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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Driven Back to Eden, by E. P. Roe
+#3 in our series by E. P. Roe
+
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+
+
+Title: Driven Back to Eden
+
+Author: E. P. Roe
+
+Release Date: March, 2004 [EBook #5269]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[This file was first posted on June 23, 2002]
+[Date last updated: February 27, 2005]
+
+Edition: 10
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DRIVEN BACK TO EDEN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+
+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 simple
+story. I had never before written expressly for young people, and I
+knew that the honest little critics could not be beguiled with words
+which 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 present
+one which might be verified in real life. I have tried to avoid all
+that would be impossible or even improbable. The labors performed by
+the children in the story were not unknown to my own hands, in
+childhood, nor would they form tasks too severe for many little
+hands 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 into
+green pastures.
+
+E. P. R.
+
+CORNWALL-ON-THE-HUDSON,
+
+August 10, 1885.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+A PROBLEM
+
+CHAPTER II
+I STATE THE CASE
+
+CHAPTER III
+NEW PROSPECTS
+
+CHAPTER IV
+A MOMENTOUS EXPEDITION
+
+CHAPTER V
+A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS IN A CITY FLAT
+
+CHAPTER VI
+A BLUFF FRIEND
+
+CHAPTER VII
+MR. JONES SHOWS ME THE PLACE
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+TELLING ABOUT EDEN
+
+CHAPTER IX
+"BREAKING CAMP"
+
+CHAPTER X
+SCENES ON THE WHARF
+
+CHAPTER XI
+A VOYAGE UP THE HUDSON
+
+CHAPTER XII
+A MARCH EVENING IN EDEN
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+RESCUED AND AT HOME
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+SELF-DENIAL AND ITS REWARD
+
+CHAPTER XV
+OUR SUNNY KITCHEN
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+MAKING A PLACE FOR CHICKENS
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+GOOD BARGAINS IN MAPLE SUGAR
+
+CHAPTER XVIII
+BUTTERNUTS AND BOBSEY'S PERIL
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+JOHN JONES, JUN
+
+CHAPTER XX
+RASPBERRY LESSONS
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+THE "VANDOO"
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+EARLY APRIL GARDENING
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+A BONFIRE AND A FEAST
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+"NO BLIND DRIFTING"
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+OWLS AND ANTWERPS
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+A COUNTRY SUNDAY
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+STRAWBERRY VISIONS AND "PERTATERS"
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+CORN, COLOR, AND MUSIC
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+WE GO A-FISHING
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+WEEDS AND WORKING FOR DEAR LIFE
+
+CHAPTER XXXI
+NATURE SMILES AND HELPS
+
+CHAPTER XXXII
+CHERRIES, BERRIES, AND BERRY-THIEVES
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+GIVEN HIS CHOICE
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+GIVEN A CHANCE
+
+CHAPTER XXXV
+"WE SHALL ALL EARN OUR SALT"
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI
+A THUNDERBOLT
+
+CHAPTER XXXVII
+RALLYING FROM THE BLOW
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+AUGUST WORK AND PLAY
+
+CHAPTER XXXIX
+A TRIP TO THE SEASHORE
+
+CHAPTER XL
+A VISIT TO HOUGHTON FARM
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+HOARDING FOR WINTER
+
+CHAPTER XLII
+AUTUMN WORK AND SPORT
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+THANKSGIVING DAY
+
+CHAPTER XLIV
+WE 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 her
+preparations for supper. "Bobsey was here a moment ago. As soon as
+my back's turned he's out and away. I haven't seen Merton since he
+brought his books from school, and I suppose Winnie is upstairs with
+the 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 my
+place--for just one day."
+
+"Well, well," I said, with a laugh that had no mirth in it; "only
+one of your wishes stands much chance of being carried out. I'll
+find 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 to
+be scarcely more than twelve, so diminutive was her frame.
+
+"Yes, papa," she replied, a faint smile flitting like a ray of light
+across her features. She always said she was better, but never got
+well. 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 a
+torrent of children pouring down from the flats above. In the dim
+light of a gas-burner I saw that Bobsey was one of the reckless
+atoms. He had not heard my voice in the uproar, and before I could
+reach him, he with the others had burst out at the street door and
+gone tearing toward the nearest corner. It seemed that he had
+slipped 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 a
+word I carried him home, followed by the jeers and laughter of the
+racers, the girls making their presence known in the early December
+twilight by the shrillness of their voices and by manners no gentler
+than those of the boys.
+
+I put down the child--he was only seven years of age--in the middle
+of our general living-room, and looked at him. His little coat was
+split out in the back; one of his stockings, already well-darned at
+the knees, was past remedy; his hands were black, and one was
+bleeding; his whole little body was throbbing with excitement,
+anger, and violent exercise. As I looked at him quietly the defiant
+expression in his eyes began to give place to tears.
+
+"There is no use in punishing him now," said my wife. "Please leave
+him 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'd
+stop to follow out some train of thought about it all. I'm tired to
+death. Do bring the children home. When we've put them to bed you
+can figure on your problem, and I can sit down."
+
+As I went up to the Daggetts' flat I was dimly conscious of another
+problem. My wife was growing fretful and nervous. Our rooms would
+not have satisfied a Dutch housewife, but if "order is heaven's
+first law" a little of Paradise was in them as compared to the
+Daggetts' apartments. "Yes," I was told, in response to my
+inquiries; "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 my
+girl's pocket. She gave it to me reluctantly, and said "Melissy" had
+lent it to her. I told her to help her mother prepare supper while I
+went to find Merton. Opening the paper under a street lamp, I found
+it to be a cheap, vile journal, full of flashy pictures that so
+often offend the eye on news-stands. With a chill of fear I thought,
+"Another problem." The Daggett children had had the scarlet fever a
+few months before. "But here's a worse infection," I reflected.
+"Thank heaven, Winnie is only a child, and can't understand these
+pictures;" and I tore the paper up and thrust it into its proper
+place, the gutter.
+
+"Now," I muttered, "I've only to find Merton in mischief to make the
+evening's experience complete."
+
+In mischief I did find him--a very harmful kind of mischief, it
+appeared to me. Merton was little over fifteen, and he and two or
+three other lads were smoking cigarettes which, to judge by their
+odor, must certainly have been made from the sweepings of the
+manufacturer's floor.
+
+"Can't you find anything better than that to do after school?" I
+asked, severely.
+
+"Well, sir," was the sullen reply, "I'd like to know what there is
+for a boy to do in this street."
+
+During the walk home I tried to think of an answer to his implied
+question. What would I do if I were in Merton's place? I confess
+that I was puzzled. After sitting in school all day he must do
+something that the police would permit. There certainly seemed very
+little range of action for a growing boy. Should I take him out of
+school and put him into a shop or an office? If I did this his
+education would be sadly limited. Moreover he was tall and slender
+for his age, and upon his face there was a pallor which I dislike to
+see 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 had
+been 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 acquaintance
+with the stove, and wearied by a long day of toil in a room that
+would be the better for a gale of wind. Bobsey, as we called my
+little namesake, was absorbed--now that he was relieved from the
+fear of punishment--by the wish to "punch" the boy who had tripped
+him up. Winnie was watching me furtively, and wondering what had
+become of the paper, and what I thought of it. Merton was somewhat
+sullen, and a little ashamed of himself. I felt that my problem was
+to give these children something to do that would not harm them, for
+do SOMETHING they certainly would. They were rapidly attaining that
+age when the shelter of a narrow city flat would not answer, when
+the influence of a crowded house and of the street might be greater
+than any we could bring to bear upon them.
+
+I looked around upon the little group for whom I was responsible. My
+will was still law to them. While my little wife had positive ways
+of her own, she would agree to any decided course that I resolved
+upon. The children were yet under entire control, so that I sat at
+the head of the table, commander-in-chief of the little band. We
+called the narrow flat we lived in "home." The idea! with the
+Daggetts above and the Ricketts on the floor beneath. It was not a
+home, and was scarcely a fit camping-ground for such a family squad
+as ours. Yet we had stayed on for years in this long, narrow line of
+rooms, reaching from a crowded street to a little back-yard full of
+noisy children by day, and noisier cats by night. I had often
+thought of moving, but had failed to find a better shelter that was
+within my very limited means. The neighborhood was respectable, so
+far as a densely populated region can be. It was not very distant
+from my place of business, and my work often kept me so late at the
+office that we could not live in the suburb. The rent was moderate
+for New York, and left me some money, after food and clothing were
+provided, for occasional little outings and pleasures, which I
+believe to be needed by both body and mind. While the children were
+little--so long as they would "stay put" in the cradle or on the
+floor--we did not have much trouble. Fortunately I had good health,
+and, as my wife said, was "handy with children." Therefore I could
+help her in the care of them at night, and she had kept much of her
+youthful bloom. Heaven had blessed us. We had met with no serious
+misfortunes, nor had any of our number been often prostrated by
+prolonged and dangerous illness. But during the last year my wife
+had been growing thin, and occasionally her voice had a sharpness
+which was new. Every month Bobsey became more hard to manage. Our
+living-room was to him like a cage to a wild bird, and slip away he
+would, to his mother's alarm; for he was almost certain to get into
+mischief or trouble. The effort to perform her household tasks and
+watch over him was more wearing than it had been to rock him through
+long hours at night when he was a teething baby. These details seem
+very 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 and
+girls. How could I manage my little home-garden in a flat?
+
+I looked thoughtfully from one to another, as with children's
+appetites they became absorbed in one of the chief events of the
+day.
+
+"Well," said my wife, querulously, "how are you getting on with your
+problem?"
+
+"Take this extra bit of steak and I'll tell you after the children
+are asleep," I said.
+
+"I can't eat another mouthful," she exclaimed, pushing back her
+almost 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 her
+eyes.
+
+"I don't know what is the matter with me," she faltered. "I am so
+nervous some days that I feel as if I should fly to pieces. I do try
+to be patient, but I know I'm growing cross!"
+
+"Oh now, mamma," spoke up warm-hearted Merton; "the idea of your
+being 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 are
+not boxed oftener."
+
+"Yes, Robert, I did," continued my wife, sorrowfully. "Bobsey ran
+away four times, and vexed me beyond endurance, that is, such
+endurance 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 you
+must help me solve it." Then I changed the subject decidedly, and
+soon brought sunshine to our clouded household. Children's minds are
+easily diverted; and my wife, whom a few sharp words would have
+greatly irritated, was soothed, and her curiosity awakened as to the
+subject of my thoughts.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+I STATE THE CASE
+
+
+I pondered deeply while my wife and Winnie cleared away the dishes
+and put Bobsey into his little crib. I felt that the time for a
+decided change had come, and that it should be made before the evils
+of our lot brought sharp and real trouble.
+
+How should I care for my household? If I had been living on a far
+frontier among hostile Indians I should have known better how to
+protect them. I could build a house of heavy logs and keep my wife
+and children always near me while at work. But it seemed to me that
+Melissa Daggett and her kin with their flashy papers, and the
+influence of the street for Merton and Bobsey, involved more danger
+to my little band than all the scalping Modocs that ever whooped.
+The children could not step outside the door without danger of
+meeting some one who would do them harm. It is the curse of crowded
+city life that there is so little of a natural and attractive sort
+for 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 not
+reading my paper, and my frowning brow and firm lips proved my
+problem was not of a trifling nature. She suspected nothing more,
+however, than that I was thinking of taking rooms in some better
+locality, and she was wondering how I could do it, for she knew that
+my 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 only
+fit for the gutter, and into the gutter I put it. I wish you to
+promise me never to look at such pictures again, or you can never
+hope 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 saw
+that something of grave importance occupied my mind.
+
+No matter how tired my wife might be, she was never satisfied to sit
+down until the room had been put in order, a green cloth spread upon
+the 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's
+face, and noting for a few moments that it was losing its rounded
+lines.
+
+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 nervous
+and 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 day
+to-morrow. Dear knows, each day brings enough without carrying
+anything over. Come, read the paper to me, or tell me what you have
+been thinking about so deeply, if you don't mind Merton's hearing
+you. I wish to forget myself, and work, and everything that worries
+me, for a little while."
+
+"I'll read the paper first, and then, after Merton has learned his
+lessons, I will tell you my thoughts--my purpose, I may almost say.
+Merton shall know about it soon, for he is becoming old enough to
+understand the 'why' of things. I hope, my boy, that your teacher
+lays 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 to
+think why you should do a thing or why you shouldn't, and to try not
+to be satisfied with any reason but a good one."
+
+Then I gleaned from the paper such items as I thought would interest
+my wife. At last we were alone, with no sound in the room but the
+low roar of the city, a roar so deep as to make one think that the
+tides 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," I
+replied, smiling at her.
+
+"Oh, come now," she said, laughing slightly for the first time in
+the evening; "you always begin to flatter a little when you want to
+carry 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 ordinary
+brown studies; in those I often try to get back to the wherefore of
+things which people usually accept and don't bother about. The
+question I am considering comes right home to us, and we must meet
+it. I have felt for some time that we could not put off action much
+longer, and to-night I am convinced of it."
+
+Then I told her how I had found three of the children engaged that
+evening, concluding: "The circumstances of their lot are more to
+blame than they themselves. And why should I find fault with you
+because you are nervous? You could no more help being nervous and a
+little impatient than you could prevent the heat of the lamp from
+burning you, should you place your finger over it. I know the cause
+of it all. As for Mousie, she is growing paler and thinner every
+day. You know what my income is; we could not change things much for
+the better by taking other rooms and moving to another part of the
+city, and we might find that we had changed for the worse. I propose
+that 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 would
+be something for the children to do at once, pure air for them to
+breathe, and space for them to grow healthfully in body, mind, and
+soul. You know I have but little money laid by, and am not one of
+those smart men who can push their way. I don't know much besides
+bookkeeping, and my employers think I am not remarkably quick at
+that. I can't seem to acquire the lightning speed with which things
+are done nowadays; and while I try to make up by long hours and
+honesty, I don't believe I could ever earn much more than I am
+getting now, and you know it doesn't leave much of a margin for
+sickness or misfortune of any kind. After all, what does my salary
+give us but food and clothing and shelter, such as it is, with a
+little to spare in some years? It sends a cold chill to my heart to
+think what should become of you and the children if I should be sick
+or anything should happen to me. Still, it is the present welfare of
+the children that weighs most on my mind, Winifred. They are no
+longer little things that you can keep in these rooms and watch
+over; there is danger for them just outside that door. It wouldn't
+be so if beyond the door lay a garden and fields and woods. You, my
+overtaxed wife, wouldn't worry about them the moment they were out
+of sight, and my work, instead of being away from them all day,
+could be with them. And all could do something, even down to pale
+Mousie and little Bobsey. Outdoor life and pure air, instead of that
+breathed over and over, would bring quiet to your nerves and the
+roses back to your cheeks. The children would grow sturdy and
+strong; much of their work would be like play to them; they wouldn't
+be 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--for
+I lived there as a boy--but it seems like Eden compared to this
+place and its surroundings; and I feel as if I were being driven
+back to it by circumstances I can't control."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+NEW PROSPECTS
+
+
+There is no need of dwelling further on the reasons for or against
+the step we proposed. We thought a great deal and talked it over
+several times. Finally my wife agreed that the change would be wise
+and best for all. Then the children were taken into our confidence,
+and they became more delighted every day as the prospect grew
+clearer to them.
+
+"We'll all be good soon, won't we?" said my youngest, who had a
+rather vivid sense of his own shortcomings, and kept them in the
+minds of others as well.
+
+"Why so, Bobsey?"
+
+"'Cause mamma says that God put the first people in a garden and
+they was very good, better'n any folks afterwards. God oughter know
+the best place for people."
+
+Thus Bobsey gave a kind of divine sanction to our project. Of course
+we had not taken so important a step without asking the Great Father
+of all to guide us; for we felt that in the mystery of life we too
+were but little children who knew not what should be on the morrow,
+or how best to provide for it with any certainty. To our sanguine
+minds there was in Bobsey's words a hint of something more than
+permission 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 me
+naturally fell the task of finding the land flowing with milk and
+honey to which we should journey in the spring. Meantime we were
+already emigrants at heart, full of the bustle and excitement of
+mental preparation.
+
+I prided myself somewhat on my knowledge of human nature, which, in
+regard to children, conformed to comparatively simple laws. I knew
+that the change would involve plenty of hard work, self-denial and
+careful managing, which nothing could redeem from prose; but I aimed
+to add to our exodus, so far as possible, the elements of adventure
+and mystery so dear to the hearts of children. The question where we
+should 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 in
+Indians, bears, and "such big game." His advice made clear the
+nature of some of his recent reading. He proved, however, that he
+was not wanting in sense by his readiness to give up these
+attractive features in the choice of locality.
+
+Mousie's soft black eyes always lighted up at the prospect of a
+flower-garden that should be as big as our sitting-room. Even in our
+city apartments, poisoned by gas and devoid of sunlight, she usually
+managed to keep a little house-plant in bloom, and the thought of
+placing seeds in the open ground, where, as she said, "the roots
+could go down to China if they wanted to," brought the first color I
+had seen in her face for many a day.
+
+Winnie was our strongest child, and also the one who gave me the
+most anxiety. Impulsive, warm-hearted, restless, she always made me
+think of an overfull fountain. Her alert black eyes were as eager to
+see as was her inquisitive mind to pry into everything. She was
+sturdily built for a girl, and one of the severest punishments we
+could inflict was to place her in a chair and tell her not to move
+for an hour. We were beginning to learn that we could no more keep
+her in our sitting-room than we could restrain a mountain brook that
+foams into a rocky basin only to foam out again. Melissa Daggett was
+of a very different type--I could never see her without the word
+"sly" coming into my mind--and her small mysteries awakened Winnie's
+curiosity. Now that the latter was promised chickens, and rambles in
+the woods, Melissa and her secrets became insignificant, and the
+ready promise to keep aloof from her was given.
+
+As for Bobsey, he should have a pig which he could name and call his
+own, and for which he might pull weeds and pick up apples. We soon
+found 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 without
+candy, toys, and knick-knacks, and to buy books that would tell us
+how to live in the country. One happy evening we had an early supper
+and all went to a well-known agricultural store and publishing-house
+on Broadway, each child almost awed by the fact that I had fifteen
+dollars in my pocket which should be spent that very night in the
+purchase of books and papers. To the children the shop seemed like a
+place where tickets direct to Eden were obtained, while the colored
+pictures of fruits and vegetables could portray the products of Eden
+only, so different were they in size and beauty from the specimens
+appearing in our market stalls. Stuffed birds and animals were also
+on the shelves, and no epicure ever enjoyed the gamy flavor as we
+did. But when we came to examine the books, their plates exhibiting
+almost every phase of country work and production, we felt like a
+long vista leading toward our unknown home was opening before us,
+illumined by alluring pictures. To Winnie was given a book on
+poultry, and the cuts representing the various birds were even more
+to her taste than cuts from the fowls themselves at a Christmas
+dinner. 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 an
+account of game, fish, birds, and mammals. It was a natural and
+wholesome longing. I myself had felt it keenly when a boy. Such
+country sport would bring sturdiness to his limbs and the right kind
+of 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 with
+a pole cut from the woods until you have earned money enough
+yourself to buy what you need."
+
+The boy was almost overwhelmed. He came to me, and took my hand in
+both 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 not
+smoke till after you are twenty-one. A growing boy can't smoke in
+safety."
+
+He gave my hand a quick, strong pressure, and was immediately at the
+farther end of the store, blowing his nose suspiciously. I chuckled
+to myself: "I want no better promise. A gun will cure him of
+cigarettes better than a tract would."
+
+Mousie was quiet, as usual; but there was again a faint color in her
+cheeks, a soft lustre in her eyes. I kept near my invalid child most
+of the time, for fear that she would go beyond her strength. I made
+her sit by a table, and brought the books that would interest her
+most. Her sweet, thin face was a study, and I felt that she was
+already enjoying the healing caresses of Mother Nature. When we
+started homeward she carried a book about flowers next to her heart.
+
+Bobsey taxed his mother's patience and agility, for he seemed all
+over the store at the same moment, and wanted everything in it,
+being sure that fifteen dollars would buy all and leave a handsome
+margin; but at last he was content with a book illustrated from
+beginning to end with pigs.
+
+What pleased me most was to see how my wife enjoyed our little
+outing. Wrapped up in the children, she reflected their joy in her
+face, and looked almost girlish in her happiness. I whispered in her
+ear, "Your present shall be the home itself, for I shall have the
+deed made out in your name, and then you can turn me out-of-doors as
+often 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 have
+been finding that out ever since I gave myself to you."
+
+I bought Henderson's "Gardening for Profit" and some other practical
+books. I also subscribed for a journal devoted to rural interests
+and giving simple directions for the work of each month. At last we
+returned. Never did a jollier little procession march up Broadway.
+People were going to the opera and evening companies, and carriages
+rolled by, filled with elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen; but
+my 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 which
+must intervene before it would be safe or wise for us to leave the
+city. Our thoughts, words, and actions were all a roundabout means
+to our cherished end, and yet the most direct way that we could take
+under the circumstances. Field and garden were covered with snow,
+the ground was granite-like from frost, and winter's cold breath
+chilled our impatience to be gone; but so far as possible we lived
+in a country atmosphere, and amused ourselves by trying to conform
+to country ways in a city flat. Even Winnie declared she heard the
+cocks crowing at dawn, while Bobsey had a different kind of grunt or
+squeal 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 arranged
+them on a table. Merton was almost wild when he found a bright
+single-barrelled gun with accoutrements standing in the corner. Even
+Mousie exclaimed with delight at the bright-colored papers of
+flower-seeds on her plate. To Winnie were given half a dozen china
+eggs with which to lure the prospective biddies to lay in nests
+easily reached, and she tried to cackle over them in absurd
+imitation. Little Bobsey had to have some toys and candy, but they
+all presented to his eyes the natural inmates of the barn-yard. In
+the number of domestic animals he swallowed that day he equalled the
+little boy in Hawthorne's story of "The House of the Seven Gables,"
+who devoured a ginger-bread caravan of camels and elephants
+purchased at Miss Hepzibah Pyncheon's shop.
+
+Our Christmas dinner consisted almost wholly of such vegetables as
+we proposed to raise in the coming summer. Never before were such
+connoisseurs of carrots, beets, onions, parsnips, and so on through
+almost the entire list of such winter stock as was to be obtained at
+our nearest green-grocery. We celebrated the day by nearly a dozen
+dishes which the children aided my wife in preparing. Then I had
+Merton figure the cost of each, and we were surprised at the
+cheapness of much of country fare, even when retailed in very small
+quantities.
+
+This brought up another phase of the problem. In many respects I was
+like the children, having almost as much to learn as they--with the
+advantage, however, of being able to correct impressions by
+experience. In other words, I had more judgment; and while I should
+certainly make mistakes, not many of them would be absurd or often
+repeated. I was aware that most of the homely kitchen vegetables
+cost comparatively little, even though (having in our flat no good
+place for storage) we had found it better to buy what we needed from
+day to day. It was therefore certain that, at wholesale in the
+country, they would often be exceedingly cheap. This fact would work
+both ways: little money would purchase much food of certain kinds,
+and if we produced these articles of food they would bring us little
+money.
+
+I will pass briefly over the period that elapsed before it was time
+for us to depart, assured that the little people who are following
+this simple history are as eager to get away from the dusty city
+flat to the sunlight, breezy fields, brooks, and woods as were the
+children in my story. It is enough to say that, during all my waking
+hours not devoted to business, I read, thought, and studied on the
+problem of supporting my family in the country. I haunted Washington
+Market in the gray dawn and learned from much inquiry what products
+found a ready and certain sale at some price, and what appeared to
+yield to the grower the best profits. There was much conflict of
+opinion, but I noted down and averaged the statements made to me.
+Many of the market-men had hobbies, and told me how to make a
+fortune out of one or two articles; more gave careless, random, or
+ignorant answers; but here and there was a plain, honest, sensible
+fellow who showed me from his books what plain, honest, sensible
+producers in the country were doing. In a few weeks I dismissed
+finally the tendency to one blunder. A novice hears or reads of an
+acre of cabbages or strawberries producing so much. Then he figures,
+"if one acre yields so much, two acres will give twice as much," and
+so on. The experience of others showed me the utter folly of all
+this; and I came to the conclusion that I could give my family
+shelter, plain food, pure air, wholesome work and play in plenty,
+and that not very soon could I provide much else with certainty. I
+tried to stick closely to common-sense; and the humble circumstances
+of the vast majority living from the soil proved that there was in
+these pursuits no easy or speedy road to fortune. Therefore we must
+part reluctantly with every penny, and let a dollar go for only the
+essentials to the modest success now accepted as all we could
+naturally expect. We had explored the settled States, and even the
+Territories, in fancy; we had talked over nearly every industry from
+cotton and sugarcane planting to a sheep-ranch. I encouraged all
+this, for it was so much education out of school-hours; yet all,
+even Merton, eventually agreed with me that we had better not go far
+away, but seek a place near schools, markets, churches, and well
+inside of civilization.
+
+"See here, youngsters, you forget the most important crop of all
+that 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 on
+corn and potatoes. Not at all. It is chiefly on you; and for your
+sakes 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 about
+the figure you name. Come to see it. I shan't crack it up, but want
+you to judge for yourself.
+
+Resp'y    John Jones
+
+I had been to see two or three places that had been "cracked up" so
+highly that my wife thought it better to close the bargain at once
+before some one else secured the prize--and I had come back
+disgusted in each instance.
+
+"The soul of wit" was in John Jones's letter. There was also a
+downright directness which hit the mark, and I wrote that I would go
+to Maizeville in the course of the following week.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A BLUFF FRIEND
+
+
+The almanac had announced spring; nature appeared quite unaware of
+the 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 our
+hearts like "Jack's bean," in spite of lowering wintry skies. We
+were as eager as robins, sojourning in the south, to take our flight
+northward.
+
+My duties to my employers had ceased the 1st of March: I had secured
+tenants who would take possession of our rooms as soon as we should
+leave them; and now every spare moment was given to studying the
+problem of country living and to preparations for departure. I
+obtained illustrated catalogues from several dealers in seeds, and
+we pored over them every evening. At first they bewildered us with
+their long lists of varieties, while the glowing descriptions of new
+kinds of vegetables just being introduced awakened in us something
+of a gambling spirit.
+
+"How fortunate it is," exclaimed my wife, "that we are going to the
+country 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 all
+creation," and pictures of prodigious cabbage heads which well-nigh
+turned our own. With a blending of hope and distrust I carried two
+of the catalogues to a shrewd old fellow in Washington Market. He
+was a dealer in country produce who had done business so long at the
+same stand that among his fellows he was looked upon as a kind of
+patriarch. During a former interview he had replied to my questions
+with a blunt honesty that had inspired confidence. The day was
+somewhat mild, and I found him in his shirt-sleeves, smoking his
+pipe among his piled-up barrels, boxes, and crates, after his eleven
+o'clock dinner. His day's work was practically over; and well it
+might be, for, like others of his calling, he had begun it long
+before dawn. Now his old felt hat was pushed well back on his bald
+head, and his red face, fringed with a grizzled beard, expressed a
+sort of heavy, placid content. His small gray eyes twinkled as
+shrewdly as ever. With his pipe he indicated a box on which I might
+sit 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 a
+list as long as your arm? Perhaps I shouldn't take any of those old-
+fashioned kinds, but go into these wonderful novelties which promise
+a new era in horticulture."
+
+The old man gave a contemptuous grunt; then, removing his pipe, he
+blew 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, and
+perhaps proved that I wasn't a fool by not parting with him then and
+there.
+
+"Come now, neighbor," I said, brusquely, "I know some things that
+you don't, and there are affairs in which I could prove you to be as
+green as I am in this matter. If you came to me I'd give you the
+best 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 what
+I don't. When I tell you that I have a little family dependent on
+me, and that I mean if possible to get a living for them out of the
+soil, I believe you are man enough both to fall in with my plan and
+to show a little friendly interest. If you are not, I'll go farther
+and fare better."
+
+As I fired this broadside he looked at me askance, with the pipe in
+the corner of his mouth, then reached out his great brown paw, and
+said,--
+
+"Shake."
+
+I knew it was all right now--that the giving of his hand meant not
+only a treaty of peace but also a friendly alliance. The old fellow
+discoursed vegetable wisdom so steadily for half an hour that his
+pipe went out.
+
+"You jest let that new-fangled truck alone," he said, "till you get
+more forehanded in cash and experience. Then you may learn how to
+make something out of them novelties, as they call 'em, if they are
+worth growing at all. Now and then a good penny is turned on a new
+fruit or vegetable; but how to do it will be one of the last tricks
+that 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-nine
+hundredths 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 genuine
+article 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 with
+me. Do as you please about it, but if you want to take along a lot
+of 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 a
+good many in your line, if all's true that I hear. You have thrown a
+broad streak of daylight into my future. So you see the fool didn't
+part with his money, or with you either, until he got a good deal
+more 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'll
+always find my checks good for their face."
+
+"Yes, and the face back of them is that of a friend to me now. We'll
+shake again. Good-by;" and I went home feeling as if I had solid
+ground under my feet. At supper I went over the whole scene, taking
+off the man in humorous pantomime, not ridicule, and even my wife
+grew hilarious over her disappointed hopes of the "new-fangled
+truck." I managed, however, that the children should not lose the
+lesson that a rough diamond is better than a smooth paste stone, and
+that people often do themselves an injury when they take offence too
+easily.
+
+"I see it all, papa," chuckled Merton; "if you had gone off mad when
+he the same as called you a fool, you would have lost all his good
+advice."
+
+"I should have lost much more than that, my boy, I should have lost
+the services of a good friend and an honest man to whom we can send
+for its full worth whatever we can't sell to better advantage at
+home. But don't mistake me, Merton, toadyism never pays, no matter
+what you may gain by it; for you give manhood for such gain, and
+that's a kind of property that one can never part with and make a
+good bargain. You see the old man didn't mean to be insolent. As he
+said, it was only his rough, blunt way of saying what was uppermost
+in his mind."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+MR. JONES SHOWS ME THE PLACE
+
+
+The next day, according to appointment, I went to Maizeville. John
+Jones met me at the station, and drove me in his box-sleigh to see
+the farm he had written of in his laconic note. I looked at him
+curiously as we jogged along over the melting snow. The day was
+unclouded for a wonder, and the sun proved its increasing power by
+turning the sleigh-tracks in the road into gleaming rills. The
+visage of my new acquaintance formed a decided contrast to the
+rubicund face of the beef-eating marketman. He was sandy even to his
+eyebrows and complexion. His scraggy beard suggested poverty of soil
+on 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 made
+you feel that there was no "crookedness" behind them. His brief
+letter had led me to expect a man of few words, but I soon found
+that John Jones was a talker and a good-natured gossip. He knew
+every 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 my
+real-estate agent. "As I wrote you, you can see for yourself when we
+get there, and I'll answer all questions square. I've got the
+sellin' of the property, and I mean it shall be a good bargain, good
+for me and good for him who buys. I don't intend havin' any
+neighbors around blamin' me for a fraud;" and that is all he would
+say about it.
+
+On we went, over hills and down dales, surrounded by scenery that
+seemed 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 yours
+before plantin'-time comes--faces that mountain and looks up the
+valley between it and the main highlands on the left. Yonder's the
+house, on the slope of this big round hill, that'll shelter you from
+the north winds."
+
+I shall not describe the place very fully now, preferring that it
+should be seen through the eyes of my wife and children, as well as
+my own.
+
+"The dwelling appears old," I said.
