousie, to her great delight, was allowed to drop a few of theseeds. Merton was ambitious to take the fork, but I soon stoppedhim, and said: "Digging is too heavy work for you, my boy. There isenough that you can do without overtaxing yourself. We must all actlike good soldiers. The campaign of work is just opening, and itwould be very foolish for any of us to disable ourselves at thestart. We'll plant only half a dozen rows of these dwarf peas thismorning, and then this afternoon we'll have the bonfire and getready for Mr. Jones's plow. "

At the prospect of the bonfire the younger children set up shouts ofexultation, which cheered me on as I turned over the soil with thefork, although often stopping to rest. My back ached, but my heartwas light. In my daily work now I had all my children about me, andtheir smaller hands were helping in the most practical way. Theirvoices were as joyous as the notes of the robins, song-sparrows, andbluebirds that were singing all about us. A soft haze half obscuredthe mountains, and mellowed the sunshine. From the springing grassand fresh-turned soil came odors sweet as those which made Edenfragrant after "a mist went up from the earth and watered the wholeface of the ground. "

All the children helped to plant the peas, which we placed carefullyand evenly, an inch apart, in the row, and covered with two inchesof soil, the rows being two feet distant one from another. I haddecided to plant chiefly McLean's Little Gem, because they needed nostakes or brush for support. We were almost through our task when, happening to look toward the house, I saw my wife standing in thedoorway, a framed picture. 

"Dinner, " she called, in a voice as sweet to me as that of the robinsinging in the cherry-tree over her head. 

The children stampeded for the house, Winnie crying: "Hurry up, mamma, for right after dinner papa will set the great brush-pile onfire, and we're going to dance round it like Indians. You must comeout, too. "

CHAPTER XXIII

A BONFIRE AND A FEAST

It amused and interested me to see upon the children's faces such aneager expectancy as they hurried through our midday meal. Nothinggreater than a bonfire was in prospect, yet few costly pleasurescould have afforded them such excitement. I found myself sharing intheir anticipation to a degree that surprised me, and was led to askmyself why it is that outdoor pursuits often take so strong a holdupon the fancy. I recalled traits shown by one of my formeremployers. He was a gray-headed man, possessing great wealth and anelegant city home, while his mind was occupied by a vast andcomplicated business. When he learned that I was going to thecountry, he would often come to me, and, with kindling eyes andanimated tones, talk of his chickens, cows, fruit-trees and crops. He proved that the best product of his farm was the zest it broughthim into his life--a zest that was failing in his other occupationsand interests. What was true of him I knew to be equally so of manyothers to whom wealth brings no greater luxury than the ability toindulge in expensive farming. A lifetime in the city does notdestroy the primal instinct which leads men to the soil nor does ahandsome dividend from stocks give the unalloyed pleasure awakenedby a basket of fresh eggs or fruit. This love of the earth is notearthiness, but has been the characteristic of the best and greatestminds. Washington would turn from the anxieties of a campaign andthe burdens of state to read, with absorbing interest, the reportsof the agent who managed his plantation, and to write out theminutest details for the overseer's guidance. 

In my limited way and sphere I was under the influence of the sameimpulses; and, as I looked around the table at those so dear to me, I felt that I had far more at stake. I had not come back to Naturemerely to amuse myself or to gratify a taste, but to co-work withher in fulfilling the most sacred duties. With the crops of thecoming years these children must be nourished and fitted for theirpart in life, and I felt that all my faculties must be employed toproduce the best results from my open-air toil. 

Therefore, why should not I also be interested in the prospectivebonfire? It would transmute the unsightly rubbish of the place intofertilizing ashes, and clear the ground for the plow. The mellowsoil would produce that which would give brain and muscle--life tothose whose lives were dear. 

He who spreads his table with food secured by his own hands directfrom nature should feel a strong incentive to do his best. Thecoarse, unvaried diet, common to many farmers' homes, is the resultof stolid minds and plodding ways. A better manhood and womanhoodwill be developed when we act upon the truth that varied andhealthful sustenance improves blood and brain, and thereforecharacter. 

I was growing abstracted, when my wife remarked, "Robert, will youdeign to come back from a remote region of thought and take somerice pudding?"

"You may all fare the better for my thoughts, " I replied. 

The children, however, were bolting their pudding at railroad speed, and I perceived that the time demanded action. Winnie and Bobseywished me to light the fire at once, but I said: "No, not till mammaand Mousie are ready to come out. You must stay and help them clearaway the things. When all is ready, you two shall start the blaze. "

Very soon we were all at the brush-pile, which towered above ourheads, and I said: "Merton, it will burn better if we climb over itand trample it down a little. It is too loose now. While we do this, Winnie and Bobsey can gather dry grass and weeds that will take firequickly. Now which way is the wind?"

"There isn't any wind, papa, " Merton replied. 

"Let us see. Put your forefingers in your mouths, all of you, thenhold them up and note which side feels the coolest. "

"This side!" cried one and another. 

"Yes; and this side is toward the west; therefore, Winnie, put thedry grass here on the western side of the heap, and what air isstirring will carry the blaze through the pile. "

Little hands that trembled with eagerness soon held lighted matchesto the dry grass; there was a yellow flicker in the sunshine, then ablaze, a crackle, a devouring rush of flames that mounted higher andhigher until, with the surrounding column of smoke, there was aconflagration which, at night, would have alarmed the country-side. The children at first gazed with awe upon the scenes as they backedfarther away from the increasing heat. Our beacon-fire drew Junior, who came bounding over the fences toward us; and soon he and Mertonbegan to see how near they could dash in toward the blaze withoutbeing scorched. I soon stopped this. 

"Show your courage, Merton, when there is need of it, " I said. "Rashventuring is not bravery, but foolishness, and often costs peopledear. "

When the pile sank down into glowing embers, I turned to Bobsey, andadded: "I have let you light a fire under my direction. Never thinkof doing anything of the kind without my permission, for if you do, you will certainly sit in a chair, facing the wall, all day long, with nothing to cheer you but bread and water and a sound whipping. There is one thing which you children must learn from the start, andthat is, you can't play with fire except under my eyes. "

At this direful threat Bobsey looked as grave as his round littleface permitted, and, with the memory of his peril in the creek freshin mind, was ready enough with the most solemn promises. A circle ofunburned brush was left around the embers. This I raked in on thehot coals, and soon all was consumed. 

"Now I have a suggestion, " cried my wife. "We'll have some roastpotatoes, for here are lots of hot coals and ashes. " Away scamperedWinnie to the cellar for the tubers. Our bonfire ended in a feast, and then the ashes were spread far and wide. When the excitingevents were past, Winnie and Bobsey amused themselves in other ways, Mousie venturing to stay with them while the sun remained high. Merton and I meanwhile put the horse to the cart and covered all theground, especially the upper and poorer portions, with a gooddressing from the barnyard. 

In the evening Junior gave Merton a good hint about angle-worms. "Follow the plow, " he said, "and pick 'em up and put 'em in a tightbox. Then sink the box in a damp place and nearly fill it with fineearth, and you always have bait ready when you want to go a-fishing. After a few more warm days the fish will begin to bite first-rate. "

Early the next morning Mr. Jones was on hand with his stout team, and, going twice in every furrow, he sunk his plow to the beam. "When you loosen the soil deep in this style, " he said, "ye needn'tbe afraid of dry weather unless it's an amazin' long spell. Why, bless you, Mr. Durham, there's farmers around here who don't scratchtheir ground much deeper than an old hen would, and they're alwaysgroanin' over droughts. If I can get my plow down eighteen inches, and then find time to stir the surface often in the growin' season, I ain't afraid of a month of dry weather. "

We followed Mr. Jones for a few turns around the garden, I inhalingthe fresh wholesome odors of the soil with pleasure, and Merton andthe two younger children picking up angle-worms. 

Our neighbor soon paused and resumed: "I guess I'll give you a hintthat'll add bushels of pertaters to yer crop. After I've plowed thegarden, I'll furrow out deep a lot of rows, three feet apart. LetMerton take a hoe and scrape up the fine old manure in the barnyard. Don't use any other kind. Then sprinkle it thickly in the furrows, and draw your hoe through 'em to mix the fertilizer well with thesoil. Drop your seed then, eight inches apart in the row, and coverwith four inches of dirt. One can't do this very handy by the acre, but I've known such treatment to double the crop and size of thepertaters in a garden or small patch. "

I took the hint at once, and set Merton at work, saying that Winnieand Bobsey could gather all the worms he wanted. Then I went for ahalf-bushel of early potatoes, and Mr. Jones showed me how to cutthem so as to leave at least two good "eyes" to each piece. Half anhour later it occurred to me to see how Merton was getting on. Ifound him perspiring, and almost panting with fatigue, and myconscience smote me. "There, my boy, " I said, "this is too hard workfor you. Come with me and I'll show you how to cut the potatoes. Butfirst go into the house, and cool off while you drink a glass ofmilk. "

"Well, papa, " he replied, gratefully, "I wouldn't mind a change likethat. I didn't want you to think I was shirking, but, to tell thetruth, I was getting played out. "

"Worked out, you mean. It's not my wish that you should ever beeither played or worked out, nor will you if you take play and workin the right degree. Remember, " I added, seriously, "that you are agrowing boy, and it's not my intention to put you at anything beyondyour strength. If, in my inexperience, I do give you too hard work, tell me at once. There's plenty to do that won't overtax you. "

So we exchanged labors, and by the time the garden was plowed andthe furrows were made I had scraped up enough fine material in thebarnyard to give my tubers a great start. I varied my labor withlessons in plowing, for running in my head was an "old saw" to theeffect that "he who would thrive must both hold the plow and drive. "

The fine weather lasted long enough for us to plant our earlypotatoes in the most approved fashion, and then came a series ofcold, wet days and frosty nights. Mr. Jones assured us that thevegetable seeds already in the ground would receive no harm. At suchtimes as were suitable for work we finished trimming and tying upthe hardy raspberries, cleaning up the barnyard, and carting all thefertilizers we could find to the land that we meant to cultivate. 

CHAPTER XXIV

"NO BLIND DRIFTING"

One long, stormy day I prepared an account-book. On its left-handpages I entered the cost of the place and all expenses thus farincurred. The right-hand pages were for records of income, as yetsmall indeed. They consisted only of the proceeds from the sale ofthe calf, the eggs that Winnie gathered, and the milk measured eachday, all valued at the market price. I was resolved that thereshould be no blind drifting toward the breakers of failure--that atthe end of the year we should know whether we had made progress, stood still, or gone backward. My system of keeping the accounts wasso simple that I easily explained it to my wife, Merton, and Mousie, for I believed that, if they followed the effort at country livingunderstandingly, they would be more willing to practice the self-denial necessary for success. Indeed, I had Merton write out most ofthe items, even though the record, as a result, was not very neat. Istopped his worrying over blots and errors, by saying, "You are ofmore account than the account-book, and will learn by practice to beas accurate as any one. "

My wife and Mousie also started another book of household expenses, that we might always know just where we stood and what our prospectswere. 

Weeks would elapse before our place would be food-producing to anygreat extent. In the meantime we must draw chiefly on our capital inorder to live. Winifred and I resolved to meet this necessity in nocareless way, feeling that not a penny should be spent which mightbe saved. The fact that I had only my family to support was greatlyin our favor. There was no kitchen cabinet, that ate much and wastedmore, to satisfy. Therefore, our revenue of eggs and milk went along way toward meeting the problem. We made out a list of cheap, yet wholesome, articles of food, and found that we could buy oatmealat four cents per pound, Indian meal at two and a half cents, riceat eight cents, samp at four, mackerel at nine, pork at twelve, andham at fifteen cents. The last two articles were used sparingly, andmore as relishes and for flavoring than as food. Flour happened tobe cheap at the time, the best costing but seven dollars a barrel;of vegetables, we had secured abundance at slight cost; and theapples still added the wholesome element of fruit. A butcher drovehis wagon to our door three times a week and, for cash, would giveus, at very reasonable rates, certain cuts of beef and mutton. Thesemy wife conjured into appetizing dishes and delicious soups. 

Thus it can be seen that we had a varied diet at a surprisinglysmall outlay. Such details may appear to some very homely, yet ourhealth and success depended largely upon thoughtful attention tojust such prosaic matters. The children were growing plump and ruddyat an expense less than would be incurred by one or two visits froma fashionable physician in the city. 

In the matter of food, I also gave more thought to my wife's timeand strength than to the little people's wishes. While we hadvariety and abundance, we did not have many dishes at any one meal. 

"We shall not permit mamma to be over the hot range any more than isnecessary, " I said. "She and Mousie must give us, from day to day, what costs little in time as well as money. "

Fortunately, plain, wholesome food does not require much time inpreparation. There would be better health in many homes if there wasmore economy in labor. For instance, the children at first clamoredfor griddle-cakes, but I said, "Isn't it nicer to have mamma sitdown quietly with us at breakfast than to see her running back andforth from the hot stove?" and even Bobsey, though rather ruefully, voted against cakes, except on rare occasions. 

The wash-tub I forbade utterly, and the services of a stoutIrishwoman were secured for one day in the week. Thus, by a littlemanagement, my wife was not overtaxed. Indeed, she had so muchleisure that she and Mousie began giving Winnie and Bobsey dailylessons, for we had decided that the children should not go toschool until the coming autumn. Early in April, therefore, ourcountry life was passing into a quiet routine, not burdensome, atleast within doors; and I justly felt that if all were well in thecitadel of home, the chances of the outdoor campaign were greatlyimproved. 

CHAPTER XXV

OWLS AND ANTWERPS

Each day at dawn, unless it was stormy, Merton patrolled the placewith his gun, looking for hawks and other creatures which at thisseason he was permitted to shoot. He had quite as serious andimportant an air as if he were sallying forth to protect us fromdeadlier foes. For a time he saw nothing to fire at, since he hadpromised me not to shoot harmless birds. He always indulged himself, however, in one shot at a mark, and was becoming sure in his aim atstationary objects. One evening, however, when we were almost readyto retire, a strange sound startled us. At first it reminded me ofthe half-whining bark of a young dog, but the deep, guttural trillthat followed convinced me that it was a screech-owl, for Iremembered having heard these birds when a boy. 

The moment I explained the sound, Merton darted for his gun, and mywife exclaimed: "O dear! what trouble is coming now? Mother alwayssaid that the hooting of an owl near a house was a bad omen. "

I did not share in the superstition, although I disliked the uncannysounds, and was under the impression that all owls, like hawks, should be destroyed. Therefore, I followed Merton out, hoping thathe would get a successful shot at the night prowler. 

The moonlight illumined everything with a soft, mild radiance; andthe trees, with their tracery of bough and twig, stood outdistinctly. Before we could discover the creature, it flew withnoiseless wing from a maple near the door to another perch up thelane, and again uttered its weird notes. 

Merton was away like a swift shadow, and, screening himself behindthe fence, stole upon his game. A moment later the report rang outin the still night. It so happened that Merton had fired just as thebird was about to fly, and had only broken a wing. The owl fell tothe ground, but led the boy a wild pursuit before he was captured. Merton's hands were bleeding when he brought the creature in. Unlessprevented, it would strike savagely with its beak, and the motionsof its head were as quick as lightning. It was, indeed, a strangecaptive, and the children looked at it in wondering and ratherfearful curiosity. My wife, usually tender-hearted, wished thecreature, so ill-omened in her eyes, to be killed at once, but Igranted Merton's request that he might put it in a box and keep italive for a while. 

"In the morning, " I said, "we will read all about it, and canexamine it more carefully. "

My wife yielded, and I am not sure but that she thought we mightavert misfortune by showing mercy. 

Among my purchases was a recent work on natural history. But ourminds had been engrossed with too many practical questions to giveit much attention. Next morning we consulted it, and found ourcaptive variously described as the little red, the mottled, or thescreech owl. Then followed an account of its character and habits. We learned that we had made war upon a useful friend, instead of anill-boding, harmful creature. We were taught that this species is adestroyer of mice, beetles, and vermin, thus rendering theagriculturist great services, which, however are so little knownthat the bird is everywhere hunted down without mercy or justice. 

"Surely, this is not true of all owls, " I said, and by readingfurther we learned that the barred, or hoot owl, and the greathorned owl, were deserving of a surer aim of Merton's gun. They preynot only upon useful game, but also invade the poultry-yard, thehorned species being especially destructive. Instances were given inwhich these freebooters had killed every chicken upon a farm. Asthey hunt only at night, they are hard to capture. Their notes andnatures are said to be in keeping with their deeds of darkness; fortheir cry is wild, harsh, and unearthly, while in temper they arecowardly, savage, and untamable, showing no affection even for eachother. A female has been known to kill and eat the male. 

"The moral of this owl episode, " I concluded, "is that we must learnto know our neighbors, be they birds, beasts, or human beings, before we judge them. This book is not only full of knowledge, butof information that is practical and useful. I move that we read upabout the creatures in our vicinity. What do you say, Merton?wouldn't it be well to learn what to shoot, as well as how toshoot?"

Protecting his hands with buckskin gloves, the boy applied muttonsuet to our wounded owl's wing. It was eventually healed, and thebird was given its liberty. It gradually became sprightly and tame, and sociable in the evening, affording the children and Junior muchamusement. 

By the 7th of April there was a prospect of warmer and more settledweather, and Mr. Jones told us to lose no time in uncovering ourAntwerp raspberries. They had been bent down close to the ground theprevious winter and covered with earth. To remove this withoutbreaking the canes, required careful and skilful work. We soonacquired the knack, however, of pushing and throwing aside the soil, then lifting the canes gently through what remained, and shakingthem clear. 

"Be careful to level the ground evenly, " Mr. Jones warned us, "forit won't do at all to leave hummocks of dirt around the hills;" andwe followed his instructions. 

The canes were left until a heavy shower of rain washed them clean;then Winnie and Bobsey tied them up. We gave steady and carefulattention to the Antwerps, since they would be our main dependencefor income. I also raked in around the hills of one row a liberaldressing of wood ashes, intending to note its effect. 

CHAPTER XXVI

A COUNTRY SUNDAY

Hitherto the Sabbaths had been stormy and the roads bad, and we hadgiven the days to rest and family sociability. But at last therecame a mild, sunny morning, and we resolved to find a church-home. Ihad heard that Dr. Lyman, who preached in the nearest village hadthe faculty of keeping young people awake. Therefore we harnessedthe old bay-horse to our market-wagon, donned our "go-ter-meetin's, "as Junior called his Sunday clothes, and started. Whatever might bethe result of the sermon, the drive promised to do us good. Thetender young grass by the roadside, and the swelling buds of trees, gave forth delicious odors; a spring haze softened the outline ofthe mountains, and made them almost as beautiful as if clothed withfoliage; robins, song-sparrows, and other birds were so tuneful thatMousie said she wished they might form the choir at the church. Indeed, the glad spirit of Spring was abroad, and it found its wayinto our hearts. We soon learned that it entered largely also intoDr. Lyman's sermon. We were not treated as strangers and intruders, but welcomed and shown to a pew in a way that made us feel at home. I discovered that I, too, should be kept awake and given much tothink about. We remained until Sunday-school, which followed theservice, was over, and then went home, feeling that life both hereand hereafter was something to be thankful for. After dinner, without even taking the precaution of locking the door, we allstrolled down the lane and the steeply sloping meadow to our woodlot and the banks of the Moodna Creek. My wife had never seen thisportion of our place before, and she was delighted with its wildbeauty and seclusion. She shivered and turned a little pale, however, as she saw the stream, still high and swift, that hadcarried Bobsey away. 

Junior joined us, and led the children to a sunny bank, from whichsoon came shouts of joy over the first wildflowers of the season. Iplaced my wife on a rock, and we sat quietly for a time, inhalingthe fresh woody odors, and listening to the murmurs of the creek andthe song of the birds. Then I asked: "Isn't this better than a cityflat and a noisy street? Are not these birds pleasanter neighborsthan the Daggetts and the Ricketts?"