+
+"Yes; part of it's a good deal more'n a hundred years old. It's been
+added to at both ends. But there's timbers in it that will stand
+another hundred years. I had a fire made in the livin'-room this
+mornin', to take off the chill, and we'll go in and sit down after
+we've looked the place over. Then you must come and take pot-luck
+with us."
+
+At first I was not at all enthusiastic, but the more I examined the
+place, and thought it over, the more it grew on my fancy. When I
+entered the main room of the cottage, and saw the wide, old-
+fashioned fireplace, with its crackling blaze, I thawed so rapidly
+that John Jones chuckled. "You're amazin' refreshin' for a city
+chap. 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 about
+it. The place looks rather run down, as you have seen. Old Mr. and
+Mrs. 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 a
+daughter. By the will I was app'inted executor and trustee. I've
+fixed on a fair price for the property, and I'm goin' to hold on
+till 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 the
+property is this. Mr. Jamison was a natural fruit-grower. He had a
+heap of good fruit here and wouldn't grow nothin' but the best. He
+was always a-speerin' round, and when he come across something extra
+he'd get a graft, or a root or two. So he gradually came to have the
+best 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 hair
+would be gray before you'd have the fruit that old man Jamison
+planted and tended into bearing condition; and you can buy places
+with fine shade trees and all that, and a good show of a garden and
+orchard, but Jamison used to say that an apple or cherry was a
+pretty enough shade tree for him, and he used to say too that a tree
+that bore the biggest and best apples didn't take any more room than
+one that yielded what was fit only for the cider press. Now the
+p'int's just here. You don't come to the country to amuse yourself
+by developin' a property, like most city chaps do, but to make a
+livin'. Well, don't you see? This farm is like a mill. When the
+sun's another month higher it will start all the machinery in the
+apple, cherry, and pear trees and the small fruits, and it will turn
+out a crop the first year you're here that will put money in your
+pocket."
+
+Then he named the price, half down and the rest on mortgage, if I so
+preferred. It was within the limit that my means permitted.
+
+I got up and went all over the house, which was still plainly
+furnished in part. A large wood-house near the back door had been
+well filled by the provident old man. There was ample cellar room,
+which was also a safeguard against dampness. Then I went out and
+walked around the house. It was all so quaint and homely as to make
+me feel that it would soon become home-like to us. There was nothing
+smart to be seen, nothing new except a barn that had recently been
+built near one of the oldest and grayest structures of the kind I
+had ever seen. The snow-clad mountains lifted themselves about me in
+a way that promised a glimpse of beauty every time I should raise my
+eyes from work. Yet after all my gaze lingered longest on the
+orchard and fruit-trees that surrounded the dwelling.
+
+"That's sensible," remarked Mr. Jones, who followed me with no trace
+of anxiety or impatience. "Paint, putty, and pine will make a house
+in a few weeks, but it takes a good slice out of a century to build
+up 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, then
+I'm done and you can take it or leave it. Don't you see? The house
+is on a slope facing the south-east. You get the morning sun and the
+southern 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 good
+drainage. We don't have any malary here, and that fact is worth as
+much as the farm, for I wouldn't take a section of the garden of
+Eden if there was malary around."
+
+"On your honor now, Mr. Jones, how far is the corner around which
+they 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 I
+can 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 me
+the 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 grow
+one thing up here in all seasons, I fancy--an appetite. As I feel
+now, your pot-luck means good luck, no matter what is in it."
+
+"Now you talk sense. I was a-hankerin' myself. I take stock right
+off in a man or a critter with an appetite. They're always
+improvin'. 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 first
+impressed me as being short, red, and round; but her friendly,
+bustling ways and hearty welcome soon added other and very pleasant
+impressions; and when she placed a great dish of fricasseed chicken
+on the table she won a good-will which her neighborly kindness has
+steadily increased.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+TELLING ABOUT EDEN
+
+
+Never was a traveller from a remote foreign clime listened to with
+more breathless interest than I as I related my adventures at our
+late supper after my return. Mousie looked almost feverish in her
+excitement, and Winnie and Bobsey exploded with merriment over the
+name of the mountain that would be one of our nearest neighbors.
+They dubbed the place "Schunemunks" at once. Merton put on serious
+and sportsman-like airs as he questioned me, and it was evident that
+he expected to add largely to our income from the game he should
+kill. I did not take much pains to dispel his illusions, knowing
+that one day's tramp would do this, and that he would bring back
+increased health and strength if nothing else.
+
+No fairy tale had ever absorbed the children like the description of
+that old house and its surroundings; and when at last they were
+induced to retire I said to my wife, after explaining more in
+practical detail the pros and cons to be considered: "It all depends
+on you. If you wish I will take you up the first pleasant day, so
+that 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 you
+like a book. You give in to me in little things, and that pleases a
+woman, you know. You must decide a question like this, for it is a
+question of support for us all, and you can do better on a place
+that suits you than on one never quite to your mind. It has grown
+more and more clear to me all the evening that you have fallen in
+love 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 she
+remarked, with a complacent nod, "I have a way of my own, but there
+are women in the world who would have insisted on a smart new
+house."
+
+"Little wife," I said, laughing, "there was another girl that I was
+a little sweet on before I met you. I'm glad you are not the other
+girl."
+
+She put her head a little to one side with the old roguish look
+which used to be so distracting when the question of questions with
+me was whether pretty Winnie Barlow would give half a dozen young
+fellows the go-by for my sake, and she said, "Perhaps the other girl
+is 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 a
+philosopher, with your brown studies into the hidden causes and
+reasons for things, yet you don't half know yet that when a woman
+sets her heart on something, she hasn't much left with which to long
+for anything else. That is, if she has a heart, which seems to be
+left out of some women."
+
+"I think it is, and others get a double allowance. I should be
+content, for I was rich the moment I won yours."
+
+"I've been more than content; I've been happy--happy all these years
+in 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 old
+husband 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 there
+when she was a bride, and which had survived many straitened years.
+
+So we chose our country home. The small patrimony to which we had
+added but little--(indeed we had often denied ourselves in order not
+to diminish it)--was nearly all to be invested in the farm, and a
+debt to be incurred, besides. While yielding to my fancy, I believed
+that I had at the same time chosen wisely, for, as John Jones said,
+the mature fruit trees of the place would begin to bring returns
+very soon.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+"BREAKING CAMP"
+
+
+We were now all eager to get away, and the weather favored our
+wishes. A warm rain with a high south wind set in, and the ice
+disappeared from the river like magic. I learned that the afternoon
+boat which touched at Maizeville would begin its trips in the
+following week.
+
+I told my wife about the furniture which still remained in the
+house, and the prices which John Jones put upon it. We therefore
+found that we could dispose of a number of bulky articles in our
+city apartments, and save a goodly sum in cartage and freight. Like
+soldiers short of ammunition, we had to make every dollar tell, and
+when by thought and management we could save a little it was talked
+over 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 described
+the landing of the "Mayflower," and some of the New-England winters
+that followed, and they wished to come down to Indian meal at once
+as a steady diet. Indeed, toward the last, we did come down to
+rather plain fare, for in packing up one thing after another we at
+last reached the cooking utensils.
+
+On the morning of the day preceding the one of our departure I began
+to use military figures of speech.
+
+"Now we must get into marching order," I said, "and prepare to break
+camp. Soldiers, you know, when about to move, dispose of all their
+heavy baggage, cook several days' provisions, pack up and load on
+wagons what they mean to take with them, and start. It is a trying
+time--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 prosaic
+breaking up was a time of grand excitement. With grim satisfaction
+they looked upon the dismantling of the rooms, and with sighs of
+relief saw carts take away such heavy articles as I had sold.
+
+Winnie and Bobsey were inclined to take the children of neighbors
+into their confidence, and to have them around, but I said that this
+would not do at all--that when soldiers were breaking camp the great
+point 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 and
+became unmanageable. The very spirit of mischief seemed to have
+entered his excited little brain. He untied bundles, placed things
+where they were in the way, and pestered the busy mother with so
+many questions, that I hit upon a decided measure to keep him quiet.
+I told him about a great commander who, in an important fight, was
+strapped to a mast, so that he could oversee everything. Then I tied
+the little fellow into a chair. At first he was much elated, and
+chattered like a magpie, but when he found he was not to be released
+after a few moments he began to howl for freedom. I then carried
+him, chair and all, to one of the back rooms. Soon his cries ceased,
+and tender-hearted Mousie stole after him. Returning she said, with
+her 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 and
+children were there, they had never appeared very homelike to me,
+and now they looked bare and comfortless indeed. The children
+gloated over their appearance, for it meant novelty to them. "The
+old camp is about broken up," Merton remarked, with the air of a
+veteran. But my wife sighed more than once.
+
+"What troubles you, Winifred?"
+
+"Robert, the children were born here, and here I've watched over
+them in sickness and health so many days and nights."
+
+"Well, my dear, the prospects are that in our new home you will not
+have to watch over them in sickness very much. Better still, you
+will not have to be so constantly on your guard against contagions
+that harm the soul as well as the body. I was told that there are
+rattle-snakes on Schunemunk, but greater dangers for Winnie and
+Merton lurk in this street--yes, in this very house;" and I exulted
+over the thought that we were about to bid Melissa Daggett a final
+good-by.
+
+"Oh, I know. I'm glad; but then--"
+
+"But then a woman's heart takes root in any place where she has
+loved and suffered. That tendency makes it all the more certain that
+you'll love your new home."
+
+"Yes; we may as well face the truth, Robert. We shall suffer in the
+new 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, the
+fatigues of the day brought us sound sleep, and we looked and felt
+like emigrants. But in the morning we rose with the dawn, from our
+shakedowns on the floor, to begin eagerly and hopefully our final
+preparations for departure. In response to my letters John Jones had
+promised to meet us at the Maizeville Landing with his strong
+covered rockaway, and to have a fire in the old farmhouse. Load
+after load was despatched to the boat, for I preferred to deal with
+one trusty truckman. When all had been taken away, we said good-by
+to our neighbors and took the horse-car to the boat, making our
+quiet exit in the least costly way. I knew the boat would be warm
+and comfortable, and proposed that we should eat our lunch there.
+
+The prospect, however, of seeing the wharves, the boats, and the
+river destroyed even the children's appetites. We soon reached the
+crowded dock. The great steamer appeared to be a part of it, lying
+along its length with several gangways, over which boxes, barrels,
+and packages were being hustled on board with perpetual din. The
+younger children were a little awed at first by the noise and
+apparent confusion. Mousie kept close to my side, and even Bobsey
+clung to his mother's hand. The extended upper cabin had state-rooms
+opening along its sides, and was as comfortable as a floating parlor
+with its arm and rocking chairs. Here, not far from the great
+heater, I established our headquarters. I made the children locate
+the spot carefully, and said: "From this point we'll make
+excursions. In the first place, Merton, you come with me and see
+that all our household effects are together and in good order. You
+must learn to travel and look after things like a man."
+
+We spent a little time in arranging our goods so that they would be
+safer and more compact. Then we went to the captain and laughingly
+told him we were emigrants to Maizeville, and hoped before long to
+send a good deal of produce by his boat. We therefore wished him to
+"lump" us, goods, children, and all, and deliver us safely at the
+Maizeville wharf for as small a sum as possible.
+
+He good-naturedly agreed, and I found that the chief stage of our
+journey would involve less outlay than I had expected.
+
+Thus far all had gone so well that I began to fear that a change
+must take place soon, in order that our experience should be more
+like the common lot of humanity. When at last I took all the
+children out on the afterdeck, to remove the first edge of their
+curiosity, I saw that there was at least an ominous change in the
+weather. The morning had been mild, with a lull in the usual March
+winds. Now a scud of clouds was drifting swiftly in from the
+eastward, and chilly, fitful gusts began to moan and sigh about us.
+A storm was evidently coming, and my hope was that we might reach
+our haven before it began. I kept my fears to myself, and we watched
+the long lines of carts converging toward the gang-planks of our own
+and other steamboats.
+
+"See, youngsters," I cried, "all this means commerce. These loads
+and loads of things will soon be at stores and homes up the river,
+supplying the various needs of the people. Tomorrow the residents
+along the river will bring what they have to sell to this same boat,
+and by daylight next morning carts will be carrying country produce
+and manufactured articles all over the city. Thus you see commerce
+is made by people supplying themselves and each other with what they
+need. Just as soon as we can bring down a crate of berries and send
+it to Mr. Bogart we shall be adding to the commerce of the world in
+the best way. We shall become what are called the 'producers,' and
+but 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 asserted
+itself, and he wanted to go everywhere and see everything, asking
+questions about machinery, navigation, river craft, the contents of
+every box, bale, or barrel we saw, till I felt that I was being used
+like a town pump. I pulled him back to the cabin, resolving to stop
+his 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 these
+active little brains were expanding to receive a host of new ideas.
+
+Mousie was quiet as usual, and made no trouble, but I saw with
+renewed hope that this excursion into the world awakened in her a
+keen and natural interest. Ever since the project of country life
+had been decided upon, her listless, weary look had been giving
+place to one of greater animation. The hope of flowers and a garden
+had fed her life like a deep, hidden spring.
+
+To Merton I had given larger liberty, and had said: "It is not
+necessary for you to stay with me all the time. Come and go on the
+boat and wharf as you wish. Pick up what knowledge you can. All I
+ask is that you will use good sense in keeping out of trouble and
+danger."
+
+I soon observed that he was making acquaintances here and there, and
+asking questions which would go far to make good his loss of
+schooling for a time. Finding out about what one sees is, in my
+belief, one of the best ways of getting an education. The trouble
+with most of us is that we accept what we see, without inquiry or
+knowledge.
+
+The children were much interested in scenes witnessed from the side
+of the boat farthest from the wharf. Here in the enclosed water-
+space were several kinds of craft, but the most curious in their
+eyes was a group of canal boats--"queer travelling houses" Mousie
+called them; for it was evident that each one had a family on board,
+and the little entrance to the hidden cabin resembled a hole from
+which men, women, and children came like rabbits out of a burrow.
+Tough, hardy, barefooted children were everywhere. While we were
+looking, one frowsy-headed little girl popped up from her burrow in
+the boat, and, with legs and feet as red as a boiled lobster, ran
+along the guards like a squirrel along a fence.
+
+"O dear!" sighed Mousie, "I'd rather live in a city flat than in
+such a house."
+
+"I think it would be splendid," protested Winnie, "to live in a
+travelling 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. She
+was determined to spend in rest the hours on the boat, and had said
+that 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 it
+looked as if they could never be untangled. People of every
+description, loaded down with parcels, were hurrying on board, and
+it would seem from our point of view that American women shared with
+their French sisters an aptness for trade, for among the passengers
+were not a few substantial, matronly persons who appeared as if they
+could 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 window
+in the cabin, through which we could see the massive machinery.
+
+"Now," said I, "watch the steel giant; he is motionless, but in a
+moment or two he will move."
+
+True enough, he appeared to take a long breath of steam, and then
+slowly lifted his polished arms, or levers, and the boat that had
+been like a part of the wharf began to act as if it were alive and
+were waking up.
+
+"Now," I asked, "shall we go to the after-deck and take our last
+look at the city, or forward and see the river and whither we are
+going?"
+
+"Forward! forward!" cried all in chorus.
+
+"That's the difference between youth and age," I thought. "With the
+young it is always 'forward.'" But we found that we could not go out
+on the forward deck, for the wind would have carried away my light,
+frail Mousie, like a feather. Indeed it was whistling a wild tune as
+we stood in a small room with glass windows all round. The waves
+were crowned with foaming white-caps, and the small craft that had
+to be out in the gale were bobbing up and down, as if possessed. On
+the river was a strange and lurid light, which seemed to come more
+from the dashing water than from the sky, so dark was the latter
+with skurrying clouds.
+
+Mousie clung timidly to my side, but I reassured her by saying: "See
+how steadily, how evenly and boldly, our great craft goes out on the
+wide river. In the same way we must go forward, and never be afraid.
+These boats run every day after the ice disappears, and they are
+managed by men who know what to do in all sorts of weather."
+
+She smiled, but whispered, "I think I'll go back and stay with
+mamma;" but she soon found much amusement in looking at passing
+scenes from the windows of the warm after-cabin--scenes that were
+like pictures set in oval frames.
+
+The other children appeared fascinated by the scene, especially
+Winnie, 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 her
+stories. She tried to tell me the other day about a theatre at which
+a woman killed a man--"
+
+"Horrid! I hope you didn't listen?"
+
+"Only long enough to know the man came to life again, and danced in
+the next--"
+
+"That will do. I'm not interested in Melissa's vulgar stories. As
+you say, this, and all like this, is much better, and will never
+prevent you from becoming a lady like mamma."
+
+Winnie's ambition to become a lady promised to be one of my strong
+levers 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 plowed
+her way rapidly past the city and the villa-crowned shores beyond.
+The gloom of the storm and of early coming night was over all, and
+from the distant western shores the Palisades frowned dimly through
+the obscurity.
+
+My wife came, and after a brief glance shivered and was turning
+away, when I said, "You don't like your first glimpse of the
+country, 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 about
+the enclosed parts of the boat. The lamps were already lighted, and
+the piled-up freight stood out in grotesque light and shadow.
+
+Before very long we were standing by one of the furnace rooms, and
+the sooty-visaged man threw open the iron doors of the furnace. In
+the glare of light that rushed forth everything near stood out
+almost as vividly as it would have done in a steady gleam of
+lightning. The fireman instantly became a startling silhouette, and
+the coal that he shovelled into what was like a flaming mouth of a
+cavern seemed sparkling black diamonds. The snow-flakes glimmered as
+the wind swept them by the wide-open window, and in the distance
+were seen the lights and the dim outline of another boat rushing
+toward the city. Clang! the iron doors are shut, and all is obscure
+again.
+
+"Now the boat has had its supper," said Bobsey. "O dear! I wish I
+could have a big hot supper."
+
+The smoking-room door stood open, and we lingered near it for some
+moments, attracted first by a picture of a great fat ox, that
+suggested grassy meadows, plowing, juicy steaks, and other pleasant
+things. Then our attention was drawn to a man, evidently a cattle-
+dealer, who was holding forth to others more or less akin to him in
+their pursuits.
+
+"Yes," he was saying, "people in the country eat a mighty lot of
+cow-beef, poor and old at that. I was buying calves out near
+Shawangunk Mountains last week, and stopped at a small tavern. They
+brought me a steak and I tried to put my knife in it--thought the
+knife might be dull, but knew my grinders weren't. Jerusalem! I
+might have chawed on that steak till now and made no impression. I
+called the landlord, and said, 'See here, stranger, if you serve me
+old 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 fellers
+from the city buy up every likely critter that's for sale, and we
+have to take what you leave.' You see, he hit me right between the
+horns, for it's about so. Bless your soul, if I'd took in a lot of
+cow-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 would
+be a sight better off if they'd eat more cow-beef and less pork. You
+know 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 your
+cheeks. We'll paint them red with strawberries and raspberries, the
+color put on from the inside."
+
+As time passed, the storm increased, and the air became so thick
+with driving snow that the boat's speed was slackened. Occasionally
+we "slowed up" for some moments. The passengers shook their heads
+and 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 a
+hearty hot supper, as Bobsey had suggested; and when, at last, the
+gong resounded through the boat, we trooped down with the others to
+the lower cabin, where there were several long tables, with colored
+waiters in attendance. We had not been in these lower regions
+before, and the eyes of the children soon wandered from their plates
+to the berths, or sleeping-bunks, which lined the sides of the
+cabin.
+
+"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 be
+tucked 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 and
+satisfaction. Bobsey ate until the passengers around him were
+laughing, but he, with superb indifference, attended strictly to
+business.
+
+My wife whispered, "You must all eat enough to last a week, for I
+sha'n't have time to cook anything;" and I was much pleased at the
+good 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 his
+face. But he was a sturdy little fellow, and only laughed back when
+a 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 it
+would be several hours still before we could hope to arrive, so
+severe was the storm, I procured the use of a state-room, and soon
+Bobsey was snoring in the upper berth, and my invalid girl smiling
+and 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 wondered
+how the pilot could find his way through the tempest. I confess I
+had fears lest he might not do this, and felt that I should be
+grateful indeed when my little band was safe on shore. The people in
+charge of the boat, however, knew their business.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+A MARCH EVENING IN EDEN
+
+
+At length we were fast at the Maizeville Landing, although long
+after the usual hour of arrival. I was anxious indeed to learn
+whether John Jones would meet us, or whether, believing that we
+would not come in such a storm, and tired of waiting, he had gone
+home and left us to find such shelter as we could.
+
+But there he was, looking in the light of the lanterns as grizzled
+as old Time himself, with his eyebrows and beard full of snow-
+flakes. He and I hastily carried the three younger children ashore
+through the driving snow, and put them in a corner of the
+storehouse, while Merton followed with his mother.
+
+"Mr. Jones," I exclaimed, "you are a neighbor to be proud of
+already. Why didn't you go home and leave us to our fate?"
+
+"Well," he replied, laughing, "'twouldn't take you long to get
+snowed 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 be
+inclined to stay on the boat and go back to the city. Then where
+would 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 get
+Mrs. Durham and the kids into the warm waiting-room, and then look
+after your traps."
+
+The room was already crowded, but we squeezed them in, white from
+scarcely more than a moment's exposure to the storm. Then we took
+hold and gave the deck-hands a lift with my baggage, Merton showing
+much manly spirit in his readiness to face the weather and the work.
+My effects were soon piled up by themselves, and then we held a
+council.
+
+"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 in
+the morning."
+
+"To tell the truth I feel the same way," I continued, "but reason
+must hold the reins. Do you think you could protect Mrs. Durham and
+the children from the storm?"
+
+"Yes, I think we could tuck 'em in so they'd scarcely know it was
+snowin', 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, she
+exclaimed, "Oh, let us go home."
+
+How my heart jumped at her use of the word "home" in regard to a
+place that she had never seen. "But, Winifred," I urged, "do you
+realize how bad a night it is? Do you think it would be safe for
+Mousie?"
+
+"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't
+believe we'd run as much risk as in going to a little hotel, the
+best rooms of which are already taken. Since we can do it, it will
+be 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 his
+looks before asking your opinion."
+
+"I found that out the day he came up to see the place," chuckled my
+neighbor, "and I was half a mind to stick him for another hundred
+for being so honest. He don't know how to make a bargain any more
+than one of the children there. Well, I'll go to the shed and get
+the hosses, and we'll make a pull for home. I don't believe you'll
+be sorry when you get there."
+
+Mr. Jones came around to the very door with the rockaway, and we
+tucked my wife and children under the buffalo robes and blankets
+till 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 both
+deep, and the wheeling was very heavy. Even John Jones's loquacity
+was checked, for every time he opened his mouth the wind half filled
+it with snow. Some one ahead of us, with a lantern, guided our
+course for a mile or so through the dense obscurity, and then he
+turned off on another road. At first I hailed one and another in the
+black cavern of the rockaway behind me, and their muffled voices
+would answer, "All right." But one after another they ceased to
+answer me until all were fast asleep except my wife. She insisted
+that 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, the
+strange desire to sleep that overcomes those long exposed to cold
+and wind.
+
+I must have been nodding and swaying around rather loosely, when I
+felt myself going heels over head into the snow. As I picked myself
+up I heard my wife and children screaming, and John Jones shouting
+to his horses, "Git up," while at the same time he lashed them with
+his whip. My face was so plastered with snow that I could see only a
+dark object which was evidently being dragged violently out of a
+ditch, 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 storm
+toward his voice.
+
+"I believe I was a big fool for tryin' to get home such a night as
+this; but now that we've set about it, we'd better get there. That's
+right. 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 any
+blizzard 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. Let
+me 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 my
+voice--all right;" and we jogged on again, stopping from time to
+time 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 the
+road?" and I remembered how four people and a pair of horses had
+been 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 one
+bit."
+
+"This is different from the Eden of which we have been dreaming," I
+thought grimly. Then I shouted, "How much farther, Mr. Jones?"
+
+The howling of the wind was my only answer. I shouted again. The
+increasing 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 my
+teeth chattered with cold and fear.
+
+"Halloo--oo!" I shouted. The answering shriek of the wind in the
+trees overhead chilled my very heart.
+
+"What has become of Mr. Jones?" asked my wife, and there was almost
+anguish in her tone, while Winnie and Bobsey were actually crying
+aloud.
+
+"Well, my dear," I tried to say, reassuringly, "even if he were very
+near to us we could neither see nor hear him."
+
+Moments passed which seemed like ages, and I scarcely knew what to
+do. The absence of all signs of Mr. Jones filled me with a nameless
+and unspeakable dread. Could anything have happened to him? Could he
+have 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 and
+frozen, in the wreck of the wagon. One imagines all sorts of
+horrible 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, and
+I'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 about
+light could not express my joy as I saw that glimmer approaching on
+the left. Before it appeared I had been awed by the tempest,
+benumbed with cold, shivering in my wet clothes, and a prey to many
+terrible fears and surmises; but now I cried, "Cheer up; here comes
+a light."
+
+Then in my gladness I shouted the greeting that met Mr. Jones
+everywhere, "How are YOU, JOHN?"
+
+A great guffaw of laughter mingled with the howl of the storm, and
+my 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. Now
+aren't we nearly home? For we are all half frozen."
+
+"Just let me spy a bit with the lantern, and I'll soon tell you
+everything." He bobbed back and forth for a moment or two like a
+will-o'-the-wisp. "Now turn sharp to the left, and follow the
+light."
+
+A great hope sprung up in my heart, and I hushed Winnie's and
+Bobsey's crying by saying, "Listen, and you'll soon hear some good
+news."
+
+Our wheels crunched through the deep snow for a few moments, and
+soon I saw a ruddy light shining from the window of a dwelling, and
+then Mr. Jones shouted, "Whoa! 'Light down, neighbors; you're at
+your own door."
+
+There was a chorus of delighted cries. Merton half tumbled over me
+in his eagerness to get down. A door opened, and out poured a
+cheerful glow. Oh the delicious sense of safety and warmth given by
+it already!
+
+I seized Mousie, floundered through the snow up to my knees, and
+placed her in a big rocking-chair. Mr. Jones followed with Winnie,
+and Merton came in with Bobsey on his back. The little fellow was
+under such headway in crying that he couldn't stop at once, although
+his tears were rapidly giving place to laughter. I rushed back and
+carried in my wife, and then said, in a voice a little unsteady from
+deep feeling, "Welcome home, one and all."
+
+Never did the word mean more to a half-frozen and badly frightened
+family. At first safety, warmth, and comfort were the uppermost in
+our thoughts, but as wraps were taken off, and my wife and children
+thawed out, eager-eyed curiosity began to make explorations. Taking
+Mousie on my lap, and chafing her hands, I answered questions and
+enjoyed to the full the exclamations of pleasure.
+
+Mr. Jones lingered for a few moments, then gave one of his big
+guffaws by way of preface, and said: "Well, you do look as if you
+was at home and meant to stay. This 'ere scene kinder makes me
+homesick; 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. I
+must go, for I hear John junior hollerin' for me."
+
+His only response to our profuse thanks was another laugh, which the
+wind swept away.
+
+"Who is John junior?" asked Merton.
+
+"Mr. Jones's son, a boy of about your age. He was here waiting for
+us, and keeping the fire up. When we arrived he came out and took
+the horses, and so you didn't see him. He'll make a good playmate
+for you. To use his father's own words, 'He's a fairish boy as boys
+go,' 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 take
+this in first. O Robert, I have such a sense of rest, quiet,
+comfort, and hominess that I just want to sit still and enjoy it
+all. The howling of the storm only makes this place seem more like a
+refuge, and I'd rather hear it than the Daggetts tramping overhead
+and the Ricketts children crying down-stairs. Oh, isn't it nice to
+be by ourselves in this quaint old room? Turn the lamp down, Robert,
+so we can see the firelight flicker over everything. Isn't it
+splendid?--just like a picture in a book."
+
+"No picture in a book, Winifred--no artist could paint a picture
+that would have the charm of this one for me," I replied, leaning my
+elbow on the end of the mantel-piece, and looking fondly down on the
+little group. My wife's face looked girlish in the ruddy light.
+Mousie gazed into the fire with unspeakable content, and declared
+she was "too happy to think of taking cold." Winnie and Bobsey were
+sitting, Turk-fashion, on the floor, their eyelids drooping. The
+long cold ride had quenched even their spirit, for after running
+around for a few moments they began to yield to drowsiness. Merton,
+with a boy's appetite, was casting wistful glances at the lunch on
+the table, the chief feature of which was a roast chicken.
+
+There seemed to be no occasion for haste. I wished to let the
+picture sink deep into my heart. At last my wife sprang up and
+said:--
+
+"I've been sentimental long enough. You're not of much account in
+the house, Robert"--with one of her saucy looks--"and I must see to
+things, or Winnie and Bobsey will be asleep on the floor. I feel as
+if I could sit here till morning, but I'll come back after the
+children are in bed. Come, show me my home, or at least enough of it
+to let me see where we are to sleep."
+
+"We shall have to camp again to-night. Mrs. Jones has made up the
+one bed left in the house, and you and Mousie shall have that. We'll
+fix Winnie and Bobsey on the lounge; and, youngsters, you can sleep
+in your clothes, just as soldiers do on the ground. Merton and I
+will doze in these chairs before the fire. To-morrow night we can
+all be very comfortable."
+
+I took the lamp and led the way--my wife, Mousie, and Merton
+following--first across a little hall, from which one stairway led
+to the upper chambers and another to the cellar. Opening a door
+opposite the living-room, I showed Winifred her parlor. Cosey and
+comfortable it looked, even now, through Mr. and Mrs. Jones's kind
+offices. A Morning Glory stove gave out abundant warmth and a rich
+light 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 are
+a 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 which
+Mrs. Jones had made comfortable. "Wasn't I wise when I decided to
+come home? It's just as warm as toast. Now let the wind blow--Why, I
+don't hear it any more."
+
+"No, the gale has blown itself out. Finding that we had escaped, it
+got discouraged and gave up. Connected with this room is another for
+Mousie and Winnie. By leaving the door open much of the time it will
+be warm enough for them. So you see this end of the house can be
+heated with but little trouble and expense. The open fire in the
+living-room is a luxury that we can afford, since there is plenty of
+wood on the place. On the other side of the hall there is a room for
+Merton. Now do me a favor: don't look, or talk, or think, any more
+to-night. It has been a long, hard day. Indeed"--looking at my
+watch--"it is already to-morrow morning, and you know how much we
+shall have to do. Let us go back and get a little supper, and then
+take all the rest we can."
+
+Winifred yielded, and Bobsey and Winnie waked up for a time at the
+word "supper." Then we knelt around our hearth, and made it an altar
+to God, for I wished the children never to forget our need of His
+fatherly care and help.
+
+"I will now take the children upstairs and put them to bed, and then
+come back, for I can not leave this wood fire just yet," remarked my
+wife.
+
+I burst out laughing and said, "You have never been at home until
+this night, when you are camping in an old house you never saw
+before, and I can prove it by one question--When have you taken the
+children UPSTAIRS to bed before?"
+
+"Why--why--never."
+
+"Of course you haven't--city flats all your life. But your nature is
+not perverted. In natural homes for generations mothers have taken
+their children upstairs to bed, and, forgetting the habit of your
+life, you speak according to the inherited instinct of the mother-
+heart."
+
+"O Robert, you have so many fine-spun theories! Yet it is a little
+queer. 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 begin
+to 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 had
+stretched himself on the rag-carpet, with his overcoat for a pillow,
+and was in dreamless sleep. My wife's eyes were full of languor. She
+did not sit down, but stood beside me for a moment. Then, laying her
+head on my shoulder, she said, softly, "I haven't brains enough for
+theories and such things, but I will try to make you all happy
+here."
+
+"Dear little wife!" I laughed; "when has woman hit upon a higher or
+better wisdom than that of making all happy in her own home? and you
+half asleep, too."
+
+"Then I'll bid you good-night at once, before I say something
+awfully stupid."
+
+Soon the old house was quiet. The wind had utterly ceased. I opened
+the door a moment, and looked on the white, still world without. The
+stars glittered frostily through the rifts in the clouds. Schunemunk
+Mountain was a shadow along the western horizon, and the eastern
+highlands banked up and blended with the clouds. Nature has its
+restless moods, its storms and passions, like human life; but there
+are times of tranquillity and peace, even in March. How different
+was this scene from the aspect of our city street when I had taken
+my farewell look at a late hour the previous night! No grand
+sweeping outlines there, no deep quiet and peace, soothing and at
+the same time uplifting the mind. Even at midnight there is an
+uneasy fretting in city life--some one not at rest, and disturbing
+the repose of others.
+
+I stole silently through the house. Here, too, all seemed in accord
+with nature. The life of a good old man had quietly ceased in this
+home; new, hopeful life was beginning. Evil is everywhere in the
+world, but it seemed to me that we had as safe a nook as could be
+found.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV
+
+SELF-DENIAL AND ITS REWARD
+
+
+I remember little that followed until I was startled out of my chair
+by a loud knocking. The sunlight was streaming in at the window and
+John 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 as
+yesterday is like money put in the bank. But the sleighing is better
+now than it will be later in the day. The sun'll be pretty powerful
+by noon, and the snow'll soon be slush. Now's your chance to get
+your traps up in a hurry. I can have a two-hoss sled ready in half
+an 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 things
+snug, you won't care if the bottom does fall out of the roads for a
+time. Well, you HAVE had to rough it. Merton might have come and
+stayed with us."
+
+"Oh, I'm all right," said the boy, rubbing his eyes open as he rose
+from the floor, at the same time learning from stiff joints that a
+carpet is not a mattress.
+
+"Nothing would suit me better, Mr. Jones, than your plan of prompt
+action, 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 a
+good bargain for the other team, and before I sleep to-night I wish
+to square up for everything. I mean at least to begin business in
+this way at Maizeville."
+
+"Oh, go slow, go slow!" said Mr. Jones. "The town will mob you if
+they find you've got ready money in March. John junior will be over
+with a pot of coffee and a jug of milk in a few minutes, and we'll
+be off sharp."
+
+There was a patter of feet overhead, and soon Bobsey came tearing
+down, half wild with excitement over the novelty of everything. He
+started 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 a
+busy day before us. You can help a good deal, and play a little, but
+you can't hinder and pester according to your own sweet will one
+bit. You must either obey orders or else be put under arrest and
+tied in the chair."
+
+To go into the chair to-day would be torture indeed, and the little
+fellow was sobered at once.
+
+The others soon joined us, eager to see everything by the broad
+light of day, and to enter upon the task of getting settled. We had
+scarcely come together before John junior appeared with the chief
+features of our breakfast. The children scanned this probable
+playmate very curiously, and some of us could hardly repress a smile
+at his appearance. He was even more sandy than his father. Indeed
+his hair and eyebrows were nearly white, but out of his red and
+almost full-moon face his mother's black eyes twinkled shrewdly.
+They now expressed only good-will and bashfulness. Every one of us
+shook hands with him so cordially that his boy's heart was evidently
+won.
+
+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 made
+him feel more like a pioneer, no doubt. As he took it from its stout
+cloth cover I saw John junior's eyes sparkle. Evidently a deep chord
+was touched. He said, excitedly: "To-day's your time to try it. A
+rabbit can't stir without leaving his tracks, and the snow is so
+deep and soft that he can't get away. There's rabbits on your own
+place."
+
+"O papa," cried my boy, fairly trembling with eagerness, "can't I
+go?"
+
+"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 in
+this case," I added, after a moment, seeing a chance to do a little
+character-building. "It is rarely best to put pleasure before
+business or prudence. If you go out into the snow with those boots,
+you will spoil them, and very probably take a severe cold. Yet you
+may 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!" exclaimed
+Merton, "I may never have so good a chance again. The snow will soon
+melt, and there won't be any more till next winter. I'll tie my
+trousers down about my boots, and I'll help all the rest of the day
+after I get back."
+
+"Very well," I said quietly: and he began eating his breakfast--the
+abundant remains of our last night's lunch--very rapidly, while John
+junior started off to get his gun.
+
+I saw that Merton was ill at ease, but I made a sign to his mother
+not to interfere. More and more slowly he finished his breakfast,
+then took his gun and went to the room that would be his, to load
+and prepare. At last he came down and went out by another door,
+evidently not wishing to encounter me. John junior met him, and the
+boys were starting, when John senior drove into the yard and
+shouted, "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 go
+along to show him."
+
+"That first shot wasn't exactly straight, my young friend John. I
+told Merton that it wasn't best to put pleasure before business, but
+that he could go if he would. I wished to let him choose to do
+right, instead of making him do right."
+
+"Oho, that's how the land lays. Well, John junior, you can have your
+choice, too. You may go right on with your gun, but you know the
+length and weight of that strap at home. Now, will you help me? or
+go after rabbits?"
+
+The boy grinned pleasantly, and replied, "If you had said I couldn't
+go, I wouldn't; but if it's choosin' between shootin' rabbits and a
+strappin' afterward--come along, Merton."
+
+"Well, go along then," chuckled his father; "you've made your
+bargain 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 and
+locked 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 out
+of. Come now, let's all be off as quick as we can. Neighbor Rollins
+down the road will join us as we go along."
+
+"Merton," I said, "see if there isn't a barrel of apples in the
+cellar. If you find one, you can fill your pockets."
+
+He soon returned with bulging pockets and a smiling face, feeling
+that such virtue as he had shown had soon brought reward. My wife
+said that while we were gone she and the children would explore the
+house and plan how to arrange everything. We started in good
+spirits.
+
+"Here's where you thought you was cast away last night," Mr. Jones
+remarked, 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 revealed
+beauty everywhere.
+
+For a long distance our sleighs made the first tracks, and it seemed
+almost 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 prose
+over the opening vistas. "What's more, it will show itself before
+night. We can beat all creation at mud in Maizeville, when once we
+set about it."
+
+Merton laughed, and munched his apples, but I saw that he was
+impressed 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 this
+morning about as well as you could expect of boys. Would Junior have
+gone 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 as
+tough and obstinate as a mule sometimes, especially about shooting
+and 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 the
+lightness and depth of the snow were not very distinct.
+
+"He can't be far away," said Junior, excitedly. "Don't go too fast
+till I see which way he was a-p'intin'. We don't want to follow the
+tracks 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 just
+here. Now, Merton, watch this hole while I jump over the other side
+of 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 his
+sleigh to see the sport. It came quickly. As if by some instinct the
+rabbit believed Junior to be the more dangerous, and made a break
+from the wall almost at Merton's feet, with such swiftness and power
+as to dash by him like a shot. The first force of its bound over, it
+was caught by nature's trap--snow too deep and soft to admit of
+rapid running.
+
+John Jones soon proved that Junior came honestly by his passion for
+hunting. In a moment he was floundering through the bushes with his
+son 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 he
+caught up with the rabbit, and threw himself upon it, then rose,
+white as a snow-man, shouting triumphantly and holding the little
+creature 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. "I
+own up I used to be pretty hot on such larkin'. We all keep
+forgettin' we was boys once."
+
+As we rode on, Merton was a picture of exultation, and Junior was on
+the sharp lookout again. His father turned on him and said: "Now
+look a' here, enough's as good as a feast. I'll blindfold you if you
+don't let the tracks alone. Mrs. Durham wants her things, so she can
+begin to live. Get up there;" and a crack of the whip ended all
+further hopes on the part of the boys. But they felt well repaid for
+coming, 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 four
+pairs of rubber boots, for I knew how hopeless it would be to try to
+keep Winnie and Bobsey indoors. As for Mousie, she would have to be
+prudent until the ground should become dry and warm.
+
+There is no need of dwelling long on the bringing home of our
+effects and the getting to rights. We were back soon after ten, and
+found that Winnie and Bobsey, having exhausted the resources of the
+house, had been permitted to start at the front door, and, with an
+old fire-shovel and a piece of board, had well-nigh completed a path
+to the well, piling up the snow as they advanced, so that their
+overshoes were a sufficient protection.
+
+After we had carried in the things I interceded with Mr. Jones and
+then told the boys that they could take their guns and be absent two
+or three hours if they would promise to help faithfully the rest of
+the day.
+
+I had bought at Maizeville Landing such provisions, tools, etc., as
+I should need immediately. Therefore I did not worry because the
+fickle March sky was clouding up again with the promise of rain. A
+heavy downpour now with snow upon the ground would cause almost a
+flood, but I felt that we could shut the door and find the old house
+a very comfortable ark.
+
+"A smart warm rain would be the best thing that could happen to
+yer," said Mr. Jones, as he helped me carry in furniture and put up
+beds; "it would take the snow off. Nat'rally you want to get out on
+the bare ground, for there's allus a lot of clearin' up to be done
+in the spring and old man Jamison was poorly last year and didn't
+keep things up to the mark."
+
+"Yes," I replied, "I am as eager to get to work outdoors as the boys
+were to go after rabbits. I believe I shall like the work, but that
+is 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 afford
+farming 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 except
+advice. I've only had a city training, and my theories about farming
+would perhaps make you smile. But I've seen enough of you already to
+feel that you are inclined to be kind and neighborly, and the best
+way to show this will be in helping me to good, sound, practical,
+common-sense advice. But you mustn't put on airs, or be impatient
+with me. Shrewd as you are, I could show you some things in the
+city."
+
+"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't
+make myself. Perhaps that ain't saying a great deal, though."
+
+By this time everything had been brought in and either put in place
+or stowed out of the way, until my wife could decide where and how
+she 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 of
+the other team, should be paid in full before night; and second,
+that Mrs. Jones should furnish us our dinner, in which the chief
+dish should be a pot-pie from the rabbit caught by Merton, and that
+Mr. 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 at
+last 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 up
+what we can, like the birds. You intend to invite us all down to the
+apple barrel, perhaps."
+
+"Certainly, whenever you wish to go; but we'll have a hot dinner at
+one o'clock, and a game dinner into the bargain."
+
+"I've heard the boys' guns occasionally, but I haven't seen the
+game, and it's after twelve now."
+
+"Papa has a secret--a surprise for us," cried Mousie; "I can see it
+in 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 have
+picked up something that would have answered."
+
+"No; I've been very prudent in saving your time and strength, and
+saving these is sometimes the best economy in the world. Mousie is
+nearer right. The dinner is a secret, and it has been furnished
+chiefly by one of the family."
+
+"Well, I'm too busy to guess riddles to-day; but if my appetite is a
+guide, 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 enough
+to eat your dinner. Then Mousie and Merton and Winnie will clear up
+everything, and be fore night you will feel settled enough to take
+things easy till to-morrow."
+
+"I know your thoughtfulness for me, if not your secret," she said,
+gratefully, and was again putting things where, from housewifely
+experience, she knew they would be handy.
+
+Mr. and Mrs. Jamison had clung to their old-fashioned ways, and had
+done their cooking over the open fire, using the swinging crane
+which is now employed chiefly in pictures. This, for the sake of the
+picture it made, we proposed to keep as it had been left, although
+at times it might answer some more prosaic purpose.
+
+At the eastern end of the house was a single room, added unknown
+years ago, and designed to be a bed-chamber. Of late it had been
+used as a general storage and lumber room, and when I first
+inspected the house, I had found little in this apartment of service
+to us. So I had asked Mr. Jones to remove all that I did not care
+for, and to have the room cleansed, satisfied that it would just
+suit my wife as a kitchen. It was large, having windows facing the
+east and south, and therefore it would be light and cheerful, as a
+kitchen ever should be, especially when the mistress of the house is
+cook. There Mr. Jones and I set up the excellent stove that I had
+brought from New York--one to which my wife was accustomed, and from
+which she could conjure a rare good dinner when she gave her mind to
+it. Now as she moved back and forth, in such sunlight as the
+clouding 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. "I
+shall soon have by this east window a table with shallow boxes of
+earth, and in them you can plant some of your flower-seeds. I only
+ask that I may have two of the boxes for early cabbages, lettuce,
+tomatoes, etc. You and your plants can take a sun-bath every morning
+until it is warm, enough to go out of doors, and you'll find the
+plants won't die here as they did in the dark, gas-poisoned city
+flat."
+
+"I feel as if I were going to grow faster and stronger than the
+plants," cried the happy child.
+
+Junior and Merton now appeared, each carrying a rabbit. My boy's
+face, however, was clouded, and he said, a little despondently, "I
+can't shoot straight--missed every time; and Junior shot 'em after I
+had fired and missed."
+
+"Pshaw!" cried Junior; "Merton's got to learn to take a quick steady
+sight, like every one else. He gets too excited."
+
+"That's just it, my boy," I said. "You shall go down by the creek
+and fire at a mark a few times every day, and you'll soon hit it
+every time. Junior's head is too level to think that anything can be
+done well without practice. Now, Junior," I added, "run over home
+and help your father bring us our dinner, and then you stay and help
+us eat it."
+
+Father and son soon appeared, well laden. Winnie and Bobsey came in
+ravenous from their path-making, and all agreed that we had already
+grown one vigorous rampant Maizeville crop--an appetite.
+
+The pot-pie was exulted over, and the secret of its existence
+explained. Even Junior laughed till the tears came as I described
+him, his father, and Merton, floundering through the deep snow after
+the rabbit, and we all congratulated Merton as the one who had
+provided our first country dinner.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI
+
+MAKING A PLACE FOR CHICKENS
+
+
+Before the meal was over, I said, seriously, "Now, boys, there must
+be no more hunting until I find out about the game-laws. They should
+be obeyed, especially by sportsmen. I don't think that we are
+forbidden to kill rabbits on our own place, particularly when they
+threaten to be troublesome; and the hunt this morning was so
+unexpected that I did not think of the law, which might be used to
+make 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 of
+poultry. Especially do I hope you will never fire at our useful
+song-birds. If boys throughout the country would band together to
+protect game when out of season, they would soon have fine sport in
+the autumn."
+
+In the afternoon we let Winnie and Bobsey expend their energy in
+making paths and lanes in every direction through the snow, which
+was melting rapidly in the south wind. By three o'clock the rain
+began to fall, and when darkness set in there was a gurgling sound
+of water on every side. Our crackling fire made the warmth and
+comfort within seem tenfold more cheery.
+
+A hearty supper, prepared in our own kitchen, made us feel that our
+home machinery had fairly started, and we knew that it would run
+more and more smoothly. March was keeping up its bad name for storm
+and change. The wind was again roaring, but laden now with rain, and
+in gusty sheets the heavy drops dashed against the windows. But our
+old house kept us dry and safe, although it rocked a little in the
+blasts. They soon proved a lullaby for our second night at home.
+
+After breakfast the following morning, with Merton, Winnie, and
+Bobsey, I started out to see if any damage had been done. The sky
+was still clouded, but the rain had ceased. Our rubber boots served
+us well, for the earth was like an over-full sponge, while down
+every little incline and hollow a stream was murmuring.
+
+The old barn showed the need of a good many nails to be driven here
+and 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 be
+needed for the keeping of a horse and cow until the new crop should
+be 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 go
+and look at it."
+
+It was indeed old and leaky, and had poultry been there the previous
+night they would have been half drowned on their perches. "This
+might do for a summer cottage for your chickens, Winnie," I
+continued, "but never for a winter house. Let us go back to the
+barn, for I think I remember a place that will just suit, with some
+changes."
+
+Now the new barn had been built on a hillside, and had an ample
+basement, from which a room extending well into the bank had been
+partitioned, thus promising all one could desire as a cellar for
+apples and roots. The entrance to this basement faced the east, and
+on each side of it was a window. To the right of the entrance were
+two cow-stalls, and to the left was an open space half full of
+mouldy 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 it
+off, make a door, and keep the chickens here. After that window is
+washed, a good deal of sunlight can come in. I've read that in cold
+weather poultry need warmth and light, and must be kept dry. Here we
+can 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 as
+hunting rabbits. "Now," I resumed, "we will go to the house and get
+what we need for the work."
+
+"Winifred," I said to my wife, "can you let Winnie have a small pail
+of hot water and some old rags?"
+
+"What are you up to now?"
+
+"You know all about cleaning house; we are going to clean barn, and
+make a place for Winnie's chickens. There is a window in their
+future bedroom--roost-room I suppose I should call it--that looks as
+if it had never been washed, and to get off the dust of years will
+be Winnie's task, while Merton, Bobsey, and I create an interior
+that should satisfy a knowing hen. We'll make nests, too, children,
+that will suggest to the biddies that they should proceed at once to
+business."
+
+"But where are the chickens to come from?" my wife asked, as she
+gave the pan to Merton to carry for his sister.
+
+"Oh, John Jones will put me in the way of getting them soon;" and we
+started out to our morning's work. Mousie looked after us wistfully,
+but her mother soon found light tasks for her, and she too felt that
+she was helping. "Remember, Mousie," I said, in parting, "that I
+have three helpers, and surely mamma needs one;" and she was
+content.
+
+Merton at first was for pitching all the old corn-stalks out into
+the yard, but I said: "That won't do. We shall need a cow as well as
+chickens, and these stalks must be kept dry for her bedding. We'll
+pile 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 the
+window. With a fork I lifted and shook up the stalks, and the boys
+carried them to the empty stall. At last we came to rubbish that was
+so damp and decayed that it would be of no service indoors, so we
+placed it on a barrow and I wheeled it out to one corner of the
+yard. At last we came down to a hard earth floor, and with a hoe
+this was cleared and made smooth.
+
+"Merton," I said, "I saw an old broom upstairs. Run and get it, and
+we'll brush down the cobwebs and sweep out, and then we shall be
+ready to see about the partition."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII
+
+GOOD BARGAINS IN MAPLE SUGAR
+
+
+By eleven o'clock we had all the basement cleaned except the one
+cow-stall that was filled to the ceiling with litter; and Winnie had
+washed the windows. Then John Jones's lank figure darkened the
+doorway, and he cried, "Hello, neighbor, what ye drivin' at?"
+
+"Look around and see, and then tell us where to get a lot of
+chickens."
+
+"Well, I declare! How you've slicked things up! You're not goin' to
+scrub the dirt floor, are you? Well, well, this looks like business--
+just the place for chickens. Wonder old man Jamison didn't keep 'em
+here; but he didn't care for fowls. Now I think of it, there's to be
+a vandoo the first of the week, and there was a lot o' chickens
+printed 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 in
+for you if they're a good lot. If you, a city chap, was to bid, some
+straw-bidder would raise 'em agin you. I know what they're wuth, and
+everybody there'll know I do, and they'll try no sharp games with
+me."
+
+"That will suit me exactly, Mr. Jones. I don't want any game-fowls
+of 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 you
+something;" and he opened the door, struck a match, and, holding it
+aloft, revealed a heap of turnips, another of carrots, five barrels
+of potatoes, and three of apples. The children pounced upon the last
+with appetites sharpened by their morning's work.
+
+"You see," resumed Mr. Jones, "these were here when old man Jamison
+died. If I hadn't sold the place I should have taken them out before
+long, and got rid of what I didn't want. Now you can have the lot at
+a 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 cow
+and a horse, and here's fodder for 'em handy. Perhaps I can pick 'em
+out for you, too, at the vandoo. You can go along, and if anything
+strikes your fancy I'll bid on it."
+
+"O papa," cried the children, in chorus, "can we go with you to the
+vandoo?"
+
+"Yes, I think so. When does the sale take place?"
+
+"Next Tuesday. That's a good breed of potatoes. Jamison allus had
+the best of everything. They'll furnish you with seed, and supply
+your table till new ones come. I guess you could sell a barrel or so
+of apples at a rise."
+
+"I've found a market for them already. Look at these children; and
+I'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 that
+apples are fattening."
+
+"That's true of man and beast, if the books do say it. They'll keep
+in this cool, dark cellar longer than you'd think--longer than
+you'll let 'em, from the way they're disappearin'. I guess I'll try
+one."
+
+"Certainly, a dozen, just as if they were still yours."
+
+"They wasn't mine--they belonged to the Jamison estate. I'll help
+myself now quicker'n I would before. I might come it over a live
+man, 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 is
+the 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 came
+over to make a suggestion. There's a lot of sugar-maple trees on
+your place, down by the brook. Why not tap 'em, and set a couple of
+pots b'ilin' over your open fire? You'd kill two birds with one
+stone; the fire'd keep you warm, and make a lot of sugar in the
+bargain. I opinion, too, the children would like the fun."
+
+They were already shouting over the idea, but I said dubiously, "How
+about the pails to catch the sap?"
+
+"Well," said Mr. Jones, "I've thought of that. We've a lot of spare
+milk-pails and pans, that we're not usin'. Junior understands the
+business; and, as we're not very busy, he can help you and take his
+pay in sugar."
+
+The subject of poultry was forgotten; and the children scampered off
+to the house to tell of this new project.
+
+Before Mr. Jones and I left the basement, he said: "You don't want
+any partition here at present, only a few perches for the fowls.
+There's a fairish shed, you remember, in the upper barnyard, and
+when 'tain't very cold or stormy the cow will do well enough there
+from this out. The weather'll be growin' milder 'most every day, and
+in rough spells you can put her in here. Chickens won't do her any
+harm. Law sakes! when the main conditions is right, what's the use
+of havin' everything jes' so? It's more important to save your time
+and strength and money. You'll find enough to do without one stroke
+that 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 wife
+hastened. By that time Junior was on hand with a small wagon-load of
+pails and pans.
+
+"Oh, dear, I wanted you to help me this afternoon," my wife had
+said, but, seeing the dismayed look on the children's faces, had
+added, "Well, there's no hurry, I suppose. We are comfortable, and
+we shall have stormy days when you can't be out."
+
+I told her that she was wiser than the queen of Sheba and did not
+need to go to Solomon.
+
+The horse was put in the barn, for he would have mired in the long
+spongy lane and the meadow which we must cross. So we decided to run
+the light wagon down by hand.
+
+Junior had the auger with which to bore holes in the trees. "I
+tapped '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 I
+used last year, and they are in one of the pails. I brought over a
+big kittle, too, which mother let me have, and if we can keep this
+and 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 and
+quagmires. The snow was so nearly gone that it lay only on the
+northern slopes. We had heard the deep roar of the Moodna Creek all
+the morning, and had meant to go and see it right after breakfast;
+but providing a chickenhome had proved a greater attraction to the
+children, and a better investment of time for me. Now from the top
+of 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 march
+straight home," I cried.
+
+They promised never to go, but I thought Bobsey protested a little
+too 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, and
+generous an aspect has it, even when leafless.
+
+The roar of the creek and the gurgle of the brook made genuine March
+music, and the children looked and acted as if there were nothing
+left to be desired. When Junior showed them a tree that appeared to
+be growing directly out of a flat rock, they expressed a wonder
+which no museum could have excited.
+
+But scenery, and even rural marvels, could not keep their attention
+long. All were intent on sap and sugar, and Junior was speedily at
+work. 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, we
+placed pails and pans under them, and began harvesting the first
+crop from our farm.
+
+This was rather slow work, and to keep Winnie and Bobsey busy I told
+them they could gather sticks and leaves, pile them up at the foot
+of a rock on a dry hillside, and we would have a fire. I meanwhile
+picked up the dead branches that strewed the ground, and with my axe
+trimmed them for use in summer, when only a quick blaze would be
+needed to boil the supper kettle. To city-bred eyes wood seemed a
+rare luxury, and although there was enough lying about to supply us
+for a year, I could not get over the feeling that it must all be
+cared for.
+
+To children there are few greater delights than that of building a
+fire in the woods, and on that cloudy, chilly day our blaze against
+the rock brought solid comfort to us all, even though the smoke did
+get into our eyes. Winnie and Bobsey, little bundles of energy that
+they were, seemed unwearied in feeding the flames, while Merton
+sought to hide his excitement by imitating Junior's stolid,
+business-like ways.
+
+Finding him alone once, I said: "Merton, don't you remember saying
+to me once, 'I'd like to know what there is for a boy to do in this
+street'? Don't you think there's something for a boy to do on this
+farm?"
+
+"O papa!" he cried, "I'm just trying to hold in. So much has
+happened, and I've had such a good time, that it seems as if I had
+been here a month; then again the hours pass like minutes. See, the
+sun is low already."
+
+"It's all new and exciting now, Merton, but there will be long
+hours--yes, days and weeks--when you'll have to act like a man, and
+to 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. We
+first hauled the wagon back, and then Merton said he would bring
+what sap had been caught. Junior had to go home for a time to do his
+evening "chores," but he promised to return before dark to help
+carry in the sap.
+
+"There'll be frost to-night, and we'll get the biggest run in the
+morning," was his encouraging remark, as he made ready to depart.
+
+Mrs. Jones had been over to see my wife, and they promised to become
+good friends. I set to work putting things in better shape, and
+bringing in a good pile of wood. Merton soon appeared with a
+brimming pail. A kettle was hung on the crane, but before the sap
+was placed over the fire all must taste it, just as it had been
+distilled by nature. And all were quickly satisfied. Even Mousie
+said 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 better
+for boiling down."
+
+"Oh what a remarkable truth!" said my wife, who never lost a chance
+to give me a little dig.
+
+I laughed, and then stood still in the middle of the floor, lost in
+thought.
+
+"A brown study! What theory have you struck now, Robert?"
+
+"I was thinking how some women kept their husbands in love with them
+by being saucy. It's an odd way, and yet it seems effective."
+
+"It depends upon the kind of sauce, Robert," she said with a knowing
+glance and a nod.
+
+By the time it was dark, we had both the kettles boiling and
+bubbling over the fire, and fine music they made. With Junior for
+guest, we enjoyed our supper, which consisted principally of baked
+apples and milk.
+
+"'Bubble, bubble,' 'Toil' and no 'trouble'--"
+
+"Yet, worth speaking of," said my wife; "but it must come, I
+suppose."
+
+"We won't go half-way to meet it, Winifred."
+
+When the meal was over, Junior went out on the porch and returned
+with a mysterious sack.
+
+"Butternuts!" he ejaculated.
+
+Junior was winning his way truly, and in the children's eyes was
+already 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 lively
+rat-tat-snap! that it seemed a regular rhythm.
+
+"Cracked in my life well-nigh on to fifty bushel, I guess," he
+explained, in answer to our wonder at his skill.
+
+And so the evening passed, around the genial old fireplace; and
+before the children retired they smacked their lips over sirup sweet
+enough to satisfy them.
+
+The following morning--Saturday--I vibrated between the sugar-camp
+and the barn and other out-buildings, giving, however, most of the
+time 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 a
+carpenter; for I felt that I must soon bestow nearly all my
+attention on the outdoor work. I managed to keep Bobsey under my eye
+for the most part, and in the afternoon I left him for only a few
+moments at the sugar-bush while I carried up some sap. A man called
+to see me on business, and I was detained. Knowing the little
+fellow's proneness to mischief, and forgetfulness of all commands, I
+at 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 stick
+into the creek, lose his balance, and fall in.
+
+With an exclamation of terror, his own cry forming a faint echo, I
+sprang forward frantically, but the swift current caught and bore
+him away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX
+
+JOHN JONES, JUN
+
+
+My agonized shout as I saw Bobsey swept away by the swollen current
+of the Moodna Creek was no more prompt than his own shrill scream.
+It so happened, or else a kind Providence so ordered it, that Junior
+was further down the stream, tapping a maple that had been
+overlooked the previous day. He sprang to his feet, whirled around
+in the direction of the little boy's cry, with the quickness of
+thought rushed to the bank and plunged in with a headlong leap like
+a Newfoundland dog. I paused, spellbound, to watch him, knowing that
+I was much too far away to be of aid, and that all now depended on
+the hardy country lad. He disappeared for a second beneath the tide,
+and then his swift strokes proved that he was a good swimmer. In a
+moment or two he caught up with Bobsey, for the current was too
+swift to permit the child to sink. Then, with a wisdom resulting
+from experience, he let the torrent carry him in a long slant toward
+the shore, for it would have been hopeless to try to stem the tide.
+Running as I never ran before, I followed, reached the bank where
+there was an eddy in the stream, sprang in up to my waist, seized
+them 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 I
+was soon able to restore him, so that he could stand on his feet and
+cry: "I--I--I w-won't d-do so any--any more."
+
+Instead of punishing him, which he evidently expected, I clasped him
+to my heart with a nervous force that almost made him cry out with
+pain.
+
+Junior, meanwhile, had coolly seated himself on a rock, emptied the
+water out of his shoes, and was tying them on again, at the same
+time striving with all his might to maintain a stolid composure
+under Winnie's grateful embraces and Merton's interrupting hand-
+shakings. But when, having become assured of Bobsey's safety, I
+rushed forward and embraced Junior in a transport of gratitude, his
+lip began to quiver and two great tears mingled with the water that
+was dripping from his hair. Suddenly he broke away, took to his
+heels, and ran toward his home, as if he had been caught in some
+mischief and the constable were after him. I believe that he would
+rather have had at once all the strappings his father had ever given
+him than to have cried in our presence.
+
+I carried Bobsey home, and his mother, with many questionings and
+exclamations of thanksgiving, undressed the little fellow, wrapped
+him in flannel, and put him to bed, where he was soon sleeping as
+quietly as if nothing had happened.
+
+Mrs. Jones came over, and we made her rubicund face beam and grow
+more round, if possible, as we all praised her boy. I returned with
+her, for I felt that I wished to thank Junior again and again. But
+he saw me coming, and slipped out at the back door. Indeed, the
+brave, bashful boy was shy of us for several days. When at last my
+wife got hold of him, and spoke to him in a manner natural to
+mothers, he pooh-poohed the whole affair.
+
+"I've swum in that crick so often that it was nothin' to me. I only
+had to keep cool, and that was easy enough in snow water, and the
+swift current would keep us both up. I wish you wouldn't say
+anything 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 inmost
+hearts, although he compelled us to show our good-will after his own
+off-hand fashion.
+
+Sunday was ushered in with another storm, and we spent a long,
+quiet, restful day, our hearts full of thankfulness that the great
+sorrow, 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 Monday
+morning the sky had a clear metallic hue and the ground was frozen
+hard. Bobsey had not taken cold, and was his former self, except
+that he was somewhat chastened in spirit and his bump of caution was
+larger. I was resolved that the day should witness a good beginning
+of our spring work, and told Winnie and Bobsey that they could help
+me. Junior, although he yet avoided the house, was ready enough to
+help Merton with the sap. Therefore soon after breakfast we all were
+busy.
+
+Around old country places, especially where there has been some
+degree of neglect, much litter gathers. This was true of our new
+home and its surroundings. All through the garden were dry,
+unsightly weeds, about the house was shrubbery that had become
+tangled masses of unpruned growth, in the orchard the ground was
+strewn with fallen branches, and I could see dead limbs on many of
+the trees.
+
+Therefore I said to my two little helpers: "Here in this open space
+in the garden we will begin our brush-pile, and we will bring to it
+all the refuse that we wish to burn. You see that we can make an
+immense 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, and
+the ashes will do the garden good."