Her glad smile was more eloquent than words could have been. Mousiecame running to us, holding in her hand, which trembled fromexcitement, a little bunch of liverworts and anemones. Tears ofhappiness actually stood in her eyes, and she could only falter, "Omamma! just look!" and then she hastened away to gather more. 

"That child belongs to nature, " I said, "and would always be anexile in the city. How greatly she has improved in health already!"

The air grew damp and chill early, and we soon returned to thehouse. Monday was again fair, and found us absorbed in our busylife, each one having plenty to do. When it was safe to uncover theraspberries, Merton and I had not lost a moment in the task. At thetime of which I write we put in stakes where they were missing, obtaining not a few of them from the wood lot. We also made oursecond planting of potatoes and other hardy vegetables in thegarden. The plants in the kitchen window were thriving, and duringmild, still days we carried them to a sheltered place without, thatthey might become inured to the open air. 

Winnie already had three hens sitting on their nests full of eggs, and she was counting the days until the three weeks of incubationshould expire, and the little chicks break their shells. One of thehens proved a fickle biddy, and left her nest, much to the child'sanger and disgust. But the others were faithful, and one morningWinnie came bounding in, saying she had heard the first "peep. " Itold her to be patient and leave the brood until the following day, since I had read that the chicks were stronger for not being takenfrom the nest too soon. She had treated the mother hens so kindlythat they were tame, and permitted her to throw out the emptyshells, and exult over each new-comer into a brief existence. 

Our radishes had come up nicely; but no sooner had the first greenleaves expanded than myriads of little flea-like beetles devouredthem. A timely article in my horticultural paper explained that iflittle chickens were allowed to run in the garden they would soondestroy these and other insects. Therefore I improvised a coop bylaying down a barrel near the radishes and driving stakes in frontof it to confine the hen, which otherwise, with the best intentions, would have scratched up all my sprouting seeds. Hither we broughther the following day, with her downy brood of twelve, and they soonbegan to make themselves useful. Winnie fed them with Indian-mealand mashed potatoes and watched over them with more than theirmother's solicitude, while Merton renewed his vigilance againsthawks and other enemies. 

With this new attraction, and wildflowers in the woods, the tying upof raspberries became weary prose to Winnie and Bobsey; but I keptthem at it during most of the forenoon of every pleasant day and ifthey performed their task carelessly, I made them do it over. I knewthat the time was coming when many kinds of work would cease to beplay to us all, and that we might as well face the fact first aslast. After the morning duties were over, and the afternoon lessonslearned, there was plenty of time for play, and the two littlepeople enjoyed it all the more. 

Merton, also, had two afternoons in the week and he and Junior beganto bring home strings of sweet little sunfish and winfish. Boysoften become disgusted with country life because it is made hard andmonotonous for them. 

CHAPTER XXVII

STRAWBERRY VISIONS AND "PERTATERS"

I had decided that I would not set out any more raspberries until Ihad learned the comparative value of those already on the place. After I had seen my varieties in bearing and marketed the crop, Ishould be better able to make a wise selection, "Why not plant onlythe best and most profitable?" I reasoned. At Mr. Jones's suggestionI had put up notices at public resorts, and inserted a briefadvertisement in a local paper, stating that I had plants for sale. As a result, I sold, at a low price, it is true, the greater part ofthe young plants that had been trenched in, and the ready money theybrought was very acceptable. 

From the first, my mind had often turned toward strawberries as oneof our chief crops. They promised well for several reasons, the mainone being that they would afford a light and useful form of laborfor all the children. Even Bobsey could pick the fruit almost aswell as any of us, for he had no long back to ache in getting downto it. The crop, also, could be gathered and sold before theraspberry season began, and this was an important fact. We shouldalso have another and earlier source of income. I had read a greatdeal about the cultivation of the strawberry, and I had visited aMaizeville neighbor who grew them on a large scale, and had obtainedhis views. To make my knowledge more complete I wrote to myWashington-Market friend, Mr. Bogart, and his prompt letter in replywas encouraging. 

"Don't go into too many kinds, " he advised, "and don't set too muchground. A few crates of fine berries will pay you better thanbushels of small, soft, worthless trash. Steer clear of high-pricednovelties and fancy sorts, and begin with only those known to paywell in your region. Try Wilson's (they're good to sell if not toeat) and Duchess for early, and Sharpless and Champion for late. Setthe last two kinds out side by side, for the Champions won't bearalone. A customer of mine runs on these four sorts. He gives themhigh culture, and gets big crops and big berries, which pay big. When you want crates, I can furnish them, and take my pay out of thesales of your fruit. Don't spend much money for plants. Buy a few ofeach kind, and set 'em in moist ground and let 'em run. By winteryou'll have enough plants to cover your farm. "

I found that I could buy these standard varieties in the vicinity;and having made the lower part of the garden very rich, I procured, one cloudy day, two hundred plants of each kind and set them inrows, six feet apart, so that by a little watchfulness I could keepthem separate. I obtained my whole stock for five dollars;therefore, counting our time and everything, the cost of entering onstrawberry culture was slight. A rainy night followed, and everyplant started vigorously. 

In spite of occasional frosts and cold rains, the days grew longerand warmer. The cherry, peach, plum, and pear buds were almost readyto burst into bloom, but Mr. Jones shook his head over the orchard. 

"This ain't apple year, " he said. "Well, no matter. If you can makeit go this season, you will be sure of better luck next year. "

He had come over to aid me in choosing a two-acre plot of ground forcorn and potatoes. This we marked out from the upper and easternslope of a large meadow. The grass was running out and growingweedy. 

"It's time it was turned over, " my neighbor remarked; "and by fallit'll be in good condition for fruit. "

I proposed to extend my fruit area gradually, with good reason, fearing that much hired help would leave small profits. 

That very afternoon Mr. Jones, with his sharp steel plow, began toturn over clean, deep, even furrows; for we had selected the plot inview of the fact that it was not stony, as was the case with otherportions of our little farm. 

When at last the ground was plowed, he said: "I wouldn't harrow thepart meant for corn till you are ready to plant it, say about thetenth of next month. We'd better get the pertater ground ready andthe rows furrowed out right off. Early plantin' is the best. Howmuch will ye give to 'em?"

"Half the plot, " I said. 

"Why, Mr. Durham, that's a big plantin' for pertaters. "

"Well, I've a plan, and would like your opinion. If I put Early Rosepotatoes right in, when can I harvest them?"

"Say the last of July or early August, accordin' to the season. "

"If we keep the ground clean and well worked the sod will then bedecayed, won't it?"

"Yes, nigh enough. Ye want to grow turnips or fodder corn, Is'pose?"

"No, I want to set out strawberries. I've read more about this fruitthan any other, and, if the books are right, I can set strong plantson enriched ground early in August and get a good crop next June. Won't this pay better than planting next spring and waiting over twoyears from this time for a crop?"

"Of course it will, if you're right. I ain't up on strawberries. "

"Well, " I continued, "it looks reasonable. I shall have my youngplants growing right here in my own garden. Merton and I can takethem up in the cool of the evening and in wet weather, and theywon't know they've been moved. I propose to get these early potatoesout of the ground as soon as possible, even if I have to sell partof them before they are fully ripe; then have the ground plowed deepand marked out for strawberries, put all the fertilizers I canscrape together in the rows and set the plants as fast as possible. I've read again and again that many growers regard this method asone of the best. "

"Well, you're comin' on for a beginner. I'm kind o' shy of book-plans, though. But try it. I'll come over, as I used to when old manJamison was here, and sit on the fence and make remarks. "

Planting an acre of potatoes was no light task for us, even afterthe ground was plowed and harrowed, and the furrows for the rowswere marked out. I also had to make a half-day's journey to the cityof Newtown to buy more seed, since the children's appetites hadgreatly reduced the stock in the root-cellar. For a few days weworked like beavers. Even Winnie helped Merton to drop the seed; andin the evening we had regular potato-cutting "bees, " Junior comingover to aid us, and my wife and Mousie helping also. Songs andstories enlivened these evening hours of labor. Indeed, my wife andMousie performed, during the day, a large part of this task, andthey soon learned to cut the tubers skilfully. I have since knownthis work to be done so carelessly that some pieces were cut withouta single eye upon them. Of course, in such cases there is nothing togrow. 

One Saturday night, the last of April, we exulted over the fact thatour acre was planted and the seed well covered. 

Many of the trees about the house, meantime, had clothed themselveswith fragrant promises of fruit. All, especially Mousie, had beenobservant of the beautiful changes, and, busy as we had been, she, Winnie and Bobsey had been given time to keep our table wellsupplied with wildflowers. Now that they had come in abundance, theyseemed as essential as our daily food. To a limited extent Ipermitted blooming sprays to be taken from the fruit-trees, thinking, with Mousie, that "cherry blossoms are almost as nice ascherries. " Thus Nature graced our frugal board, and suggested that, as she accompanied her useful work with beauty and fragrance, so wealso could lift our toilsome lives above the coarse and sordid phasetoo common in country homes. 

CHAPTER XXVIII

CORN, COLOR, AND MUSIC

In early May the grass was growing lush and strong, and Brindle wasdriven down the lane to the meadow, full of thickets, which borderedon the creek. Here she could supply herself with food and wateruntil the late autumn. 

With the first days of the month we planted, on a part of the gardenslope, where the soil was dry and warm, very early, dwarf sweetcorn, a second early variety, Burr's Mammoth, and Stowell'sEvergreen. 

"These several kinds, " I said, "will give us a succession of boilingears for weeks together. When this planting is up a few inches high, we will make another, for, by so doing, my garden book says we mayhave this delicious vegetable till frost comes. "

After reading and some inquiry during the winter I had decided tobuy only McLean's Gem peas for seed. This low-growing kind requiredno brush and, therefore, far less labor. By putting in a row everyten days till the last of June, we should enjoy green peas of thesweet, wrinkled sort till tired, if that were possible. We alsoplanted early dwarf wax-beans, covering the seed, as directed, onlytwo inches deep. It was my ambition to raise a large crop of Limabeans, having read that few vegetables yield more food to a smallarea than they. So, armed with an axe and a hatchet, Merton and Iwent into some young growth on the edge of our wood lot and cutthirty poles, lopping off the branches so as to leave littlecrotches on which the vines could rest for support. Having sharpenedthese poles we set them firmly in the garden, four feet apart eachway, then dug in some very fine and decayed manure around each pole, and left the soil for a day or two to grow warm and light. My booksaid that, if the earth was cold, wet, or heavy the beans woulddecay instead of coming up. The 10th of the month being fine andpromising, I pressed the eye or germ side of the beans into the soiland covered them only one inch deep. In the evening we set out ourcabbage and cauliflower plants where they should be allowed tomature. The tomato plants, being more tender than their companionsstarted in the kitchen window, were set about four inches apart in asheltered place. We could thus cover them at night and protect thema little from the midday sun for a week or two longer. 

Nor were Mousie's flowering plants forgotten. She had watched overthem from the seed with tireless care, and now we made a bed andhelped the happy child to put her little nurslings in the openground where they were to bloom. The apple-trees made the airfragrant, and some of the delicate pink of their blossoms was inMousie's cheeks. 

"Truly, " I thought, as I looked into her sparkling eyes, "if we canbut barely live in the country, I am glad we came. "

The next morning Merton and I began our great undertaking--theplanting of the other acre of ground, next to the potatoes, withfield corn. Mr. Jones had harrowed it comparatively smooth, I had alight plow with which to mark out the furrows four feet apart eachway. At the intersection of these furrows the seed was to bedropped. I found I could not drive our old bay straight across thefield to save my life, and neighbor Jones laughed till his sidesached at the curves and crooks I first left behind me. 

"Here, Merton, " I cried, nothing daunted, "we must work togetheragain. Get a pole and stand it on the farther side of the plot fourfeet in from the edge of the sod. That's right. Now come here; takeold Bay by the head, and, with your eyes fixed on the pole, lead himsteadily toward it. "

A furrow was now made of which Mr. Jones himself need not have beenashamed; and he laughed as he said, at parting "You'll do. I seeyou've got enough Yankee in you to try more ways than one. "

We kept at work manfully, although the day was warm, and by noon theplot was furrowed one way. After dinner we took an hour's partialrest in shelling our corn and then resumed our work, and in the samemanner began furrowing at right angles with the first rows. Thehills were thus about four feet apart each way. Merton dropped thecorn after we had run half a dozen furrows. 

"Drop five kernels, " I said; for Mr. Jones had told us that fourstalks were enough and that three would do, but had added: "I plantfive kernels, for some don't come up, and the crows and othervermints take others. If all of 'em grow, it's easier to pull up onestalk at the first hoeing than to plant over again. "

We found that putting in the corn was a lighter task than plantingthe potatoes even though we did our own furrowing; and by the middleof May we were complacent over the fact that we had succeeded withour general spring work far better than we had hoped, rememberingthat we were novices who had to take so much counsel from books andfrom our kind, practical neighbor. 

The foliage of the trees was now out in all its delicately shadedgreenery, and midday often gave us a foretaste of summer heat. Theslight blaze kindled in the old fireplace, after supper, was morefor the sake of good cheer than for needed warmth, and at last itwas dispensed with. Thrushes and other birds of richer and fullersong had come, and morning and evening we left the door open that wemight enjoy the varied melody. 

Our first plantings of potatoes and early vegetables were now up andlooked promising. So a new phase of labor--that of cultivation--began. New broods of chickens were coming off, and Winnie had manyfamilies to look after. Nevertheless, although there was much toattend to, the season was bringing a short breathing-spell, and Iresolved to take advantage of it. So I said one Friday evening: "Ifto-morrow is fair, we'll take a vacation. What do you say to a day'sfishing and sailing on the river?"

A jubilant shout greeted this proposal, and when it had subsided, Mousie asked, "Can't Junior go with us?"

"Certainly, " I replied; "I'll go over right after supper, and makesure that his father consents. "

Mr. Jones said, "Yes, " and Merton and Junior were soon busy withtheir preparations, which were continued until the long twilightdeepened into dusk. 

CHAPTER XXIX

WE GO A-FISHING

The following day, happily, proved all that we could desire. Thechildren were up with the dawn, and Junior was not long in joiningus. By eight o'clock we had finished breakfast and the morning work, our lunch-basket was packed, and the market-wagon stood at the door. Mr. Jones had good-naturedly promised to take a look at the premisesoccasionally to see that all was right. I had put but one seat inthe wagon for my wife and myself, since the young people decidedthat a straw-ride to the river would be "more fun than a parlor-car. "

My wife entered into the spirit of this little outing with a zestwhich gave me deep content. Her face indicated no regretful thoughtsturning toward the Egypt of the city; her mother love was so strongthat she was happy with the children. The robins, of which thereseemed no end about the house, gave us a tuneful and hilarious send-off; the grown people and children whom we met smiled and cheered, following us with envious eyes. Each of the children held a polealoft, and Merton said that "the wagon looked as if our Lima-beanpatch was off on a visit. "

In the village we increased our stock of lines and hooks, and boughta few corks for floats. We soon reached the mouth of the MoodnaCreek, where stood a weather-beaten boat-house, with a stableadjoining, in which old Bay could enjoy himself in his quiet, prosaic way. A good-sized boat was hired, and, as the tide was in, we at first decided to go up the creek as far as possible and floatdown with the ebb. This, to the children, was like a voyage ofdiscovery, and there was a general airing of geography, each littlebay, point, and gulf receiving some noted name. At last we reached adeep, shaded pool, which was eventually dubbed "Bobsey's Luck;" forhe nearly fell into it in his eagerness to take off a minnow thathad managed to fasten itself to his hook. 

Merton and Junior, being more experienced anglers, went ashore tomake some casts on the ripples and rapids of the stream above, andsecured several fine "winfish. " The rest of us were content to takeit easy in the shade and hook an occasional cat and sun fish. Atlast the younger children wanted variety, so I permitted them toland on the wooded bank, kindle a little fire, and roast some clamsthat we had bought at the boat-house. The smoke and the temptingodors lured Merton and Junior, who soon proved that boys' appetitescan always be depended upon. 

Time passed rapidly, and I at last noticed that the tide had fallento such a degree as to fill me with alarm. 

"Come, youngsters, " I cried, "we must go back at once, or we shallhave to stay here till almost night. "

They scrambled on board, and we started down-stream, but soon cameto shallow water, as was proved by the swift current and theripples. A moment later we were hard aground. In vain we pushed withthe oars; the boat would not budge. Then Junior sat down and coollybegan to take off shoes and stockings. In a flash Merton followedhis example. There was no help for it, and we had no time to lose. Over they splashed, lightening the boat, and taking the "painter, "or tie-rope, at the bow, they pulled manfully. Slowly at first, butwith increasing progress, the keel grated over the stones, and atlast we were again afloat. A round of applause greeted the boys asthey sprung back into the boat, and away we went, cautiouslyavoiding shoals and sand-bars, until we reached Plum Point, where weexpected to spend the remainder of the day. Here, for a time, we hadexcellent sport, and pulled up sunfish and white perch of a veryfair size. Bobsey caught so large a specimen of the former varietythat he had provided himself with a supper equal even to hiscapacity. 

The day ended in unalloyed pleasure, and never had the old farm-house looked so like home as when it greeted us again in the eveningglow of the late spring sun. Merton and Junior divided the finnyspoils to their satisfaction, while Winnie and I visited thechicken-coops and found that there had been no mishaps during ourabsence. I told my boy that I would milk the cow while he cleanedthe fish for supper, and when at last we sat down we formed a tired, hilarious, and hungry group. Surely, if fish were created to beeaten, our enjoyment of their browned sweetness must have roundedout their existence completely. 

"O papa!" exclaimed Merton, at the breakfast table, on Mondaymorning; "we haven't planted any musk and water melons!"

"That is true, " I replied. "I find that I overlooked melons inmaking out my list of seeds. Indeed, I passed them over, I imagine, as a luxury that we could dispense with the first year. "

"I'll take care of 'em if you will only let us have some, " persistedthe boy; and the other children joined in his request. 

"But the garden is all filled up, " I said, thoughtfully; "and I fearit is too late to plant now. "

Looks of disappointment led me to think further and I got one of myseed catalogues. 

"Here are some early kinds named and perhaps they would mature; butwhere shall we put them?"

"Seems to me we had better have a little less corn, if room can bemade for melons, " was Merton's suggestion. 

"I'll tell you what we'll do, " I continued. "We've had such goodfortune in accomplishing our early work, and you have helped sonicely, that you shall try your hand at melons. Drive your motherand Mousie down to the village this morning, and get some seeds ofthe nutmeg musk-melon and Phinney's early watermelon. I'll take tworows in the early corn on the warm garden slope, pull up every thirdhill, and make, in their places, nice, warm, rich beds for the seedwhich we will plant as soon as you come back. I don't believe thecorn will shade the melon vines too much; and as soon as we havetaken off the green ears we will cut away the stalks. Thus we shallget two crops from the same ground. "

This plan was carried out, and the melon seed came up in a verypromising way. 

CHAPTER XXX

WEEDS AND WORKING FOR DEAR LIFE

The beautiful transition period of spring passing into summer wouldhave filled us with delight had we not found a hostile armyadvancing on us--annual weeds. When we planted the garden, the soilwas brown and clean. The early vegetables came up in well-definedgreen rows, the weeds appearing with them, too few and scattered tocause anxiety. Now all was changed. Weeds seemed created by magic ina night. The garden was becoming evenly green throughout; and thevegetables, in some cases, could scarcely be distinguished from theranker growth of crowding, unknown plants among and around them. Ialso saw that our corn and potato field would soon become, if leftalone, as verdant as the meadow beyond. I began to fear that wecould not cope with these myriads of foes, little now, but growingwhile we slept, and stealing a march on us in one part of the placewhile we destroyed them in another. 

With something like dismay I called Mr. Jones's attention to thesesilent forces, invading, not only the garden and fields, but theraspberries and, indeed, all the ground now devoted to fruit. 