+
+During the whole forenoon I pruned the shrubbery, and raked up the
+rubbish which the children carried by armfuls to our prospective
+bonfire. They soon wished to see the blaze, but I told them that the
+wind was too high, and that I did not propose to apply the match
+until we had a heap half as big as the house; that it might be
+several days before we should be ready, for I intended to have a
+tremendous fire.
+
+Thus with the lesson of restraint was given the hope of something
+wonderful. For a long time they were pleased with the novelty of the
+work, 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 help
+me till dinner-time. After that you can do something else, or play
+if you choose; but each day, even Bobsey must do some steady work to
+earn his dinner. We didn't come to the country on a picnic, I can
+tell you. All must do their best to help make a living;" and so
+without 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 the
+window with great interest. I rigged upon the barrow a rack, in
+which I wheeled the rubbish gathered at a distance; and by the time
+my wife's mellow voice called, "Come to dinner"--how sweet her voice
+and summons were after long hours in the keen March wind!--we had a
+pile much higher than my head, and the place began to wear a tidy
+aspect.
+
+Such appetites, such red cheeks and rosy noses as the outdoor
+workers brought to that plain meal! Mousie was much pleased with the
+promise 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 more
+than half the time; so after dinner I gave him a hatchet, and told
+him to go on with the trimming out of the fallen branches in our
+wood lot--a task that I had begun--and to carry all wood heavy
+enough for our fireplace to a spot where it could be put into a
+wagon.
+
+"Your next work, Merton, will be to collect all your refuse
+trimmings, and the brush lying about, into a few great heaps; and by
+and by we'll burn these, too, and gather up the ashes carefully, for
+I've read and heard all my life that there is nothing better for
+fruit then wood-ashes. Some day, I hope, we can begin to put money
+in the bank; for I intend to give all a chance to earn money for
+themselves, after they have done their share toward our general
+effort to live and thrive. The next best thing to putting money in
+the bank is the gathering and saving of everything that will make
+the ground richer. In fact, all the papers and books that I've read
+this winter agree that as the farmer's land grows rich he grows
+rich."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX
+
+RASPBERRY LESSONS
+
+
+It must be remembered that I had spent all my leisure during the
+winter 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. Until
+within the last two or three years of his life, old Mr. Jamison had
+attended to this task quite thoroughly; and thus little was left for
+me beyond sawing away the boughs that had recently died, and cutting
+out the useless sprouts on the larger limbs. Before leaving the city
+I 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 all
+still days in this gusty month. After playing around for a time,
+Winnie and Bobsey concluded that gathering and piling up my prunings
+would 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 to
+see him, for there were some kinds of work about which I wanted his
+advice. At one end of the garden were several rows of blackcap
+raspberry bushes, which had grown into an awful snarl. The old canes
+that had borne fruit the previous season were still standing, ragged
+and unsightly; the new stalks that would bear the coming season
+sprawled in every direction; and I had found that many tips of the
+branches had grown fast in the ground. I took my neighbor to see
+this 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 to
+summon Merton, for I wished him also to hear all that Mr. Jones
+might say. I carried a little metallic whistle one blast on which
+was for Merton, two for Winnie, and three for Bobsey. When they
+heard this call they were to come as fast as their feet could carry
+them.
+
+Taking the nippers, Mr. Jones snipped off from one-third to one-half
+the length of the branches from one of the bushes and cut out the
+old dead cane.
+
+"I raise these berries myself for home use," he said; "and I can
+tell you they go nice with milk for a July supper. You see, after
+taking off so much from these long branches the canes stand straight
+up, and will be self-supporting, no matter how many berries they
+bear; but here and there's a bush that has grown slant-wise, or is
+broken 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 the
+grass and weeds that's started among 'em, you'll have a dozen bushel
+or more of marketable berries from this 'ere wilderness, as you call
+it. 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 to
+set 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 seen
+one plant set out right, you'll know more than if you'd 'a' read a
+month."
+
+"Well, now that you're here, Mr. Jones, I'm going to make the most
+of you. How about those other raspberries off to the southeast of
+the 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 the
+blackcap patch, except that the canes were more upright in their
+growth and less full of spines or briers.
+
+"It's plain enough," continued Mr. Jones, "that old man Jamison was
+too poorly to take much care of things last year. You see, these red
+raspberries grow different from those black ones yonder. Those
+increase by the tips of the branches takin' root; these by suckers.
+All these young shoots comin' up between the rows are suckers, and
+they ought to be dug out. As I said before, you can set them out
+somewhere else if you want to. Dig 'em up, you know; make a trench
+in 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 to
+spare. Only be sure to cut these long canes back to within six
+inches 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 this
+fruit-growin' region all my life without gettin' some ideas as to
+what's what. I give my mind to farmin'; but Jamison and I were great
+cronies, and I used to be over here every day or two, and so it's
+natural to keep comin'."
+
+"That's my good luck."
+
+"Well, p'raps it'll turn out so. Now Merton's just the right age to
+help you in all this work. Jamison, you see, grew these raspberries
+in a continuous bushy row; that is, say, three good strong canes
+every eighteen inches apart in the row, and the rows five feet
+apart, 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' the
+ground are just as bad as weeds. Dig 'em all out, only don't disturb
+the 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 stand
+as 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 can
+scatter a good top-dressin' of fine manure scraped up from the
+barnyard, you'll make the berries larger. Those other rows of
+Cuthbert, Reliance, and Turner, cut back the canes one-third, and
+you'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 as
+much, p'raps, as if they were early."
+
+"Well, Merton, this all accords with what I've read, only Mr. Jones
+makes it much clearer. I think we know how to go to work now, and
+surely there's plenty to do."
+
+"Yes, indeed," resumed Mr. Jones; "and you'll soon find the work
+crowdin' 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. These
+are Hudson River Antwerps. Most people have gone out of 'em, but
+Jamison held on, and he was makin' money on 'em. So may you. They
+are what we call tender, you see, and in November they must be bent
+down close to the ground and covered with earth, or else every cane
+would 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 stakes
+durin' the month."
+
+"Now, Mr. Jones, one other good turn and we won't bother you any
+more 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 other
+vines on the place. I've read and read on the subject, but I declare
+I'm afraid to touch them."
+
+"Now, you're beyond my depth. I've got a lot of vines home, and I
+trim 'em in my rough way, but I know I ain't scientific, and we have
+pretty poor, scraggly bunches. They taste just as good, though, and
+I don't raise any to sell. There's a clever man down near the
+landin' who has a big vineyard, and he's trimmed it as your vines
+ought to have been long ago. I'd advise you to go and see him, and
+he can show you all the latest wrinkles in prunin'. Now, I'll tell
+you what I come for, in the first place. You'll remember that I said
+there'd be a vandoo to-morrow. I've been over and looked at the
+stock 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 horse
+that ought to go cheap, but he'd answer well the first year. Do you
+think you'll get more'n one horse to start with?"
+
+"No; you said I could hire such heavy plowing as was needed at a
+moderate sum, and I think we can get along with one horse for a
+time. 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 the
+mornin' for you and such of the children as you'll take."
+
+"On one condition, Mr. Jones. You must let me pay you for your time
+and trouble. Unless you'll do this in giving me my start, I'll have
+to paddle my own canoe, even if I sink it."
+
+"Oh, I've no grudge against an honest penny turned in any way that
+comes handy. You and I can keep square as we go along. You can give
+me 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. I
+could pay him what I thought the value of his services, and he
+pocketed the money without a word. Of course, I could not pay him
+what his advice was really worth, for his hard common-sense stood me
+in good stead in many ways.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+THE "VANDOO"
+
+
+The next morning at about eight o'clock Mr. Jones arrived in a long
+farm-wagon on springs, with one seat in it; but Junior had half
+filled its body with straw, and he said to Merton, "I thought that
+p'raps, if you and the children could go, you'd like a straw-ride."
+
+The solemnity with which Winnie and Bobsey promised to obey orders
+gave some hope of performance; so I tossed them into the straw, and
+we drove away, a merry party, leaving Mousie consoled with the hope
+of 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 we
+arrived, all sorts of vehicles were converging to it on the muddy
+roads, for the weather had become mild again. Stylish-looking people
+drove up in top-buggies, and there were many heavy, springless
+wagons driven by rusty-looking countrymen, whose trousers were
+thrust into the top of their cowhide boots. I strolled through the
+house before the sale began, thinking that I might find something
+there which would please Mousie and my wife. The rooms were already
+half filled with the housewives from the vicinity; red-faced Irish
+women, who stalked about and examined everything with great freedom;
+placid, peach-cheeked dames in Quaker bonnets, who softly cooed
+together, and took every chance they could to say pleasant words to
+the flurried, nervous family that was being thrust out into the
+world, as it were, while still at their own hearth.
+
+I marked with my eye a low, easy sewing-chair for my wife, and a
+rose geranium, full of bloom, for Mousie, purposing to bid on them.
+I also observed that Junior was examining several pots of flowers
+that stood in the large south window. Then giving Merton charge of
+the children, with directions not to lose sight of them a moment, I
+went to the barn-yard and stable, feeling that the day was a
+critical one in our fortunes. True enough, among the other stock
+there was a nice-looking cow with a calf, and Mr. Jones said she had
+Jersey blood in her veins. This meant rich, creamy milk. I thought
+the animal had a rather ugly eye, but this might be caused by
+anxiety for her calf, with so many strangers about. We also examined
+the old bay horse and a market wagon and harness. Then Mr. Jones and
+I drew apart and agreed upon the limit of his bids, for I proposed
+to act solely through him. Every one knew him and was aware that he
+would not go a cent beyond what a thing was worth. He had a word and
+a jest for all, and "How ARE YOU, JOHN?" greeted him wherever he
+went.
+
+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 the
+foibles and characteristics of the people who flocked around and
+after him, he provoked many a ripple and roar of laughter by his
+telling hits and droll speeches. I found that my neighbor, Mr.
+Jones, came in for his full share, but he always sent back as good
+as he received. The sale, in fact, had the aspect of a country
+merrymaking, at which all sorts and conditions of people met on
+common ground, Pat bidding against the best of the landed gentry,
+while boys and dogs innumerable played around and sometimes verged
+on serious quarrels.
+
+Junior, I observed, left his mark before the day was over. He was
+standing, 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 was
+between 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 and
+laughter.
+
+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. To
+this Bobsey paid his respects so industriously that a great, gawky
+mountaineer looked down at him and said, with a grin, "I say, young
+'un, you're gettin' outside of more fodder than any critter of your
+size I ever knowed."
+
+"'Tain't your fodder," replied Bobsey, who had learned, in the
+streets, to be a little pert.
+
+The day came to an end at last, and the cow and calf, the old bay
+horse, the wagon, and the harness were mine. On the whole, Mr. Jones
+had bought them at reasonable rates. He also bid in for me, at one
+dollar per pair, two cocks and twenty hens that looked fairly well
+in their coop.
+
+For my part, I had secured the chair and blooming geranium. To my
+surprise, when the rest of the flowers were sold, Junior took part
+in the bidding for the first time, and, as a result, carried out to
+the wagon several other pots of house-plants.
+
+"Why, Junior," I said, "I didn't know you had such an eye for
+beauty."
+
+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 the
+geranium 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 could
+thank 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 the
+little invalid girl he seemed the embodiment of strength and
+cleverness, and, perhaps because he was so strong, his sympathies
+went out toward the feeble child.
+
+The coop of chickens was carried to the basement that we had made
+ready, and Winnie declared that she meant to "hear the first crow
+and get the first egg."
+
+The next day the horse and the cow and calf were brought over, and
+we felt that we were fairly launched in our country life.
+
+"You have a bigger family to look after outdoors than I have
+indoors," my wife said, laughingly.
+
+I was not long in learning that some of my outdoor family were
+anything but amiable. The two cocks fought and fought until Junior,
+who had run over before night, showed Merton that by ducking their
+heads in cold water their belligerent spirit could be partially
+quenched. Then he proceeded to give me a lesson in milking. The calf
+was shut up away from the cow, which was driven into a corner, where
+she 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 the
+boy. 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 vicious
+look. No doubt I was awkward and hurt her a little, also; for the
+first thing I knew the pail was in the air, I on my back, and
+Brindle bellowing around the yard, switching her tail, Junior and
+Merton meanwhile roaring with laughter. I got up in no amiable mood
+and 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 her
+down to one of the stalls in the basement of the barn and fasten her
+by the head. Then we can milk her without risk. After her calf is
+gone she'll be a great deal tamer."
+
+This plan was carried out, and it worked pretty well, although it
+was evident that, from some cause, the cow was wild and vicious. One
+of my theories is, that all animals can be subdued by kindness. Mr.
+Jones advised me to dispose of Brindle, but I determined to test my
+theory first. Several times a day I would go to the barn-yard and
+give her a carrot or a whisp of hay from my hand, and she gradually
+became accustomed to me, and would come at my call. A week later I
+sold her calf to a butcher, and for a few days she lowed and mourned
+deeply, to Mousie's great distress. But carrots consoled her, and
+within three weeks she would let me stroke her, and both Merton and
+I could milk her without trouble. I believe she had been treated
+harshly by her former owners.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+EARLY APRIL GARDENING
+
+
+Spring was coming on apace, and we all made the most of every
+pleasant hour. The second day after the auction proved a fine one;
+and leaving Winnie and Merton in charge of the house, I took my
+wife, with Bobsey and Mousie, who was well bundled up, to see the
+scientific grape-grower, and to do some shopping. At the same time
+we assured ourselves that we were having a pleasure-drive; and it
+did me good to see how the mother and daughter, who had been kept
+indoors so long, enjoyed themselves. Mr. Jones was right. I received
+better and clearer ideas of vine-pruning in half an hour from
+studying work that had been properly done, and by asking questions
+of a practical man, than I could ever have obtained by reading. We
+found that the old bay horse jogged along, at as good a gait as we
+could expect, over the muddy road, and I was satisfied that he was
+quiet enough for my wife to drive him after she had learned how, and
+gained 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 young
+horse." When we sat down to supper, I was glad to see that a little
+color was dawning in Mousie's face.
+
+The bundles we brought home supplemented our stores of needful
+articles, and our life began to take on a regular routine. The
+carpenter came and put up the shelves, and made such changes as my
+wife desired; then he aided me in repairing the out-buildings. I
+finished pruning the trees, while Merton worked manfully at the
+raspberries, for we saw that this was a far more pressing task than
+gathering wood, which could be done to better advantage in the late
+autumn. Every morning Winnie and Bobsey were kept steadily busy in
+carrying our trimmings to the brush heap, which now began to assume
+vast proportions, especially as the refuse from the grape-vine and
+raspberry bushes was added to it. As the ground became settled after
+the frost was out, I began to set the stakes by the side of such
+raspberry canes as needed tying up; and here was a new light task
+for the two younger children. Bobsey's little arms could go around
+the canes and hold them close to the stake, while Winnie, a sturdy
+child, quickly tied them with a coarse, cheap string that I had
+bought for the purpose. Even my wife came out occasionally and
+helped us at this work. By the end of the last week in March I had
+all the fruit-trees fairly pruned and the grape-vines trimmed and
+tied up, and had given Merton much help among the raspberries. In
+shallow boxes of earth on the kitchen table, cabbage, lettuce, and
+tomato seeds were sprouting beside Mousie's plants. The little girl
+hailed with delight every yellowish green germ that appeared above
+the soil.
+
+The hens had spent their first few days in inspecting their quarters
+and becoming familiar with them; but one morning there was a noisy
+cackle, 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 some
+by for the first brooding biddies to sit upon.
+
+The first day of April promised to be unusually dry and warm, and I
+said at the breakfast table: "This is to be a great day. We'll prove
+that we are not April-fools by beginning our garden. I was satisfied
+yesterday that a certain warm slope was dry enough to dig and plant
+with hardy vegetables, and I've read and studied over and over again
+which to plant first, and how to plant them. I suppose I shall make
+mistakes, but I wish you all to see how I do it, and then by next
+spring we shall have learned from experience how to do better. No
+doubt, some things might have been planted before, but we've all
+been too busy. Now, Merton, you go and harness old Bay to the cart I
+bought 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 can
+put on your rubbers and join us."
+
+Soon all was bustle and excitement. Among my seeds were two quarts
+of red and two of white onion sets, or little bits of onions, which
+I had kept in a cool place, so that they should not sprout before
+their time. These I took out first. Then with Merton I went to the
+barn-yard and loaded up the cart with the finest and most decayed
+manure we could find, and this was dumped on the highest part of the
+slope that I meant to plant.
+
+"Now, Merton, I guess you can get another load, while I spread this
+heap 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 of
+the sunny slope, fifteen feet wide, and spread the manure evenly and
+thickly, for I had read, and my own sense confirmed the view, that a
+little ground well enriched would yield more than a good deal of
+poor land. I then dug till my back ached; and I found that it began
+to ache pretty soon, for I was not accustomed to such toil.
+
+"After the first seeds are in," I muttered, "I'll have the rest of
+the garden plowed."
+
+When I had dug down about four feet of the strip, I concluded to
+rest myself by a change of labor; so I took the rake and smoothed
+off the ground, stretched a garden line across it, and, with a
+sharp-pointed hoe, made a shallow trench, or drill.
+
+"Now, Winnie and Bobsey," I said, "it is time for you to do your
+part. Just stick these little onions in the trench about four inches
+apart;" and I gave each of them a little stick of the right length
+to 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 soil
+just enough to make it stand firm, so. That's right. Oh, you're
+learning 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 it
+lightly with my hoe. I then moved the line fourteen inches further
+down and made another shallow drill. In this way we soon had all the
+onion sets in the ground. Merton came back with his load in time to
+see how it was done, and nodded his head approvingly. I now felt
+rested enough to dig awhile, and Merton started off to the barn-yard
+again. We next sowed, in even shallower drills, the little onion
+seed that looked like gunpowder, for my garden book said that the
+earlier this was planted the better. We had completed only a few
+rows 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 my
+onion 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's
+the best thing, after all, 'specially if you've put in the seed
+thick, as most people do. Let 'em all grow, and you'll have a lot of
+little onions, or sets, of your own raisin' to plant early next
+spring. 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 day
+or two longer I'll plow the garden; and I thought I'd tell you, so
+that you might get ready for me. The sooner you get your early
+pertaters in the better."
+
+"Your words almost take the ache out of my back," I said. "I fear we
+shouldn't have much of a garden if I had to dig it all, but I
+thought I'd make a beginning with a few early vegetables."
+
+"That's well enough, but a plow beats a fork all hollow. You'll know
+what I mean when you see my plow going down to the beam and
+loosenin' the ground from fifteen to twenty inches. So burn your big
+brush-pile, and get out what manure you're goin' to put in the
+garden, and I'll be ready when you are."
+
+"All right. Thank you. I'll just plant some radishes, peas, and
+beans."
+
+"Not beans yet, Mr. Durham. Don't put those in till the last of the
+month, 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. "You
+might put in a few early beets here, although the ground is rather
+light 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 in
+rather lively time.
+
+I said: "Youngsters, I think I'll get my garden book and be sure I'm
+right about sowing the radish and beet seed and the peas. Mr. Jones
+has rather shaken my confidence."
+
+When Merton came with the next load I told him that he could put the
+horse in the stable and help us. As a result, we soon had several
+rows of radishes and beets sown, fourteen inches apart. We planted
+the seed only an inch deep, and packed the ground lightly over it.
+Mousie, to her great delight, was allowed to drop a few of the
+seeds. Merton was ambitious to take the fork, but I soon stopped
+him, and said: "Digging is too heavy work for you, my boy. There is
+enough that you can do without overtaxing yourself. We must all act
+like good soldiers. The campaign of work is just opening, and it
+would be very foolish for any of us to disable ourselves at the
+start. We'll plant only half a dozen rows of these dwarf peas this
+morning, and then this afternoon we'll have the bonfire and get
+ready for Mr. Jones's plow."
+
+At the prospect of the bonfire the younger children set up shouts of
+exultation, which cheered me on as I turned over the soil with the
+fork, although often stopping to rest. My back ached, but my heart
+was light. In my daily work now I had all my children about me, and
+their smaller hands were helping in the most practical way. Their
+voices were as joyous as the notes of the robins, song-sparrows, and
+bluebirds that were singing all about us. A soft haze half obscured
+the mountains, and mellowed the sunshine. From the springing grass
+and fresh-turned soil came odors sweet as those which made Eden
+fragrant after "a mist went up from the earth and watered the whole
+face of the ground."
+
+All the children helped to plant the peas, which we placed carefully
+and evenly, an inch apart, in the row, and covered with two inches
+of soil, the rows being two feet distant one from another. I had
+decided to plant chiefly McLean's Little Gem, because they needed no
+stakes or brush for support. We were almost through our task when,
+happening to look toward the house, I saw my wife standing in the
+doorway, a framed picture.
+
+"Dinner," she called, in a voice as sweet to me as that of the robin
+singing 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 on
+fire, and we're going to dance round it like Indians. You must come
+out, too."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+A BONFIRE AND A FEAST
+
+
+It amused and interested me to see upon the children's faces such an
+eager expectancy as they hurried through our midday meal. Nothing
+greater than a bonfire was in prospect, yet few costly pleasures
+could have afforded them such excitement. I found myself sharing in
+their anticipation to a degree that surprised me, and was led to ask
+myself why it is that outdoor pursuits often take so strong a hold
+upon the fancy. I recalled traits shown by one of my former
+employers. He was a gray-headed man, possessing great wealth and an
+elegant city home, while his mind was occupied by a vast and
+complicated business. When he learned that I was going to the
+country, he would often come to me, and, with kindling eyes and
+animated tones, talk of his chickens, cows, fruit-trees and crops.
+He proved that the best product of his farm was the zest it brought
+him into his life--a zest that was failing in his other occupations
+and interests. What was true of him I knew to be equally so of many
+others to whom wealth brings no greater luxury than the ability to
+indulge in expensive farming. A lifetime in the city does not
+destroy the primal instinct which leads men to the soil nor does a
+handsome dividend from stocks give the unalloyed pleasure awakened
+by a basket of fresh eggs or fruit. This love of the earth is not
+earthiness, but has been the characteristic of the best and greatest
+minds. Washington would turn from the anxieties of a campaign and
+the burdens of state to read, with absorbing interest, the reports
+of the agent who managed his plantation, and to write out the
+minutest details for the overseer's guidance.
+
+In my limited way and sphere I was under the influence of the same
+impulses; 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 Nature
+merely to amuse myself or to gratify a taste, but to co-work with
+her in fulfilling the most sacred duties. With the crops of the
+coming years these children must be nourished and fitted for their
+part in life, and I felt that all my faculties must be employed to
+produce the best results from my open-air toil.
+
+Therefore, why should not I also be interested in the prospective
+bonfire? It would transmute the unsightly rubbish of the place into
+fertilizing ashes, and clear the ground for the plow. The mellow
+soil would produce that which would give brain and muscle--life to
+those whose lives were dear.
+
+He who spreads his table with food secured by his own hands direct
+from nature should feel a strong incentive to do his best. The
+coarse, unvaried diet, common to many farmers' homes, is the result
+of stolid minds and plodding ways. A better manhood and womanhood
+will be developed when we act upon the truth that varied and
+healthful sustenance improves blood and brain, and therefore
+character.
+
+I was growing abstracted, when my wife remarked, "Robert, will you
+deign to come back from a remote region of thought and take some
+rice 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 Bobsey
+wished me to light the fire at once, but I said: "No, not till mamma
+and Mousie are ready to come out. You must stay and help them clear
+away the things. When all is ready, you two shall start the blaze."
+
+Very soon we were all at the brush-pile, which towered above our
+heads, and I said: "Merton, it will burn better if we climb over it
+and 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 fire
+quickly. 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, then
+hold 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 the
+dry grass here on the western side of the heap, and what air is
+stirring will carry the blaze through the pile."
+
+Little hands that trembled with eagerness soon held lighted matches
+to the dry grass; there was a yellow flicker in the sunshine, then a
+blaze, a crackle, a devouring rush of flames that mounted higher and
+higher until, with the surrounding column of smoke, there was a
+conflagration which, at night, would have alarmed the country-side.
+The children at first gazed with awe upon the scenes as they backed
+farther away from the increasing heat. Our beacon-fire drew Junior,
+who came bounding over the fences toward us; and soon he and Merton
+began to see how near they could dash in toward the blaze without
+being scorched. I soon stopped this.
+
+"Show your courage, Merton, when there is need of it," I said. "Rash
+venturing is not bravery, but foolishness, and often costs people
+dear."
+
+When the pile sank down into glowing embers, I turned to Bobsey, and
+added: "I have let you light a fire under my direction. Never think
+of 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, and
+that is, you can't play with fire except under my eyes."
+
+At this direful threat Bobsey looked as grave as his round little
+face permitted, and, with the memory of his peril in the creek fresh
+in mind, was ready enough with the most solemn promises. A circle of
+unburned brush was left around the embers. This I raked in on the
+hot coals, and soon all was consumed.
+
+"Now I have a suggestion," cried my wife. "We'll have some roast
+potatoes, for here are lots of hot coals and ashes." Away scampered
+Winnie to the cellar for the tubers. Our bonfire ended in a feast,
+and then the ashes were spread far and wide. When the exciting
+events 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 the
+ground, especially the upper and poorer portions, with a good
+dressing 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 tight
+box. Then sink the box in a damp place and nearly fill it with fine
+earth, 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't
+be afraid of dry weather unless it's an amazin' long spell. Why,
+bless you, Mr. Durham, there's farmers around here who don't scratch
+their ground much deeper than an old hen would, and they're always
+groanin' 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 inhaling
+the fresh wholesome odors of the soil with pleasure, and Merton and
+the two younger children picking up angle-worms.
+
+Our neighbor soon paused and resumed: "I guess I'll give you a hint
+that'll add bushels of pertaters to yer crop. After I've plowed the
+garden, I'll furrow out deep a lot of rows, three feet apart. Let
+Merton 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 the
+soil. Drop your seed then, eight inches apart in the row, and cover
+with 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 the
+pertaters in a garden or small patch."
+
+I took the hint at once, and set Merton at work, saying that Winnie
+and Bobsey could gather all the worms he wanted. Then I went for a
+half-bushel of early potatoes, and Mr. Jones showed me how to cut
+them so as to leave at least two good "eyes" to each piece. Half an
+hour later it occurred to me to see how Merton was getting on. I
+found him perspiring, and almost panting with fatigue, and my
+conscience smote me. "There, my boy," I said, "this is too hard work
+for you. Come with me and I'll show you how to cut the potatoes. But
+first go into the house, and cool off while you drink a glass of
+milk."
+
+"Well, papa," he replied, gratefully, "I wouldn't mind a change like
+that. I didn't want you to think I was shirking, but, to tell the
+truth, I was getting played out."
+
+"Worked out, you mean. It's not my wish that you should ever be
+either played or worked out, nor will you if you take play and work
+in the right degree. Remember," I added, seriously, "that you are a
+growing boy, and it's not my intention to put you at anything beyond
+your 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 and
+the furrows were made I had scraped up enough fine material in the
+barnyard to give my tubers a great start. I varied my labor with
+lessons in plowing, for running in my head was an "old saw" to the
+effect that "he who would thrive must both hold the plow and drive."
+
+The fine weather lasted long enough for us to plant our early
+potatoes in the most approved fashion, and then came a series of
+cold, wet days and frosty nights. Mr. Jones assured us that the
+vegetable seeds already in the ground would receive no harm. At such
+times as were suitable for work we finished trimming and tying up
+the hardy raspberries, cleaning up the barnyard, and carting all the
+fertilizers 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-hand
+pages I entered the cost of the place and all expenses thus far
+incurred. The right-hand pages were for records of income, as yet
+small indeed. They consisted only of the proceeds from the sale of
+the calf, the eggs that Winnie gathered, and the milk measured each
+day, all valued at the market price. I was resolved that there
+should be no blind drifting toward the breakers of failure--that at
+the end of the year we should know whether we had made progress,
+stood still, or gone backward. My system of keeping the accounts was
+so simple that I easily explained it to my wife, Merton, and Mousie,
+for I believed that, if they followed the effort at country living
+understandingly, they would be more willing to practice the self-
+denial necessary for success. Indeed, I had Merton write out most of
+the items, even though the record, as a result, was not very neat. I
+stopped his worrying over blots and errors, by saying, "You are of
+more account than the account-book, and will learn by practice to be
+as 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 prospects
+were.
+
+Weeks would elapse before our place would be food-producing to any
+great extent. In the meantime we must draw chiefly on our capital in
+order to live. Winifred and I resolved to meet this necessity in no
+careless way, feeling that not a penny should be spent which might
+be saved. The fact that I had only my family to support was greatly
+in our favor. There was no kitchen cabinet, that ate much and wasted
+more, to satisfy. Therefore, our revenue of eggs and milk went a
+long way toward meeting the problem. We made out a list of cheap,
+yet wholesome, articles of food, and found that we could buy oatmeal
+at four cents per pound, Indian meal at two and a half cents, rice
+at eight cents, samp at four, mackerel at nine, pork at twelve, and
+ham at fifteen cents. The last two articles were used sparingly, and
+more as relishes and for flavoring than as food. Flour happened to
+be cheap at the time, the best costing but seven dollars a barrel;
+of vegetables, we had secured abundance at slight cost; and the
+apples still added the wholesome element of fruit. A butcher drove
+his wagon to our door three times a week and, for cash, would give
+us, at very reasonable rates, certain cuts of beef and mutton. These
+my wife conjured into appetizing dishes and delicious soups.
+
+Thus it can be seen that we had a varied diet at a surprisingly
+small outlay. Such details may appear to some very homely, yet our
+health and success depended largely upon thoughtful attention to
+just such prosaic matters. The children were growing plump and ruddy
+at an expense less than would be incurred by one or two visits from
+a fashionable physician in the city.
+
+In the matter of food, I also gave more thought to my wife's time
+and strength than to the little people's wishes. While we had
+variety 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 is
+necessary," 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 in
+preparation. There would be better health in many homes if there was
+more economy in labor. For instance, the children at first clamored
+for griddle-cakes, but I said, "Isn't it nicer to have mamma sit
+down quietly with us at breakfast than to see her running back and
+forth 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 stout
+Irishwoman were secured for one day in the week. Thus, by a little
+management, my wife was not overtaxed. Indeed, she had so much
+leisure that she and Mousie began giving Winnie and Bobsey daily
+lessons, for we had decided that the children should not go to
+school until the coming autumn. Early in April, therefore, our
+country life was passing into a quiet routine, not burdensome, at
+least within doors; and I justly felt that if all were well in the
+citadel of home, the chances of the outdoor campaign were greatly
+improved.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+OWLS AND ANTWERPS
+
+
+Each day at dawn, unless it was stormy, Merton patrolled the place
+with his gun, looking for hawks and other creatures which at this
+season he was permitted to shoot. He had quite as serious and
+important an air as if he were sallying forth to protect us from
+deadlier foes. For a time he saw nothing to fire at, since he had
+promised me not to shoot harmless birds. He always indulged himself,
+however, in one shot at a mark, and was becoming sure in his aim at
+stationary objects. One evening, however, when we were almost ready
+to retire, a strange sound startled us. At first it reminded me of
+the half-whining bark of a young dog, but the deep, guttural trill
+that followed convinced me that it was a screech-owl, for I
+remembered having heard these birds when a boy.
+
+The moment I explained the sound, Merton darted for his gun, and my
+wife exclaimed: "O dear! what trouble is coming now? Mother always
+said that the hooting of an owl near a house was a bad omen."