He laughed and said: "The Philistines are on you, sure enough. I'mbusy whackin' them over myself, but I guess I'll have to come andgive you a lift, for you must get these weeds well under beforehayin' and raspberry-pickin'-time comes. It's warm to-day, and theground's middlin' dry. I'll show you what can be done in shortmetre. By the way, I'll give you a little wrinkle worth knowin'. I've observed that you didn't bring the children to the country tobe like weeds--just ter grow and run ter seed, ye know. It's'stonishin' how soon weeds, whether they're people or pusley, getseedy. Well, now, call the children and come with me to the garden. "

We were all soon there, including my wife, who shared my solicitude. 

"You see, " resumed Mr. Jones, "that these weakly little rows ofcarrots, beets, and onions would soon be choked by these weeds, notan inch high yet. The same is true of the corn and peas and othersags. The pertaters are strong enough to take care of themselves fora time, but not long. I see you and Merton have been tryin' to weedand hoe them out at the same time. Well, you can't keep up with thework in that way. Take now this bed of beets; the weeds are gettin'even all over it, and they're thicker, if anywhere, right in therow, so that it takes a good eye to see the beets. But here theyare, and here they run across the bed. Now look at me. One goodshowin' is worth all the tellin' and readin' from now to Christmas. You see, I begin with my two hands, and pull out all the weeds oneach side of the little row, and I pull 'em away from the youngbeets so as not to disturb them, but to leave 'em standin' straightand saucy. Careless hands will half pull out the vegetables at thesame time with the weeds. I had to strap Junior once before helearned that fact, and it was amazin' how I helped his eyesight andtrained his fingers through his back. Well, now, you see, I'vecleared out this row of beets half across the bed and the ground foran inch or two on each side of it. I drop the weeds right down inthe spaces between the rows, for the sun will dry 'em up beforedinner-time. Now I'll take another row. "

By this time Merton and I were following his example, and in a fewmoments a part of three more rows had been treated in the same way. 

"Now, " continued Mr. Jones, "the weeds are all out of the rows thatwe've done, and for a little space on each side of 'em. The beetshave a chance to grow unchoked, and to get ahead. These other littlegreen varmints in the ground, between the rows, are too small to doany harm yet. Practically the beets are cleaned out, and will haveall the ground they need to themselves for three or four days; butthese weeds between the rows would soon swamp everything. Now, giveme a hoe, and I'll fix THEM. "

He drew the useful tool carefully and evenly through the spacesbetween the rows, and our enemies were lying on their sides ready towither away in the morning sun. 

"You see after the rows are weeded out how quickly you can hoe thespaces between 'em, " my neighbor concluded. "Now the children can dothis weedin'. Your and Merton's time's too valyble. When weeds arepulled from right in and around vegetables, the rest can standwithout harm for a while, till you can get around with the hoe andcultivator. This weedin' out business is 'specially important inrainy weather, for it only hurts ground to hoe or work it in wet, showery days, and the weeds don't mind it a bit. Warm, sunny spells, when the soil's a little dry, is the time to kill weeds. But youmust be careful in weedin' then, or you'll so disturb the young, tender sass that it'll dry up, too. See, I'll pull some weedscarelessly. Now obsarve that the beets are half jerked up also. Ofcourse that won't answer. I'll come over this afternoon with mycultivator, and we'll tackle the corn and pertaters, and make such aswath among these green Philistines that you'll sleep better to-night. But ye're goin' to come out right, mind, I tell ye so; andI've seen mor'n one city squash come to the country with the ideethat they were goin' to beat us punkins all holler. "

And he left us laughing and hopeful. 

"Come, Winnie and Bobsey, begin here on each side of me. I'll showyou this morning and then I trust you can be left to do the weedingcarefully by yourselves to-morrow. Pressing as the work is, youshall have your afternoons until the berries are ripe. "

"Can't I help, too?" asked Mousie. 

I looked into her eager, wistful face, but said, firmly: "Not now, dear. The sun is too hot. Toward night, perhaps, I'll let you do alittle. By helping mamma in the house you are doing your part. "

We made good progress, and the two younger children speedily learnedthe knack of working carefully, so as not to disturb the littlevegetables. I soon found that weeding was back-aching work for me, and therefore "spelled" myself by hoeing out the spaces between therows. By the time the music of the dinner-bell sounded, hosts of ourenemies were slain. 

Mr. Jones, true to his promise, was on hand at one o'clock with hiscultivator, and began with the corn, which was now a few incheshigh. Merton and I followed with hoes, uncovering the tender shootson which earth had been thrown, and dressing out the soil into cleanflat hills. As our neighbor had said, it was astonishing how muchwork the horse-cultivator performed in a short time. I saw that itwould be wise for us, another year, to plant in a way that wouldpermit the use of horse-power. Even in the garden this method shouldbe followed as far as possible. 

Mr. Jones was not a man of half-way measures. He remained helpingus, till he had gone through the corn, once each way, twice betweenthe long rows of potatoes, then twice through all the raspberryrows, giving us two full days of his time altogether. 

I handed him a dollar in addition to his charge, saying that I hadnever paid out money with greater satisfaction. 

"Well, " he said, with a short, dry laugh, "I'll take it this time, for my work is sufferin' at home, but I didn't want you to getdiscouraged. Now, keep the hoes flyin', and you're ahead once more. Junior's at it early and late, I can tell ye. "

"So I supposed, for we've missed him. "

"Good reason. When I'm through with him he's ready enough to crawlinto his little bed. "

So were we for a few days, in our winning fight with the weeds. Onehot afternoon, about three o'clock, I saw that Merton was growingpale, and beginning to lag, and I said, decidedly: "Do you see thattree there? Go and lie down under it till I call you. "

"I guess I can stand it till night, " he began, his pride a littletouched. 

"Obey orders! I am captain. "

In five minutes he was fast asleep. I threw my coat over him, andsat down, proposing to have a half-hour's rest myself. My wife cameout with a pitcher of cool butter-milk and nodded her headapprovingly at us. 

"Well, my thoughtful Eve, " I said, "I find that our modern Eden willcost a great many back-aches. "

"If you will only be prudent like this, you may save me a heart-ache. Robert, you are ambitious, and unused to this kind of work. Please don't ever be so foolish as to forget the comparative valueof vegetables and yourselves. Honestly now" (with one of her saucylooks), "I'd rather do with a few bushels less, than do without youand Merton;" and she sat down and kept me idle for an hour. 

Then Merton got up, saying that he felt as "fresh as if he had had anight's rest, " and we accomplished more in the cool of the day thanif we had kept doggedly at work. 

I found that Winnie and Bobsey required rather different treatment. For a while they got on very well, but one morning I set them at abed of parsnips about which I was particular. In the middle of theforenoon I went to the garden to see how they were getting on. Shouts of laughter made me fear that all was not well, and I soondiscovered that they were throwing lumps of earth at each other. Soabsorbed were they in their untimely and mischievous fun that I wasnot noticed until I found Bobsey sitting plump on the vegetables, and the rows behind both the children very shabbily cleaned, not afew of the little plants having been pulled up with the weeds. 

Without a word I marched them into the house, then said: "Underarrest till night. Winnie, you go to your room. I shall strap Bobseyin his chair, and put him in the parlor by himself. "

The exchange of the hot garden for the cool rooms seemed rather anagreeable punishment at first, although Winnie felt the disgracesomewhat. When, at dinner, nothing but a cup of water and a piece ofdry bread was taken to them, Bobsey began to howl, and Winnie tolook as if the affair was growing serious. Late in the afternoon, when she found that she was not to gather the eggs or feed herbeloved chickens, she, too, broke down and sobbed that she "wouldn'tdo so any more. " Bobsey also pleaded so piteously for release, andpromised such saint-like behavior, that I said: "Well, I will remitthe rest of your punishment and put you on trial. You had no excusefor your mischief this morning, for I allow you to play the greaterpart of every afternoon, while Merton must stand by me the whole ofthe week. "

My touch of discipline brought up the morale of my little squadeffectually for a time. The next afternoon even the memory oftrouble was banished by the finding of the first wild strawberries. Exultation and universal interest prevailed as clusters of green andred berries were handed around to be smelled and examined. "Truly, "my wife remarked, "even roses can scarcely equal the fragrance ofthe wild strawberry. "

From that day forward, for weeks, it seemed as if we entered on adiet of strawberries and roses. The old-fashioned bushes of thelatter, near the house, had been well trimmed, and gave large, finebuds in consequence, while Mousie, Winnie, and Bobsey gleaned everywild berry that could be found, beginning with the sunny uplandslopes and following the aromatic fruit down to the cool, moistborders of the creek. 

"Another year, " I said, "I think you will be tired even ofstrawberries, for we shall have to pick early and late. "

CHAPTER XXXI

NATURE SMILES AND HELPS

The Saturday evening which brought us almost to the middle of Junewas welcomed indeed. The days preceding had been filled with hard, yet successful labor, and the weeds had been slaughtered by themillion. The greater part of our crops had come up well and weregrowing nicely. In hoeing the corn, we had planted over the fewmissing hills, and now, like soldiers who had won the first greatsuccess of the campaign, we were in a mood to enjoy a rest to theutmost. 

This rest seemed all the more delightful when we awoke on thefollowing morning, to the soft patter of rain. The preceding dayshad been unusually dry and warm, so that the grass and tendervegetables were beginning to suffer. I was worrying about theraspberries also, which were passing out of blossom. The cultivatorhad been through them, and Merton and I, only the evening before, had finished hoeing out the sprouting weeds and surplus suckers. Ihad observed, with dread, that just as the fruit was forming, theearth, especially around the hills, was getting dry. 

Now, looking out, I saw that the needful watering was not comingfrom a passing shower. The clouds were leaden from horizon tohorizon; the rain fell with a gentle steadiness of a quiet summerstorm, and had evidently been falling some hours already. The airwas so fragrant that I threw wide open the door and windows. It wasa true June incense, such as no art could distil, and when, at last, we all sat down to breakfast, of which crisp radishes taken a fewmoments before from our own garden formed a part, we felt thatnature was carrying on our work of the past week in a way thatfilled our hearts with gratitude. The air was so warm that we didnot fear the dampness. The door and windows were left open that wemight enjoy the delicious odors and listen to the musical patter ofthe rain, which fell so softly that the birds were quite as tunefulas on other days. 

The children joined me in the porch, and my wife came out laughing, and put her hand on my shoulder as she said, "You are not throughwith July and August yet. "

Mousie held her hands out in the warm rain, saying: "I feel as if itwould make me grow, too. Look at the green cherries up there, bobbing as the drops hit them. "

"Rain isn't good for chickens, " Winnie remarked, doubtfully. 

"It won't hurt them, " I replied, "for I have fed them so well thatthey needn't go out in the wet for food. "

The clouds gave us a more and more copious downfall as the dayadvanced, and I sat on the porch, resting and observing withconscious gratitude how beautifully nature was furthering all ourlabor, and fulfilling our hopes. This rain would greatly increasethe hay-crops for the old horse and the cow; it would carry myvegetables rapidly toward maturity; and, best of all, would soak theraspberry ground so thoroughly that the fruit would be almost safe. What was true of our little plot was equally so of neighbor Jones'sfarm, and thousands of others. My wife sat with me much of the day, and I truly think that our thoughts were acceptable worship. By fourin the afternoon the western horizon lightened, the clouds soonbroke away, and the sun shone out briefly in undiminished splendor, turning the countless raindrops on foliage and grass into gems, literally, of the purest water. The bird-songs seemed almostecstatic, and the voices of the children, permitted at last to goout of doors, vied with them in gladness. 

"Let July and August--yes, and bleak January--bring what they may, "I said to my wife, "nevertheless, this is Eden. "

In spite of the muddy walks, we picked our way around the garden, exclaiming in pleased wonder at the growth made by our vegetablenurslings in a few brief hours, while, across the field, the cornand potato rows showed green, strong outlines. 

I found that Brindle in the pasture hadn't minded the rain, but onlyappeared the sleeker for it. When at last I came in to supper, Igave my wife a handful of berries, at which she and the childrenexclaimed. I had permitted a dozen plants of each variety of mygarden strawberries to bear, that I might get some idea of thefruit. The blossoms on the other plants had been picked off as soonas they appeared, so that all the strength might go toward formingnew plants. I found that a few of the berries of the two early kindswere ripe, also that the robins had been sampling them. In size, atleast, they seemed wonderful compared with the wild fruit from thefield, and I said:

"There will be lively times for us when we must get a dozen bushelsa day, like these, off to Mr. Bogart. "

The children, then, thought it would be the greatest fun in theworld. By the time supper was over, Mr. Jones and Junior appeared, and my neighbor said in hearty good-will:

"You got your cultivatin' done in the nick of time, Mr. Durham. Thisrain is a good hundred dollars in your pocket and mine, too. "

I soon perceived that our enemies, the weeds, had millions inreserve, and on Monday--the day after the rain--with all thechildren helping, even Mousie part of the time, we went at thegarden again. To Mousie, scarcely an invalid any longer, was giventhe pleasure of picking the first green peas and shelling them fordinner. We had long been enjoying the succulent lettuce and theradishes, and now I said to Winnie: "To-morrow you can beginthinning out the beets, leaving the plants three inches apart. Whatyou pull up can be cooked as spinach, or 'greens, ' as country peoplesay. Our garden will soon enable us to live like princes. "

As the ground dried after the rain, a light crust formed on thesurface, and in the wetter portions it was even inclined to bake orcrack. I was surprised at the almost magical effect of breaking upthe crust and making the soil loose and mellow by cultivation. Theletting in of air and light caused the plants to grow with wonderfulvigor. 

On Wednesday morning Merton came running in, exclaiming, "O papa!there's a green worm eating all the leaves off the currant andgooseberry bushes. "

I followed him hastily, and found that considerable mischief hadalready been done, and I went to one of my fruit books in a hurry tofind out how to cope with this new enemy. 

As a result, I said: "Merton, mamma wishes to go to the village. Youdrive her and Mousie down, and at the drug-store get two pounds ofwhite hellebore, also a pound of Paris green, for I find that thepotato bugs are getting too thick to be managed by hand. Rememberthat these are poisons, the Paris green a deadly one. Have themcarefully wrapped up, and keep them from everything else. When youreturn I'll take charge of them. Also, get a new large watering-can. "

That afternoon I mixed a heaping tablespoonful of the helleborethrough the contents of the watering-can, on which I had painted theword "Poison. " With this infusion I sprinkled thoroughly every bushon which I could find a worm, and the next morning we had thepleasure of finding most of these enemies dead. But some escaped ornew ones were hatched, and we found that we could save our currantsonly by constant vigilance. Every evening, until the fruit wasnearly ripe, we went over the bushes, and gave the vile little pestsa dose wherever we found them. Our other can I also labelled"Poison, " with dashes under it to show that it was to be used forParis green alone. A teaspoonful of this deadly agent was enough, according to my book, for the amount of water held by the ordinarywooden pail. I kept this poison out of Bobsey's reach, and, indeed, where no one but myself could get at it, and, by its aid, destroyedthe potato beetles and their larvae also. Whatever may be true inother parts of the world, in our region, certainly, success can besecured only by prompt, intelligent effort. 

CHAPTER XXXII

CHERRIES, BERRIES, AND BERRY-THIEVES

An evening or two after this we were taught that not even in ourretired nook had we escaped the dangers of city life. Winnie andBobsey, in their rambles after strawberries, had met two otherchildren, and, early in the acquaintance, fortunately brought themto the house. The moment I saw the strange girl, I recognized arural type of Melissa Daggett, while the urchin of Bobsey's age didnot scruple to use vile language in my hearing. I doubt whether thepoor little savage had any better vernacular. I told them kindly butfirmly that they must not come on the place again without mypermission. 

After supper I went over and asked Mr. Jones about these children, and he replied, significantly, looking around first to make surethat no one heard him:

"Mr. Durham, steer clear of those people. You know there are certainvarmints on a farm to which we give a wide berth and kill 'em whenwe can. Of course we can't kill off this family, although a goodcontribution could be taken up any day to move 'em a hundred milesaway. Still about everybody gives 'em a wide berth, and is civil totheir faces. They'll rob you more or less, and you might as wellmake up your mind to it, and let 'em alone. "

"Suppose I don't let them alone?"

"Well--remember, now, this is wholly between ourselves--there's beenbarns burned around here. Everybody's satisfied who sot 'em afire, but nothin' can be proved. Your cow or horse, too, might suddenlydie. There's no tellin' what accidents would happen if you got theirill-will. "

"I can't take the course you suggest toward this family, " I said, after a little thought. "It seems to me wrong on both sides. On onehand, they are treated as outlaws, and that would go far to makethem such; on the other, they are permitted to levy a sort ofblackmail and commit crime with impunity. Of course I must keep mychildren away from them; but, if the chance offers, I shall show thefamily kindness, and if they molest me I shall try to give them thelaw to the utmost. "

"Well, " concluded Mr. Jones, with a shrug, "I've warned you, if theygit down on yer, yer'll find 'em snakes in the grass. "

Returning home, I said nothing to Winnie and Bobsey against theirrecent companions, but told them that if they went with them again, or made the acquaintance of other strangers without permission, theywould be put on bread and water for an entire day--that all suchaction was positively forbidden. 

It was evident, however, that the Melissa Daggett element waspresent in the country, and in an aggravated form. That it was notnext door, or, rather, in the next room, was the redeeming feature. Residents in the country are usually separated by wide spaces fromevil association. 

It must not be thought that my wife and children had no societyexcept that afforded by Mr. Jones's family. They were graduallymaking pleasant and useful acquaintances, especially among thosewhom we met at church; but as these people have no material part inthis simple history, they are not mentioned. 

The most important activities of the season were now drawing verynear. The cherries were swelling fast; the currants were growingred, and were already pronounced "nice for pies;" and one morningMerton came rushing in with a red raspberry from the Highland Hardyvariety. I was glad the time was at hand when I should begin toreceive something besides advice from Mr. Bogart; for, careful as wehad been, the drain on my capital had been long and steady, and wereeager for the turn of the tide. 

I had bought a number of old Mr. Jamison's crates, had painted outhis name and replaced it with mine. I now wrote to Mr. Bogart forpackages best adapted to the shipping of cherries, currants, andraspberries. For the first he sent me baskets that held about apeck. These baskets were so cheap that they could be sold with thefruit. For currants, crates containing twenty-four quart basketswere forwarded. These, he wrote, would also do for black-caps thisseason, and for strawberries next year. For the red raspberries hesent me quite different crates, filled with little baskets holdingonly half a pint of fruit. Limited supplies of these packages weresent, for he said that a telegram would bring more the same day. 

The corn and potatoes were becoming weedy again. This time I madeuse of a light plow, Merton leading old Bay as at first. Then, withour hoes, we gave the rows a final dressing out. By the time we hadfinished, some of our grass was fit to cut, the raspberries needed acareful picking over, and the cherries on one tree were ready formarket. The children and robins had already feasted, but I washungry for a check from New York. 

I had long since decided not to attempt to carry on haying alone atthis critical season, but had hired a man, too aged to hold his ownamong the harvesters on the neighboring farms. Mr. Jones had said ofhim: "He's a careful, trusty old fellow, who can do a good day'swork yet if you don't hurry him. Most of your grass is in themeadow, some parts fit to cut before the others. Let the old manbegin and mow what he can, every day. Then you won't have to cureand get in a great lot of hay all at once, and perhaps, too, whenyour raspberries most need pickin'. "

So, during the last days of June, old Mr. Jacox, who came atmoderate wages, put in his scythe on the uplands. I spread the grassand raked it up when dry, and, with the aid of Merton and a rude, extemporized rack on the market-wagon, got the hay gradually intothe barn. This labor took only part of the day; the rest of the timewas employed in the garden and in picking fruit. 

On the last day of June we gathered a crate of early raspberries andeight baskets of cherries. In the cool of the afternoon, these wereplaced in the wagon, and with my wife and the three youngerchildren, I drove to the Maizeville Landing with our first shipmentto Mr. Bogart. 

"We are 'p'oducers, ' at last, as Bobsey said, " I cried, joyously. "And I trust that this small beginning will end in such big loads aswill leave us no room for wife and children, but will eventuallygive them a carriage to ride in. "

Merton remained on guard to watch our precious ripening fruit. 

After our departure he began a vigilant patrol of the place, feelingmuch like a sentinel left on guard. About sun-down, he told me, ashe was passing through the raspberry field, he thought he caught aglimpse of an old straw hat dodging down behind the bushes. Hebounded toward the spot, a moment later confronting three childrenwith tin pails. The two younger proved to be Winnie's objectionableacquaintances that I had told to keep off the place. The eldest wasa boy, not far from Merton's age, and had justly won the name ofbeing the worst boy in the region. All were the children of thedangerous neighbor against whom Mr. Jones had warned me. 

The boy at first regarded Merton with a sullen, defiant look, whilehis brother and sister coolly continued to steal the fruit. 

"Clear out, " cried Merton. "We'll have you put in jail if you comehere again. "

"You shut up and clear out yerself, " said the boy, threateningly, "or I'll break yer head. Yer pap's away, and we ain't afraid of you. What's more, we're goin' ter have some cherries before--"

Now Merton had a quick temper, and at this moment sprang at thefellow who was adding insult to injury, so quickly that he got in ablow that blackened one of the thief's eyes. 

Then they clinched, and, although his antagonist was the heavier, Merton thinks he could have whipped him had not the two youngermarauders attacked him, tooth and nail, like cats. Finding himselfgetting the worst of it, he instinctively sent out a cry for hisstanch friend Junior. 

Fortunately, this ally was coming along the road toward our house, and he gave an answering halloo. 

The vagrants, apparently, had a wholesome fear of John Jones, junior, for, on hearing his voice, they beat a hurried retreat; butknowing that no one was at the house, and in the spirit ofrevengeful mischief, they took their flight in that direction. Seeing Mousie's flower-bed, they ran and jumped upon that, breakingdown half the plants, then dashed off through the coops, releasingthe hens, and scattering the broods of chickens. Merton and Junior, who for a few moments had lost sight of the invaders in the thickraspberry bushes, were now in hot pursuit, and would have caughtthem again, had they not seen a man coming up the lane, accompaniedby a big dog. Junior laid a hand on headlong Merton, whose blood wasnow at boiling heat, and said, "Stop. "

CHAPTER XXXIII

GIVEN HIS CHOICE

Junior had good reason for bringing Merton to a sudden halt in hisimpetuous and hostile advance. The man coming up the lane, with asavage dog, was the father of the ill-nurtured children. He had felta little uneasy as to the results of their raid upon our fruit, andhad walked across the fields to give them the encouragement of hispresence, or to cover their retreat, which he now did effectually. 

It took Junior but a moment to explain to my boy that they were nomatch "for the two brutes, " as he expressed himself, adding, "Theman is worse than the dog. "

Merton, however, was almost reckless from anger and a sense ofunprovoked wrong, and he darted into the house for his gun. 

"See here, Merton, " said Junior, firmly, "shoot the dog if they sethim on us, but never fire at a human being. You'd better give me thegun; I am cooler than you are. "

They had no occasion to use the weapon, however. The man shook hisfist at them, while his children indulged in taunts and coarsederision. The dog, sharing their spirit and not their discretion, started for the boys, but was recalled, and our undesirableneighbors departed leisurely. 

All this was related to me after nightfall, when I returned with mywife and younger children from the Maizeville Landing. I confessthat I fully shared Merton's anger, although I listened quietly. 

"You grow white, Robert, when you are angry, " said my wife. "Isuppose that's the most dangerous kind of heat--white-heat. Don'ttake the matter so to heart. We can't risk getting the ill-will ofthese ugly people. You know what Mr. Jones said about them. "

"This question shall be settled in twenty-four hours!" I replied. "That man and his family are the pest of the neighborhood, andeveryone lives in a sort of abject dread of them. Now, the neighborsmust say 'yes' or 'no' to the question whether we shall havedecency, law, and order, or not. Merton, unharness the horse. Junior, come with me; I'm going to see your father. "

I found Mr. Jones sleepy and about to retire, but his blue eyes weresoon wide open, with an angry fire in them. 

"You take the matter very quietly, Mr. Durham;" he said; "morequietly than I could. "

"I shall not fume about the affair a moment. I prefer to act. Theonly question for you and the other neighbors to decide is, Will youact with me? I am going to this man Bagley's house to-morrow, togive him his choice. It's either decency and law-abiding on hispart, now, or prosecution before the law on mine. You say that youare sure that he has burned barns, and made himself generally theterror of the region. Now, I won't live in a neighborhood infestedby people little better than wild Indians. My feelings as a man willnot permit me to submit to insult and injury. What's more, it's timethe people about here abated this nuisance. "

"You are right, Robert Durham!" said Mr. Jones, springing up andgiving me his hand. "I've felt mean, and so have others, that we'veallowed ourselves to be run over by this rapscallion. If you go to-morrow, I'll go with you, and so will Rollins. His hen-roost wasrobbed t'other night, and he tracked the thieves straight towardBagley's house. He says his patience has given out. It only needs aleader to rouse the neighborhood, but it ain't very creditable to usthat we let a new-comer like you face the thing first. "

"Very well, " I said, "it's for you and your neighbors to show nowhow much grit and manhood you have. I shall start for Bagley's houseat nine to-morrow. Of course I shall be glad to have company, and ifhe sees that the people will not stand any more of his rascality, he'll be more apt to behave himself or else clear out. "

"He'll have to do one or the other, " said Mr. Jones, grimly. "I'llgo right down to Rolling's. Come, Junior, we may want you. "

At eight o'clock the next morning, a dozen men, including theconstable, were in our yard. My wife whispered, "Do be prudent, Robert. " She was much reassured, however, by the largeness of ourforce. 

We soon reached the dilapidated hovel, and were so fortunate as tofind Bagley and all his family at home. Although it was the busiestseason, he was idle. As I led my forces straight toward the door, itwas evident that he was surprised and disconcerted, in spite of hisattempt to maintain a sullen and defiant aspect. I saw his evil eyeresting on one and another of our group, as if he was storing upgrudges to be well paid on future dark nights. His eldest son stoodwith the dog at the corner of the house, and as I approached, thecur, set on by the boy, came toward me with a stealthy step. Icarried a heavy cane, and just as the brute was about to take me bythe leg, I struck him a blow on the head that sent him howling away. 

The man for a moment acted almost as if he had been struck himself. His bloated visage became inflamed, and he sprang toward me. 

"Stop!" I thundered. My neighbors closed around me, and heinstinctively drew back. 

"Bagley, " I cried, "look me in the eye. " And he fixed upon me a gazefull of impotent anger. "Now, " I resumed, "I wish you and yourfamily to understand that you've come to the end of your rope. Youmust become decent, law-abiding people, like the rest of us, or weshall put you where you can't harm us. I, for one, am going to giveyou a last chance. Your children were stealing my fruit last night, and acting shamefully afterward. You also trespassed, and youthreatened these two boys; you are idle in the busiest time, andthink you can live by plunder. Now, you and yours must turn thesharpest corner you ever saw. Your two eldest children can come andpick berries for me at the usual wages, if they obey my orders andbehave themselves. One of the neighbors here says he'll give youwork, if you try to do it well. If you accept these terms, I'll letthe past go. If you don't, I'll have the constable arrest your boyat once, and I'll see that he gets the heaviest sentence the lawallows, while if you or your children make any further trouble, I'llmeet you promptly in every way the law permits. But, little as youdeserve it, I am going to give you and your family one chance toreform, before proceeding against you. Only understand one thing, Iam not afraid of you. I've had my say. "

"I haven't had mine, " said Rollins, stepping forward excitedly. "You, or your scapegrace boy there, robbed my hen-roost the othernight, and you've robbed it before. There isn't a man in this regionbut believes that it was you who burned the barns and hay-stacks. Wewon't stand this nonsense another hour. You've got to come to myhay-fields and work out the price of those chickens, and after thatI'll give you fair wages. But if there's any more trouble, we'llclean you out as we would a family of weasels. "

"Yes, neighbor Bagley, " added Mr. Jones, in his dry, caustic way, "think soberly. I hope you are sober. I'm not one of the threateningbarkin' sort, but I've reached the p'int where I'll bite. The lawwill protect us, an' the hull neighborhood has resolved, with Mr. Durham here, that you and your children shall make no more troublethan he and his children. See?"

"Look-a-here, " began the man, blusteringly, "you needn't comethreatenin' in this blood-and-thunder style. The law'll protect meas well as--"

Ominous murmurs were arising from all my neighbors, and Mr. Jonesnow came out strong. 

"Neighbors, " he said, "keep cool. The time to act hasn't come yet. See here, Bagley, it's hayin' and harvest. Our time's vallyble, whether yours is or not. You kin have just three minutes to decidewhether you'll take your oath to stop your maraudin' and that ofyour children;" and he pulled out his watch. 

"Let me add my word, " said a little man, stepping forward. "I ownthis house, and the rent is long overdue. Follow neighbor Jones'sadvice or we'll see that the sheriff puts your traps out in themiddle of the road. "

"Oh, of course, " began Bagley. "What kin one feller do against acrowd?"

"Sw'ar, as I told you, " said Mr. Jones, sharply and emphatically. "What do you mean by hangin' fire so? Do you s'pose this is child'splay and make-believe? Don't ye know that when quiet, peaceableneighbors git riled up to our pitch, they mean what they say? Sw'ar, as I said, and be mighty sudden about it. "

"Don't be a fool, " added his wife, who stood trembling behind him. "Can't you see?"

"Very well, I sw'ar it, " said the man, in some trepidation. 

"Now, Bagley, " said Mr. Jones, putting back his watch, "we want toconvert you thoroughly this mornin'. The first bit of mischief thattakes place in this borough will bring the weight of the law onyou;" and, wheeling on his heel, he left the yard, followed by theothers. 

CHAPTER XXXIV

GIVEN A CHANCE

"Come in, Mr. Bagley, " I said, "and bring the children. I want totalk with you all. Merton, you go home with Junior. "

But, papa--" he objected. 

"Do as I bid you, " I said, firmly, and I entered the squalid abode. 

The man and the children followed me wonderingly. I sat down andlooked the man steadily in the eye for a moment. 

"Let us settle one thing first, " I began. "Do you think I am afraidof you?"

"S'pose not, with sich backin' as yer got, " was the somewhat nervousreply. 

"I told Mr. Jones after I came home last night that I should fightthis thing alone if no one stood by me. But you see that yourneighbors have reached the limit of forbearance. Now, Mr. Bagley, Ididn't remain to threaten you. There has been enough of that, andfrom very resolute, angry men, too. I wish to give you and yours achance. You've come to a place where two roads branch; you must takeone or the other. You can't help yourself. You and your childrenwon't be allowed to steal or prowl about any more. That's settled. If you go away and begin the same wretched life elsewhere, you'llsoon reach the same result; you and your son will be lodged in jailand put at hard labor. Would you not better make up your mind towork for yourself and family, like an honest man? Look at thesechildren. How are you bringing them up?--Take the road to the right. Do your level best, and I'll help you. I'll let bygones be bygones, and aid you in becoming a respectable citizen. "

"Oh, Hank, do be a man, now that Mr. Durham gives you a chance, "sobbed his wife; "you know we've been living badly. "

"That's it, Bagley. These are the questions you must decide. Ifyou'll try to be a man, I'll give you my hand to stand by you. Myreligion, such as it is, requires that I shall not let a man gowrong if I can help it. If you'll take the road to the right and doyour level best, there's my hand. "

The man showed his emotion by a slight tremor only, and after amoment's thoughtful hesitation he took my hand and said, in ahoarse, choking voice: "You've got a claim on me now which all therest couldn't git, even if they put a rope around my neck. I s'poseI have lived like a brute, but I've been treated like one, too. "

"If you'll do as I say, I'll guarantee that within six months you'llbe receiving all the kindness that a self-respecting man wants, " Ianswered. 

Then, turning to his wife, I asked, "What have you in the house toeat?"

"Next to nothin', " she said, drying her eyes with her apron, andthen throwing open their bare cupboard. 

"Put on your coat, Bagley, and come with me, " I said. 

He and his wife began to be profuse with thanks. 

"No, no!" I said, firmly. "I'm not going to give you a penny's worthof anything while you are able to earn a living. You shall have foodat once; but I shall expect you to pay for it in work. I am going totreat you like a man and a woman, and not like beggars. "

A few minutes later, some of the neighbors were much surprised tosee Bagley and myself going up the road together. 

My wife, Merton, and tender-hearted Mousie were at the head of thelane watching for me. Reassured, as we approached, they returnedwonderingly to the house, and met us at the door. 

"This is Mrs. Durham, " I said. "My dear, please give Mr. Bagley tenpounds of flour and a piece of pork. After you're had your dinner, Mr. Bagley, I shall expect you, as we've agreed. And if you'll chainup that dog of yours, or, better still, knock it on the head with anaxe, Mrs. Durham will go down and see your wife about fixing up yourchildren. "

Winifred gave me a pleased, intelligent look, and said, "Come in, Mr. Bagley;" while Merton and I hastened away to catch up withneglected work. 

"Your husband's been good to me, " said the man, abruptly. 

"That's because he believes you are going to be good to yourself andyour family, " was her smiling reply. 

"Will you come and see my wife?" he asked. 

"Certainly, if I don't have to face your dog, " replied Winifred. 

"I'll kill the critter soon's I go home, " muttered Bagley. 

"It hardly pays to keep a big, useless dog, " was my wife's practicalcomment. 

In going to the cellar for the meat, she left him alone for a momentor two with Mousie; and he, under his new impulses, said: "Littlegal, ef my children hurt your flowers agin, let me know, and I'llthrash 'em!"

The child stole to his side and gave him her hand, as she replied, "Try being kind to them. "

Bagley went home with some new ideas under his tattered old hat. Athalf-past twelve he was on hand, ready for work. 

"That dog that tried to bite ye is dead and buried, " he said, "and Ihope I buried some of my dog natur' with 'im. "

"You've shown your good sense. But I haven't time to talk now. Theold man has mown a good deal of grass. I want you to shake it out, and, as soon as he says it's dry enough, to rake it up. Toward nightI'll be out with the wagon, and we'll stow all that's fit into thebarn. To-morrow I want your two eldest children to come and pickberries. "

"I'm in fer it, Mr. Durham. You've given me your hand, and I'll showyer how that goes furder with me than all the blood-and-thunder talkin Maizeville, " said Bagley, with some feeling. 

"Then you'll show that you can be a man like the rest of us, " Isaid, as I hastened to our early dinner. 

My wife beamed and nodded at me. "I'm not going to say anything toset you up too much, " she said. "You are great on problems, and youare solving one even better than I hoped. "

"It isn't solved yet, " I replied. "We have only started Bagley andhis people on the right road. It will require much patience and goodmanagement to keep them there. I rather think you'll have thehardest part of the problem yet on your hands. I have little timefor problems now, however, except that of making the most of thisseason of rapid growth and harvest. I declare I'm almost bewilderedwhen I see how much there is to be done on every side. Children, wemust all act like soldiers in the middle of a fight. Every strokemust tell. Now, we'll hold a council of war, so as to make the mostof the afternoon's work. Merton, how are the raspberries?"

"There are more ripe, papa, than I thought there would be. "

"Then, Winnie, you and Bobsey must leave the weeding in the gardenand help Merton pick berries this afternoon. "

"As soon as it gets cooler, " said my wife, "Mousie and I are goingto pick, also. "

"Very well, " I agreed. "You can give us raspberries and milk to-night, and so you will be getting supper at the same time. Until thehay is ready to come in, I shall keep on hoeing in the garden, theweeds grow so rapidly. Tomorrow will be a regular fruit day allaround, for there are two more cherry-trees that need picking. "

Our short nooning over, we all went to our several tasks. Thechildren were made to feel that now was the chance to win our breadfor months to come, and that there must be no shirking. Mousiepromised to clear away the things while my wife, protected by alarge sun-shade, walked slowly down to the Bagley cottage. Havingseen that Merton and his little squad were filling the baskets withraspberries properly, I went to the garden and slaughtered the weedswhere they threatened to do the most harm. 

At last I became so hot and wearied that I thought I would visit adistant part of the upland meadow, and see how Bagley wasprogressing. He was raking manfully, and had accomplished a fairamount of work, but it was evident that he was almost exhausted. Hewas not accustomed to hard work, and had rendered himself still moreunfit for it by dissipation. 

"See here, Bagley, " I said, "you are doing well, but you will haveto break yourself into harness gradually. I don't wish to be hardupon you. Lie down under this tree for half an hour, and by thattime I shall be out with the wagon. "

"Mr. Durham, you have the feelin's of a man for a feller, " saidBagley, gratefully. "I'll make up the time arter it gets cooler. "

Returning to the raspberry patch, I found Bobsey almost asleep, theberries often falling from his nerveless hands. Merton, meanwhile, with something of the spirit of a martinet, was spurring him to histask. I remembered that the little fellow had been busy sincebreakfast, and decided that he also, of my forces, should have arest. He started up when he saw me coming through the bushes, andtried to pick with vigor again. As I took him up in my arms, hebegan, apprehensively, "Papa, I will pick faster, but I'm so tired!"

I reassured him with a kiss which left a decided raspberry flavor onmy lips, carried him into the barn, and, tossing him on a heap ofhay, said, "Sleep there, my little man, till you are rested. "

He was soon snoring blissfully, and when I reached the meadow withthe wagon, Bagley was ready to help with the loading. 

"Well, well!" he exclaimed, "a little breathin'-spell does do afeller good on a hot day. "

"No doubt about it, " I said. "So long as you are on the right road, it does no harm to sit down a bit, because when you start again it'sin the right direction. "

After we had piled on as much of a load as the rude, extemporizedrack on my market wagon could hold, I added, "You needn't go to thebarn with me, for I can pitch the hay into the mow. Rake up anotherload, if you feel able. "

"Oh, I'm all right now, " he protested. 

By the time I had unloaded the hay, I found that my wife and Mousiewere among the raspberries, and that the number of full, fragrantlittle baskets was increasing rapidly. 

"Winifred, isn't this work, with your walk to the Bagley cottage, too much for you?"

"Oh, no, " she replied, lightly. "An afternoon in idleness in astifling city flat would have been more exhausting. It's growingcool now. What wretched, shiftless people those Bagleys are! But Ihave hopes of them. I'm glad Bobsey's having a nap. "

"You shall tell me about your visit to-night. We are making goodprogress. Bagley is doing his best. Winnie, " I called, "come here. "

She brought her basket, nearly filled, and I saw that her eyes wereheavy with weariness also. 

"You've done well to-day, my child. Now go and look after yourchickens, big and little. Then your day's work is done, and you cando what you please;" and I started for the meadow again. 

By six o'clock, we had in the barn three loads of hay, and Mertonhad packed four crates of berries ready for market. Bobsey was nowrunning about, as lively as a cricket, and Winnie, with a child'selasticity, was nearly as sportive. Bagley, after making up hishalf-hour, came up the lane with a rake, instead of his ugly dog ason the evening before. A few moments later, he helped me lift thecrates into the market wagon; and then, after a little awkwardhesitation, began:

"I say, Mr. Durham, can't ye give a feller a job yerself? I declar'to you, I want to brace up; but I know how it'll be down atRollins's. He'll be savage as a meat-axe to me, and his men will bea-gibin'. Give me a job yerself, and I'll save enough out o' mywages to pay for his chickens, or you kin keep 'nuff back to pay for'em. "

I thought a moment, and then said, promptly: "I'll agree to this ifRollins will. I'll see him to-night. "

"Did yer wife go to see my wife?"