+
+I did not share in the superstition, although I disliked the uncanny
+sounds, and was under the impression that all owls, like hawks,
+should be destroyed. Therefore, I followed Merton out, hoping that
+he would get a successful shot at the night prowler.
+
+The moonlight illumined everything with a soft, mild radiance; and
+the trees, with their tracery of bough and twig, stood out
+distinctly. Before we could discover the creature, it flew with
+noiseless wing from a maple near the door to another perch up the
+lane, and again uttered its weird notes.
+
+Merton was away like a swift shadow, and, screening himself behind
+the fence, stole upon his game. A moment later the report rang out
+in the still night. It so happened that Merton had fired just as the
+bird was about to fly, and had only broken a wing. The owl fell to
+the ground, but led the boy a wild pursuit before he was captured.
+Merton's hands were bleeding when he brought the creature in. Unless
+prevented, it would strike savagely with its beak, and the motions
+of its head were as quick as lightning. It was, indeed, a strange
+captive, and the children looked at it in wondering and rather
+fearful curiosity. My wife, usually tender-hearted, wished the
+creature, so ill-omened in her eyes, to be killed at once, but I
+granted Merton's request that he might put it in a box and keep it
+alive for a while.
+
+"In the morning," I said, "we will read all about it, and can
+examine it more carefully."
+
+My wife yielded, and I am not sure but that she thought we might
+avert misfortune by showing mercy.
+
+Among my purchases was a recent work on natural history. But our
+minds had been engrossed with too many practical questions to give
+it much attention. Next morning we consulted it, and found our
+captive variously described as the little red, the mottled, or the
+screech owl. Then followed an account of its character and habits.
+We learned that we had made war upon a useful friend, instead of an
+ill-boding, harmful creature. We were taught that this species is a
+destroyer of mice, beetles, and vermin, thus rendering the
+agriculturist great services, which, however are so little known
+that the bird is everywhere hunted down without mercy or justice.
+
+"Surely, this is not true of all owls," I said, and by reading
+further we learned that the barred, or hoot owl, and the great
+horned owl, were deserving of a surer aim of Merton's gun. They prey
+not only upon useful game, but also invade the poultry-yard, the
+horned species being especially destructive. Instances were given in
+which these freebooters had killed every chicken upon a farm. As
+they hunt only at night, they are hard to capture. Their notes and
+natures are said to be in keeping with their deeds of darkness; for
+their cry is wild, harsh, and unearthly, while in temper they are
+cowardly, savage, and untamable, showing no affection even for each
+other. A female has been known to kill and eat the male.
+
+"The moral of this owl episode," I concluded, "is that we must learn
+to know our neighbors, be they birds, beasts, or human beings,
+before we judge them. This book is not only full of knowledge, but
+of information that is practical and useful. I move that we read up
+about the creatures in our vicinity. What do you say, Merton?
+wouldn't it be well to learn what to shoot, as well as how to
+shoot?"
+
+Protecting his hands with buckskin gloves, the boy applied mutton
+suet to our wounded owl's wing. It was eventually healed, and the
+bird was given its liberty. It gradually became sprightly and tame,
+and sociable in the evening, affording the children and Junior much
+amusement.
+
+By the 7th of April there was a prospect of warmer and more settled
+weather, and Mr. Jones told us to lose no time in uncovering our
+Antwerp raspberries. They had been bent down close to the ground the
+previous winter and covered with earth. To remove this without
+breaking the canes, required careful and skilful work. We soon
+acquired the knack, however, of pushing and throwing aside the soil,
+then lifting the canes gently through what remained, and shaking
+them clear.
+
+"Be careful to level the ground evenly," Mr. Jones warned us, "for
+it won't do at all to leave hummocks of dirt around the hills;" and
+we 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 careful
+attention to the Antwerps, since they would be our main dependence
+for income. I also raked in around the hills of one row a liberal
+dressing 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 had
+given the days to rest and family sociability. But at last there
+came a mild, sunny morning, and we resolved to find a church-home. I
+had heard that Dr. Lyman, who preached in the nearest village had
+the faculty of keeping young people awake. Therefore we harnessed
+the old bay-horse to our market-wagon, donned our "go-ter-meetin's,"
+as Junior called his Sunday clothes, and started. Whatever might be
+the result of the sermon, the drive promised to do us good. The
+tender young grass by the roadside, and the swelling buds of trees,
+gave forth delicious odors; a spring haze softened the outline of
+the mountains, and made them almost as beautiful as if clothed with
+foliage; robins, song-sparrows, and other birds were so tuneful that
+Mousie said she wished they might form the choir at the church.
+Indeed, the glad spirit of Spring was abroad, and it found its way
+into our hearts. We soon learned that it entered largely also into
+Dr. 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 to
+think about. We remained until Sunday-school, which followed the
+service, was over, and then went home, feeling that life both here
+and hereafter was something to be thankful for. After dinner,
+without even taking the precaution of locking the door, we all
+strolled down the lane and the steeply sloping meadow to our wood
+lot and the banks of the Moodna Creek. My wife had never seen this
+portion of our place before, and she was delighted with its wild
+beauty and seclusion. She shivered and turned a little pale,
+however, as she saw the stream, still high and swift, that had
+carried Bobsey away.
+
+Junior joined us, and led the children to a sunny bank, from which
+soon came shouts of joy over the first wildflowers of the season. I
+placed my wife on a rock, and we sat quietly for a time, inhaling
+the fresh woody odors, and listening to the murmurs of the creek and
+the song of the birds. Then I asked: "Isn't this better than a city
+flat and a noisy street? Are not these birds pleasanter neighbors
+than the Daggetts and the Ricketts?"
+
+Her glad smile was more eloquent than words could have been. Mousie
+came running to us, holding in her hand, which trembled from
+excitement, a little bunch of liverworts and anemones. Tears of
+happiness actually stood in her eyes, and she could only falter, "O
+mamma! just look!" and then she hastened away to gather more.
+
+"That child belongs to nature," I said, "and would always be an
+exile in the city. How greatly she has improved in health already!"
+
+The air grew damp and chill early, and we soon returned to the
+house. Monday was again fair, and found us absorbed in our busy
+life, each one having plenty to do. When it was safe to uncover the
+raspberries, Merton and I had not lost a moment in the task. At the
+time 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 our
+second planting of potatoes and other hardy vegetables in the
+garden. The plants in the kitchen window were thriving, and during
+mild, still days we carried them to a sheltered place without, that
+they 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 incubation
+should expire, and the little chicks break their shells. One of the
+hens proved a fickle biddy, and left her nest, much to the child's
+anger and disgust. But the others were faithful, and one morning
+Winnie came bounding in, saying she had heard the first "peep." I
+told her to be patient and leave the brood until the following day,
+since I had read that the chicks were stronger for not being taken
+from the nest too soon. She had treated the mother hens so kindly
+that they were tame, and permitted her to throw out the empty
+shells, and exult over each new-comer into a brief existence.
+
+Our radishes had come up nicely; but no sooner had the first green
+leaves expanded than myriads of little flea-like beetles devoured
+them. A timely article in my horticultural paper explained that if
+little chickens were allowed to run in the garden they would soon
+destroy these and other insects. Therefore I improvised a coop by
+laying down a barrel near the radishes and driving stakes in front
+of it to confine the hen, which otherwise, with the best intentions,
+would have scratched up all my sprouting seeds. Hither we brought
+her the following day, with her downy brood of twelve, and they soon
+began to make themselves useful. Winnie fed them with Indian-meal
+and mashed potatoes and watched over them with more than their
+mother's solicitude, while Merton renewed his vigilance against
+hawks and other enemies.
+
+With this new attraction, and wildflowers in the woods, the tying up
+of raspberries became weary prose to Winnie and Bobsey; but I kept
+them at it during most of the forenoon of every pleasant day and if
+they performed their task carelessly, I made them do it over. I knew
+that the time was coming when many kinds of work would cease to be
+play to us all, and that we might as well face the fact first as
+last. After the morning duties were over, and the afternoon lessons
+learned, there was plenty of time for play, and the two little
+people enjoyed it all the more.
+
+Merton, also, had two afternoons in the week and he and Junior began
+to bring home strings of sweet little sunfish and winfish. Boys
+often become disgusted with country life because it is made hard and
+monotonous for them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+STRAWBERRY VISIONS AND "PERTATERS"
+
+
+I had decided that I would not set out any more raspberries until I
+had learned the comparative value of those already on the place.
+After I had seen my varieties in bearing and marketed the crop, I
+should be better able to make a wise selection, "Why not plant only
+the best and most profitable?" I reasoned. At Mr. Jones's suggestion
+I had put up notices at public resorts, and inserted a brief
+advertisement 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 of
+the young plants that had been trenched in, and the ready money they
+brought was very acceptable.
+
+From the first, my mind had often turned toward strawberries as one
+of our chief crops. They promised well for several reasons, the main
+one being that they would afford a light and useful form of labor
+for all the children. Even Bobsey could pick the fruit almost as
+well as any of us, for he had no long back to ache in getting down
+to it. The crop, also, could be gathered and sold before the
+raspberry season began, and this was an important fact. We should
+also have another and earlier source of income. I had read a great
+deal about the cultivation of the strawberry, and I had visited a
+Maizeville neighbor who grew them on a large scale, and had obtained
+his views. To make my knowledge more complete I wrote to my
+Washington-Market friend, Mr. Bogart, and his prompt letter in reply
+was encouraging.
+
+"Don't go into too many kinds," he advised, "and don't set too much
+ground. A few crates of fine berries will pay you better than
+bushels of small, soft, worthless trash. Steer clear of high-priced
+novelties and fancy sorts, and begin with only those known to pay
+well in your region. Try Wilson's (they're good to sell if not to
+eat) and Duchess for early, and Sharpless and Champion for late. Set
+the last two kinds out side by side, for the Champions won't bear
+alone. A customer of mine runs on these four sorts. He gives them
+high 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 the
+sales of your fruit. Don't spend much money for plants. Buy a few of
+each kind, and set 'em in moist ground and let 'em run. By winter
+you'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 in
+rows, six feet apart, so that by a little watchfulness I could keep
+them separate. I obtained my whole stock for five dollars;
+therefore, counting our time and everything, the cost of entering on
+strawberry culture was slight. A rainy night followed, and every
+plant started vigorously.
+
+In spite of occasional frosts and cold rains, the days grew longer
+and warmer. The cherry, peach, plum, and pear buds were almost ready
+to 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 make
+it 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 for
+corn and potatoes. This we marked out from the upper and eastern
+slope of a large meadow. The grass was running out and growing
+weedy.
+
+"It's time it was turned over," my neighbor remarked; "and by fall
+it'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 to
+turn over clean, deep, even furrows; for we had selected the plot in
+view of the fact that it was not stony, as was the case with other
+portions of our little farm.
+
+When at last the ground was plowed, he said: "I wouldn't harrow the
+part meant for corn till you are ready to plant it, say about the
+tenth of next month. We'd better get the pertater ground ready and
+the rows furrowed out right off. Early plantin' is the best. How
+much 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 Rose
+potatoes 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 be
+decayed, won't it?"
+
+"Yes, nigh enough. Ye want to grow turnips or fodder corn, I
+s'pose?"
+
+"No, I want to set out strawberries. I've read more about this fruit
+than any other, and, if the books are right, I can set strong plants
+on enriched ground early in August and get a good crop next June.
+Won't this pay better than planting next spring and waiting over two
+years 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 young
+plants growing right here in my own garden. Merton and I can take
+them up in the cool of the evening and in wet weather, and they
+won't know they've been moved. I propose to get these early potatoes
+out of the ground as soon as possible, even if I have to sell part
+of them before they are fully ripe; then have the ground plowed deep
+and marked out for strawberries, put all the fertilizers I can
+scrape together in the rows and set the plants as fast as possible.
+I've read again and again that many growers regard this method as
+one 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 man
+Jamison was here, and sit on the fence and make remarks."
+
+Planting an acre of potatoes was no light task for us, even after
+the ground was plowed and harrowed, and the furrows for the rows
+were marked out. I also had to make a half-day's journey to the city
+of Newtown to buy more seed, since the children's appetites had
+greatly reduced the stock in the root-cellar. For a few days we
+worked like beavers. Even Winnie helped Merton to drop the seed; and
+in the evening we had regular potato-cutting "bees," Junior coming
+over to aid us, and my wife and Mousie helping also. Songs and
+stories enlivened these evening hours of labor. Indeed, my wife and
+Mousie performed, during the day, a large part of this task, and
+they soon learned to cut the tubers skilfully. I have since known
+this work to be done so carelessly that some pieces were cut without
+a single eye upon them. Of course, in such cases there is nothing to
+grow.
+
+One Saturday night, the last of April, we exulted over the fact that
+our acre was planted and the seed well covered.
+
+Many of the trees about the house, meantime, had clothed themselves
+with fragrant promises of fruit. All, especially Mousie, had been
+observant of the beautiful changes, and, busy as we had been, she,
+Winnie and Bobsey had been given time to keep our table well
+supplied with wildflowers. Now that they had come in abundance, they
+seemed as essential as our daily food. To a limited extent I
+permitted blooming sprays to be taken from the fruit-trees,
+thinking, with Mousie, that "cherry blossoms are almost as nice as
+cherries." Thus Nature graced our frugal board, and suggested that,
+as she accompanied her useful work with beauty and fragrance, so we
+also could lift our toilsome lives above the coarse and sordid phase
+too common in country homes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+CORN, COLOR, AND MUSIC
+
+
+In early May the grass was growing lush and strong, and Brindle was
+driven down the lane to the meadow, full of thickets, which bordered
+on the creek. Here she could supply herself with food and water
+until the late autumn.
+
+With the first days of the month we planted, on a part of the garden
+slope, where the soil was dry and warm, very early, dwarf sweet
+corn, a second early variety, Burr's Mammoth, and Stowell's
+Evergreen.
+
+"These several kinds," I said, "will give us a succession of boiling
+ears 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 may
+have this delicious vegetable till frost comes."
+
+After reading and some inquiry during the winter I had decided to
+buy only McLean's Gem peas for seed. This low-growing kind required
+no brush and, therefore, far less labor. By putting in a row every
+ten days till the last of June, we should enjoy green peas of the
+sweet, wrinkled sort till tired, if that were possible. We also
+planted early dwarf wax-beans, covering the seed, as directed, only
+two inches deep. It was my ambition to raise a large crop of Lima
+beans, having read that few vegetables yield more food to a small
+area than they. So, armed with an axe and a hatchet, Merton and I
+went into some young growth on the edge of our wood lot and cut
+thirty poles, lopping off the branches so as to leave little
+crotches on which the vines could rest for support. Having sharpened
+these poles we set them firmly in the garden, four feet apart each
+way, 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 book
+said that, if the earth was cold, wet, or heavy the beans would
+decay instead of coming up. The 10th of the month being fine and
+promising, I pressed the eye or germ side of the beans into the soil
+and covered them only one inch deep. In the evening we set out our
+cabbage and cauliflower plants where they should be allowed to
+mature. The tomato plants, being more tender than their companions
+started in the kitchen window, were set about four inches apart in a
+sheltered place. We could thus cover them at night and protect them
+a little from the midday sun for a week or two longer.
+
+Nor were Mousie's flowering plants forgotten. She had watched over
+them from the seed with tireless care, and now we made a bed and
+helped the happy child to put her little nurslings in the open
+ground where they were to bloom. The apple-trees made the air
+fragrant, and some of the delicate pink of their blossoms was in
+Mousie's cheeks.
+
+"Truly," I thought, as I looked into her sparkling eyes, "if we can
+but barely live in the country, I am glad we came."
+
+The next morning Merton and I began our great undertaking--the
+planting of the other acre of ground, next to the potatoes, with
+field corn. Mr. Jones had harrowed it comparatively smooth, I had a
+light plow with which to mark out the furrows four feet apart each
+way. At the intersection of these furrows the seed was to be
+dropped. I found I could not drive our old bay straight across the
+field to save my life, and neighbor Jones laughed till his sides
+ached at the curves and crooks I first left behind me.
+
+"Here, Merton," I cried, nothing daunted, "we must work together
+again. Get a pole and stand it on the farther side of the plot four
+feet in from the edge of the sod. That's right. Now come here; take
+old Bay by the head, and, with your eyes fixed on the pole, lead him
+steadily toward it."
+
+A furrow was now made of which Mr. Jones himself need not have been
+ashamed; and he laughed as he said, at parting "You'll do. I see
+you'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 the
+plot was furrowed one way. After dinner we took an hour's partial
+rest in shelling our corn and then resumed our work, and in the same
+manner began furrowing at right angles with the first rows. The
+hills were thus about four feet apart each way. Merton dropped the
+corn after we had run half a dozen furrows.
+
+"Drop five kernels," I said; for Mr. Jones had told us that four
+stalks were enough and that three would do, but had added: "I plant
+five kernels, for some don't come up, and the crows and other
+vermints take others. If all of 'em grow, it's easier to pull up one
+stalk at the first hoeing than to plant over again."
+
+We found that putting in the corn was a lighter task than planting
+the potatoes even though we did our own furrowing; and by the middle
+of May we were complacent over the fact that we had succeeded with
+our general spring work far better than we had hoped, remembering
+that we were novices who had to take so much counsel from books and
+from our kind, practical neighbor.
+
+The foliage of the trees was now out in all its delicately shaded
+greenery, and midday often gave us a foretaste of summer heat. The
+slight blaze kindled in the old fireplace, after supper, was more
+for the sake of good cheer than for needed warmth, and at last it
+was dispensed with. Thrushes and other birds of richer and fuller
+song had come, and morning and evening we left the door open that we
+might enjoy the varied melody.
+
+Our first plantings of potatoes and early vegetables were now up and
+looked promising. So a new phase of labor--that of cultivation--
+began. New broods of chickens were coming off, and Winnie had many
+families to look after. Nevertheless, although there was much to
+attend to, the season was bringing a short breathing-spell, and I
+resolved to take advantage of it. So I said one Friday evening: "If
+to-morrow is fair, we'll take a vacation. What do you say to a day's
+fishing 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 make
+sure that his father consents."
+
+Mr. Jones said, "Yes," and Merton and Junior were soon busy with
+their preparations, which were continued until the long twilight
+deepened into dusk.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+WE GO A-FISHING
+
+
+The following day, happily, proved all that we could desire. The
+children were up with the dawn, and Junior was not long in joining
+us. 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 premises
+occasionally to see that all was right. I had put but one seat in
+the wagon for my wife and myself, since the young people decided
+that 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 zest
+which gave me deep content. Her face indicated no regretful thoughts
+turning toward the Egypt of the city; her mother love was so strong
+that she was happy with the children. The robins, of which there
+seemed 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 pole
+aloft, and Merton said that "the wagon looked as if our Lima-bean
+patch was off on a visit."
+
+In the village we increased our stock of lines and hooks, and bought
+a few corks for floats. We soon reached the mouth of the Moodna
+Creek, where stood a weather-beaten boat-house, with a stable
+adjoining, 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 float
+down with the ebb. This, to the children, was like a voyage of
+discovery, and there was a general airing of geography, each little
+bay, point, and gulf receiving some noted name. At last we reached a
+deep, shaded pool, which was eventually dubbed "Bobsey's Luck;" for
+he nearly fell into it in his eagerness to take off a minnow that
+had managed to fasten itself to his hook.
+
+Merton and Junior, being more experienced anglers, went ashore to
+make some casts on the ripples and rapids of the stream above, and
+secured several fine "winfish." The rest of us were content to take
+it easy in the shade and hook an occasional cat and sun fish. At
+last the younger children wanted variety, so I permitted them to
+land on the wooded bank, kindle a little fire, and roast some clams
+that we had bought at the boat-house. The smoke and the tempting
+odors lured Merton and Junior, who soon proved that boys' appetites
+can always be depended upon.
+
+Time passed rapidly, and I at last noticed that the tide had fallen
+to such a degree as to fill me with alarm.
+
+"Come, youngsters," I cried, "we must go back at once, or we shall
+have to stay here till almost night."
+
+They scrambled on board, and we started down-stream, but soon came
+to shallow water, as was proved by the swift current and the
+ripples. A moment later we were hard aground. In vain we pushed with
+the oars; the boat would not budge. Then Junior sat down and coolly
+began to take off shoes and stockings. In a flash Merton followed
+his 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, but
+with increasing progress, the keel grated over the stones, and at
+last we were again afloat. A round of applause greeted the boys as
+they sprung back into the boat, and away we went, cautiously
+avoiding shoals and sand-bars, until we reached Plum Point, where we
+expected to spend the remainder of the day. Here, for a time, we had
+excellent sport, and pulled up sunfish and white perch of a very
+fair size. Bobsey caught so large a specimen of the former variety
+that he had provided himself with a supper equal even to his
+capacity.
+
+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 evening
+glow of the late spring sun. Merton and Junior divided the finny
+spoils to their satisfaction, while Winnie and I visited the
+chicken-coops and found that there had been no mishaps during our
+absence. I told my boy that I would milk the cow while he cleaned
+the fish for supper, and when at last we sat down we formed a tired,
+hilarious, and hungry group. Surely, if fish were created to be
+eaten, our enjoyment of their browned sweetness must have rounded
+out their existence completely.
+
+"O papa!" exclaimed Merton, at the breakfast table, on Monday
+morning; "we haven't planted any musk and water melons!"
+
+"That is true," I replied. "I find that I overlooked melons in
+making 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," persisted
+the boy; and the other children joined in his request.
+
+"But the garden is all filled up," I said, thoughtfully; "and I fear
+it is too late to plant now."
+
+Looks of disappointment led me to think further and I got one of my
+seed catalogues.
+
+"Here are some early kinds named and perhaps they would mature; but
+where shall we put them?"
+
+"Seems to me we had better have a little less corn, if room can be
+made for melons," was Merton's suggestion.
+
+"I'll tell you what we'll do," I continued. "We've had such good
+fortune in accomplishing our early work, and you have helped so
+nicely, that you shall try your hand at melons. Drive your mother
+and Mousie down to the village this morning, and get some seeds of
+the nutmeg musk-melon and Phinney's early watermelon. I'll take two
+rows in the early corn on the warm garden slope, pull up every third
+hill, and make, in their places, nice, warm, rich beds for the seed
+which we will plant as soon as you come back. I don't believe the
+corn will shade the melon vines too much; and as soon as we have
+taken off the green ears we will cut away the stalks. Thus we shall
+get two crops from the same ground."
+
+This plan was carried out, and the melon seed came up in a very
+promising way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+WEEDS AND WORKING FOR DEAR LIFE
+
+
+The beautiful transition period of spring passing into summer would
+have filled us with delight had we not found a hostile army
+advancing on us--annual weeds. When we planted the garden, the soil
+was brown and clean. The early vegetables came up in well-defined
+green rows, the weeds appearing with them, too few and scattered to
+cause anxiety. Now all was changed. Weeds seemed created by magic in
+a night. The garden was becoming evenly green throughout; and the
+vegetables, in some cases, could scarcely be distinguished from the
+ranker growth of crowding, unknown plants among and around them. I
+also saw that our corn and potato field would soon become, if left
+alone, as verdant as the meadow beyond. I began to fear that we
+could not cope with these myriads of foes, little now, but growing
+while we slept, and stealing a march on us in one part of the place
+while we destroyed them in another.
+
+With something like dismay I called Mr. Jones's attention to these
+silent forces, invading, not only the garden and fields, but the
+raspberries and, indeed, all the ground now devoted to fruit.
+
+He laughed and said: "The Philistines are on you, sure enough. I'm
+busy whackin' them over myself, but I guess I'll have to come and
+give you a lift, for you must get these weeds well under before
+hayin' and raspberry-pickin'-time comes. It's warm to-day, and the
+ground's middlin' dry. I'll show you what can be done in short
+metre. 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 to
+be like weeds--just ter grow and run ter seed, ye know. It's
+'stonishin' how soon weeds, whether they're people or pusley, get
+seedy. 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 of
+carrots, beets, and onions would soon be choked by these weeds, not
+an inch high yet. The same is true of the corn and peas and other
+sags. The pertaters are strong enough to take care of themselves for
+a time, but not long. I see you and Merton have been tryin' to weed
+and hoe them out at the same time. Well, you can't keep up with the
+work 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 the
+row, so that it takes a good eye to see the beets. But here they
+are, and here they run across the bed. Now look at me. One good
+showin' 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 on
+each side of the little row, and I pull 'em away from the young
+beets so as not to disturb them, but to leave 'em standin' straight
+and saucy. Careless hands will half pull out the vegetables at the
+same time with the weeds. I had to strap Junior once before he
+learned that fact, and it was amazin' how I helped his eyesight and
+trained his fingers through his back. Well, now, you see, I've
+cleared out this row of beets half across the bed and the ground for
+an inch or two on each side of it. I drop the weeds right down in
+the spaces between the rows, for the sun will dry 'em up before
+dinner-time. Now I'll take another row."
+
+By this time Merton and I were following his example, and in a few
+moments 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 that
+we've done, and for a little space on each side of 'em. The beets
+have a chance to grow unchoked, and to get ahead. These other little
+green varmints in the ground, between the rows, are too small to do
+any harm yet. Practically the beets are cleaned out, and will have
+all the ground they need to themselves for three or four days; but
+these weeds between the rows would soon swamp everything. Now, give
+me a hoe, and I'll fix THEM."
+
+He drew the useful tool carefully and evenly through the spaces
+between the rows, and our enemies were lying on their sides ready to
+wither away in the morning sun.
+
+"You see after the rows are weeded out how quickly you can hoe the
+spaces between 'em," my neighbor concluded. "Now the children can do
+this weedin'. Your and Merton's time's too valyble. When weeds are
+pulled from right in and around vegetables, the rest can stand
+without harm for a while, till you can get around with the hoe and
+cultivator. This weedin' out business is 'specially important in
+rainy 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 you
+must 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 weeds
+carelessly. Now obsarve that the beets are half jerked up also. Of
+course that won't answer. I'll come over this afternoon with my
+cultivator, and we'll tackle the corn and pertaters, and make such a
+swath among these green Philistines that you'll sleep better to-
+night. But ye're goin' to come out right, mind, I tell ye so; and
+I've seen mor'n one city squash come to the country with the idee
+that 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 show
+you this morning and then I trust you can be left to do the weeding
+carefully by yourselves to-morrow. Pressing as the work is, you
+shall 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 a
+little. By helping mamma in the house you are doing your part."
+
+We made good progress, and the two younger children speedily learned
+the knack of working carefully, so as not to disturb the little
+vegetables. I soon found that weeding was back-aching work for me,
+and therefore "spelled" myself by hoeing out the spaces between the
+rows. By the time the music of the dinner-bell sounded, hosts of our
+enemies were slain.
+
+Mr. Jones, true to his promise, was on hand at one o'clock with his
+cultivator, and began with the corn, which was now a few inches
+high. Merton and I followed with hoes, uncovering the tender shoots
+on which earth had been thrown, and dressing out the soil into clean
+flat hills. As our neighbor had said, it was astonishing how much
+work the horse-cultivator performed in a short time. I saw that it
+would be wise for us, another year, to plant in a way that would
+permit the use of horse-power. Even in the garden this method should
+be followed as far as possible.
+
+Mr. Jones was not a man of half-way measures. He remained helping
+us, till he had gone through the corn, once each way, twice between
+the long rows of potatoes, then twice through all the raspberry
+rows, giving us two full days of his time altogether.
+
+I handed him a dollar in addition to his charge, saying that I had
+never 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 get
+discouraged. 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 crawl
+into his little bed."
+
+So were we for a few days, in our winning fight with the weeds. One
+hot afternoon, about three o'clock, I saw that Merton was growing
+pale, and beginning to lag, and I said, decidedly: "Do you see that
+tree there? Go and lie down under it till I call you."
+
+"I guess I can stand it till night," he began, his pride a little
+touched.
+
+"Obey orders! I am captain."
+
+In five minutes he was fast asleep. I threw my coat over him, and
+sat down, proposing to have a half-hour's rest myself. My wife came
+out with a pitcher of cool butter-milk and nodded her head
+approvingly at us.
+
+"Well, my thoughtful Eve," I said, "I find that our modern Eden will
+cost 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 value
+of vegetables and yourselves. Honestly now" (with one of her saucy
+looks), "I'd rather do with a few bushels less, than do without you
+and 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 a
+night's rest," and we accomplished more in the cool of the day than
+if 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 a
+bed of parsnips about which I was particular. In the middle of the
+forenoon 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 soon
+discovered that they were throwing lumps of earth at each other. So
+absorbed were they in their untimely and mischievous fun that I was
+not noticed until I found Bobsey sitting plump on the vegetables,
+and the rows behind both the children very shabbily cleaned, not a
+few of the little plants having been pulled up with the weeds.
+
+Without a word I marched them into the house, then said: "Under
+arrest till night. Winnie, you go to your room. I shall strap Bobsey
+in his chair, and put him in the parlor by himself."
+
+The exchange of the hot garden for the cool rooms seemed rather an
+agreeable punishment at first, although Winnie felt the disgrace
+somewhat. When, at dinner, nothing but a cup of water and a piece of
+dry bread was taken to them, Bobsey began to howl, and Winnie to
+look as if the affair was growing serious. Late in the afternoon,
+when she found that she was not to gather the eggs or feed her
+beloved chickens, she, too, broke down and sobbed that she "wouldn't
+do so any more." Bobsey also pleaded so piteously for release, and
+promised such saint-like behavior, that I said: "Well, I will remit
+the rest of your punishment and put you on trial. You had no excuse
+for your mischief this morning, for I allow you to play the greater
+part of every afternoon, while Merton must stand by me the whole of
+the week."
+
+My touch of discipline brought up the morale of my little squad
+effectually for a time. The next afternoon even the memory of
+trouble was banished by the finding of the first wild strawberries.
+Exultation and universal interest prevailed as clusters of green and
+red berries were handed around to be smelled and examined. "Truly,"
+my wife remarked, "even roses can scarcely equal the fragrance of
+the wild strawberry."
+
+From that day forward, for weeks, it seemed as if we entered on a
+diet of strawberries and roses. The old-fashioned bushes of the
+latter, near the house, had been well trimmed, and gave large, fine
+buds in consequence, while Mousie, Winnie, and Bobsey gleaned every
+wild berry that could be found, beginning with the sunny upland
+slopes and following the aromatic fruit down to the cool, moist
+borders of the creek.
+
+"Another year," I said, "I think you will be tired even of
+strawberries, 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 June
+was welcomed indeed. The days preceding had been filled with hard,
+yet successful labor, and the weeds had been slaughtered by the
+million. The greater part of our crops had come up well and were
+growing nicely. In hoeing the corn, we had planted over the few
+missing hills, and now, like soldiers who had won the first great
+success of the campaign, we were in a mood to enjoy a rest to the
+utmost.
+
+This rest seemed all the more delightful when we awoke on the
+following morning, to the soft patter of rain. The preceding days
+had been unusually dry and warm, so that the grass and tender
+vegetables were beginning to suffer. I was worrying about the
+raspberries also, which were passing out of blossom. The cultivator
+had been through them, and Merton and I, only the evening before,
+had finished hoeing out the sprouting weeds and surplus suckers. I
+had observed, with dread, that just as the fruit was forming, the
+earth, especially around the hills, was getting dry.