"Yes, and she says she has hopes of you all. You've earned yourbread to-day as honestly as I have, and you've more than paid forwhat my wife gave you this morning. Here's a quarter to make the daysquare, and here's a couple of baskets of raspberries left over. Take them to the children. " "Well, yer bring me right to the mark, "he said, emphasizing his words with a slap on his thigh. "I've gotan uphill row to hoe, and it's good ter have some human crittersaround that'll help a feller a bit. "

I laughed as I clapped him on the shoulder, and said: "You're goingto win the fight, Bagley. I'll see Rollins at once, for I find Ishall need another man awhile. "

"Give me the job then, " he said, eagerly, "and give me what youthink I'm wuth;" and he jogged off home with that leaven of all goodin his heart--the hope of better things. 

Chapter XXXV

"WE SHALL ALL EARN OUR SALT"

Raspberries and milk, with bread and butter and a cup of tea, made asupper that we all relished, and then Merton and I started for theboat-landing. I let the boy drive and deliver the crates to thefreight agent, for I wished him to relieve me of this taskoccasionally. On our way to the landing I saw Rollins, who readilyagreed to Bagley's wish, on condition that I guaranteed payment forthe chickens. Stopping at the man's cottage further on, I told himthis, and he, in his emphatic way, declared: "I vow ter you, Mr. Durham, ye shan't lose a feather's worth o' the chickens. "

Returning home, poor Merton was so tired and drowsy that he nearlyfell off the seat. Before long I took the reins from his hands, andhe was asleep with his head on my shoulder. Winifred was dozing inher chair, but brightened up as we came in. A little judiciouspraise and a bowl of bread and milk strengthened the boywonderfully. He saw the need of especial effort at this time, andalso saw that he was not being driven unfeelingly. 

As I sat alone with my wife, resting a few minutes before retiring, I said: "Well, Winifred, it must be plain to you by this time thatthe summer campaign will be a hard one. How are we going to standit?"

"I'll tell you next fall, " she replied, with a laugh. "No problemsto-night, thank you. "

"I'm gathering a queer lot of helpers in my effort to live in thecountry, " I continued. "There's old Mr. Jacox, who is too aged tohold his own in other harvest-fields. Bagley and his tribe--"

"And a city wife and a lot of city children, " she added. 

"And a city greenhorn of a man at the head of you all, " I concluded. 

"Well, " she replied, rising with an odd little blending of laugh andyawn, "I'm not afraid but that we shall all earn our salt. "

Thus came to an end the long, eventful day, which prepared the wayfor many others of similar character, and suggested many of theconditions of our problem of country living. 

Bagley appeared bright and early the following morning with his twoelder children, and I was now confronted with the task of managingthem and making them useful. Upon one thing I was certainlyresolved--there should be no quixotic sentiment in our relations, and no companionship between his children and mine. 

Therefore, I took him and his girl and boy aside, and said: "I'mgoing to be simple and outspoken with you. Some of my neighborsthink I'm a fool because I give you work when I can get others. Ishall prove that I am not a fool, for the reason that I shall notpermit any nonsense, and you can show that I am not a fool by doingyour work well and quietly. Bagley, I want you to understand thatyour children do not come here to play with mine. No matter whom Iemployed, I should keep my children by themselves. Now, do youunderstand this?"

They nodded affirmatively. 

"Are you all willing to take simple, straightforward directions, anddo your best? I'm not asking what is unreasonable, for I shall notbe more strict with you than with my own children. "

"No use o' beatin' around the bush, Mr. Durham, " said Bagley, good-naturedly; "we've come here to 'arn our livin', and to do as yousay. "

"I can get along with you, Bagley, but your children will find ithard to follow my rules, because they are children, and are not usedto restraint. Yet they must do it, or there'll be trouble at once. They must work quietly and steadily while they do work, and when Iam through with them, they must go straight home. They mustn'tlounge about the place. If they will obey, Mrs. Durham and I will begood friends to them, and by fall we will fix them up so that theycan go to school. "

The little arabs looked askance at me and made me think of two wildanimals that had been caught, and were intelligent enough tounderstand that they must be tamed. They were submissive, but madeno false pretences of enjoying the prospect. 

"I shall keep a gad handy, " said their father, with a significantnod at them. 

"Well, youngsters, " I concluded, laughing, "perhaps you'll need itoccasionally. I hope not, however. I shall keep no gad, but I shallhave an eye on you when you least expect it; and if you go throughthe picking-season well, I shall have a nice present for you both. Now, you are to receive so much a basket, if the baskets areproperly filled, and therefore it will depend on yourselves how muchyou earn. You shall be paid every day. So now for a good starttoward becoming a man and a woman. "

I led them to one side of the raspberry patch and put them underMerton's charge saying, "You must pick exactly as he directs. "

Winnie and Bobsey were to pick in another part of the field, Mousieaiding until the sun grew too warm for the delicate child. Bagleywas to divide his time between hoeing in the garden and spreadingthe grass after the scythe of old Mr. Jacox. From my ladder againsta cherry-tree, I was able to keep a general outlook over my motleyforces, and we all made good progress till dinner, which, like thehelp we employed, we now had at twelve o'clock. Bagley and hischildren sat down to their lunch under the shade of an apple-tree atsome distance, yet in plain view through our open door. Their repastmust have been meagre, judging from the time in which it wasdespatched, and my wife said, "Can't I send them something?"

"Certainly; what have you to send?"

"Well, I've made a cherry pudding; I don't suppose there is muchmore than enough for us, though. "

"Children, " I cried, "let's take a vote. Shall we share our cherrypudding with the Bagleys?"

"Yes, " came the unanimous reply, although Bobsey's voice was ratherfaint. 

Merton carried the delicacy to the group under the tree, and it wasgratefully and speedily devoured. 

"That is the way to the hearts of those children, " said my wife, atthe same time slyly slipping her portion of the pudding uponBobsey's plate. 

I appeared very blind, but asked her to get me something from thekitchen. While she was gone, I exchanged my plate of pudding, untouched as yet, for hers, and gave the children a wink. We all hada great laugh over mamma's well-assumed surprise and perplexity. Howa little fun will freshen up children, especially when, fromnecessity, their tasks are long and heavy!

We were startled from the table by a low mutter of thunder. Hastening out, I saw an ominous cloud in the west. My first thoughtwas that all should go to the raspberries and pick till the raindrove us in; but Bagley now proved a useful friend, for he shambledup and said: "If I was you, I'd have those cherries picked fust. You'll find that a thunder-shower'll rot 'em in one night. The wetwon't hurt the berries much. "

His words reminded me of what I had seen when a boy--a tree full ofsplit, half-decayed cherries--and I told him to go to picking atonce. I also sent his eldest boy and Merton into the trees. OldJacox was told to get the grass he had cut into as good shape aspossible before the shower. My wife and Mousie left the tablestanding, and, hastening to the raspberry field, helped Winnie andBobsey and the other Bagley child to pick the ripest berries. We allworked like beavers till the vivid flashes and great drops drove usto shelter. 

Fortunately, the shower came up slowly, and we nearly stripped thecherry-trees, carrying the fruit into the house, there to bearranged for market in the neat peck-baskets with coarse baggingcovers which Mr. Bogart had sent me. The little baskets ofraspberries almost covered the barn floor by the time the rainbegan, but they were safe. At first, the children were almostterrified by the vivid lightning, but this phase of the storm soonpassed, and the clouds seemed to settle down for a steady rain. 

"'Tisn't goin' to let up, " said Bagley, after a while. "We might aswell jog home now as any time. "

"But you'll get wet, " I objected. 

"It won't be the fust time, " answered Bagley. "The children don'tmind it any more'n ducks. "

"Well, let's settle, then, " I said. "You need some money to buy foodat once. "

"I reckon I do, " was the earnest reply. 

"There's a dollar for your day's work, and here is what yourchildren have earned. Are you satisfied?" I asked. 

"I be, and I thank you, sir. I'll go down to the store thisevenin', " he added. 

"And buy food only, " I said, with a meaning look. 

"Flour and pork only, sir. I've given you my hand on't;" and awaythey all jogged through the thick-falling drops. 

We packed our fruit for market, and looked vainly for clearing skiesin the west. 

"There's no help for it, " I said. "The sooner I start for thelanding the better, so that I can return before it becomes verydark. "

My wife exclaimed against this, but I added: "Think a moment, mydear. By good management we have here, safe and in good order, thirty dollars' worth of fruit, at least. Shall I lose it because Iam afraid of a summer shower? Facing the weather is a part of mybusiness; and I'd face a storm any day in the year if I could makethirty dollars. "

Merton wished to go also, but I said, "No; there must be no risksof illness that can possibly be avoided. "

I did not find it a dreary expedition, after all, for I solacedmyself with thoughts like these, "Thirty dollars, under my wife'sgood management, will go far toward providing warm winter clothing, or paying the interest, or something else. "

Then the rain was just what was needed to increase and prolong theyield of the raspberry bushes, on which there were still myriads ofimmature berries and even blossoms. Abundant moisture would perfectthese into plump fruit; and upon this crop rested our main hope. 

CHAPTER XXXVI

A THUNDERBOLT

From the experiences just related, it can be seen how largely thestress and strain of the year centred in the month of July. Nearlyall our garden crops needed attention; the grass of the meadow hadto be cured into hay, the currants and cherries to be picked, andfall crops, like winter cabbages, turnips, and celery, to be put inthe ground. Of the latter vegetable, I set out only a few shortrows, regarding it as a delicious luxury to which not very much timecould be given. 

Mr. Jones and Junior, indeed all our neighbors, were working earlyand late, like ourselves. Barns were being filled, conical hay-stacks were rising in distant meadows, and every one was busy ingathering nature's bounty. 

We were not able to make much of the Fourth of July. Bobsey andWinnie had some firecrackers, and, in the evening, Merton and Juniorset off a few rockets, and we all said, "Ah!" appreciatively, asthey sped their brief fiery course; but the greater part of the dayhad to be spent in gathering the ripening black-caps andraspberries. By some management, however, I arranged that Merton andJunior should have a fine swim in the creek, by Brittle Rock, whileMousie, Winnie, and Bobsey waded in sandy shallows, further down thestream. They all were promised holidays after the fruit season wasover, and they submitted to the necessity of almost constant workwith fairly good grace. 

The results of our labor were cheering. Our table was supplied withdelicious vegetables, which, in the main, it was Mousie's task togather and prepare. The children were as brown as little Indians, and we daily thanked God for health. Checks from Mr. Bogart cameregularly, the fruit bringing a fair price under his goodmanagement. The outlook for the future grew brighter with thebeginning of each week; for on Monday he made his returns and sentme the proceeds of the fruit shipped previously. I was able to payall outstanding accounts for what had been bought to stock theplace, and I also induced Mr. Jones to receive the interest inadvance on the mortgage he held. Then we began to hoard for winter. 

The Bagleys did as well as we could expect, I suppose. The childrendid need the "gad" occasionally and the father indulged in a fewidle, surly, drinking days; but, convinced that the man was honestlytrying, I found that a little tact and kindness always brought himaround to renewed endeavor. To expect immediate reform and unvariedwell-doing would be asking too much of such human nature as theirs. 

As July drew to a close, my wife and I felt that we were succeedingbetter than we had had reason to expect. In the height of the seasonwe had to employ more children in gathering the raspberries, and Isaw that I could increase the yield in coming years, as I learnedthe secrets of cultivation. I also decided to increase the area ofthis fruit by a fall-planting of some varieties that ripened earlierand later, thus extending the season and giving me a chance to shipto market for weeks instead of days. My strawberry plants weresending out a fine lot of new runners, and our hopes for the futurewere turning largely toward the cultivation of this delicious fruit. 

Old Jacox had plodded faithfully over the meadow with his scythe, and the barn was now so well filled that I felt our bay horse andbrindle cow were provided for during the months when fields are bareor snowy. 

Late one afternoon, he was helping me gather up almost the last loaddown by the creek, when the heavy roll of thunder warned us tohasten. As we came up to the high ground near the house, we wereboth impressed by the ominous blackness of a cloud rising in thewest. I felt that the only thing to do was to act like the captainof a vessel before a storm, and make everything "snug and tight. "The load of hay was run in upon the barn floor, and the old horseled with the harness on him to the stall below. Bagley and thechildren, with old Jacox, were started off so as to be at homebefore the shower, doors and windows were fastened, and all was madeas secure as possible. 

Then we gathered in our sitting-room, where Mousie and my wife hadprepared supper; but we all were too oppressed with awe of thecoming tempest to sit down quietly, as usual. There was a death-likestillness in the sultry air, broken only at intervals by the heavyrumble of thunder. The strange, dim twilight soon passed into themurkiest gloom, and we had to light the lamp far earlier than ourusual hour. I had never seen the children so affected before. Winnieand Bobsey even began to cry with fear, while Mousie was pale andtrembling. Of course, we laughed at them and tried to cheer them;but even my wife was nervously apprehensive, and I admit that I felta disquietude hard to combat. 

Slowly and remorselessly the cloud approached, until it began topass over us. The thunder and lightning were simply terrific. Supperremained untasted on the table, and I said: "Patience and courage! Afew moments more and the worst will be over!"

But my words were scarcely heard, so violent was the gust that burstupon us. For a few moments it seemed as if everything would go downbefore it, but the old house only shook and rocked a little. 

"Hurrah!" I cried. "The bulk of the gust has gone by, and now we areall right!"

At that instant a blinding gleam and an instantaneous crash left usstunned and bewildered. But as I recovered my senses, I saw flamesbursting from the roof of our barn. 

CHAPTER XXXVII

RALLYING FROM THE BLOW

Our house was far enough from the barn to prevent the shock of thethunderbolt from disabling us beyond a moment or two. Merton hadfallen off his chair, but was on his feet almost instantly; theother children were soon sobbing and clinging to my wife and myself. 

In tones that I sought to render firm and quiet, I said: "No more ofthis foolish fear. We are in God's hands, and He will take care ofus. Winifred, you must rally and soothe the children, while Mertonand I go out and save what we can. All danger to the house is nowover, for the worst of the storm has passed. "

In a moment my wife, although very pale, was reassuring the youngerchildren, and Merton and I rushed forth. 

"Lead the horse out of the barn basement, Merton, " I cried, "and tiehim securely behind the house. If he won't go readily, throw ablanket over his eyes. "

I spoke these words as we ran through the torrents of rainprecipitated by the tremendous concussion which the lightning hadproduced. 

I opened the barn doors and saw that the hay was on fire. There wasnot a second to lose, and excitement doubled my strength. The loadof hay on the wagon had not yet caught. Although nearly stifled withsulphurous smoke, I seized the shafts and backed the wagon with itsburden out into the rain. Then, seizing a fork, I pushed and tossedoff the load so that I could draw our useful market vehicle to asafe distance. There were a number of crates and baskets in thebarn, also some tools, etc. These I had to let go. Hastening to thebasement, I found that Merton had succeeded in getting the horseaway. There was still time to smash the window of the poultry-roomand toss the chickens out of doors. Our cow, fortunately, was in themeadow. 

By this time Mr. Jones and Junior were on the ground, and they weresoon followed by Rollins, Bagley, and others. There was nothing todo now, however, but to stand aloof and witness the swiftdestruction. After the first great gust had passed, there wasfortunately but little wind, and the heavy downpour prevented theflames from spreading. In this we stood, scarcely heeding it in theexcitement of the hour. After a few moments I hastened to assure mytrembling wife and crying children that the rain made the houseperfectly safe, and that they were in no danger at all. Then Icalled to the neighbors to come and stand under the porch-roof. 

From this point we could see the great pyramid of fire and smokeascending into the black sky. The rain-drops glittered like fieryhail in the intense light and the still vivid flashes from theclouds. 

"This is hard luck, neighbor Durham, " said Mr. Jones, with a longbreath. 

"My wife and children are safe, " I replied, quietly. 

Then we heard the horse neighing and tugging at his halter. Bagleyhad the good sense and will to jerk off his coat, tie it around theanimal's eyes, and lead him to a distance from the fatal fascinationof the flames. 

In a very brief space of time the whole structure, with my summercrop of hay, gathered with so much labor, sunk down into glowing, hissing embers. I was glad to have the ordeal over, and to berelieved from fear that the wind would rise again. Now I was assuredof the extent of our loss, as well as of its certainty. 

"Well, well, " said the warm-hearted and impulsive Rollins, "when youare ready to build again, your neighbors will give you a lift. Byconverting Bagley into a decent fellow, you've made all our barnssafer, and we owe you a good turn. He was worse than lightning. "

I expressed my thanks, adding, "This isn't as bad as you think; I'minsured. "

"Well, now, that's sensible, " said Mr. Jones. "I'll sleep better forthat fact, and so will you, Robert Durham. You'll make a go of ithere yet. "

"I'm not in the least discouraged, " I answered; "far worse thingsmight have happened. I've noticed in my paper that a good many barnshave been struck this summer, so my experience is not unusual. Theonly thing to do is to meet such things patiently and make the bestof them. As long as the family is safe and well, outside matters canbe remedied. Thank you, Bagley, " I continued, addressing him, as henow led forward the horse. "You had your wits about you. Old Baywill have to stand under the shed to-night. "

"Well, Mr. Durham, the harness is still on him, all 'cept the head-stall; and he's quiet now. "

"Yes, " I replied, "in our haste we didn't throw off the harnessbefore the shower, and it has turned out very well. "

"Tell ye what it is, neighbors, " said practical Mr. Jones; "'tisn'ttoo late for Mr. Durham to sow a big lot of fodder corn, and that'sabout as good as hay. We'll turn to and help him get some in. "

This was agreed to heartily, and one after another they wrung myhand and departed, Bagley jogging in a companionable way down theroad with Rollins, whose chickens he had stolen, but had alreadypaid for. 

I looked after them and thought: "Thank Heaven I have not lost mybarn as some thought I might at one time! As Rollins suggested, I'drather take my chances with the lightning than with a viciousneighbor. Bagley acted the part of a good friend to-night. "

Then, seeing that we could do nothing more, Merton and I entered thehouse. 

I clapped the boy on the shoulder as I said: "You acted like a manin the emergency, and I'm proud of you. The bringing out a youngfellow strong is almost worth the cost of a barn. "

My wife came and put her arm around my neck and said:

"You bear up bravely, Robert, but I fear you are discouraged atheart. To think of such a loss, just as we were getting started!"and there were tears in her eyes. 

"Yes, " I replied, "it will be a heavy loss for us, and a greatinconvenience, but it might have been so much worse! All sit downand I'll tell you something. You see my training in business led meto think of the importance of insurance, and to know the bestcompanies. As soon as the property became yours, Winifred, I insuredthe buildings for nearly all they were worth. The hay and the thingsin the barn at the time will prove a total loss; but it is a lossthat we can stand and make good largely before winter. I tell youhonestly that we have no reason to be discouraged. We shall soonhave a better barn than the one lost; for, by good planning, abetter one can be built for the money that I shall receive. So wewill thank God that we are all safe ourselves, and go quietly tosleep. "

With the passing of the storm, the children had become quiet, andsoon we lost in slumber all thought of danger and loss. 

In the morning the absence of the barn made a great gap in ourfamiliar outlook, and brought many and serious thoughts; but withthe light came renewed hopefulness. All the scene was flooded withglorious sunlight, and only the blackened ruins made the frightfulstorm of the previous evening seem possible. Nearly all the chickenscame at Winnie's call, looking draggled and forlorn indeed, butpractically unharmed, and ready to resume their wonted cheerfulnessafter an hour in the sunshine. We fitted up for them the old coop inthe orchard, and a part of the ancient and dilapidated barn whichwas to have been used for corn-stalks only. The drenching rain hadsaved this and the adjoining shed from destruction, and now in ourgreat emergency they proved useful indeed. 

The trees around the site of the barn were blackened, and theirfoliage was burned to a crisp. Within the stone foundations thesmoke from the still smouldering debris rose sluggishly. 