+
+Now, looking out, I saw that the needful watering was not coming
+from a passing shower. The clouds were leaden from horizon to
+horizon; the rain fell with a gentle steadiness of a quiet summer
+storm, and had evidently been falling some hours already. The air
+was so fragrant that I threw wide open the door and windows. It was
+a 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 few
+moments before from our own garden formed a part, we felt that
+nature was carrying on our work of the past week in a way that
+filled our hearts with gratitude. The air was so warm that we did
+not fear the dampness. The door and windows were left open that we
+might enjoy the delicious odors and listen to the musical patter of
+the rain, which fell so softly that the birds were quite as tuneful
+as 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 through
+with July and August yet."
+
+Mousie held her hands out in the warm rain, saying: "I feel as if it
+would 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 that
+they needn't go out in the wet for food."
+
+The clouds gave us a more and more copious downfall as the day
+advanced, and I sat on the porch, resting and observing with
+conscious gratitude how beautifully nature was furthering all our
+labor, and fulfilling our hopes. This rain would greatly increase
+the hay-crops for the old horse and the cow; it would carry my
+vegetables rapidly toward maturity; and, best of all, would soak the
+raspberry ground so thoroughly that the fruit would be almost safe.
+What was true of our little plot was equally so of neighbor Jones's
+farm, and thousands of others. My wife sat with me much of the day,
+and I truly think that our thoughts were acceptable worship. By four
+in the afternoon the western horizon lightened, the clouds soon
+broke 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 almost
+ecstatic, and the voices of the children, permitted at last to go
+out 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 vegetable
+nurslings in a few brief hours, while, across the field, the corn
+and potato rows showed green, strong outlines.
+
+I found that Brindle in the pasture hadn't minded the rain, but only
+appeared the sleeker for it. When at last I came in to supper, I
+gave my wife a handful of berries, at which she and the children
+exclaimed. I had permitted a dozen plants of each variety of my
+garden strawberries to bear, that I might get some idea of the
+fruit. The blossoms on the other plants had been picked off as soon
+as they appeared, so that all the strength might go toward forming
+new plants. I found that a few of the berries of the two early kinds
+were ripe, also that the robins had been sampling them. In size, at
+least, they seemed wonderful compared with the wild fruit from the
+field, and I said:
+
+"There will be lively times for us when we must get a dozen bushels
+a day, like these, off to Mr. Bogart."
+
+The children, then, thought it would be the greatest fun in the
+world. 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. This
+rain is a good hundred dollars in your pocket and mine, too."
+
+I soon perceived that our enemies, the weeds, had millions in
+reserve, and on Monday--the day after the rain--with all the
+children helping, even Mousie part of the time, we went at the
+garden again. To Mousie, scarcely an invalid any longer, was given
+the pleasure of picking the first green peas and shelling them for
+dinner. We had long been enjoying the succulent lettuce and the
+radishes, and now I said to Winnie: "To-morrow you can begin
+thinning out the beets, leaving the plants three inches apart. What
+you pull up can be cooked as spinach, or 'greens,' as country people
+say. Our garden will soon enable us to live like princes."
+
+As the ground dried after the rain, a light crust formed on the
+surface, and in the wetter portions it was even inclined to bake or
+crack. I was surprised at the almost magical effect of breaking up
+the crust and making the soil loose and mellow by cultivation. The
+letting in of air and light caused the plants to grow with wonderful
+vigor.
+
+On Wednesday morning Merton came running in, exclaiming, "O papa!
+there's a green worm eating all the leaves off the currant and
+gooseberry bushes."
+
+I followed him hastily, and found that considerable mischief had
+already been done, and I went to one of my fruit books in a hurry to
+find out how to cope with this new enemy.
+
+As a result, I said: "Merton, mamma wishes to go to the village. You
+drive her and Mousie down, and at the drug-store get two pounds of
+white hellebore, also a pound of Paris green, for I find that the
+potato bugs are getting too thick to be managed by hand. Remember
+that these are poisons, the Paris green a deadly one. Have them
+carefully wrapped up, and keep them from everything else. When you
+return I'll take charge of them. Also, get a new large watering-
+can."
+
+That afternoon I mixed a heaping tablespoonful of the hellebore
+through the contents of the watering-can, on which I had painted the
+word "Poison." With this infusion I sprinkled thoroughly every bush
+on which I could find a worm, and the next morning we had the
+pleasure of finding most of these enemies dead. But some escaped or
+new ones were hatched, and we found that we could save our currants
+only by constant vigilance. Every evening, until the fruit was
+nearly ripe, we went over the bushes, and gave the vile little pests
+a dose wherever we found them. Our other can I also labelled
+"Poison," with dashes under it to show that it was to be used for
+Paris green alone. A teaspoonful of this deadly agent was enough,
+according to my book, for the amount of water held by the ordinary
+wooden 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, destroyed
+the potato beetles and their larvae also. Whatever may be true in
+other parts of the world, in our region, certainly, success can be
+secured 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 our
+retired nook had we escaped the dangers of city life. Winnie and
+Bobsey, in their rambles after strawberries, had met two other
+children, and, early in the acquaintance, fortunately brought them
+to the house. The moment I saw the strange girl, I recognized a
+rural type of Melissa Daggett, while the urchin of Bobsey's age did
+not scruple to use vile language in my hearing. I doubt whether the
+poor little savage had any better vernacular. I told them kindly but
+firmly that they must not come on the place again without my
+permission.
+
+After supper I went over and asked Mr. Jones about these children,
+and he replied, significantly, looking around first to make sure
+that no one heard him:
+
+"Mr. Durham, steer clear of those people. You know there are certain
+varmints on a farm to which we give a wide berth and kill 'em when
+we can. Of course we can't kill off this family, although a good
+contribution could be taken up any day to move 'em a hundred miles
+away. Still about everybody gives 'em a wide berth, and is civil to
+their faces. They'll rob you more or less, and you might as well
+make 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 been
+barns burned around here. Everybody's satisfied who sot 'em afire,
+but nothin' can be proved. Your cow or horse, too, might suddenly
+die. There's no tellin' what accidents would happen if you got their
+ill-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 one
+hand, they are treated as outlaws, and that would go far to make
+them such; on the other, they are permitted to levy a sort of
+blackmail and commit crime with impunity. Of course I must keep my
+children away from them; but, if the chance offers, I shall show the
+family kindness, and if they molest me I shall try to give them the
+law to the utmost."
+
+"Well," concluded Mr. Jones, with a shrug, "I've warned you, if they
+git down on yer, yer'll find 'em snakes in the grass."
+
+Returning home, I said nothing to Winnie and Bobsey against their
+recent companions, but told them that if they went with them again,
+or made the acquaintance of other strangers without permission, they
+would be put on bread and water for an entire day--that all such
+action was positively forbidden.
+
+It was evident, however, that the Melissa Daggett element was
+present in the country, and in an aggravated form. That it was not
+next door, or, rather, in the next room, was the redeeming feature.
+Residents in the country are usually separated by wide spaces from
+evil association.
+
+It must not be thought that my wife and children had no society
+except that afforded by Mr. Jones's family. They were gradually
+making pleasant and useful acquaintances, especially among those
+whom we met at church; but as these people have no material part in
+this simple history, they are not mentioned.
+
+The most important activities of the season were now drawing very
+near. The cherries were swelling fast; the currants were growing
+red, and were already pronounced "nice for pies;" and one morning
+Merton came rushing in with a red raspberry from the Highland Hardy
+variety. I was glad the time was at hand when I should begin to
+receive something besides advice from Mr. Bogart; for, careful as we
+had been, the drain on my capital had been long and steady, and were
+eager for the turn of the tide.
+
+I had bought a number of old Mr. Jamison's crates, had painted out
+his name and replaced it with mine. I now wrote to Mr. Bogart for
+packages best adapted to the shipping of cherries, currants, and
+raspberries. For the first he sent me baskets that held about a
+peck. These baskets were so cheap that they could be sold with the
+fruit. For currants, crates containing twenty-four quart baskets
+were forwarded. These, he wrote, would also do for black-caps this
+season, and for strawberries next year. For the red raspberries he
+sent me quite different crates, filled with little baskets holding
+only half a pint of fruit. Limited supplies of these packages were
+sent, for he said that a telegram would bring more the same day.
+
+The corn and potatoes were becoming weedy again. This time I made
+use of a light plow, Merton leading old Bay as at first. Then, with
+our hoes, we gave the rows a final dressing out. By the time we had
+finished, some of our grass was fit to cut, the raspberries needed a
+careful picking over, and the cherries on one tree were ready for
+market. The children and robins had already feasted, but I was
+hungry for a check from New York.
+
+I had long since decided not to attempt to carry on haying alone at
+this critical season, but had hired a man, too aged to hold his own
+among the harvesters on the neighboring farms. Mr. Jones had said of
+him: "He's a careful, trusty old fellow, who can do a good day's
+work yet if you don't hurry him. Most of your grass is in the
+meadow, some parts fit to cut before the others. Let the old man
+begin and mow what he can, every day. Then you won't have to cure
+and get in a great lot of hay all at once, and perhaps, too, when
+your raspberries most need pickin'."
+
+So, during the last days of June, old Mr. Jacox, who came at
+moderate wages, put in his scythe on the uplands. I spread the grass
+and raked it up when dry, and, with the aid of Merton and a rude,
+extemporized rack on the market-wagon, got the hay gradually into
+the barn. This labor took only part of the day; the rest of the time
+was employed in the garden and in picking fruit.
+
+On the last day of June we gathered a crate of early raspberries and
+eight baskets of cherries. In the cool of the afternoon, these were
+placed in the wagon, and with my wife and the three younger
+children, I drove to the Maizeville Landing with our first shipment
+to 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 as
+will leave us no room for wife and children, but will eventually
+give 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, feeling
+much like a sentinel left on guard. About sun-down, he told me, as
+he was passing through the raspberry field, he thought he caught a
+glimpse of an old straw hat dodging down behind the bushes. He
+bounded toward the spot, a moment later confronting three children
+with tin pails. The two younger proved to be Winnie's objectionable
+acquaintances that I had told to keep off the place. The eldest was
+a boy, not far from Merton's age, and had justly won the name of
+being the worst boy in the region. All were the children of the
+dangerous neighbor against whom Mr. Jones had warned me.
+
+The boy at first regarded Merton with a sullen, defiant look, while
+his brother and sister coolly continued to steal the fruit.
+
+"Clear out," cried Merton. "We'll have you put in jail if you come
+here 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 the
+fellow who was adding insult to injury, so quickly that he got in a
+blow 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 younger
+marauders attacked him, tooth and nail, like cats. Finding himself
+getting the worst of it, he instinctively sent out a cry for his
+stanch 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; but
+knowing that no one was at the house, and in the spirit of
+revengeful mischief, they took their flight in that direction.
+Seeing Mousie's flower-bed, they ran and jumped upon that, breaking
+down half the plants, then dashed off through the coops, releasing
+the hens, and scattering the broods of chickens. Merton and Junior,
+who for a few moments had lost sight of the invaders in the thick
+raspberry bushes, were now in hot pursuit, and would have caught
+them again, had they not seen a man coming up the lane, accompanied
+by a big dog. Junior laid a hand on headlong Merton, whose blood was
+now at boiling heat, and said, "Stop."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII
+
+GIVEN HIS CHOICE
+
+
+Junior had good reason for bringing Merton to a sudden halt in his
+impetuous and hostile advance. The man coming up the lane, with a
+savage dog, was the father of the ill-nurtured children. He had felt
+a little uneasy as to the results of their raid upon our fruit, and
+had walked across the fields to give them the encouragement of his
+presence, or to cover their retreat, which he now did effectually.
+
+It took Junior but a moment to explain to my boy that they were no
+match "for the two brutes," as he expressed himself, adding, "The
+man is worse than the dog."
+
+Merton, however, was almost reckless from anger and a sense of
+unprovoked wrong, and he darted into the house for his gun.
+
+"See here, Merton," said Junior, firmly, "shoot the dog if they set
+him on us, but never fire at a human being. You'd better give me the
+gun; I am cooler than you are."
+
+They had no occasion to use the weapon, however. The man shook his
+fist at them, while his children indulged in taunts and coarse
+derision. The dog, sharing their spirit and not their discretion,
+started for the boys, but was recalled, and our undesirable
+neighbors departed leisurely.
+
+All this was related to me after nightfall, when I returned with my
+wife and younger children from the Maizeville Landing. I confess
+that I fully shared Merton's anger, although I listened quietly.
+
+"You grow white, Robert, when you are angry," said my wife. "I
+suppose that's the most dangerous kind of heat--white-heat. Don't
+take the matter so to heart. We can't risk getting the ill-will of
+these 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, and
+everyone lives in a sort of abject dread of them. Now, the neighbors
+must say 'yes' or 'no' to the question whether we shall have
+decency, 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 were
+soon wide open, with an angry fire in them.
+
+"You take the matter very quietly, Mr. Durham;" he said; "more
+quietly than I could."
+
+"I shall not fume about the affair a moment. I prefer to act. The
+only question for you and the other neighbors to decide is, Will you
+act with me? I am going to this man Bagley's house to-morrow, to
+give him his choice. It's either decency and law-abiding on his
+part, now, or prosecution before the law on mine. You say that you
+are sure that he has burned barns, and made himself generally the
+terror of the region. Now, I won't live in a neighborhood infested
+by people little better than wild Indians. My feelings as a man will
+not permit me to submit to insult and injury. What's more, it's time
+the people about here abated this nuisance."
+
+"You are right, Robert Durham!" said Mr. Jones, springing up and
+giving me his hand. "I've felt mean, and so have others, that we've
+allowed 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 was
+robbed t'other night, and he tracked the thieves straight toward
+Bagley's house. He says his patience has given out. It only needs a
+leader to rouse the neighborhood, but it ain't very creditable to us
+that we let a new-comer like you face the thing first."
+
+"Very well," I said, "it's for you and your neighbors to show now
+how much grit and manhood you have. I shall start for Bagley's house
+at nine to-morrow. Of course I shall be glad to have company, and if
+he 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'll
+go right down to Rolling's. Come, Junior, we may want you."
+
+At eight o'clock the next morning, a dozen men, including the
+constable, were in our yard. My wife whispered, "Do be prudent,
+Robert." She was much reassured, however, by the largeness of our
+force.
+
+We soon reached the dilapidated hovel, and were so fortunate as to
+find Bagley and all his family at home. Although it was the busiest
+season, he was idle. As I led my forces straight toward the door, it
+was evident that he was surprised and disconcerted, in spite of his
+attempt to maintain a sullen and defiant aspect. I saw his evil eye
+resting on one and another of our group, as if he was storing up
+grudges to be well paid on future dark nights. His eldest son stood
+with the dog at the corner of the house, and as I approached, the
+cur, set on by the boy, came toward me with a stealthy step. I
+carried a heavy cane, and just as the brute was about to take me by
+the 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 he
+instinctively drew back.
+
+"Bagley," I cried, "look me in the eye." And he fixed upon me a gaze
+full of impotent anger. "Now," I resumed, "I wish you and your
+family to understand that you've come to the end of your rope. You
+must become decent, law-abiding people, like the rest of us, or we
+shall put you where you can't harm us. I, for one, am going to give
+you a last chance. Your children were stealing my fruit last night,
+and acting shamefully afterward. You also trespassed, and you
+threatened these two boys; you are idle in the busiest time, and
+think you can live by plunder. Now, you and yours must turn the
+sharpest corner you ever saw. Your two eldest children can come and
+pick berries for me at the usual wages, if they obey my orders and
+behave themselves. One of the neighbors here says he'll give you
+work, if you try to do it well. If you accept these terms, I'll let
+the past go. If you don't, I'll have the constable arrest your boy
+at once, and I'll see that he gets the heaviest sentence the law
+allows, while if you or your children make any further trouble, I'll
+meet you promptly in every way the law permits. But, little as you
+deserve it, I am going to give you and your family one chance to
+reform, before proceeding against you. Only understand one thing, I
+am 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 other
+night, and you've robbed it before. There isn't a man in this region
+but believes that it was you who burned the barns and hay-stacks. We
+won't stand this nonsense another hour. You've got to come to my
+hay-fields and work out the price of those chickens, and after that
+I'll give you fair wages. But if there's any more trouble, we'll
+clean 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 threatening
+barkin' sort, but I've reached the p'int where I'll bite. The law
+will protect us, an' the hull neighborhood has resolved, with Mr.
+Durham here, that you and your children shall make no more trouble
+than he and his children. See?"
+
+"Look-a-here," began the man, blusteringly, "you needn't come
+threatenin' in this blood-and-thunder style. The law'll protect me
+as well as--"
+
+Ominous murmurs were arising from all my neighbors, and Mr. Jones
+now 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 decide
+whether you'll take your oath to stop your maraudin' and that of
+your children;" and he pulled out his watch.
+
+"Let me add my word," said a little man, stepping forward. "I own
+this house, and the rent is long overdue. Follow neighbor Jones's
+advice or we'll see that the sheriff puts your traps out in the
+middle of the road."
+
+"Oh, of course," began Bagley. "What kin one feller do against a
+crowd?"
+
+"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's
+play and make-believe? Don't ye know that when quiet, peaceable
+neighbors 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 to
+convert you thoroughly this mornin'. The first bit of mischief that
+takes place in this borough will bring the weight of the law on
+you;" and, wheeling on his heel, he left the yard, followed by the
+others.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV
+
+GIVEN A CHANCE
+
+
+"Come in, Mr. Bagley," I said, "and bring the children. I want to
+talk 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 and
+looked the man steadily in the eye for a moment.
+
+"Let us settle one thing first," I began. "Do you think I am afraid
+of you?"
+
+"S'pose not, with sich backin' as yer got," was the somewhat nervous
+reply.
+
+"I told Mr. Jones after I came home last night that I should fight
+this thing alone if no one stood by me. But you see that your
+neighbors have reached the limit of forbearance. Now, Mr. Bagley, I
+didn't remain to threaten you. There has been enough of that, and
+from very resolute, angry men, too. I wish to give you and yours a
+chance. You've come to a place where two roads branch; you must take
+one or the other. You can't help yourself. You and your children
+won'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'll
+soon reach the same result; you and your son will be lodged in jail
+and put at hard labor. Would you not better make up your mind to
+work for yourself and family, like an honest man? Look at these
+children. 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. If
+you'll try to be a man, I'll give you my hand to stand by you. My
+religion, such as it is, requires that I shall not let a man go
+wrong if I can help it. If you'll take the road to the right and do
+your level best, there's my hand."
+
+The man showed his emotion by a slight tremor only, and after a
+moment's thoughtful hesitation he took my hand and said, in a
+hoarse, choking voice: "You've got a claim on me now which all the
+rest couldn't git, even if they put a rope around my neck. I s'pose
+I 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'll
+be receiving all the kindness that a self-respecting man wants," I
+answered.
+
+Then, turning to his wife, I asked, "What have you in the house to
+eat?"
+
+"Next to nothin'," she said, drying her eyes with her apron, and
+then 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 worth
+of anything while you are able to earn a living. You shall have food
+at once; but I shall expect you to pay for it in work. I am going to
+treat you like a man and a woman, and not like beggars."
+
+A few minutes later, some of the neighbors were much surprised to
+see Bagley and myself going up the road together.
+
+My wife, Merton, and tender-hearted Mousie were at the head of the
+lane watching for me. Reassured, as we approached, they returned
+wonderingly to the house, and met us at the door.
+
+"This is Mrs. Durham," I said. "My dear, please give Mr. Bagley ten
+pounds 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 chain
+up that dog of yours, or, better still, knock it on the head with an
+axe, Mrs. Durham will go down and see your wife about fixing up your
+children."
+
+Winifred gave me a pleased, intelligent look, and said, "Come in,
+Mr. Bagley;" while Merton and I hastened away to catch up with
+neglected 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 and
+your 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 practical
+comment.
+
+In going to the cellar for the meat, she left him alone for a moment
+or two with Mousie; and he, under his new impulses, said: "Little
+gal, ef my children hurt your flowers agin, let me know, and I'll
+thrash '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. At
+half-past twelve he was on hand, ready for work.
+
+"That dog that tried to bite ye is dead and buried," he said, "and I
+hope I buried some of my dog natur' with 'im."
+
+"You've shown your good sense. But I haven't time to talk now. The
+old 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 night
+I'll be out with the wagon, and we'll stow all that's fit into the
+barn. To-morrow I want your two eldest children to come and pick
+berries."
+
+"I'm in fer it, Mr. Durham. You've given me your hand, and I'll show
+yer how that goes furder with me than all the blood-and-thunder talk
+in Maizeville," said Bagley, with some feeling.
+
+"Then you'll show that you can be a man like the rest of us," I
+said, as I hastened to our early dinner.
+
+My wife beamed and nodded at me. "I'm not going to say anything to
+set you up too much," she said. "You are great on problems, and you
+are solving one even better than I hoped."
+
+"It isn't solved yet," I replied. "We have only started Bagley and
+his people on the right road. It will require much patience and good
+management to keep them there. I rather think you'll have the
+hardest part of the problem yet on your hands. I have little time
+for problems now, however, except that of making the most of this
+season of rapid growth and harvest. I declare I'm almost bewildered
+when I see how much there is to be done on every side. Children, we
+must all act like soldiers in the middle of a fight. Every stroke
+must tell. Now, we'll hold a council of war, so as to make the most
+of 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 garden
+and help Merton pick berries this afternoon."
+
+"As soon as it gets cooler," said my wife, "Mousie and I are going
+to 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 the
+hay is ready to come in, I shall keep on hoeing in the garden, the
+weeds grow so rapidly. Tomorrow will be a regular fruit day all
+around, for there are two more cherry-trees that need picking."
+
+Our short nooning over, we all went to our several tasks. The
+children were made to feel that now was the chance to win our bread
+for months to come, and that there must be no shirking. Mousie
+promised to clear away the things while my wife, protected by a
+large sun-shade, walked slowly down to the Bagley cottage. Having
+seen that Merton and his little squad were filling the baskets with
+raspberries properly, I went to the garden and slaughtered the weeds
+where they threatened to do the most harm.
+
+At last I became so hot and wearied that I thought I would visit a
+distant part of the upland meadow, and see how Bagley was
+progressing. He was raking manfully, and had accomplished a fair
+amount of work, but it was evident that he was almost exhausted. He
+was not accustomed to hard work, and had rendered himself still more
+unfit for it by dissipation.
+
+"See here, Bagley," I said, "you are doing well, but you will have
+to break yourself into harness gradually. I don't wish to be hard
+upon you. Lie down under this tree for half an hour, and by that
+time I shall be out with the wagon."
+
+"Mr. Durham, you have the feelin's of a man for a feller," said
+Bagley, gratefully. "I'll make up the time arter it gets cooler."
+
+Returning to the raspberry patch, I found Bobsey almost asleep, the
+berries often falling from his nerveless hands. Merton, meanwhile,
+with something of the spirit of a martinet, was spurring him to his
+task. I remembered that the little fellow had been busy since
+breakfast, and decided that he also, of my forces, should have a
+rest. He started up when he saw me coming through the bushes, and
+tried to pick with vigor again. As I took him up in my arms, he
+began, apprehensively, "Papa, I will pick faster, but I'm so tired!"
+
+I reassured him with a kiss which left a decided raspberry flavor on
+my lips, carried him into the barn, and, tossing him on a heap of
+hay, said, "Sleep there, my little man, till you are rested."
+
+He was soon snoring blissfully, and when I reached the meadow with
+the wagon, Bagley was ready to help with the loading.
+
+"Well, well!" he exclaimed, "a little breathin'-spell does do a
+feller 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's
+in the right direction."
+
+After we had piled on as much of a load as the rude, extemporized
+rack on my market wagon could hold, I added, "You needn't go to the
+barn with me, for I can pitch the hay into the mow. Rake up another
+load, 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 Mousie
+were among the raspberries, and that the number of full, fragrant
+little 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 a
+stifling city flat would have been more exhausting. It's growing
+cool now. What wretched, shiftless people those Bagleys are! But I
+have hopes of them. I'm glad Bobsey's having a nap."
+
+"You shall tell me about your visit to-night. We are making good
+progress. Bagley is doing his best. Winnie," I called, "come here."
+
+She brought her basket, nearly filled, and I saw that her eyes were
+heavy with weariness also.
+
+"You've done well to-day, my child. Now go and look after your
+chickens, big and little. Then your day's work is done, and you can
+do what you please;" and I started for the meadow again.
+
+By six o'clock, we had in the barn three loads of hay, and Merton
+had packed four crates of berries ready for market. Bobsey was now
+running about, as lively as a cricket, and Winnie, with a child's
+elasticity, was nearly as sportive. Bagley, after making up his
+half-hour, came up the lane with a rake, instead of his ugly dog as
+on the evening before. A few moments later, he helped me lift the
+crates into the market wagon; and then, after a little awkward
+hesitation, 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 at
+Rollins's. He'll be savage as a meat-axe to me, and his men will be
+a-gibin'. Give me a job yerself, and I'll save enough out o' my
+wages 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 if
+Rollins 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 your
+bread to-day as honestly as I have, and you've more than paid for
+what my wife gave you this morning. Here's a quarter to make the day
+square, 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 got
+an uphill row to hoe, and it's good ter have some human critters
+around that'll help a feller a bit."
+
+I laughed as I clapped him on the shoulder, and said: "You're going
+to win the fight, Bagley. I'll see Rollins at once, for I find I
+shall need another man awhile."
+
+"Give me the job then," he said, eagerly, "and give me what you
+think I'm wuth;" and he jogged off home with that leaven of all good
+in 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 a
+supper that we all relished, and then Merton and I started for the
+boat-landing. I let the boy drive and deliver the crates to the
+freight agent, for I wished him to relieve me of this task
+occasionally. On our way to the landing I saw Rollins, who readily
+agreed to Bagley's wish, on condition that I guaranteed payment for
+the chickens. Stopping at the man's cottage further on, I told him
+this, 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 nearly
+fell off the seat. Before long I took the reins from his hands, and
+he was asleep with his head on my shoulder. Winifred was dozing in
+her chair, but brightened up as we came in. A little judicious
+praise and a bowl of bread and milk strengthened the boy
+wonderfully. He saw the need of especial effort at this time, and
+also 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 that
+the summer campaign will be a hard one. How are we going to stand
+it?"
+
+"I'll tell you next fall," she replied, with a laugh. "No problems
+to-night, thank you."
+
+"I'm gathering a queer lot of helpers in my effort to live in the
+country," I continued. "There's old Mr. Jacox, who is too aged to
+hold 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 and
+yawn, "I'm not afraid but that we shall all earn our salt."
+
+Thus came to an end the long, eventful day, which prepared the way
+for many others of similar character, and suggested many of the
+conditions of our problem of country living.
+
+Bagley appeared bright and early the following morning with his two
+elder children, and I was now confronted with the task of managing
+them and making them useful. Upon one thing I was certainly
+resolved--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'm
+going to be simple and outspoken with you. Some of my neighbors
+think I'm a fool because I give you work when I can get others. I
+shall prove that I am not a fool, for the reason that I shall not
+permit any nonsense, and you can show that I am not a fool by doing
+your work well and quietly. Bagley, I want you to understand that
+your children do not come here to play with mine. No matter whom I
+employed, I should keep my children by themselves. Now, do you
+understand this?"
+
+They nodded affirmatively.
+
+"Are you all willing to take simple, straightforward directions, and
+do your best? I'm not asking what is unreasonable, for I shall not
+be 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 you
+say."
+
+"I can get along with you, Bagley, but your children will find it
+hard to follow my rules, because they are children, and are not used
+to 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 I
+am through with them, they must go straight home. They mustn't
+lounge about the place. If they will obey, Mrs. Durham and I will be
+good friends to them, and by fall we will fix them up so that they
+can go to school."
+
+The little arabs looked askance at me and made me think of two wild
+animals that had been caught, and were intelligent enough to
+understand that they must be tamed. They were submissive, but made
+no false pretences of enjoying the prospect.
+
+"I shall keep a gad handy," said their father, with a significant
+nod at them.
+
+"Well, youngsters," I concluded, laughing, "perhaps you'll need it
+occasionally. I hope not, however. I shall keep no gad, but I shall
+have an eye on you when you least expect it; and if you go through
+the picking-season well, I shall have a nice present for you both.
+Now, you are to receive so much a basket, if the baskets are
+properly filled, and therefore it will depend on yourselves how much
+you earn. You shall be paid every day. So now for a good start
+toward becoming a man and a woman."
+
+I led them to one side of the raspberry patch and put them under
+Merton's charge saying, "You must pick exactly as he directs."
+
+Winnie and Bobsey were to pick in another part of the field, Mousie
+aiding until the sun grew too warm for the delicate child. Bagley
+was to divide his time between hoeing in the garden and spreading
+the grass after the scythe of old Mr. Jacox. From my ladder against
+a cherry-tree, I was able to keep a general outlook over my motley
+forces, and we all made good progress till dinner, which, like the
+help we employed, we now had at twelve o'clock. Bagley and his
+children sat down to their lunch under the shade of an apple-tree at
+some distance, yet in plain view through our open door. Their repast
+must have been meagre, judging from the time in which it was
+despatched, 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 much
+more than enough for us, though."
+
+"Children," I cried, "let's take a vote. Shall we share our cherry
+pudding with the Bagleys?"
+
+"Yes," came the unanimous reply, although Bobsey's voice was rather
+faint.
+
+Merton carried the delicacy to the group under the tree, and it was
+gratefully and speedily devoured.
+
+"That is the way to the hearts of those children," said my wife, at
+the same time slyly slipping her portion of the pudding upon
+Bobsey's plate.
+
+I appeared very blind, but asked her to get me something from the
+kitchen. While she was gone, I exchanged my plate of pudding,
+untouched as yet, for hers, and gave the children a wink. We all had
+a great laugh over mamma's well-assumed surprise and perplexity. How
+a little fun will freshen up children, especially when, from
+necessity, 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 thought
+was that all should go to the raspberries and pick till the rain
+drove us in; but Bagley now proved a useful friend, for he shambled
+up 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 wet
+won't hurt the berries much."
+
+His words reminded me of what I had seen when a boy--a tree full of
+split, half-decayed cherries--and I told him to go to picking at
+once. I also sent his eldest boy and Merton into the trees. Old
+Jacox was told to get the grass he had cut into as good shape as
+possible before the shower. My wife and Mousie left the table
+standing, and, hastening to the raspberry field, helped Winnie and
+Bobsey and the other Bagley child to pick the ripest berries. We all
+worked like beavers till the vivid flashes and great drops drove us
+to shelter.
+
+Fortunately, the shower came up slowly, and we nearly stripped the
+cherry-trees, carrying the fruit into the house, there to be
+arranged for market in the neat peck-baskets with coarse bagging
+covers which Mr. Bogart had sent me. The little baskets of
+raspberries almost covered the barn floor by the time the rain
+began, but they were safe. At first, the children were almost
+terrified by the vivid lightning, but this phase of the storm soon
+passed, and the clouds seemed to settle down for a steady rain.
+
+"'Tisn't goin' to let up," said Bagley, after a while. "We might as
+well 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't
+mind it any more'n ducks."
+
+"Well, let's settle, then," I said. "You need some money to buy food
+at once."
+
+"I reckon I do," was the earnest reply.
+
+"There's a dollar for your day's work, and here is what your
+children have earned. Are you satisfied?" I asked.
+
+"I be, and I thank you, sir. I'll go down to the store this
+evenin'," 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 away
+they all jogged through the thick-falling drops.
+
+We packed our fruit for market, and looked vainly for clearing skies
+in the west.
+
+"There's no help for it," I said. "The sooner I start for the
+landing the better, so that I can return before it becomes very
+dark."
+
+My wife exclaimed against this, but I added: "Think a moment, my
+dear. By good management we have here, safe and in good order,
+thirty dollars' worth of fruit, at least. Shall I lose it because I
+am afraid of a summer shower? Facing the weather is a part of my
+business; and I'd face a storm any day in the year if I could make
+thirty dollars."
+
+Merton wished to go also, but I said, "No; there must be no risks
+of illness that can possibly be avoided."
+
+I did not find it a dreary expedition, after all, for I solaced
+myself with thoughts like these, "Thirty dollars, under my wife's
+good 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 the
+yield of the raspberry bushes, on which there were still myriads of
+immature berries and even blossoms. Abundant moisture would perfect
+these 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 the
+stress and strain of the year centred in the month of July. Nearly
+all our garden crops needed attention; the grass of the meadow had
+to be cured into hay, the currants and cherries to be picked, and
+fall crops, like winter cabbages, turnips, and celery, to be put in
+the ground. Of the latter vegetable, I set out only a few short
+rows, regarding it as a delicious luxury to which not very much time
+could be given.
+
+Mr. Jones and Junior, indeed all our neighbors, were working early
+and late, like ourselves. Barns were being filled, conical hay-
+stacks were rising in distant meadows, and every one was busy in
+gathering nature's bounty.
+
+We were not able to make much of the Fourth of July. Bobsey and
+Winnie had some firecrackers, and, in the evening, Merton and Junior
+set off a few rockets, and we all said, "Ah!" appreciatively, as
+they sped their brief fiery course; but the greater part of the day
+had to be spent in gathering the ripening black-caps and
+raspberries. By some management, however, I arranged that Merton and
+Junior should have a fine swim in the creek, by Brittle Rock, while
+Mousie, Winnie, and Bobsey waded in sandy shallows, further down the
+stream. They all were promised holidays after the fruit season was
+over, and they submitted to the necessity of almost constant work
+with fairly good grace.
+
+The results of our labor were cheering. Our table was supplied with
+delicious vegetables, which, in the main, it was Mousie's task to
+gather and prepare. The children were as brown as little Indians,
+and we daily thanked God for health. Checks from Mr. Bogart came
+regularly, the fruit bringing a fair price under his good
+management. The outlook for the future grew brighter with the
+beginning of each week; for on Monday he made his returns and sent
+me the proceeds of the fruit shipped previously. I was able to pay
+all outstanding accounts for what had been bought to stock the
+place, and I also induced Mr. Jones to receive the interest in
+advance on the mortgage he held. Then we began to hoard for winter.
+
+The Bagleys did as well as we could expect, I suppose. The children
+did need the "gad" occasionally and the father indulged in a few
+idle, surly, drinking days; but, convinced that the man was honestly
+trying, I found that a little tact and kindness always brought him
+around to renewed endeavor. To expect immediate reform and unvaried
+well-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 succeeding
+better than we had had reason to expect. In the height of the season
+we had to employ more children in gathering the raspberries, and I
+saw that I could increase the yield in coming years, as I learned
+the secrets of cultivation. I also decided to increase the area of
+this fruit by a fall-planting of some varieties that ripened earlier
+and later, thus extending the season and giving me a chance to ship
+to market for weeks instead of days. My strawberry plants were
+sending out a fine lot of new runners, and our hopes for the future
+were 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 and
+brindle cow were provided for during the months when fields are bare
+or snowy.
+
+Late one afternoon, he was helping me gather up almost the last load
+down by the creek, when the heavy roll of thunder warned us to
+hasten. As we came up to the high ground near the house, we were
+both impressed by the ominous blackness of a cloud rising in the
+west. I felt that the only thing to do was to act like the captain
+of 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 horse
+led with the harness on him to the stall below. Bagley and the
+children, with old Jacox, were started off so as to be at home
+before the shower, doors and windows were fastened, and all was made
+as secure as possible.
+
+Then we gathered in our sitting-room, where Mousie and my wife had
+prepared supper; but we all were too oppressed with awe of the
+coming tempest to sit down quietly, as usual. There was a death-like
+stillness in the sultry air, broken only at intervals by the heavy
+rumble of thunder. The strange, dim twilight soon passed into the
+murkiest gloom, and we had to light the lamp far earlier than our
+usual hour. I had never seen the children so affected before. Winnie
+and Bobsey even began to cry with fear, while Mousie was pale and
+trembling. Of course, we laughed at them and tried to cheer them;
+but even my wife was nervously apprehensive, and I admit that I felt
+a disquietude hard to combat.
+
+Slowly and remorselessly the cloud approached, until it began to
+pass over us. The thunder and lightning were simply terrific. Supper
+remained untasted on the table, and I said: "Patience and courage! A
+few moments more and the worst will be over!"
+
+But my words were scarcely heard, so violent was the gust that burst
+upon us. For a few moments it seemed as if everything would go down
+before 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 are
+all right!"
+
+At that instant a blinding gleam and an instantaneous crash left us
+stunned and bewildered. But as I recovered my senses, I saw flames
+bursting 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 the
+thunderbolt from disabling us beyond a moment or two. Merton had
+fallen off his chair, but was on his feet almost instantly; the
+other 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 of
+this foolish fear. We are in God's hands, and He will take care of
+us. Winifred, you must rally and soothe the children, while Merton
+and I go out and save what we can. All danger to the house is now
+over, for the worst of the storm has passed."
+
+In a moment my wife, although very pale, was reassuring the younger
+children, and Merton and I rushed forth.
+
+"Lead the horse out of the barn basement, Merton," I cried, "and tie
+him securely behind the house. If he won't go readily, throw a
+blanket over his eyes."
+
+I spoke these words as we ran through the torrents of rain
+precipitated by the tremendous concussion which the lightning had
+produced.
+
+I opened the barn doors and saw that the hay was on fire. There was
+not a second to lose, and excitement doubled my strength. The load
+of hay on the wagon had not yet caught. Although nearly stifled with
+sulphurous smoke, I seized the shafts and backed the wagon with its
+burden out into the rain. Then, seizing a fork, I pushed and tossed
+off the load so that I could draw our useful market vehicle to a
+safe distance. There were a number of crates and baskets in the
+barn, also some tools, etc. These I had to let go. Hastening to the
+basement, I found that Merton had succeeded in getting the horse
+away. There was still time to smash the window of the poultry-room
+and toss the chickens out of doors. Our cow, fortunately, was in the
+meadow.
+
+By this time Mr. Jones and Junior were on the ground, and they were
+soon followed by Rollins, Bagley, and others. There was nothing to
+do now, however, but to stand aloof and witness the swift
+destruction. After the first great gust had passed, there was
+fortunately but little wind, and the heavy downpour prevented the
+flames from spreading. In this we stood, scarcely heeding it in the
+excitement of the hour. After a few moments I hastened to assure my
+trembling wife and crying children that the rain made the house
+perfectly safe, and that they were in no danger at all. Then I
+called to the neighbors to come and stand under the porch-roof.
+
+From this point we could see the great pyramid of fire and smoke
+ascending into the black sky. The rain-drops glittered like fiery
+hail in the intense light and the still vivid flashes from the
+clouds.
+
+"This is hard luck, neighbor Durham," said Mr. Jones, with a long
+breath.
+
+"My wife and children are safe," I replied, quietly.
+
+Then we heard the horse neighing and tugging at his halter. Bagley
+had the good sense and will to jerk off his coat, tie it around the
+animal's eyes, and lead him to a distance from the fatal fascination
+of the flames.
+
+In a very brief space of time the whole structure, with my summer
+crop of hay, gathered with so much labor, sunk down into glowing,
+hissing embers. I was glad to have the ordeal over, and to be
+relieved from fear that the wind would rise again. Now I was assured
+of the extent of our loss, as well as of its certainty.
+
+"Well, well," said the warm-hearted and impulsive Rollins, "when you
+are ready to build again, your neighbors will give you a lift. By
+converting Bagley into a decent fellow, you've made all our barns
+safer, 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'm
+insured."
+
+"Well, now, that's sensible," said Mr. Jones. "I'll sleep better for
+that fact, and so will you, Robert Durham. You'll make a go of it
+here yet."
+
+"I'm not in the least discouraged," I answered; "far worse things
+might have happened. I've noticed in my paper that a good many barns
+have been struck this summer, so my experience is not unusual. The
+only thing to do is to meet such things patiently and make the best
+of them. As long as the family is safe and well, outside matters can
+be remedied. Thank you, Bagley," I continued, addressing him, as he
+now led forward the horse. "You had your wits about you. Old Bay
+will 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 harness
+before the shower, and it has turned out very well."
+
+"Tell ye what it is, neighbors," said practical Mr. Jones; "'tisn't
+too late for Mr. Durham to sow a big lot of fodder corn, and that's
+about 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 my
+hand and departed, Bagley jogging in a companionable way down the
+road with Rollins, whose chickens he had stolen, but had already
+paid for.
+
+I looked after them and thought: "Thank Heaven I have not lost my
+barn as some thought I might at one time! As Rollins suggested, I'd
+rather take my chances with the lightning than with a vicious
+neighbor. Bagley acted the part of a good friend to-night."
+
+Then, seeing that we could do nothing more, Merton and I entered the
+house.
+
+I clapped the boy on the shoulder as I said: "You acted like a man
+in the emergency, and I'm proud of you. The bringing out a young
+fellow 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 at
+heart. 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 great
+inconvenience, but it might have been so much worse! All sit down
+and I'll tell you something. You see my training in business led me
+to think of the importance of insurance, and to know the best
+companies. As soon as the property became yours, Winifred, I insured
+the buildings for nearly all they were worth. The hay and the things
+in the barn at the time will prove a total loss; but it is a loss
+that we can stand and make good largely before winter. I tell you
+honestly that we have no reason to be discouraged. We shall soon
+have a better barn than the one lost; for, by good planning, a
+better one can be built for the money that I shall receive. So we
+will thank God that we are all safe ourselves, and go quietly to
+sleep."
+
+With the passing of the storm, the children had become quiet, and
+soon we lost in slumber all thought of danger and loss.
+
+In the morning the absence of the barn made a great gap in our
+familiar outlook, and brought many and serious thoughts; but with
+the light came renewed hopefulness. All the scene was flooded with
+glorious sunlight, and only the blackened ruins made the frightful
+storm of the previous evening seem possible. Nearly all the chickens
+came at Winnie's call, looking draggled and forlorn indeed, but
+practically unharmed, and ready to resume their wonted cheerfulness
+after an hour in the sunshine. We fitted up for them the old coop in
+the orchard, and a part of the ancient and dilapidated barn which
+was to have been used for corn-stalks only. The drenching rain had
+saved this and the adjoining shed from destruction, and now in our
+great emergency they proved useful indeed.
+
+The trees around the site of the barn were blackened, and their
+foliage was burned to a crisp. Within the stone foundations the
+smoke from the still smouldering debris rose sluggishly.
+
+I turned away from it all, saying: "Let us worry no more over that
+spilled milk. Fortunately the greater part of our crates and baskets
+were under the shed. Take the children, Merton, and pick over the
+raspberry patches carefully once more, while I go to work in the
+garden. 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 plenty
+of weeding to be done, while I answered the questions of neighbors
+who came to offer their sympathy. I also looked around to see what
+could be sold, feeling the need of securing every dollar possible. I
+found much that was hopeful and promising. The Lima-bean vines had
+covered the poles, and toward their base the pods were filling out.
+The ears on our early corn were fit to pull; the beets and onions
+had attained a good size; the early peas had given place to turnips,
+winter cabbages, and celery; there were plenty of green melons on
+the vines, and more cucumbers than we could use. The remaining pods
+on the first planting of bush-beans were too mature for use, and I
+resolved to let them stand till sufficiently dry to be gathered and
+spread 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 good
+growth. 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 dug
+at once and sold. They would bring in some ready money, and I
+learned from my garden book that strap-leaved turnips, sown on the
+cleared spaces, would have time to mature.
+
+After all, my strawberry beds gave me the most hope. There were
+hundreds of young plants already rooted, and still more lying
+loosely on the ground; so I spent the greater part of the morning in
+weeding these out and pressing the young plants on the ends of the
+runners into the moist soil, having learned that with such treatment
+they form roots and become established in a very few days.
+
+After dinner Mr. Jones appeared with his team and heavy plow, and we
+selected an acre of upland meadow where the sod was light and thin.
+
+"This will give a fair growth of young corn-leaves," he said, "by
+the middle of September. By that time you'll have a new barn up, I
+s'pose; and after you have cut and dried the corn, you can put a
+little of it into the mows in place of the hay. The greater part
+will keep better if stacked out-doors. A horse will thrive on such
+fodder almost as well as a cow, 'specially if ye cut it up and mix a
+little 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 after
+the seed is in. This ground is a trifle thin; a top-dressin' will
+help it 'mazin'ly."
+
+Merton succeeded in getting several crates of raspberries, but said
+that two or three more pickings would finish them. Since the time we
+had begun to go daily to the landing, we had sent the surplus of our
+vegetables to a village store, with the understanding that we would
+trade out the proceeds. We thus had accumulated a little balance in
+our favor, which we could draw against in groceries, etc.
+
+On the evening of this day I took the crates to the landing, and
+found a purchaser for my garden potatoes, at a dollar a bushel. I
+also made arrangements at a summer boarding-house, whose proprietor
+agreed to take the largest of our spring chickens, our sweet corn,
+tomatoes, and some other vegetables, as we had them to spare. Now
+that our income from raspberries was about to cease, it was
+essential to make the most of everything else on the place that
+would bring money, even if we had to deny ourselves. It would not do
+for us to say, "We can use this or that ourselves." The question to
+be decided was, whether, if such a thing were sold, the proceeds
+would not go further toward our support than the things themselves.
+If this should be true of sweet corn, Lima-beans, and even the
+melons on which the children had set their hearts, we must be chary
+of consuming them ourselves. This I explained in such a way that all
+except Bobsey saw the wisdom of it, or, rather, the necessity. As
+yet, Bobsey's tendencies were those of a consumer, and not of a
+producer or saver.
+
+Rollins and one or two others came the next day, and with Bagley's
+help the corn was soon in the ground.
+
+Then I set Bagley to work with the cart spreading upon the soil the
+barn-yard compost that had accumulated since spring. There was not
+enough to cover all the ground, but that I could not help. The large
+pile of compost that I had made near the poultry-house door could
+not be spared for this purpose, since it was destined for my August
+planting of strawberries.
+
+Perhaps I may as well explain about these compost heaps now as at
+any other time. I had watched their rapid growth with great
+satisfaction. Some may dislike such homely details, but since the
+success of the farm and garden depend on them I shall not pass them
+over, leaving the fastidious reader to do this for himself.
+
+It will be remembered that I had sought to prepare myself for
+country life by much reading and study during the previous winter. I
+had early been impressed with the importance of obtaining and saving
+everything that would enrich the soil, and had been shown that
+increasing the manure-pile was the surest way to add to one's bank
+account. Therefore all rakings of leaves had been saved. At odd
+times Merton and I had gone down to the creek with the cart and dug
+a quantity of rich black earth from near its bank. One pile of this
+material had been placed near the stable door, and another at the
+entrance to the poultry-room in the basement of our vanished barn.
+The cleanings of the horse-stable had been spread over a layer of
+this black soil. When the layer of such cleanings was about a foot
+thick, spread evenly, another layer of earth covered all from sun
+and 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-up
+leaves and rich earth was placed under the perches of the fowls.
+Every two or three weeks this layer was shovelled out and mixed
+thoroughly, and was replaced by a new layer. As a result I had, by
+the 1st of August, a large heap of fertilizer almost as good as
+guano, and much safer to use, for I had read that unless the latter
+was carefully managed it would burn vegetation like fire. I believe
+that this compost-heap by the poultry-room window would give my
+young strawberry plantation a fine start, and, as has been shown, we
+were making great calculations on the future fruit.
+
+I also resolved that the burning of the barn should add to our
+success in this direction. All the books said that there was nothing
+better for strawberries than wood ashes, and of these there was a
+great heap within the foundations of the destroyed building. At one
+time I proposed to shovel out these ashes and mix them with the
+compost, but fortunately I first consulted my book on fertilizers,
+and read there that this would not do at all--that they should be
+used separately.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVIII
+
+AUGUST WORK AND PLAY
+
+
+I was now eager to begin the setting of the strawberry plants in the
+field where we had put potatoes, but the recent heavy shower had
+kept the latter still green and growing. During the first week in
+August, 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, selling
+in the village three or four barrels of potatoes a week for
+immediate use. By this course I soon had space enough cleared for
+ten rows of strawberries; and on the 6th of August Mr. Jones came
+and plowed the land deeply, going twice in a furrow. Then I harrowed
+the ground, and, with a corn-plow, marked out the space with shallow
+furrows three feet apart. Through five of these furrows Merton
+sprinkled a good dressing of the poultry compost, and in the
+remaining five drills we scattered wood ashes. Thus we should learn
+the comparative value of these fertilizers. Then I made a rude tray
+with two handles, so that it could be carried between Merton and
+myself. When the sun declined, we went to the strawberry bed, and
+having selected the Duchess variety to set out first, soaked with
+water a certain portion of the ground that was thick with plants.
+Half an hour later, we could dig up these plants with a ball of
+earth attached to their roots. These were carried carefully on the
+tray to the field, and set out in the furrows. We levelled the
+ground first, so that the crown of the plant should be even with the
+surrounding surface. We set the plants a foot apart in the rows, and
+by dusk had three rows out. Early the next morning we gave these
+plants a good soaking in their new starting place, and, although the
+weather was now dry and warm, not a leaf withered, and all began to
+grow as if they had not been moved. It seemed slow work, but I
+believed it would pay in the end, especially as Merton, Winnie, and
+I performed nearly all the labor.
+
+We had now dispensed with Bagley's services, a good word from me
+having secured him work elsewhere. I found that I could not make
+arrangements for rebuilding the barn before the last of August, and
+we now began to take a little much-needed rest. Our noonings were
+two or three hours long. Merton and Junior had time for a good swim
+every day, while the younger children were never weary of wading in
+the shallows. I insisted, however, that they should not remain long
+in the water on any one occasion, and now and then we each took a
+grain or two of quinine to fortify our systems against any malarial
+influences 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 had
+these wholesome fruits on the table, while my wife canned the
+surplus for winter use. A harvest apple tree also began to be one of
+the most popular resorts, and delicious pies made the dinner-hour
+more welcome than ever. The greater part of the apples were sold,
+however, and this was true also of the Lima-beans, sweet corn, and
+melons. We all voted that the smaller ears and melons tasted just as
+good as if we had picked out the best of everything, and my account-
+book showed that our income was still running well ahead of our
+expenses.
+
+Bobsey and Winnie had to receive another touch of discipline and
+learn another lesson from experience. I had marked with my eye a
+very large, perfect musk-melon, and had decided that it should be
+kept for seed. They, too, had marked it; and one morning, when they
+thought themselves unobserved, they carried it off to the seclusion
+of 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 a
+pumpkin. He made me laugh as he described their dismay and disgust,
+then their fears and forebodings. The latter were soon realized; for
+seeing me in the distance, he beckoned. As I approached, the
+children stole out of the bushes, looking very guilty.
+
+Merton explained, and I said: "Very well, you shall have your melon
+for dinner, and little else. I intend you shall enjoy this melon
+fully. So sit down under that tree and each of you hold half the
+melon till I release you. You have already learned that you can
+feast your eyes only."
+
+There they were kept, hour after hour, each holding half of the
+green melon. The dinner-bell rang, and they knew that we had ripe
+melons and green corn; while nothing was given them but bread and
+water. Bobsey howled, and Winnie sobbed, but my wife and I agreed
+that such tendencies toward dishonesty and selfishness merited a
+lasting lesson. At supper the two culprits were as hungry as little
+wolves; and when I explained that the big melon had been kept for
+seed, and that if it had been left to ripen they should have had
+their share, they felt that they had cheated themselves completely.
+
+"Don't you see, children," I concluded, "that acting on the square
+is not only right, but that it is always best for us in the end?"
+
+Then I asked, "Merton, what have the Bagley children been doing
+since they stopped picking raspberries for us?"
+
+"I'm told they've been gathering blackberries and huckleberries in
+the 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's
+cottage to-morrow night as I go down to the village. In old times
+they would have stolen our crop; now they shall share in it."
+
+When I carried the present on the following evening, the children
+indulged in uncouth cries and gambols over the gift, and Bagley
+himself was touched.
+
+"I'll own up ter yer," he said, "that yer melon patch was sore
+temptin' to the young uns, but I tole 'em that I'd thrash 'em if
+they 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 'em
+squar', too."
+
+"I hear good accounts of you and your children," I said, "and I'm
+glad of it. Save the seeds of these melons and plant a lot for
+yourself. See here, Bagley, we'll plow your garden for you this
+fall, 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 raise
+enough on that patch of ground to half feed your family."
+
+"I'll take yer up," cried the man, "and there's my hand on it
+ag'in."
+
+"God bless you and Mrs. Durham!" added his wife "We're now beginning
+to live like human critters."
+
+I resumed my journey to the village, feeling that never before had
+melons been better invested.
+
+The Moodna Creek had now become very low, and not more than half its
+stony bed was covered with water. At many points, light, active feet
+could find their way across and not be wet. Junior now had a project
+on hand, of which he and Merton had often spoken lately. A holiday
+was given to the boys and they went to work to construct an eel weir
+and trap. With trousers well rolled up, they selected a point on one
+side of the creek where the water was deepest, and here they left an
+open passage-way for the current. On each side of this they began to
+roll large stones, and on these placed smaller ones, raising two
+long obstructions to the natural flow. These continuous obstructions
+ran obliquely up-stream, directing the main current to the open
+passage, which was only about two feet wide, with a post on either
+side, narrowing it still more. In this they placed the trap, a long
+box made of lath, sufficiently open to let the water run through it,
+and having a peculiar opening at the upper end where the current
+began to rush down the narrow passage-way. The box rested closely on
+the 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 parts
+were eel-tight. The eels coming down with the current which had been
+directed toward the entrance of the box, as has been explained,
+passed into it, and there they would remain. They never had the wit
+to find the narrow aperture by which they had entered. This turned
+out to be useful sport, for every morning the boys lifted their trap
+and took out a goodly number of eels; and when the squirmers were
+nicely 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 also
+managed to secure two great gala-days. The first was spent in a trip
+to the seashore; and this was a momentous event, marred by only one
+slight drawback. The "Mary Powell," a swift steamer, touched every
+morning at the Maizeville Landing. I learned that, from its wharf,
+in New York, another steamer started for Coney Island, and came back
+in time for us to return on the "Powell" at 3.30 P.M. Thus we could
+secure a delightful sail down the river and bay, and also have
+several hours on the beach. My wife and I talked over this little
+outing, and found that if we took our lunch with us, it would be
+inexpensive. I saw Mr. Jones, and induced him and his wife, with
+Junior, to join us. Then the children were told of our plan, and
+their hurrahs made the old house ring. Now that we were in for it,
+we proposed no half-way measures. Four plump spring chickens were
+killed and roasted, and to these were added so many ham sandwiches
+and hard-boiled eggs, that I declared that we were provisioned for a
+week. My wife nodded at Bobsey, and said, "Wait and see!"
+
+Whom do you think we employed to mount guard during our absence? No
+other than Bagley. Mr. Jones said that it was like asking a wolf to
+guard the flock, for his prejudices yielded slowly; but I felt sure
+that this proof of trust would do the man more good than a dozen
+sermons.
+
+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 up
+with the sun. Mr. and Mrs. Jones drove down in their light wagon,
+while Junior joined our children in another straw-ride, packed in
+between the lunch-baskets. We had ample time after reaching the
+landing to put our horses and vehicles in a safe place, and then we
+watched for the "Powell." Soon we saw her approaching Newtown, four
+miles above, then speeding toward the wharf, and rounding into it,
+with the ease and grace of a swan. We scrambled aboard, smiled at by
+all. I suppose we did not form, with our lunch-baskets, a very
+stylish group, but that was the least of our troubles. I am
+satisfied that none of the elegant people we brushed against were
+half so happy as we were.
+
+We stowed away our baskets and then gave ourselves up to the
+enjoyment of the lovely Highland scenery, and to watching the
+various kinds of craft that we were constantly passing. Winnie and
+Bobsey had been placed under bonds for good behavior, and were given
+to understand that they must exercise the grace of keeping
+moderately still. The sail down the river and bay was a long,
+grateful rest to us older people, and I saw with pleasure that my
+wife was enjoying every moment, and that the fresh salt breeze was
+fanning color into her cheeks. Plump Mrs. Jones dozed and smiled,
+and wondered at the objects we passed, for she had never been much
+of a traveller; while her husband's shrewd eyes took in everything,
+and he often made us laugh by his quaint remarks. Junior and Merton
+were as alert as hawks. They early made the acquaintance of deck-
+hands who good-naturedly answered their numerous questions. I took
+the younger children on occasional exploring expeditions, but never
+allowed them to go beyond my reach, for I soon learned that Bobsey's
+promises sat lightly on his conscience.
+
+At last we reached the great Iron Pier at Coney Island, which we all
+traversed with wondering eyes.
+
+We established ourselves in a large pavilion, fitted up for just
+such picnic parties as ours. Beneath us stretched the sandy beach.
+We elderly people were glad enough to sit down and rest, but the
+children forgot even the lunch-baskets, so eager were they to run
+upon the sand in search of shells.
+
+All went well until an unusually high wave came rolling in. The
+children scrambled out of its way, with the exception of Bobsey, who
+was caught and tumbled over, and lay kicking in the white foam. In a
+moment I sprang down the steps, picked him up, and bore him to his
+mother.
+
+He was wet through; and now what was to be done?
+
+After inquiry and consultation, I found that I could procure for him
+a little bathing-dress which would answer during the heat of the
+day, and an old colored woman promised to have his clothing dry in
+an hour. So the one cloud on our pleasure proved to have a very
+bright lining, for Bobsey, since he was no longer afraid of the
+water, could roll in the sand and the gentle surf to his heart's
+content.
+
+Having devoured a few sandwiches to keep up our courage, we all
+procured bathing-dresses, even Mrs. Jones having been laughingly
+compelled by her husband to follow the general example. When we all
+gathered in the passage-way leading to the water, we were convulsed
+with laughter at our ridiculous appearance; but there were so many
+others in like plight that we were scarcely noticed. Mrs. Jones's
+dress was a trifle small, and her husband's immensely large. He
+remarked 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 water
+was a foot or two deep, and the waves rolled her around like an
+amiable porpoise. Merton and Junior were soon swimming fearlessly,
+the latter wondering, meanwhile, at the buoyant quality of the salt
+water. My wife, Mousie, and Winnie allowed me to take them beyond
+the breakers, and soon grew confident. In fifteen minutes I sounded
+recall, and we all emerged, lank Mr. Jones now making, in very
+truth, an ideal scarecrow. Bobsey's dry garments were brought, and
+half 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 reached
+home, tired, sleepy, yet content with the fact that we had filled
+one day with enjoyment and added to our stock of health.
+
+The next morning proved that Bagley had kept his word. Everything
+was in order, and the amount of work accomplished in the garden
+showed that he had been on his mettle. Hungry as we had been, we had
+not emptied our lunch-baskets, and my wife made up a nice little
+present 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 enough
+for that,--and it certainly was our duty to add such flowers as we
+could to the paths of virtue.
+
+The month of August was now well advanced. We had been steadily
+digging the potatoes in the field and selling them in their
+unripened condition, until half the acre had been cleared. The vines
+in the lower half of the patch were now growing very yellow, and I
+decided to leave them, until the tubers should thoroughly ripen, for
+winter use. By the 20th of the month we had all the space that had
+been cleared, that is, half an acre, filled with Duchess and Wilson
+strawberries; and the plants first set were green and vigorous, with
+renewed running tendencies. But the runners were promptly cut off,
+so that the plants might grow strong enough to give a good crop of
+fruit in the following June.
+
+I now began to tighten the reins on the children, and we all devoted
+more hours to work.
+
+During the month we gathered a few bushels of plums on the place. My
+wife preserved some, and the rest were sold at the boarding-houses
+and village stores, for Mr. Bogart had written that when I could
+find a home market for small quantities of produce, it would pay me
+better than to send them to the city. I kept myself informed as to
+city prices, and found that he had given me good and disinterested
+advice. Therefore, we managed to dispose of our small crop of early
+pears and peaches as we had done with the plums. Every day convinced
+me of the wisdom of buying a place already stocked with fruit; for,
+although the first cost was greater, we had immediately secured an
+income which promised to leave a margin of profit after meeting all
+expenses.
+
+During the last week of August the potatoes were fully ripe, and
+Merton, Winnie, Bobsey, and I worked manfully, sorting the large
+from the small, as they were gathered. The crop turned out very
+well, especially on the lower side of the field, where the ground
+had been rather richer and moister than in the upper portion.
+
+I did not permit Merton to dig continuously, as it was hard work for
+him; but he seemed to enjoy throwing out the great, smooth, white-
+coated fellows, and they made a pretty sight as they lay in thick
+rows behind us, drying, for a brief time, in the sun. They were
+picked up, put into barrels, drawn to the dry, cool shed, and well
+covered from the light. Mr. Jones had told me that as soon as
+potatoes had dried off after digging, they ought to be kept in the
+dark, since too much light makes them tough and bitter. Now that
+they 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 to
+growing, and this spoils them for table use.
+
+So I said: "We will stick to this task until it is finished, and
+then we shall have another outing. I am almost ready to begin
+rebuilding the barn; but before I do so, I wish to visit Houghton
+Farm, and shall take you all with me. I may obtain some ideas which
+will 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 about
+one thousand acres, and the outbuildings upon it are princely in
+comparison with anything I could erect. They had been constructed,
+however, on practical and scientific principles, and I hoped that a
+visit might suggest to me some useful points. Sound principles might
+be applied, in a modest way, to even such a structure as would come
+within my means. At any rate, a visit to such a farm would be full
+of interest and pleasure. So we dug away at the potatoes, and worked
+like ants in gathering them, until we had nearly a hundred bushels
+stored. As they were only fifty cents a bushel, I resolved to keep
+them until the following winter and spring, when I might need money
+more than at present, and also get better prices.
+
+Then, one bright day toward the end of August, we all started, after
+an early dinner, for the farm, Junior going with us as usual. We had
+been told that the large-minded and liberal owner of this model farm
+welcomed visitors, and so we had no doubts as to our reception. Nor
+were we disappointed when, having skirted broad, rich fields for
+some 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 Major
+Alvord, the agent in charge of the entire estate. I explained the
+object of my visit, and he kindly gave us a few moments, showing us
+through the different barns and stables. Our eyes grew large with
+wonder as we saw the complete appliances for carrying on an immense
+stock-farm. The summer crops had been gathered, and we exclaimed at
+the 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 their
+fawn-like faces, our admiration knew no bounds. We examined the
+stalls in which could stand thirty-four cows. Over each was the name
+of the occupant, all blood animals of the purest breed, with a
+pedigree which might put to shame many newly rich people displaying
+coats-of-arms. The children went into ecstasies over the pretty,
+innocent faces of the Jersey calves, and Mousie said they were "nice
+enough to kiss." Then we were shown the great, thick-necked, black-
+headed Jersey bull, and could scarcely believe our ears when told
+that he, his mother, and six brothers represented values amounting
+to 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 beautiful
+stallions with fiery eyes and arching necks; also the superb
+carriage-horses, and the sleek, strong work animals. Their stalls
+were finely finished in Georgia pine. Soon afterward, Bobsey went
+wild over the fat little Essex pigs, black as coals, but making the
+whitest and sweetest of pork.