I turned away from it all, saying: "Let us worry no more over thatspilled milk. Fortunately the greater part of our crates and basketswere under the shed. Take the children, Merton, and pick over theraspberry patches carefully once more, while I go to work in thegarden. That has been helped rather than injured by the storm, and, if we will take care of it, will give us plenty of food for winter. Work there will revive my spirits. "

The ground was too wet for the use of the hoe, but there was plentyof weeding to be done, while I answered the questions of neighborswho came to offer their sympathy. I also looked around to see whatcould be sold, feeling the need of securing every dollar possible. Ifound much that was hopeful and promising. The Lima-bean vines hadcovered the poles, and toward their base the pods were filling out. The ears on our early corn were fit to pull; the beets and onionshad attained a good size; the early peas had given place to turnips, winter cabbages, and celery; there were plenty of green melons onthe vines, and more cucumbers than we could use. The remaining podson the first planting of bush-beans were too mature for use, and Iresolved to let them stand till sufficiently dry to be gathered andspread in the attic. All that we had planted had done, or was doing, fairly well, for the season had been moist enough to ensure a goodgrowth. We had been using new potatoes since the first of the month, and now the vines were so yellow that all in the garden could be dugat once and sold. They would bring in some ready money, and Ilearned from my garden book that strap-leaved turnips, sown on thecleared spaces, would have time to mature. 

After all, my strawberry beds gave me the most hope. There werehundreds of young plants already rooted, and still more lyingloosely on the ground; so I spent the greater part of the morning inweeding these out and pressing the young plants on the ends of therunners into the moist soil, having learned that with such treatmentthey form roots and become established in a very few days. 

After dinner Mr. Jones appeared with his team and heavy plow, and weselected an acre of upland meadow where the sod was light and thin. 

"This will give a fair growth of young corn-leaves, " he said, "bythe middle of September. By that time you'll have a new barn up, Is'pose; and after you have cut and dried the corn, you can put alittle of it into the mows in place of the hay. The greater partwill keep better if stacked out-doors. A horse will thrive on suchfodder almost as well as a cow, 'specially if ye cut it up and mix alittle bran-meal with it. We'll sow the corn in drills a foot apart, and you can spread a little manure over the top of the ground afterthe seed is in. This ground is a trifle thin; a top-dressin' willhelp it 'mazin'ly. "

Merton succeeded in getting several crates of raspberries, but saidthat two or three more pickings would finish them. Since the time wehad begun to go daily to the landing, we had sent the surplus of ourvegetables to a village store, with the understanding that we wouldtrade out the proceeds. We thus had accumulated a little balance inour favor, which we could draw against in groceries, etc. 

On the evening of this day I took the crates to the landing, andfound a purchaser for my garden potatoes, at a dollar a bushel. Ialso made arrangements at a summer boarding-house, whose proprietoragreed to take the largest of our spring chickens, our sweet corn, tomatoes, and some other vegetables, as we had them to spare. Nowthat our income from raspberries was about to cease, it wasessential to make the most of everything else on the place thatwould bring money, even if we had to deny ourselves. It would not dofor us to say, "We can use this or that ourselves. " The question tobe decided was, whether, if such a thing were sold, the proceedswould not go further toward our support than the things themselves. If this should be true of sweet corn, Lima-beans, and even themelons on which the children had set their hearts, we must be charyof consuming them ourselves. This I explained in such a way that allexcept Bobsey saw the wisdom of it, or, rather, the necessity. Asyet, Bobsey's tendencies were those of a consumer, and not of aproducer or saver. 

Rollins and one or two others came the next day, and with Bagley'shelp the corn was soon in the ground. 

Then I set Bagley to work with the cart spreading upon the soil thebarn-yard compost that had accumulated since spring. There was notenough to cover all the ground, but that I could not help. The largepile of compost that I had made near the poultry-house door couldnot be spared for this purpose, since it was destined for my Augustplanting of strawberries. 

Perhaps I may as well explain about these compost heaps now as atany other time. I had watched their rapid growth with greatsatisfaction. Some may dislike such homely details, but since thesuccess of the farm and garden depend on them I shall not pass themover, leaving the fastidious reader to do this for himself. 

It will be remembered that I had sought to prepare myself forcountry life by much reading and study during the previous winter. Ihad early been impressed with the importance of obtaining and savingeverything that would enrich the soil, and had been shown thatincreasing the manure-pile was the surest way to add to one's bankaccount. Therefore all rakings of leaves had been saved. At oddtimes Merton and I had gone down to the creek with the cart and duga quantity of rich black earth from near its bank. One pile of thismaterial had been placed near the stable door, and another at theentrance to the poultry-room in the basement of our vanished barn. The cleanings of the horse-stable had been spread over a layer ofthis black soil. When the layer of such cleanings was about a footthick, spread evenly, another layer of earth covered all from sunand rain. Thus I had secured a pile of compost which nearly top-dressed an acre for fodder corn. 

In the poultry-room we managed in this fashion. A foot of raked-upleaves and rich earth was placed under the perches of the fowls. Every two or three weeks this layer was shovelled out and mixedthoroughly, and was replaced by a new layer. As a result I had, bythe 1st of August, a large heap of fertilizer almost as good asguano, and much safer to use, for I had read that unless the latterwas carefully managed it would burn vegetation like fire. I believethat this compost-heap by the poultry-room window would give myyoung strawberry plantation a fine start, and, as has been shown, wewere making great calculations on the future fruit. 

I also resolved that the burning of the barn should add to oursuccess in this direction. All the books said that there was nothingbetter for strawberries than wood ashes, and of these there was agreat heap within the foundations of the destroyed building. At onetime I proposed to shovel out these ashes and mix them with thecompost, but fortunately I first consulted my book on fertilizers, and read there that this would not do at all--that they should beused separately. 

CHAPTER XXXVIII

AUGUST WORK AND PLAY

I was now eager to begin the setting of the strawberry plants in thefield where we had put potatoes, but the recent heavy shower hadkept the latter still green and growing. During the first week inAugust, however, I found that the tubers had attained a good size, and I began to dig long rows on the upper side of the patch, sellingin the village three or four barrels of potatoes a week forimmediate use. By this course I soon had space enough cleared forten rows of strawberries; and on the 6th of August Mr. Jones cameand plowed the land deeply, going twice in a furrow. Then I harrowedthe ground, and, with a corn-plow, marked out the space with shallowfurrows three feet apart. Through five of these furrows Mertonsprinkled a good dressing of the poultry compost, and in theremaining five drills we scattered wood ashes. Thus we should learnthe comparative value of these fertilizers. Then I made a rude traywith two handles, so that it could be carried between Merton andmyself. When the sun declined, we went to the strawberry bed, andhaving selected the Duchess variety to set out first, soaked withwater a certain portion of the ground that was thick with plants. Half an hour later, we could dig up these plants with a ball ofearth attached to their roots. These were carried carefully on thetray to the field, and set out in the furrows. We levelled theground first, so that the crown of the plant should be even with thesurrounding surface. We set the plants a foot apart in the rows, andby dusk had three rows out. Early the next morning we gave theseplants a good soaking in their new starting place, and, although theweather was now dry and warm, not a leaf withered, and all began togrow as if they had not been moved. It seemed slow work, but Ibelieved it would pay in the end, especially as Merton, Winnie, andI performed nearly all the labor. 

We had now dispensed with Bagley's services, a good word from mehaving secured him work elsewhere. I found that I could not makearrangements for rebuilding the barn before the last of August, andwe now began to take a little much-needed rest. Our noonings weretwo or three hours long. Merton and Junior had time for a good swimevery day, while the younger children were never weary of wading inthe shallows. I insisted, however, that they should not remain longin the water on any one occasion, and now and then we each took agrain or two of quinine to fortify our systems against any malarialinfluences that might be lurking around at this season. 

The children were also permitted to make expeditions to mountain-sides for huckleberries and blackberries. As a result, we often hadthese wholesome fruits on the table, while my wife canned thesurplus for winter use. A harvest apple tree also began to be one ofthe most popular resorts, and delicious pies made the dinner-hourmore welcome than ever. The greater part of the apples were sold, however, and this was true also of the Lima-beans, sweet corn, andmelons. We all voted that the smaller ears and melons tasted just asgood as if we had picked out the best of everything, and my account-book showed that our income was still running well ahead of ourexpenses. 

Bobsey and Winnie had to receive another touch of discipline andlearn another lesson from experience. I had marked with my eye avery large, perfect musk-melon, and had decided that it should bekept for seed. They, too, had marked it; and one morning, when theythought themselves unobserved, they carried it off to the seclusionof the raspberry bushes, proposing a selfish feast by themselves. 

Merton caught a glimpse of the little marauders, and followed them. They cut the melon in two, and found it green and tasteless as apumpkin. He made me laugh as he described their dismay and disgust, then their fears and forebodings. The latter were soon realized; forseeing me in the distance, he beckoned. As I approached, thechildren stole out of the bushes, looking very guilty. 

Merton explained, and I said: "Very well, you shall have your melonfor dinner, and little else. I intend you shall enjoy this melonfully. So sit down under that tree and each of you hold half themelon till I release you. You have already learned that you canfeast your eyes only. "

There they were kept, hour after hour, each holding half of thegreen melon. The dinner-bell rang, and they knew that we had ripemelons and green corn; while nothing was given them but bread andwater. Bobsey howled, and Winnie sobbed, but my wife and I agreedthat such tendencies toward dishonesty and selfishness merited alasting lesson. At supper the two culprits were as hungry as littlewolves; and when I explained that the big melon had been kept forseed, and that if it had been left to ripen they should have hadtheir share, they felt that they had cheated themselves completely. 

"Don't you see, children, " I concluded, "that acting on the squareis not only right, but that it is always best for us in the end?"

Then I asked, "Merton, what have the Bagley children been doingsince they stopped picking raspberries for us?"

"I'm told they've been gathering blackberries and huckleberries inthe mountains, and selling them. "

"That's promising. Now I want you to pick out a good-sized water-melon and half a dozen musk-melons, and I'll leave them at Bagley'scottage to-morrow night as I go down to the village. In old timesthey would have stolen our crop; now they shall share in it. "

When I carried the present on the following evening, the childrenindulged in uncouth cries and gambols over the gift, and Bagleyhimself was touched. 

"I'll own up ter yer, " he said, "that yer melon patch was soretemptin' to the young uns, but I tole 'em that I'd thrash 'em ifthey teched one. Now yer see, youngsters, ye've got a man of feelin'ter deal with, and yer've got some melons arter all, and got 'emsquar', too. "

"I hear good accounts of you and your children, " I said, "and I'mglad of it. Save the seeds of these melons and plant a lot foryourself. See here, Bagley, we'll plow your garden for you thisfall, and you can put a better fence around it. If you'll do this, I'll share my garden seeds with you next spring, and you can raiseenough on that patch of ground to half feed your family. "

"I'll take yer up, " cried the man, "and there's my hand on itag'in. "

"God bless you and Mrs. Durham!" added his wife "We're now beginningto live like human critters. "

I resumed my journey to the village, feeling that never before hadmelons been better invested. 

The Moodna Creek had now become very low, and not more than half itsstony bed was covered with water. At many points, light, active feetcould find their way across and not be wet. Junior now had a projecton hand, of which he and Merton had often spoken lately. A holidaywas given to the boys and they went to work to construct an eel weirand trap. With trousers well rolled up, they selected a point on oneside of the creek where the water was deepest, and here they left anopen passage-way for the current. On each side of this they began toroll large stones, and on these placed smaller ones, raising twolong obstructions to the natural flow. These continuous obstructionsran obliquely up-stream, directing the main current to the openpassage, which was only about two feet wide, with a post on eitherside, narrowing it still more. In this they placed the trap, a longbox made of lath, sufficiently open to let the water run through it, and having a peculiar opening at the upper end where the currentbegan to rush down the narrow passage-way. The box rested closely onthe gravelly bottom, and was fastened to the posts. Short, close-fitting slats from the bottom and top of the box, at its upper end, sloped inward, till they made a narrow opening. All its other partswere eel-tight. The eels coming down with the current which had beendirected toward the entrance of the box, as has been explained, passed into it, and there they would remain. They never had the witto find the narrow aperture by which they had entered. This turnedout to be useful sport, for every morning the boys lifted their trapand took out a goodly number of eels; and when the squirmers werenicely dressed and browned, they proved delicious morsels. 

CHAPTER XXXIX

A TRIP TO THE SEASHORE

In the comparative leisure which the children enjoyed during August, they felt amply repaid for the toil of the previous months. We alsomanaged to secure two great gala-days. The first was spent in a tripto the seashore; and this was a momentous event, marred by only oneslight drawback. The "Mary Powell, " a swift steamer, touched everymorning at the Maizeville Landing. I learned that, from its wharf, in New York, another steamer started for Coney Island, and came backin time for us to return on the "Powell" at 3. 30 P. M. Thus we couldsecure a delightful sail down the river and bay, and also haveseveral hours on the beach. My wife and I talked over this littleouting, and found that if we took our lunch with us, it would beinexpensive. I saw Mr. Jones, and induced him and his wife, withJunior, to join us. Then the children were told of our plan, andtheir hurrahs made the old house ring. Now that we were in for it, we proposed no half-way measures. Four plump spring chickens werekilled and roasted, and to these were added so many ham sandwichesand hard-boiled eggs, that I declared that we were provisioned for aweek. My wife nodded at Bobsey, and said, "Wait and see!"

Whom do you think we employed to mount guard during our absence? Noother than Bagley. Mr. Jones said that it was like asking a wolf toguard the flock, for his prejudices yielded slowly; but I felt surethat this proof of trust would do the man more good than a dozensermons. 

Indeed, he did seem wonderfully pleased with his task, and said, "Ye'll find I've 'arned my dollar when ye git back. "

The children scarcely slept in their glad anticipation, and were upwith the sun. Mr. And Mrs. Jones drove down in their light wagon, while Junior joined our children in another straw-ride, packed inbetween the lunch-baskets. We had ample time after reaching thelanding to put our horses and vehicles in a safe place, and then wewatched for the "Powell. " Soon we saw her approaching Newtown, fourmiles above, then speeding toward the wharf, and rounding into it, with the ease and grace of a swan. We scrambled aboard, smiled at byall. I suppose we did not form, with our lunch-baskets, a verystylish group, but that was the least of our troubles. I amsatisfied that none of the elegant people we brushed against werehalf so happy as we were. 

We stowed away our baskets and then gave ourselves up to theenjoyment of the lovely Highland scenery, and to watching thevarious kinds of craft that we were constantly passing. Winnie andBobsey had been placed under bonds for good behavior, and were givento understand that they must exercise the grace of keepingmoderately still. The sail down the river and bay was a long, grateful rest to us older people, and I saw with pleasure that mywife was enjoying every moment, and that the fresh salt breeze wasfanning color into her cheeks. Plump Mrs. Jones dozed and smiled, and wondered at the objects we passed, for she had never been muchof a traveller; while her husband's shrewd eyes took in everything, and he often made us laugh by his quaint remarks. Junior and Mertonwere as alert as hawks. They early made the acquaintance of deck-hands who good-naturedly answered their numerous questions. I tookthe younger children on occasional exploring expeditions, but neverallowed them to go beyond my reach, for I soon learned that Bobsey'spromises sat lightly on his conscience. 

At last we reached the great Iron Pier at Coney Island, which we alltraversed with wondering eyes. 

We established ourselves in a large pavilion, fitted up for justsuch picnic parties as ours. Beneath us stretched the sandy beach. We elderly people were glad enough to sit down and rest, but thechildren forgot even the lunch-baskets, so eager were they to runupon the sand in search of shells. 

All went well until an unusually high wave came rolling in. Thechildren scrambled out of its way, with the exception of Bobsey, whowas caught and tumbled over, and lay kicking in the white foam. In amoment I sprang down the steps, picked him up, and bore him to hismother. 

He was wet through; and now what was to be done?

After inquiry and consultation, I found that I could procure for hima little bathing-dress which would answer during the heat of theday, and an old colored woman promised to have his clothing dry inan hour. So the one cloud on our pleasure proved to have a verybright lining, for Bobsey, since he was no longer afraid of thewater, could roll in the sand and the gentle surf to his heart'scontent. 

Having devoured a few sandwiches to keep up our courage, we allprocured bathing-dresses, even Mrs. Jones having been laughinglycompelled by her husband to follow the general example. When we allgathered in the passage-way leading to the water, we were convulsedwith laughter at our ridiculous appearance; but there were so manyothers in like plight that we were scarcely noticed. Mrs. Jones'sdress was a trifle small, and her husband's immensely large. Heremarked that if we could now take a stroll through Maizeville, there wouldn't be a crow left in town. 

Mrs. Jones could not be induced to go beyond a point where the waterwas a foot or two deep, and the waves rolled her around like anamiable porpoise. Merton and Junior were soon swimming fearlessly, the latter wondering, meanwhile, at the buoyant quality of the saltwater. My wife, Mousie, and Winnie allowed me to take them beyondthe breakers, and soon grew confident. In fifteen minutes I soundedrecall, and we all emerged, lank Mr. Jones now making, in verytruth, an ideal scarecrow. Bobsey's dry garments were brought, andhalf an hour later we were all clothed, and, as Mr. Jones remarked, "For a wonder, in our right minds. "

The onslaught then made on the lunch-baskets was never surpassed, even at that place of hungry excursionists. In due time we reachedhome, tired, sleepy, yet content with the fact that we had filledone day with enjoyment and added to our stock of health. 

The next morning proved that Bagley had kept his word. Everythingwas in order, and the amount of work accomplished in the gardenshowed that he had been on his mettle. Hungry as we had been, we hadnot emptied our lunch-baskets, and my wife made up a nice littlepresent from what remained, to which was added a package of candy, and all was carried to the Bagley cottage. 

Juvenile experiences had not exactly taught the Bagley children that"the way of the transgressor is hard, "--they had not gone far enoughfor that, --and it certainly was our duty to add such flowers as wecould to the paths of virtue. 

The month of August was now well advanced. We had been steadilydigging the potatoes in the field and selling them in theirunripened condition, until half the acre had been cleared. The vinesin the lower half of the patch were now growing very yellow, and Idecided to leave them, until the tubers should thoroughly ripen, forwinter use. By the 20th of the month we had all the space that hadbeen cleared, that is, half an acre, filled with Duchess and Wilsonstrawberries; and the plants first set were green and vigorous, withrenewed running tendencies. But the runners were promptly cut off, so that the plants might grow strong enough to give a good crop offruit in the following June. 

I now began to tighten the reins on the children, and we all devotedmore hours to work. 

During the month we gathered a few bushels of plums on the place. Mywife preserved some, and the rest were sold at the boarding-housesand village stores, for Mr. Bogart had written that when I couldfind a home market for small quantities of produce, it would pay mebetter than to send them to the city. I kept myself informed as tocity prices, and found that he had given me good and disinterestedadvice. Therefore, we managed to dispose of our small crop of earlypears and peaches as we had done with the plums. Every day convincedme of the wisdom of buying a place already stocked with fruit; for, although the first cost was greater, we had immediately secured anincome which promised to leave a margin of profit after meeting allexpenses. 

During the last week of August the potatoes were fully ripe, andMerton, Winnie, Bobsey, and I worked manfully, sorting the largefrom the small, as they were gathered. The crop turned out verywell, especially on the lower side of the field, where the groundhad been rather richer and moister than in the upper portion. 

I did not permit Merton to dig continuously, as it was hard work forhim; but he seemed to enjoy throwing out the great, smooth, white-coated fellows, and they made a pretty sight as they lay in thickrows behind us, drying, for a brief time, in the sun. They werepicked up, put into barrels, drawn to the dry, cool shed, and wellcovered from the light. Mr. Jones had told me that as soon aspotatoes had dried off after digging, they ought to be kept in thedark, since too much light makes them tough and bitter. Now thatthey were ripe, it was important that they should be dug promptly, for I had read that a warm rain is apt to start the new potatoes togrowing, and this spoils them for table use. 

So I said: "We will stick to this task until it is finished, andthen we shall have another outing. I am almost ready to beginrebuilding the barn; but before I do so, I wish to visit HoughtonFarm, and shall take you all with me. I may obtain some ideas whichwill be useful, even in my small outlay of money. "

CHAPTER XL

A VISIT TO HOUGHTON FARM

Houghton Farm, distant a few miles, is a magnificent estate of aboutone thousand acres, and the outbuildings upon it are princely incomparison with anything I could erect. They had been constructed, however, on practical and scientific principles, and I hoped that avisit might suggest to me some useful points. Sound principles mightbe applied, in a modest way, to even such a structure as would comewithin my means. At any rate, a visit to such a farm would be fullof interest and pleasure. So we dug away at the potatoes, and workedlike ants in gathering them, until we had nearly a hundred bushelsstored. As they were only fifty cents a bushel, I resolved to keepthem until the following winter and spring, when I might need moneymore than at present, and also get better prices. 

Then, one bright day toward the end of August, we all started, afteran early dinner, for the farm, Junior going with us as usual. We hadbeen told that the large-minded and liberal owner of this model farmwelcomed visitors, and so we had no doubts as to our reception. Norwere we disappointed when, having skirted broad, rich fields forsome distance, we turned to the right down a long, wide lane, bordered by beautiful shrubbery, and leading to the great buildings, which were numbered conspicuously. We were courteously met by MajorAlvord, the agent in charge of the entire estate. I explained theobject of my visit, and he kindly gave us a few moments, showing usthrough the different barns and stables. Our eyes grew large withwonder as we saw the complete appliances for carrying on an immensestock-farm. The summer crops had been gathered, and we exclaimed atthe hundreds of tons of hay, fodder, and straw stored in the mows. 

"We use a ton of hay daily, after the pasture season is over, "remarked our guide. 

When we came to look at the sleek Jersey cows and calves, with theirfawn-like faces, our admiration knew no bounds. We examined thestalls in which could stand thirty-four cows. Over each was the nameof the occupant, all blood animals of the purest breed, with apedigree which might put to shame many newly rich people displayingcoats-of-arms. The children went into ecstasies over the pretty, innocent faces of the Jersey calves, and Mousie said they were "niceenough to kiss. " Then we were shown the great, thick-necked, black-headed Jersey bull, and could scarcely believe our ears when toldthat he, his mother, and six brothers represented values amountingto about a hundred thousand dollars. 

We next visited a great Norman mare, as big as two ordinary horses, and the large, clumsy colt at her side; then admired beautifulstallions with fiery eyes and arching necks; also the superbcarriage-horses, and the sleek, strong work animals. Their stallswere finely finished in Georgia pine. Soon afterward, Bobsey wentwild over the fat little Essex pigs, black as coals, but making thewhitest and sweetest of pork. 

"Possess your soul in patience, Bobsey, " I said. "With our barn, Iam going to make a sty, and then we will have some pigs. "

I had had no good place for them thus far, and felt that we hadattempted enough for beginners. Moreover, I could not endure to keeppigs in the muddy pens in ordinary use, feeling that we could nevereat the pork produced under such conditions. 

The milk-house and dairy were examined, and we thought of the oceansof milk that had passed through them. 

A visit to "Crusoe Island" entertained the children more thananything else. A mountain stream had been dammed so as to make anisland. On the surrounding waters were fleets of water-fowl, ducksand geese of various breeds, and, chief in interest, a flock ofCanada wild-geese, domesticated. Here we could look closely at thesegreat wild migrants that, spring and fall, pass and repass high upin the sky, in flocks, flying in the form of a harrow or the twosides of a triangle, meanwhile sending out cries that, in thedistance, sound strange and weird. 

Leaving my wife and children admiring these birds and their rustichouses on the island, I went with Major Alvord to his offices, andsaw the fine scientific appliances for carrying on agriculturalexperiments designed to extend the range of accurate and practicalknowledge. Not only was the great farm planted and reaped, bloodstock grown and improved by careful breeding, but, accompanying allthis labor, was maintained a careful system of experiments tendingto develop and establish that supreme science--the successfulculture of the soil. Major Alvord evidently deserved his reputationfor doing the work thoroughly and intelligently, and I was glad tothink that there were men in the land, like the proprietor ofHoughton Farm, who are willing to spend thousands annually inenriching the rural classes by bringing within their reach theknowledge that is power. 

After a visit to the sheep and poultry departments, each occupying alarge farm by itself, we felt that we had seen much to think andtalk over. 

It was hard to get Winnie away from the poultry-houses and yards, where each celebrated breed was kept scrupulously by itself. Therewere a thousand hens, besides innumerable young chickens. We werealso shown incubators, which, in spring, hatch little chickens byhundreds. 

"Think of fifteen hundred eggs at a sitting, Winnie!" I cried;"that's quite a contrast to the number that you put under one ofyour biddies at home. "

"I don't care, " replied the child; "we've raised over a hundredchickens since we began. "

"Yes, indeed, " I said. "That for you--for you have seen to it allchiefly--is a greater success than anything here. "

I was thoughtful as we drove home, and at last my wife held out apenny. 

"No, " I said, laughing; "my thoughts shall not cost you even that. What I have seen to-day has made clearer what I have believedbefore. There are two distinct ways of securing success in outdoorwork. One is ours, and the other is after the plan of Houghton Farm. Ours is the only one possible for us--that of working a small placeand performing the labor, as far as possible, ourselves. If I hadplayed 'boss, ' as Bagley sometimes calls me, and hired the laborwhich we have done ourselves, the children meanwhile idle, we shouldsoon come to a disastrous end in our country experiment. The factthat we have all worked hard, and wisely, too, in the main, and haveemployed extra help only when there was more than we could do, willexplain our account-book; that is, the balance in our favor. Ibelieve that one of the chief causes of failure on the part ofpeople in our circumstances is, that they employ help to do whatthey should have done themselves, and that it doesn't and can't paysmall farmers and fruit-growers to attempt much beyond what they cantake care of, most of the year, with their own hands. Then there'sthe other method--that of large capital carrying things on as wehave seen to-day. The farm then becomes like a great factory ormercantile house. There must be at the head of everything a largeorganizing brain capable of introducing and enforcing thoroughsystem, and of skilfully directing labor and investment, so as tosecure the most from the least outlay. A farm such as we have justseen would be like a bottomless pit for money in bungling, carelesshands. "

"I'm content with our own little place and modest ways, " said mywife. "I never wish our affairs to grow so large that we can't talkthem over every night, if so inclined. "

"Well, " I replied, "I feel as you do. I never should have made agreat merchant in town, and I am content to be a small farmer in thecountry, sailing close to shore in snug canvas, with no danger ofsudden wreck keeping me awake nights. The insurance money will beavailable in a few days, and we shall begin building at once. "

The next day Merton and I cleared away the rest of the debris in andaround the foundations of the barn, and before night the first loadof lumber arrived from the carpenter who had taken the contract. 

This forerunner of bustling workmen, and all the mystery offashioning crude material into something looking like the plan overwhich we had all pored so often, was more interesting to thechildren than the construction of Solomon's temple. 

"To-morrow the stone-masons come, " I said at supper, "and by Octoberwe are promised a new barn. "

CHAPTER XLI

HOARDING FOR WINTER

As was stated early in this simple history the original barn wasbuilt on a hillside, the rear facing the southeast; and since thefoundations were still in a fair condition, and the site wasconvenient, I determined to build on the same spot, somewhatmodifying the old plan. I had read of the importance of keepingmanure under cover, and now arranged that by a trap door thecleanings of the horse and cow stable should be thrown into thebasement, which, by a solid brick partition, should be so divided asto leave ample room for a dark cellar in which to store roots andapples. Through this trap door in the stable rich earth and muckfrom the banks of the creek could be thrown down also, covering themanure, and all could be worked over and mixed on rainy days. Bythis method I could make the most of my fertilizers, which may beregarded as the driving-wheel of the farm. 

I had decided that the poultry-house and pigsty should form anextension to the barn, and that both should be built in the side ofthe bank also. They would thus have an exposure to the south, and atthe same time, being formed in part by an excavation, would be coolin summer. The floor of the sty should have a slight downward slope, and be cemented. Therefore it could be kept perfectly clean. Thisresidence of Bobsey's future pets should be at the extreme end ofthe extension, and above it should be a room in which I could storepicked-up apples, corn, and other food adapted to their needs, alsoa conduit by which swill could be poured into the trough belowwithout the necessity of entering the pen. I proposed to keep onlytwo or three pigs at a time, buying them when young from neighboringfarmers, and fattening them for our own use according to my ownideas. 

The poultry-house, between the barn and sty, was to be built so thatits side, facing the south, should be chiefly of glass. It was soconstructed as to secure the greatest amount of light and warmth. Eggs in winter form the most profitable item in poultry keeping, andthese depend on warmth, food, shelter, and cleanliness, with theessential condition that the hens are young. All the pullets ofWinnie's early broods therefore had been kept, and only the youngcockerels eaten or sold. We had the prospect of wintering aboutfifty laying hens; and the small potatoes we had saved would form alarge portion of their food. Indeed, for some weeks back, such smalltubers, boiled and mashed with meal, had formed the main feed of ourgrowing chickens. 

I learned that Bagley was out of work, and employed him to excavatethe bank for these new buildings. We saved the surface earthcarefully for compost purposes, and then struck some clean, nicegravel, which was carted away to a convenient place for our roadsand walks. On a hillside near the creek were large stones and rocksin great quantity, and some of these were broken up for thefoundations. Along the edge of the creek we also found someexcellent sand, and therefore were saved not a little expense instarting our improvements. 

It did not take the masons long to point up and strengthen the oldfoundations, and early in September everything was under fullheadway, the sound of hammer, saw, and plane resounding all daylong. It was Winnie's and Bobsey's task to gather up the shavingsand refuse bits of lumber, and carry them to the woodhouse. 

"The ease and quickness with which we can build fires next winter, "I said, "is a pleasant thing to think of. "

Meanwhile the garden was not neglected. The early flight of summer-boarders had greatly reduced the demand for vegetables, and now webegan to hoard them for our own use. The Lima-beans were allowed todry on the vines; the matured pods of the bush-beans were spread inthe attic; thither also the ripened onions were brought and placedin shallow boxes. As far as possible we had saved our own seed, andI had had a box made and covered with tin, so as to be mouse-proof, and in this we placed the different varieties, carefully labelled. Although it was not "apple year, " a number of our trees were inbearing. The best of the windfalls were picked up, and, with thetomatoes and such other vegetables as were in demand, sent to thevillage twice a week. As fast as crops matured, the ground wascleared, and the refuse, such as contained no injurious seeds, wassaved as a winter covering for the strawberry plants. 

Our main labor, however, after digging the rest of the potatoes, wasthe setting of the remaining half-acre in the later varieties of thestrawberry. Although the early part of September was very dry andwarm, we managed to set out, in the manner I have described, two orthree rows nearly every afternoon. The nights had now grown so longand cool that one thorough watering seemed to establish the plants. This was due chiefly to the fact that nearly every plant had a ballof earth attached to the roots, and had never been allowed to wiltat all in the transition. About the middle of the month there came afine rain, and we filled the remainder of the ground in one day, allthe children aiding me in the task. The plants first set out werenow strong and flourishing. Each had a bunch of foliage six inchesin diameter. 

Thus, with helping on the new barn and other work, September saw arenewal of our early-summer activity. 

"The winds in the trees are whispering of winter, " I said to thechildren, "and all thrifty creatures--ants, bees, and squirrels--arelaying up their stores. So must we. "

I had watched our maturing corn with great satisfaction. For a longtime Merton had been able to walk through it without his straw hatbeing seen above the nodding tassels. One day, about the 20th of themonth, Mr. Jones came over with some bundles of long rye straw inhis wagon, and said, "Yer can't guess what these are fer. "

"Some useful purpose, or you wouldn't have brought them, " I replied. 

"We'll see. Come with me to the corn patch. "

As we started he took a bundle under his arm, and I saw that he hadin his hand a tool called a corn-knife. Going through the rows heoccasionally stripped down the husks from an ear. 

Finally he said: "Yes, it's ready. Don't yer see that the kernelsare plump and glazed? Junior and I are going to tackle our corn ter-morrow, and says I to myself, 'If ourn is ready to cut, so isneighbor Durham's, ' The sooner it's cut after it's ready, thebetter. The stalks are worth more for fodder, and you run no riskfrom an early frost, which would spile it all. You and Merton pitchin as yer allers do, and this is the way ter do it. "

With his left hand gathering the stalks of a hill together above theears, he cut them all olf with one blow of the corn-knife within sixinches of the ground, and then leaned them against the stalks of anuncut hill. This he continued to do until he had made what he calleda "stout, " or a bunch of stalks as large as he could convenientlyreach around, the uncut hill of stalks forming a support in thecentre. Then he took a wisp of the rye-straw, divided it evenly, andputting the ends together, twisted it speedily into a sort of rope. With this he bound the stout tightly above the ears by a simplemethod which one showing made plain to me. 

"Well, you are a good neighbor!" I exclaimed. 

"Pshaw! What does this amount to? If a man can't do a good turn whenit costs as little as this, he's a mighty mean feller. You forgetthat I've sold you a lot of rye-straw, and so have the best of yerafter all. "

"I don't forget anything, Mr. Jones. As you say, I believe we shall'make a go' of it here, but we always remember how much we owe toyou and Junior. You've taken my money in a way that saved my self-respect, and made me feel that I could go to you as often as Iwished; but you have never taken advantage of me, and you have keptsmart people from doing it. Do you know, Mr. Jones, that in everycountry village there are keen, weasel-like people who encouragenew-comers by bleeding their pocket-books at every chance? Insecuring you as a neighbor our battle was half won, for no one needsa good practical friend more than a city man beginning life in thecountry. "

"Jerusalem! how you talk! I'm goin' right home and tell my wife tocall me Saint Jones. Then I'll get a tin halo and wear it, for mystraw hat is about played out;" and away he went, chuckling over hisodd conceits, but pleased, as all men are, when their goodwill isappreciated. If there is one kind of meanness that disgusts averagehuman-nature more than another it is a selfish, unthankful receptionof kindness, a swinish return for pearls. 

After an early supper I drove to the village with what I had tosell, and returned with two corn-hooks. At dusk of the followingday, Bagley and I had the corn cut and tied up, my helper remarkingmore than once, "Tell you what it is, Mr. Durham, there hain't abetter eared-out patch o' corn in Maizeville. "

On the following day I helped Bagley sharpen one of the hooks, andwe began to cut the fodder-corn which now stood, green andsucculent, averaging two feet in height throughout the field. 

CHAPTER XLII

AUTUMN WORK AND SPORT

The barn was now up, and the carpenters were roofing it in, whiletwo days more of work would complete the sty and poultry-house. Every stroke of the hammer told rapidly now, and we all exulted overour new and better appliances for carrying out our plan of countrylife. Since the work was being done by contract, I contented myselfwith seeing that it was done thoroughly. Meanwhile Merton was busywith the cart, drawing rich earth from the banks of the creek. Idetermined that the making of great piles of compost should form nosmall part of my fall and winter labor. The proper use offertilizers during the present season had given such a markedincrease to our crops that it became clear that our best prospect ofgrowing rich was in making the land rich. 

During the last week of September the nights were so cool as tosuggest frost, and I said to Mousie: "I think we had better take upyour geraniums and other window plants, and put them in pots orboxes. We can then stand them under a tree which would shelter themfrom a slight frost. Should there be serious danger it would take usonly a few minutes to bring them into the house. You have taken suchgood care of them all summer that I do not intend that you shalllose them now. Take your flower book and read what kind of soil theygrow best in during the winter, and then Merton can help you getit. "

The child was all solicitude about her pets, and after dinner sheand Merton, the latter trundling a wheelbarrow, went down to thecreek and obtained a lot of fine sand and some leaf-mould from underthe trees in the woods. These ingredients we carefully mixed withrich soil from the flower-bed and put the compound in the pots andboxes around the roots of as many plants as there was room for onthe table by the sunny kitchen window. Having watered themthoroughly, we stood them under a tree, there to remain until acertain sharpness in the air should warn us to carry them to theirwinter quarters. 

The Lima-beans, as fast as the pods grew dry, or even yellow, werepicked and spread in the attic. They could be shelled at our leisureon stormy winter days. 

Early in September my wife had begun to give Mousie, Winnie, andBobsey their lessons again. Since we were at some distance from aschoolhouse we decided to continue this arrangement for the winterwith the three younger children. I felt that Merton should go toschool as soon as possible, but he pleaded hard for a reprieve untilthe last of October, saying that he did not wish to begin beforeJunior. As we still had a great deal to do, and as the boy had sethis heart on some fall shooting, I yielded, he promising to studyall the harder when he began. 

I added, however: "The evenings have grown so long that you canwrite for half an hour after supper, and then we will review yourarithmetic together. It will do me good as well as you. "

During the ensuing weeks we carried out this plan partially, butafter a busy day in the open air we were apt to nod over our tasks. We were both taught the soundness of the principle that brain workshould precede physical exercise. 

The 1st day of October was bright, clear, and mild, and we welcomedthe true beginning of fall in our latitude most gladly. This monthcompetes with May in its fitness for ideal country life. Thechildren voted it superior to all other months, feeling that a vistaof unalloyed delights was opening before them. Already thebutternuts were falling from several large trees on the place, andthe burrs on the chestnuts were plump with their well-shieldedtreasures. Winnie and Bobsey began to gather these burrs from thelower limbs of an immense tree, eighteen feet in circumference, andto stamp out the half-brown nuts within. 

"One or two frosts will ripen them and open the burrs, " I said, andthen the children began to long for the frost which I dreaded. 

While I still kept the younger children busy for a few hours everyclear morning in the garden, and especially at clipping the runnersfrom the strawberry plants in the field, they were given ample timeto gather their winter hoards of nuts. This pursuit afforded themendless items for talk, Bobsey modestly assuring us that he alonewould gather about a million bushels of butternuts, and almost asmany chestnuts and walnuts. "What will the squirrels do then?" Iasked. 

"They must do as I do, " he cried; "pick up and carry off as fast asthey can. They'll have a better chance than me, too, for they canwork all day long. The little scamps are already taking the nuts offthe trees--I've seen 'em, and I wish Merton would shoot 'em all. "

"Well, Merton, " said I, laughing, "I suppose that squirrels areproper game for you; but I hope that you and Junior won't shootrobins. They are too useful a bird to kill, and I feel grateful forall the music they've given us during the past summer. I know thelaw permits you to shoot them now, but you and Junior should be morecivilized than such a law. "

"If we don't get 'em, everybody else will, and we might as well haveour share, " he replied. 

I knew that there was no use in drawing the reins too tight, and soI said: "I have a proposition to make to you and Junior. I'd likeyou both to promise not to shoot robins except on the wing. Thatwill teach you to be expert and quick-eyed. A true sportsman is notone who tries to kill as much game as possible, but to killscientifically, skilfully. There is more pleasure in giving yourgame a chance, and in bringing it down with a fine long shot, thanin slaughtering the poor creatures like chickens in a coop. Anybodycan shoot a robin, sitting on a bough a few yards off, but to bringone down when in rapid flight is the work of a sportsman. Neverallow yourself to be known as a mere 'pot-hunter. ' For my part, Ihad rather live on pork than on robins or any useful birds. "

He readily agreed not to fire at robins except when flying, and toinduce Junior to do likewise. I was satisfied that not many of mylittle favorites would suffer. 

"Very well, " I said, "I'll coax Mr. Jones to let Junior off to-morrow, and you can have the entire day to get your hands in. Thisevening you can go down to the village and buy a stock ofammunition. "

The boy went to his work happy and contented. 

"Papa, where can we dry our butternuts?" Winnie asked. 

"I'll fix a place on the roof of the shed right away, " I said. "Itsslope is very gradual, and if I nail some slats on the lower sideyou can spread the millions of bushels that you and Bobsey willgather. "

Now Bobsey had a little wagon, and, having finished his morningstint of work, he, with Mousie and Winnie, started off to thenearest butternut-tree; and during the remainder of the day, withthe exception of the time devoted to lessons, loads came often tothe shed, against which I had left a ladder. By night they had atleast one of the million bushels spread and drying. 

As they brought in their last load about five o'clock in theafternoon I said to them, "Come and see what I've got. "

I led the way to the sty, and there were grunting three half-grownpigs. Now that the pen was ready I had waited no longer, and, havinglearned from Rollins that he was willing to sell some of his stock, had bought three sufficiently large to make good pork by the 1st ofDecember. 

The children welcomed the new-comers with shouts; but I said: "Thatwon't do. You'll frighten them so that they'll try to jump out ofthe pen. Run now and pick up a load of apples in your wagon andthrow them to the pigs. They'll understand and like such a welcomingbetter;" and so it proved. 

At supper I said: "Children, picking up apples, which was such funthis evening, will hereafter be part of your morning work, for awhile. In the room over the sty is a bin which must be filled withthe fallen apples before any nuts can be gathered. "

Even Bobsey laughed at the idea that this was work; but I knew thatit would soon become so. Then Mousie exclaimed, "Papa, do you knowthat the red squirrels are helping us to gather nuts?"

"If so, certainly without meaning it. How?"

"Well, as we were coming near one of the trees we saw a squirrelamong the branches, and we hid behind a bush to watch him. We soonfound that he was tumbling down the nuts, for he would go to the endof a limb and bite cluster after cluster. The thought that we wouldget the nuts so tickled Bobsey that he began to laugh aloud, andthen the squirrel ran barking away. "

"You needn't crow so loud, Bobsey, " I said. "The squirrel will fillmany a hole in hollow trees before winter, in spite of you. "

"I'll settle his business before he steals many more of our nuts, "spoke up Merton. 

"You know the squirrel wasn't stealing, my boy. The nuts grew forhim as truly as for you youngsters. At the same time I suppose hewill form part of a pot-pie before long. "

"I hate to think that such pretty little creatures should bekilled, " said Mousie. 

"I feel much the same, " I admitted; "and yet Merton will say wecannot indulge in too much sentiment. You know that we read that redsquirrels are mischievous in the main. They tumble little birds outof their nests, carry off corn, and I have seen them gnawing applesfor the sake of the seeds. It wouldn't do for them to become tooplentiful. Moreover, game should have its proper place as food, andas a means of recreation. We raise chickens and kill them. Underwise laws, well enforced, nature would fill the woods, fields, andmountains with partridges, quail, rabbits, and other wholesome food. Remember what an old and thickly settled land England is, yet thecountry is alive with game. There it is protected on great estates, but here the people must agree to protect it for themselves. "

"Junior says, " Merton explained, "that the partridges and rabbits inthe mountains are killed off by foxes and wild-cats and wood-choppers who catch them in traps and snares. "

"I fancy the wood-choppers do the most harm. If I had my way, therewould be a big bounty for the destruction of foxes, and a heavy finefor all trappers of game. The country would be tenfold moreinteresting if it were full of wild, harmless, useful creatures. Ihope the time will come when our streams will be again thoroughlystocked with fish, and our wild lands with game. If hawks, foxes, trappers, and other nuisances could be abolished, there would bespace on yonder mountains for partridges to flourish by the million. I hope, as the country grows older, that the people willintelligently co-work with nature in preserving and increasing alluseful wild life. Every stream, lake, and pond could be crowded withfish, and every grove and forest afford a shelter and feeding-groundfor game. There should be a wise guardianship of wild life, such aswe maintain over our poultry-yards, and skill exercised inincreasing it. Then nature would supplement our labors, and furnisha large amount of delicious food at little cost. "

"Well, papa, I fear I shall be gray before your fine ideas arecarried out. From what Junior says, I guess that Bagley and hischildren, and others like them, will get more game this winter thanwe will, and without firing a shot. They are almost as wild as thegame itself, and know just where to set their snares for it. I can'tafford to wait until it's all killed off, or till that good timecomes of which you speak, either. I hope to shoot enough for a pot-pie at least to-morrow, and to have very good sport while about it. "

"I have good news about the Bagley children, " said my wife. "I wasdown there to-day, and all the children begin school next Monday. Between clothes which our children have outgrown, and what Mrs. Bagley has been able to buy and make, all three of the young Bagleysmake a very respectable appearance. I took it upon myself to tellthe children that if they went to school regularly we would makethem nice Christmas presents. "

"And I confirm the bargain heartily, " I cried. "Merton, look out foryourself, or the Bagley boy will get ahead of you at school. "

He laughed and, with Junior, started for the village, to get theirpowder and shot. 

The next morning after preparing a good lot of cartridges beforebreakfast, the two boys started, and, having all day before them, took their lunches with the intention of exploring SchunemunkMountain. The squirrels, birds, and rabbits near home were reservedfor odd times when the lads could slip away for a few hours only. 

Our new barn, now about completed, gave my wife and me as muchpleasure as the nuts and game afforded the children. I went throughit, adding here and there some finishing touches and littleconveniences, a painter meanwhile giving it a, final coat of dark, cheap wash. 

Our poultry-house was now ready for use, and I said to Winnie, "To-night we will catch the chickens and put them in it. "

The old horse had already been established in the stable, and Iresolved that the cow should come in from this time. In theafternoon I began turning over the fodder corn, and saw that a verytew more days would cure it. Although I decided not to begin themain husking until after the middle of the month, I gathered enoughears to start the pigs on the fattening process. Toward night Iexamined the apples, and determined to adopt old Mr. Jarmson's planof picking the largest and ripest at once, leaving the smaller andgreener fruit to mature until the last of the month. The dark cellarwas already half filled with potatoes, but the space left for suchapples as we should pick was ready. From time to time when returningfrom the village I had brought up empty barrels; and in some ofthese, earlier kinds, like tall pippins and greenings, had beenpacked and shipped to Mr. Bogart. By his advice I had resolved tostore the later varieties and those which would keep well, disposingof them gradually to the best advantage. I made up my mind that themorrow should see the beginning of our chief labor in the orchard. Ihad sold a number of barrels of windfalls, but they brought a pricethat barely repaid us. My examination of the trees now convinced methat there should be no more delay in taking off the large and fine-looking fruit. 

With the setting sun Merton and Junior arrived, scarcely able todrag their weary feet down the lane. Nevertheless their fatigue wascaused by efforts entirely after their own hearts, and they declaredthat they had had a "splendid time. " Then they emptied their game-bags. Each of the boys had a partridge, Merton one rabbit, andJunior two. Merton kept up his prestige by showing two graysquirrels to Junior's one. Bed squirrels abounded, and a few robins, brought down on the wing as the boys had promised. 

I was most interested in the rattles of the deadly snake whichJunior had nearly stepped on and then shot. 

"Schunemunk is full of rattlers, " Junior said. 

"Please don't hunt there any more then, " I replied. 

"No, we'll go into the main Highlands to the east'ard next time. "

Merton had also brought down a chicken hawk; and the game, spreadout on the kitchen table, suggested much interesting wild life, about which I said we should read during the coming winter, adding:"Well, boys, you have more than earned your salt in your sport to-day, for each of you has supplied two game dinners. We shall livelike aldermen now, I suppose. "

"Yes, " cried Merton, "whether you call me 'pot-hunter' or not, I meanmy gun to pay its way. "

"I've no objections to that, " was my laughing answer, "as long asyou shoot like a sportsman, and not like a butcher. Your guns, boys, will pay best, however, in making you strong, and in giving you somewell-deserved fun after your busy summer. I feel that you have bothearned the right to a good deal of play this month, and that youwill study all the harder for it by and by. "

"I hope you'll talk father into that doctrine, " said Junior, as hesat down to supper with us. 

The boys were drowsy as soon as they had satisfied their keenappetites, and Mousie laughed at them, saying that she had beenreading how the boa-constrictor gorged himself and then went tosleep, and that they reminded her of the snake. 

"I guess I'll go home after that, " said Junior. 

"Now you know I was only poking a little fun, " said Mousie, ruefully, as she ran into the kitchen and gathered up his game forhim, looking into his face so archly and coaxingly that he burstout: "You beat all the game in the country. I'll shoot a blue jay, and give you its wings for your hat, see if I don't;" and with thiscompliment and promise he left the child happy. 

Merton was allowed to sleep late the next morning, and was then setto work in the orchard, I dividing my time between aiding in pickingthe apples and turning over the fodder corn. 

"You can climb like a squirrel, Merton, and I must depend on youchiefly for gathering the apples. Handle them like eggs, so as notto bruise them, and then they will keep better. After we have goneover the trees once and have stacked the fodder corn you shall havea good time with your gun. "

For the next few days we worked hard, and nearly finished the firstpicking of the apples, also getting into shocks the greater part ofthe corn. Then came a storm of wind and rain, and the best of theapples on one tree, which, we had neglected, were soon lying on theground, bruised and unfit for winter keeping. 

"You see, Merton, " I said, "that we must manage to attend to thetrees earlier next year. Live and learn. "

The wind came out of the north the day after the storm, and Mr. Jones shouted, as he passed down the road, "Hard frost to-night!"

Then indeed we bustled around. Mousie's flowers were carried in, theLima-bean poles, still hanging full of green pods more or lessfilled out, were pulled up and stacked together under a tree, sometomato-vines, with their green and partially ripe fruit, were takenup by the roots and hung under the shed, while over some other vinesa covering was thrown toward night. 

"We may thus keep a supply of this wholesome vegetable some weekslonger, " I said. 

Everything that we could protect was looked after; but our main taskwas the gathering of all the grapes except those hanging against thesides of the house. These I believed would be so sheltered as toescape injury. We had been enjoying this delicious fruit for sometime, carrying out our plan, however, of reserving the best for themarket. The berries on the small clusters were just as sweet andluscious, and the children were content. 

Sure enough, on the following morning white hoar-frost covered thegrass and leaves. 

"No matter, " cried Winnie, at the breakfast-table; "the chestnutburrs are opening. "

By frequent stirring the rest of the corn-fodder was soon driedagain, and was stacked like the rest. Then we took up the beets andcarrots, and stored them also in the root cellar. 

We had frost now nearly every night, and many trees were gorgeous intheir various hues, while others, like the butternuts, were alreadylosing their foliage. 

The days were filled with delight for the children. The younger oneswere up with the sun to gather the nuts that had fallen during thenight, Merton accompanying them with his gun, bringing in squirrelsdaily, and now and then a robin shot while flying. His chief exploithowever was the bagging of half a dozen quails that unwarily chosethe lower part of our meadow as a resort. Then he and Junior tookseveral long outings in the Highlands, with fair success; for theboys had become decidedly expert. 

"If we only had a dog, " said Merton, "we could do wonders. "

"Both of you save your money next summer, and buy one, " I replied;"I'll give you a chance, Merton. "

By the middle of the month the weather became dry and warm, and themountains were almost hidden in an Indian summer haze. 

"Now for the corn-husking, " I said, "and the planting of the groundin raspberries, and then we shall be through with our chief laborsfor the year. "

Merton helped me at the husking, but I allowed him to keep his gunnear, and he obtained an occasional shot which enlivened his toil. Two great bins over the sty and poultry-house received the yellowears, the longest and fairest being stored in one, and in the otherthe "nubbin's, " speedily to be transformed into pork. Part of thestalks were tied up and put in the old "corn-stalk barn, " as wecalled it, and the remainder were stacked near. Our cow certainlywas provided for. 

Brindle now gave too little milk for our purpose, whereas a farmerwith plenty of fodder could keep her over the winter to advantage. Itraded her off to a neighboring farmer for a new milch cow, and paidtwenty dollars to boot. We were all great milk-topers, while thecream nearly supplied us with butter. 

Having removed the corn, Mr. Jones plowed the field deeply, and thenMerton and I set out the varieties of raspberries which promisedbest in our locality, making the hills four feet apart in the row, and the rows five feet from one another. I followed the instructionsof my fruit book closely, and cut back the canes of the plants tosix inches, and sunk the roots so deep as to leave about four inchesof soil above them, putting two or three plants in the hill. Thenover and about the hills we put on the surface of the ground twoshovelfuls of compost, finally covering the plants beneath a slightmound of earth. This would protect them from the severe frost ofwinter. 

These labors and the final picking of the apples brought us to thelast week of the month. Of the smaller fruit, kept clean and soundfor the purpose, we reserved enough to make two barrels of cider, ofwhich one should go into vinegar, and the other be kept sweet, forour nut-crackings around the winter fire. Bobsey's dream of"millions of bushels" of nuts had not been realized, yet enough hadbeen dried and stored away to satisfy even his eyes. Not far away anold cider-mill was running steadily, and we soon had the barrels ofrusset nectar in our cellar. Then came Saturday, and Merton andJunior were given one more day's outing in the mountains with theirguns. On the following Monday they trudged off to the nearest publicschool, feeling that they had been treated liberally, and thatbrain-work must now begin in earnest. Indeed from this time forth, for months to come, school and lessons took precedence of everythingelse, and the proper growing of boys and girls was the uppermostthought. 

CHAPTER XLIII

THANKSGIVING DAY

November weather was occasionally so blustering and stormy that Iturned schoolmaster in part, to relieve my wife. During the month, however, were bright, genial days, and others softened by a smokyhaze, which gave me opportunity to gather and store a large crop ofturnips, to trench in my celery on a dry knoll, and to bury, withtheir heads downward, all the cabbages for which I could not find agood market. The children still gave me some assistance, but, lessons over, they were usually permitted to amuse themselves intheir own way. Winnie, however, did not lose her interest in thepoultry, and Merton regularly aided in the care of the stock and inlooking after the evening supply of fire-wood. I also spent a partof my time in the wood lot, but the main labor there was reservedfor December. The chief task of the month was the laying down andcovering of the tender raspberries; and in this labor Bagley againgave me his aid. 

Thanksgiving Day was celebrated with due observance. In the morningwe all heard Dr. Lyman preach, and came home with the feeling thatwe and the country at large were prosperous. Mr. And Mrs. Jones, with Junior, dined with us in great state, and we had our firstfour-course dinner since arriving in Maizeville, and at thefashionable hour of six in the evening. I had protested against mywife's purpose of staying at home in the morning, saying we would"browse around during the day and get up appetites, while in theafternoon we could all turn cooks and help her. " Merton wasexcepted, and, after devouring a hasty cold lunch, he and Juniorwere off with their guns. As for Bobsey, he appeared to browsesteadily after church, but seemed in no wise to have exhausted hiscapacity when at last he attacked his soup, turkey drum-stick, andthe climax of a pudding. Our feast was a very informal affair, seasoned with mirth and sauced with hunger. The viands, however, under my wife's skill, would compare with any eaten in the greatcity, which we never once had regretted leaving. Winifred lookedafter the transfers from the kitchen at critical moments, whileMousie and Winnie were our waitresses. A royal blaze crackled in theopen fireplace, and seemed to share in the sparkle of our rustic witand unforced mirth, which kept plump Mrs. Jones in a perpetualquiver, like a form of jelly. 

Her husband came out strong in his comical resume of the past year'sexperience, concluding: "Well, we owe you and Mrs. Durham a vote ofthanks for reforming the Bagley tribe. That appears to me anorthodox case of convarsion. First we gave him the terrors of thelaw. Tell yer what it is, we was a-smokin' in wrath around him thatmornin', like Mount Sinai, and you had the sense to bring, in thenick of time, the gospel of givin' a feller a chance. It's the bestgospel there is, I reckon. "

"Well, " I replied, becoming thoughtful for a moment with boyishmemories, "my good old mother taught me that it was God's plan togive us a chance, and help us make the most of it. "

"I remembered the Bagleys to-day, " Mrs. Jones remarked, nodding tomy wife. "We felt they ought to be encouraged. "

"So did we, " my wife replied, sotto voce. 

We afterward learned that the Bagleys had been provisioned fornearly a month by the good-will of neighbors, who, a short timesince, had been ready to take up arms against them. 

By eight o'clock everything was cleared away, Mrs. Jones assistingmy wife, and showing that she would be hurt if not permitted to doso. Then we all gathered around the glowing hearth, Junior's rat-a-tat-snap! proving that our final course of nuts and cider would beprovided in the usual way. 

How homely it all was! how free from any attempt at display ofstyle! yet equally free from any trace of vulgarity or ill-naturedgossip. Mousie had added grace to the banquet with her bloomingplants and dried grasses; and, although the dishes had been set onthe table by my wife's and children's hands, they were daintilyornamented and inviting. All had been within our means andaccomplished by ourselves; and the following morning brought noregretful thoughts. Our helpful friends went home, feeling that theyhad not bestowed their kindness on unthankful people whose scheme oflife was to get and take, but not to return. 

CHAPTER XLIV

WE CAN MAKE A LIVING IN EDEN

Well, our first year was drawing to a close. The 1st of December wascelebrated by an event no less momentous than the killing of ourpigs, to Winnie's and Bobsey's intense excitement. In this affair mywife and I were almost helpless, but Mr. Jones and Bagley were onhand, and proved themselves veterans, while Mrs. Jones stood by mywife until the dressed animals were transformed into souse, head-cheese, sausage, and well-salted pork. The children feasted andexulted through all the processes, especially enjoying some sweetspareribs. 

I next gave all my attention, when the weather permitted, to theproper winter covering of all the strawberries, and to the cuttingand carting home of old and dying trees from the wood lot. 

The increasing cold brought new and welcome pleasures to thechildren. There was ice on the neighboring ponds, and skates werebought as premature Christmas presents. The same was true of sledsafter the first fall of snow. This white covering of the earthenabled Merton and Junior to track some rabbits in the vicinity, which thus far had eluded their search. 

By the middle of the month we realized that winter had begun in allits rather stern reality; but we were sheltered and provided for. Wehad so far imitated the ants that we had abundant stores until theearth should again yield its bounty. 

Christmas brought us more than its wonted joy, and a betterfulfilment of the hopes and anticipations which we had cherished onthe same day of the previous year. We were far from regretting ourflight to the country, although it had involved us in hard toil andmany anxieties. My wife was greatly pleased by my many hours of restat the fireside in her companionship, caused by days too cold andwintry for outdoor work; but our deepest and most abiding contentwas expressed one evening as we sat alone after the children wereasleep. 

"You have solved the problem, Robert, that was worrying you. Thereis space here for the children to grow, and the Daggetts and theRicketts and all their kind are not so near as to make them growwrong, almost in spite of us. A year ago we felt that we werevirtually being driven to the country. I now feel as if we had beenled by a kindly and divine hand. " I had given much attention to myaccount-book of late, and had said, "On New Year's morning I willtell you all the result of our first year's effort. "

At breakfast, after our greetings and good wishes for the New Year, all looked expectantly at me as I opened our financial record. Carefully and clearly as possible, so that even Winnie mightunderstand in part, I went over the different items, and the expenseand proceeds of the different crops, so far as I was able toseparate them. Bobsey's attention soon wandered, for he had anabiding faith that breakfast, dinner, and supper would follow thesun, and that was enough for him. But the other children werepleased with my confidence, and tried to understand me. 

"To sum up everything, " I said, finally, "we have done, by workingall together, what I alone should probably have accomplished in thecity--we have made our living. I have also taken an inventory or anaccount of stock on hand and paid for; that is, I have here a liston which are named the horse, wagon, harness, cow, crates andbaskets, tools, poultry, and pigs. These things are paid for, and weare so much ahead. Now, children, which is better, a living in thecity, I earning it for you all? or a living in the country towardwhich even Bobsey can do his share?"

"A living in the country, " was the prompt chorus. "There issomething here for a fellow to do without being nagged by apoliceman, " Merton added. 

"Well, children, mamma and I agree with you. What's more, therewasn't much chance for me to get ahead in the city, or earn a largesalary. Here, by pulling all together, there is almost a certaintyof our earning more than a bare living, and of laying up somethingfor a rainy day. The chief item of profit from our farm, however, isnot down in my account-book, but we see it in your sturdier formsand in Mousie's red cheeks. More than all, we believe that you arebetter and healthier at heart than you were a year ago. 

"Now for the New Year. Let us make the best and most of it, and askGod to help us. "

And so my simple history ends in glad content and hope. 

THE END