+
+"Possess your soul in patience, Bobsey," I said. "With our barn, I
+am 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 had
+attempted enough for beginners. Moreover, I could not endure to keep
+pigs in the muddy pens in ordinary use, feeling that we could never
+eat the pork produced under such conditions.
+
+The milk-house and dairy were examined, and we thought of the oceans
+of milk that had passed through them.
+
+A visit to "Crusoe Island" entertained the children more than
+anything else. A mountain stream had been dammed so as to make an
+island. On the surrounding waters were fleets of water-fowl, ducks
+and geese of various breeds, and, chief in interest, a flock of
+Canada wild-geese, domesticated. Here we could look closely at these
+great wild migrants that, spring and fall, pass and repass high up
+in the sky, in flocks, flying in the form of a harrow or the two
+sides of a triangle, meanwhile sending out cries that, in the
+distance, sound strange and weird.
+
+Leaving my wife and children admiring these birds and their rustic
+houses on the island, I went with Major Alvord to his offices, and
+saw the fine scientific appliances for carrying on agricultural
+experiments designed to extend the range of accurate and practical
+knowledge. Not only was the great farm planted and reaped, blood
+stock grown and improved by careful breeding, but, accompanying all
+this labor, was maintained a careful system of experiments tending
+to develop and establish that supreme science--the successful
+culture of the soil. Major Alvord evidently deserved his reputation
+for doing the work thoroughly and intelligently, and I was glad to
+think that there were men in the land, like the proprietor of
+Houghton Farm, who are willing to spend thousands annually in
+enriching the rural classes by bringing within their reach the
+knowledge that is power.
+
+After a visit to the sheep and poultry departments, each occupying a
+large farm by itself, we felt that we had seen much to think and
+talk over.
+
+It was hard to get Winnie away from the poultry-houses and yards,
+where each celebrated breed was kept scrupulously by itself. There
+were a thousand hens, besides innumerable young chickens. We were
+also shown incubators, which, in spring, hatch little chickens by
+hundreds.
+
+"Think of fifteen hundred eggs at a sitting, Winnie!" I cried;
+"that's quite a contrast to the number that you put under one of
+your biddies at home."
+
+"I don't care," replied the child; "we've raised over a hundred
+chickens since we began."
+
+"Yes, indeed," I said. "That for you--for you have seen to it all
+chiefly--is a greater success than anything here."
+
+I was thoughtful as we drove home, and at last my wife held out a
+penny.
+
+"No," I said, laughing; "my thoughts shall not cost you even that.
+What I have seen to-day has made clearer what I have believed
+before. There are two distinct ways of securing success in outdoor
+work. 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 place
+and performing the labor, as far as possible, ourselves. If I had
+played 'boss,' as Bagley sometimes calls me, and hired the labor
+which we have done ourselves, the children meanwhile idle, we should
+soon come to a disastrous end in our country experiment. The fact
+that we have all worked hard, and wisely, too, in the main, and have
+employed extra help only when there was more than we could do, will
+explain our account-book; that is, the balance in our favor. I
+believe that one of the chief causes of failure on the part of
+people in our circumstances is, that they employ help to do what
+they should have done themselves, and that it doesn't and can't pay
+small farmers and fruit-growers to attempt much beyond what they can
+take care of, most of the year, with their own hands. Then there's
+the other method--that of large capital carrying things on as we
+have seen to-day. The farm then becomes like a great factory or
+mercantile house. There must be at the head of everything a large
+organizing brain capable of introducing and enforcing thorough
+system, and of skilfully directing labor and investment, so as to
+secure the most from the least outlay. A farm such as we have just
+seen would be like a bottomless pit for money in bungling, careless
+hands."
+
+"I'm content with our own little place and modest ways," said my
+wife. "I never wish our affairs to grow so large that we can't talk
+them over every night, if so inclined."
+
+"Well," I replied, "I feel as you do. I never should have made a
+great merchant in town, and I am content to be a small farmer in the
+country, sailing close to shore in snug canvas, with no danger of
+sudden wreck keeping me awake nights. The insurance money will be
+available 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 and
+around the foundations of the barn, and before night the first load
+of lumber arrived from the carpenter who had taken the contract.
+
+This forerunner of bustling workmen, and all the mystery of
+fashioning crude material into something looking like the plan over
+which we had all pored so often, was more interesting to the
+children than the construction of Solomon's temple.
+
+"To-morrow the stone-masons come," I said at supper, "and by October
+we are promised a new barn."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLI
+
+HOARDING FOR WINTER
+
+
+As was stated early in this simple history the original barn was
+built on a hillside, the rear facing the southeast; and since the
+foundations were still in a fair condition, and the site was
+convenient, I determined to build on the same spot, somewhat
+modifying the old plan. I had read of the importance of keeping
+manure under cover, and now arranged that by a trap door the
+cleanings of the horse and cow stable should be thrown into the
+basement, which, by a solid brick partition, should be so divided as
+to leave ample room for a dark cellar in which to store roots and
+apples. Through this trap door in the stable rich earth and muck
+from the banks of the creek could be thrown down also, covering the
+manure, and all could be worked over and mixed on rainy days. By
+this method I could make the most of my fertilizers, which may be
+regarded as the driving-wheel of the farm.
+
+I had decided that the poultry-house and pigsty should form an
+extension to the barn, and that both should be built in the side of
+the bank also. They would thus have an exposure to the south, and at
+the same time, being formed in part by an excavation, would be cool
+in summer. The floor of the sty should have a slight downward slope,
+and be cemented. Therefore it could be kept perfectly clean. This
+residence of Bobsey's future pets should be at the extreme end of
+the extension, and above it should be a room in which I could store
+picked-up apples, corn, and other food adapted to their needs, also
+a conduit by which swill could be poured into the trough below
+without the necessity of entering the pen. I proposed to keep only
+two or three pigs at a time, buying them when young from neighboring
+farmers, and fattening them for our own use according to my own
+ideas.
+
+The poultry-house, between the barn and sty, was to be built so that
+its side, facing the south, should be chiefly of glass. It was so
+constructed as to secure the greatest amount of light and warmth.
+Eggs in winter form the most profitable item in poultry keeping, and
+these depend on warmth, food, shelter, and cleanliness, with the
+essential condition that the hens are young. All the pullets of
+Winnie's early broods therefore had been kept, and only the young
+cockerels eaten or sold. We had the prospect of wintering about
+fifty laying hens; and the small potatoes we had saved would form a
+large portion of their food. Indeed, for some weeks back, such small
+tubers, boiled and mashed with meal, had formed the main feed of our
+growing chickens.
+
+I learned that Bagley was out of work, and employed him to excavate
+the bank for these new buildings. We saved the surface earth
+carefully for compost purposes, and then struck some clean, nice
+gravel, which was carted away to a convenient place for our roads
+and walks. On a hillside near the creek were large stones and rocks
+in great quantity, and some of these were broken up for the
+foundations. Along the edge of the creek we also found some
+excellent sand, and therefore were saved not a little expense in
+starting our improvements.
+
+It did not take the masons long to point up and strengthen the old
+foundations, and early in September everything was under full
+headway, the sound of hammer, saw, and plane resounding all day
+long. It was Winnie's and Bobsey's task to gather up the shavings
+and 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 we
+began to hoard them for our own use. The Lima-beans were allowed to
+dry on the vines; the matured pods of the bush-beans were spread in
+the attic; thither also the ripened onions were brought and placed
+in shallow boxes. As far as possible we had saved our own seed, and
+I 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 in
+bearing. The best of the windfalls were picked up, and, with the
+tomatoes and such other vegetables as were in demand, sent to the
+village twice a week. As fast as crops matured, the ground was
+cleared, and the refuse, such as contained no injurious seeds, was
+saved as a winter covering for the strawberry plants.
+
+Our main labor, however, after digging the rest of the potatoes, was
+the setting of the remaining half-acre in the later varieties of the
+strawberry. Although the early part of September was very dry and
+warm, we managed to set out, in the manner I have described, two or
+three rows nearly every afternoon. The nights had now grown so long
+and cool that one thorough watering seemed to establish the plants.
+This was due chiefly to the fact that nearly every plant had a ball
+of earth attached to the roots, and had never been allowed to wilt
+at all in the transition. About the middle of the month there came a
+fine rain, and we filled the remainder of the ground in one day, all
+the children aiding me in the task. The plants first set out were
+now strong and flourishing. Each had a bunch of foliage six inches
+in diameter.
+
+Thus, with helping on the new barn and other work, September saw a
+renewal of our early-summer activity.
+
+"The winds in the trees are whispering of winter," I said to the
+children, "and all thrifty creatures--ants, bees, and squirrels--are
+laying up their stores. So must we."
+
+I had watched our maturing corn with great satisfaction. For a long
+time Merton had been able to walk through it without his straw hat
+being seen above the nodding tassels. One day, about the 20th of the
+month, Mr. Jones came over with some bundles of long rye straw in
+his 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 had
+in his hand a tool called a corn-knife. Going through the rows he
+occasionally stripped down the husks from an ear.
+
+Finally he said: "Yes, it's ready. Don't yer see that the kernels
+are 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 is
+neighbor Durham's,' The sooner it's cut after it's ready, the
+better. The stalks are worth more for fodder, and you run no risk
+from an early frost, which would spile it all. You and Merton pitch
+in as yer allers do, and this is the way ter do it."
+
+With his left hand gathering the stalks of a hill together above the
+ears, he cut them all olf with one blow of the corn-knife within six
+inches of the ground, and then leaned them against the stalks of an
+uncut hill. This he continued to do until he had made what he called
+a "stout," or a bunch of stalks as large as he could conveniently
+reach around, the uncut hill of stalks forming a support in the
+centre. Then he took a wisp of the rye-straw, divided it evenly, and
+putting the ends together, twisted it speedily into a sort of rope.
+With this he bound the stout tightly above the ears by a simple
+method 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 when
+it costs as little as this, he's a mighty mean feller. You forget
+that I've sold you a lot of rye-straw, and so have the best of yer
+after 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 to
+you 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 I
+wished; but you have never taken advantage of me, and you have kept
+smart people from doing it. Do you know, Mr. Jones, that in every
+country village there are keen, weasel-like people who encourage
+new-comers by bleeding their pocket-books at every chance? In
+securing you as a neighbor our battle was half won, for no one needs
+a good practical friend more than a city man beginning life in the
+country."
+
+"Jerusalem! how you talk! I'm goin' right home and tell my wife to
+call me Saint Jones. Then I'll get a tin halo and wear it, for my
+straw hat is about played out;" and away he went, chuckling over his
+odd conceits, but pleased, as all men are, when their goodwill is
+appreciated. If there is one kind of meanness that disgusts average
+human-nature more than another it is a selfish, unthankful reception
+of kindness, a swinish return for pearls.
+
+After an early supper I drove to the village with what I had to
+sell, and returned with two corn-hooks. At dusk of the following
+day, Bagley and I had the corn cut and tied up, my helper remarking
+more than once, "Tell you what it is, Mr. Durham, there hain't a
+better eared-out patch o' corn in Maizeville."
+
+On the following day I helped Bagley sharpen one of the hooks, and
+we began to cut the fodder-corn which now stood, green and
+succulent, 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, while
+two days more of work would complete the sty and poultry-house.
+Every stroke of the hammer told rapidly now, and we all exulted over
+our new and better appliances for carrying out our plan of country
+life. Since the work was being done by contract, I contented myself
+with seeing that it was done thoroughly. Meanwhile Merton was busy
+with the cart, drawing rich earth from the banks of the creek. I
+determined that the making of great piles of compost should form no
+small part of my fall and winter labor. The proper use of
+fertilizers during the present season had given such a marked
+increase to our crops that it became clear that our best prospect of
+growing rich was in making the land rich.
+
+During the last week of September the nights were so cool as to
+suggest frost, and I said to Mousie: "I think we had better take up
+your geraniums and other window plants, and put them in pots or
+boxes. We can then stand them under a tree which would shelter them
+from a slight frost. Should there be serious danger it would take us
+only a few minutes to bring them into the house. You have taken such
+good care of them all summer that I do not intend that you shall
+lose them now. Take your flower book and read what kind of soil they
+grow best in during the winter, and then Merton can help you get
+it."
+
+The child was all solicitude about her pets, and after dinner she
+and Merton, the latter trundling a wheelbarrow, went down to the
+creek and obtained a lot of fine sand and some leaf-mould from under
+the trees in the woods. These ingredients we carefully mixed with
+rich soil from the flower-bed and put the compound in the pots and
+boxes around the roots of as many plants as there was room for on
+the table by the sunny kitchen window. Having watered them
+thoroughly, we stood them under a tree, there to remain until a
+certain sharpness in the air should warn us to carry them to their
+winter quarters.
+
+The Lima-beans, as fast as the pods grew dry, or even yellow, were
+picked and spread in the attic. They could be shelled at our leisure
+on stormy winter days.
+
+Early in September my wife had begun to give Mousie, Winnie, and
+Bobsey their lessons again. Since we were at some distance from a
+schoolhouse we decided to continue this arrangement for the winter
+with the three younger children. I felt that Merton should go to
+school as soon as possible, but he pleaded hard for a reprieve until
+the last of October, saying that he did not wish to begin before
+Junior. As we still had a great deal to do, and as the boy had set
+his heart on some fall shooting, I yielded, he promising to study
+all the harder when he began.
+
+I added, however: "The evenings have grown so long that you can
+write for half an hour after supper, and then we will review your
+arithmetic together. It will do me good as well as you."
+
+During the ensuing weeks we carried out this plan partially, but
+after 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 work
+should precede physical exercise.
+
+The 1st day of October was bright, clear, and mild, and we welcomed
+the true beginning of fall in our latitude most gladly. This month
+competes with May in its fitness for ideal country life. The
+children voted it superior to all other months, feeling that a vista
+of unalloyed delights was opening before them. Already the
+butternuts were falling from several large trees on the place, and
+the burrs on the chestnuts were plump with their well-shielded
+treasures. Winnie and Bobsey began to gather these burrs from the
+lower limbs of an immense tree, eighteen feet in circumference, and
+to stamp out the half-brown nuts within.
+
+"One or two frosts will ripen them and open the burrs," I said, and
+then the children began to long for the frost which I dreaded.
+
+While I still kept the younger children busy for a few hours every
+clear morning in the garden, and especially at clipping the runners
+from the strawberry plants in the field, they were given ample time
+to gather their winter hoards of nuts. This pursuit afforded them
+endless items for talk, Bobsey modestly assuring us that he alone
+would gather about a million bushels of butternuts, and almost as
+many chestnuts and walnuts. "What will the squirrels do then?" I
+asked.
+
+"They must do as I do," he cried; "pick up and carry off as fast as
+they can. They'll have a better chance than me, too, for they can
+work all day long. The little scamps are already taking the nuts off
+the trees--I've seen 'em, and I wish Merton would shoot 'em all."
+
+"Well, Merton," said I, laughing, "I suppose that squirrels are
+proper game for you; but I hope that you and Junior won't shoot
+robins. They are too useful a bird to kill, and I feel grateful for
+all the music they've given us during the past summer. I know the
+law permits you to shoot them now, but you and Junior should be more
+civilized than such a law."
+
+"If we don't get 'em, everybody else will, and we might as well have
+our share," he replied.
+
+I knew that there was no use in drawing the reins too tight, and so
+I said: "I have a proposition to make to you and Junior. I'd like
+you both to promise not to shoot robins except on the wing. That
+will teach you to be expert and quick-eyed. A true sportsman is not
+one who tries to kill as much game as possible, but to kill
+scientifically, skilfully. There is more pleasure in giving your
+game a chance, and in bringing it down with a fine long shot, than
+in slaughtering the poor creatures like chickens in a coop. Anybody
+can shoot a robin, sitting on a bough a few yards off, but to bring
+one down when in rapid flight is the work of a sportsman. Never
+allow yourself to be known as a mere 'pot-hunter.' For my part, I
+had rather live on pork than on robins or any useful birds."
+
+He readily agreed not to fire at robins except when flying, and to
+induce Junior to do likewise. I was satisfied that not many of my
+little 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. This
+evening you can go down to the village and buy a stock of
+ammunition."
+
+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. "Its
+slope is very gradual, and if I nail some slats on the lower side
+you can spread the millions of bushels that you and Bobsey will
+gather."
+
+Now Bobsey had a little wagon, and, having finished his morning
+stint of work, he, with Mousie and Winnie, started off to the
+nearest butternut-tree; and during the remainder of the day, with
+the exception of the time devoted to lessons, loads came often to
+the shed, against which I had left a ladder. By night they had at
+least one of the million bushels spread and drying.
+
+As they brought in their last load about five o'clock in the
+afternoon I said to them, "Come and see what I've got."
+
+I led the way to the sty, and there were grunting three half-grown
+pigs. Now that the pen was ready I had waited no longer, and, having
+learned from Rollins that he was willing to sell some of his stock,
+had bought three sufficiently large to make good pork by the 1st of
+December.
+
+The children welcomed the new-comers with shouts; but I said: "That
+won't do. You'll frighten them so that they'll try to jump out of
+the pen. Run now and pick up a load of apples in your wagon and
+throw them to the pigs. They'll understand and like such a welcoming
+better;" and so it proved.
+
+At supper I said: "Children, picking up apples, which was such fun
+this evening, will hereafter be part of your morning work, for a
+while. In the room over the sty is a bin which must be filled with
+the fallen apples before any nuts can be gathered."
+
+Even Bobsey laughed at the idea that this was work; but I knew that
+it would soon become so. Then Mousie exclaimed, "Papa, do you know
+that 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 squirrel
+among the branches, and we hid behind a bush to watch him. We soon
+found that he was tumbling down the nuts, for he would go to the end
+of a limb and bite cluster after cluster. The thought that we would
+get the nuts so tickled Bobsey that he began to laugh aloud, and
+then the squirrel ran barking away."
+
+"You needn't crow so loud, Bobsey," I said. "The squirrel will fill
+many 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 for
+him as truly as for you youngsters. At the same time I suppose he
+will form part of a pot-pie before long."
+
+"I hate to think that such pretty little creatures should be
+killed," said Mousie.
+
+"I feel much the same," I admitted; "and yet Merton will say we
+cannot indulge in too much sentiment. You know that we read that red
+squirrels are mischievous in the main. They tumble little birds out
+of their nests, carry off corn, and I have seen them gnawing apples
+for the sake of the seeds. It wouldn't do for them to become too
+plentiful. Moreover, game should have its proper place as food, and
+as a means of recreation. We raise chickens and kill them. Under
+wise laws, well enforced, nature would fill the woods, fields, and
+mountains with partridges, quail, rabbits, and other wholesome food.
+Remember what an old and thickly settled land England is, yet the
+country 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 in
+the 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, there
+would be a big bounty for the destruction of foxes, and a heavy fine
+for all trappers of game. The country would be tenfold more
+interesting if it were full of wild, harmless, useful creatures. I
+hope the time will come when our streams will be again thoroughly
+stocked with fish, and our wild lands with game. If hawks, foxes,
+trappers, and other nuisances could be abolished, there would be
+space on yonder mountains for partridges to flourish by the million.
+I hope, as the country grows older, that the people will
+intelligently co-work with nature in preserving and increasing all
+useful wild life. Every stream, lake, and pond could be crowded with
+fish, and every grove and forest afford a shelter and feeding-ground
+for game. There should be a wise guardianship of wild life, such as
+we maintain over our poultry-yards, and skill exercised in
+increasing it. Then nature would supplement our labors, and furnish
+a large amount of delicious food at little cost."
+
+"Well, papa, I fear I shall be gray before your fine ideas are
+carried out. From what Junior says, I guess that Bagley and his
+children, and others like them, will get more game this winter than
+we will, and without firing a shot. They are almost as wild as the
+game itself, and know just where to set their snares for it. I can't
+afford to wait until it's all killed off, or till that good time
+comes 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 was
+down 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 Bagleys
+make a very respectable appearance. I took it upon myself to tell
+the children that if they went to school regularly we would make
+them nice Christmas presents."
+
+"And I confirm the bargain heartily," I cried. "Merton, look out for
+yourself, or the Bagley boy will get ahead of you at school."
+
+He laughed and, with Junior, started for the village, to get their
+powder and shot.
+
+The next morning after preparing a good lot of cartridges before
+breakfast, the two boys started, and, having all day before them,
+took their lunches with the intention of exploring Schunemunk
+Mountain. The squirrels, birds, and rabbits near home were reserved
+for 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 much
+pleasure as the nuts and game afforded the children. I went through
+it, adding here and there some finishing touches and little
+conveniences, 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 I
+resolved that the cow should come in from this time. In the
+afternoon I began turning over the fodder corn, and saw that a very
+tew more days would cure it. Although I decided not to begin the
+main husking until after the middle of the month, I gathered enough
+ears to start the pigs on the fattening process. Toward night I
+examined the apples, and determined to adopt old Mr. Jarmson's plan
+of picking the largest and ripest at once, leaving the smaller and
+greener fruit to mature until the last of the month. The dark cellar
+was already half filled with potatoes, but the space left for such
+apples as we should pick was ready. From time to time when returning
+from the village I had brought up empty barrels; and in some of
+these, earlier kinds, like tall pippins and greenings, had been
+packed and shipped to Mr. Bogart. By his advice I had resolved to
+store the later varieties and those which would keep well, disposing
+of them gradually to the best advantage. I made up my mind that the
+morrow should see the beginning of our chief labor in the orchard. I
+had sold a number of barrels of windfalls, but they brought a price
+that barely repaid us. My examination of the trees now convinced me
+that 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 to
+drag their weary feet down the lane. Nevertheless their fatigue was
+caused by efforts entirely after their own hearts, and they declared
+that they had had a "splendid time." Then they emptied their game-
+bags. Each of the boys had a partridge, Merton one rabbit, and
+Junior two. Merton kept up his prestige by showing two gray
+squirrels 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 which
+Junior 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, spread
+out 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 live
+like aldermen now, I suppose."
+
+"Yes," cried Merton, "whether you call me 'pot-hunter' or not, I mean
+my gun to pay its way."
+
+"I've no objections to that," was my laughing answer, "as long as
+you shoot like a sportsman, and not like a butcher. Your guns, boys,
+will pay best, however, in making you strong, and in giving you some
+well-deserved fun after your busy summer. I feel that you have both
+earned the right to a good deal of play this month, and that you
+will study all the harder for it by and by."
+
+"I hope you'll talk father into that doctrine," said Junior, as he
+sat down to supper with us.
+
+The boys were drowsy as soon as they had satisfied their keen
+appetites, and Mousie laughed at them, saying that she had been
+reading how the boa-constrictor gorged himself and then went to
+sleep, 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 for
+him, looking into his face so archly and coaxingly that he burst
+out: "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 this
+compliment and promise he left the child happy.
+
+Merton was allowed to sleep late the next morning, and was then set
+to work in the orchard, I dividing my time between aiding in picking
+the apples and turning over the fodder corn.
+
+"You can climb like a squirrel, Merton, and I must depend on you
+chiefly for gathering the apples. Handle them like eggs, so as not
+to bruise them, and then they will keep better. After we have gone
+over the trees once and have stacked the fodder corn you shall have
+a good time with your gun."
+
+For the next few days we worked hard, and nearly finished the first
+picking of the apples, also getting into shocks the greater part of
+the corn. Then came a storm of wind and rain, and the best of the
+apples on one tree, which, we had neglected, were soon lying on the
+ground, bruised and unfit for winter keeping.
+
+"You see, Merton," I said, "that we must manage to attend to the
+trees 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, the
+Lima-bean poles, still hanging full of green pods more or less
+filled out, were pulled up and stacked together under a tree, some
+tomato-vines, with their green and partially ripe fruit, were taken
+up by the roots and hung under the shed, while over some other vines
+a covering was thrown toward night.
+
+"We may thus keep a supply of this wholesome vegetable some weeks
+longer," I said.
+
+Everything that we could protect was looked after; but our main task
+was the gathering of all the grapes except those hanging against the
+sides of the house. These I believed would be so sheltered as to
+escape injury. We had been enjoying this delicious fruit for some
+time, carrying out our plan, however, of reserving the best for the
+market. The berries on the small clusters were just as sweet and
+luscious, and the children were content.
+
+Sure enough, on the following morning white hoar-frost covered the
+grass and leaves.
+
+"No matter," cried Winnie, at the breakfast-table; "the chestnut
+burrs are opening."
+
+By frequent stirring the rest of the corn-fodder was soon dried
+again, and was stacked like the rest. Then we took up the beets and
+carrots, and stored them also in the root cellar.
+
+We had frost now nearly every night, and many trees were gorgeous in
+their various hues, while others, like the butternuts, were already
+losing their foliage.
+
+The days were filled with delight for the children. The younger ones
+were up with the sun to gather the nuts that had fallen during the
+night, Merton accompanying them with his gun, bringing in squirrels
+daily, and now and then a robin shot while flying. His chief exploit
+however was the bagging of half a dozen quails that unwarily chose
+the lower part of our meadow as a resort. Then he and Junior took
+several long outings in the Highlands, with fair success; for the
+boys 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 the
+mountains were almost hidden in an Indian summer haze.
+
+"Now for the corn-husking," I said, "and the planting of the ground
+in raspberries, and then we shall be through with our chief labors
+for the year."
+
+Merton helped me at the husking, but I allowed him to keep his gun
+near, and he obtained an occasional shot which enlivened his toil.
+Two great bins over the sty and poultry-house received the yellow
+ears, the longest and fairest being stored in one, and in the other
+the "nubbin's," speedily to be transformed into pork. Part of the
+stalks were tied up and put in the old "corn-stalk barn," as we
+called it, and the remainder were stacked near. Our cow certainly
+was provided for.
+
+Brindle now gave too little milk for our purpose, whereas a farmer
+with plenty of fodder could keep her over the winter to advantage. I
+traded her off to a neighboring farmer for a new milch cow, and paid
+twenty dollars to boot. We were all great milk-topers, while the
+cream nearly supplied us with butter.
+
+Having removed the corn, Mr. Jones plowed the field deeply, and then
+Merton and I set out the varieties of raspberries which promised
+best in our locality, making the hills four feet apart in the row,
+and the rows five feet from one another. I followed the instructions
+of my fruit book closely, and cut back the canes of the plants to
+six inches, and sunk the roots so deep as to leave about four inches
+of soil above them, putting two or three plants in the hill. Then
+over and about the hills we put on the surface of the ground two
+shovelfuls of compost, finally covering the plants beneath a slight
+mound of earth. This would protect them from the severe frost of
+winter.
+
+These labors and the final picking of the apples brought us to the
+last week of the month. Of the smaller fruit, kept clean and sound
+for the purpose, we reserved enough to make two barrels of cider, of
+which one should go into vinegar, and the other be kept sweet, for
+our nut-crackings around the winter fire. Bobsey's dream of
+"millions of bushels" of nuts had not been realized, yet enough had
+been dried and stored away to satisfy even his eyes. Not far away an
+old cider-mill was running steadily, and we soon had the barrels of
+russet nectar in our cellar. Then came Saturday, and Merton and
+Junior were given one more day's outing in the mountains with their
+guns. On the following Monday they trudged off to the nearest public
+school, feeling that they had been treated liberally, and that
+brain-work must now begin in earnest. Indeed from this time forth,
+for months to come, school and lessons took precedence of everything
+else, and the proper growing of boys and girls was the uppermost
+thought.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XLIII
+
+THANKSGIVING DAY
+
+
+November weather was occasionally so blustering and stormy that I
+turned schoolmaster in part, to relieve my wife. During the month,
+however, were bright, genial days, and others softened by a smoky
+haze, which gave me opportunity to gather and store a large crop of
+turnips, to trench in my celery on a dry knoll, and to bury, with
+their heads downward, all the cabbages for which I could not find a
+good market. The children still gave me some assistance, but,
+lessons over, they were usually permitted to amuse themselves in
+their own way. Winnie, however, did not lose her interest in the
+poultry, and Merton regularly aided in the care of the stock and in
+looking after the evening supply of fire-wood. I also spent a part
+of my time in the wood lot, but the main labor there was reserved
+for December. The chief task of the month was the laying down and
+covering of the tender raspberries; and in this labor Bagley again
+gave me his aid.
+
+Thanksgiving Day was celebrated with due observance. In the morning
+we all heard Dr. Lyman preach, and came home with the feeling that
+we and the country at large were prosperous. Mr. and Mrs. Jones,
+with Junior, dined with us in great state, and we had our first
+four-course dinner since arriving in Maizeville, and at the
+fashionable hour of six in the evening. I had protested against my
+wife's purpose of staying at home in the morning, saying we would
+"browse around during the day and get up appetites, while in the
+afternoon we could all turn cooks and help her." Merton was
+excepted, and, after devouring a hasty cold lunch, he and Junior
+were off with their guns. As for Bobsey, he appeared to browse
+steadily after church, but seemed in no wise to have exhausted his
+capacity when at last he attacked his soup, turkey drum-stick, and
+the 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 great
+city, which we never once had regretted leaving. Winifred looked
+after the transfers from the kitchen at critical moments, while
+Mousie and Winnie were our waitresses. A royal blaze crackled in the
+open fireplace, and seemed to share in the sparkle of our rustic wit
+and unforced mirth, which kept plump Mrs. Jones in a perpetual
+quiver, like a form of jelly.
+
+Her husband came out strong in his comical resume of the past year's
+experience, concluding: "Well, we owe you and Mrs. Durham a vote of
+thanks for reforming the Bagley tribe. That appears to me an
+orthodox case of convarsion. First we gave him the terrors of the
+law. Tell yer what it is, we was a-smokin' in wrath around him that
+mornin', like Mount Sinai, and you had the sense to bring, in the
+nick of time, the gospel of givin' a feller a chance. It's the best
+gospel there is, I reckon."
+
+"Well," I replied, becoming thoughtful for a moment with boyish
+memories, "my good old mother taught me that it was God's plan to
+give us a chance, and help us make the most of it."
+
+"I remembered the Bagleys to-day," Mrs. Jones remarked, nodding to
+my 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 for
+nearly a month by the good-will of neighbors, who, a short time
+since, had been ready to take up arms against them.
+
+By eight o'clock everything was cleared away, Mrs. Jones assisting
+my wife, and showing that she would be hurt if not permitted to do
+so. Then we all gathered around the glowing hearth, Junior's rat-a-
+tat-snap! proving that our final course of nuts and cider would be
+provided in the usual way.
+
+How homely it all was! how free from any attempt at display of
+style! yet equally free from any trace of vulgarity or ill-natured
+gossip. Mousie had added grace to the banquet with her blooming
+plants and dried grasses; and, although the dishes had been set on
+the table by my wife's and children's hands, they were daintily
+ornamented and inviting. All had been within our means and
+accomplished by ourselves; and the following morning brought no
+regretful thoughts. Our helpful friends went home, feeling that they
+had not bestowed their kindness on unthankful people whose scheme of
+life 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 was
+celebrated by an event no less momentous than the killing of our
+pigs, to Winnie's and Bobsey's intense excitement. In this affair my
+wife and I were almost helpless, but Mr. Jones and Bagley were on
+hand, and proved themselves veterans, while Mrs. Jones stood by my
+wife until the dressed animals were transformed into souse, head-
+cheese, sausage, and well-salted pork. The children feasted and
+exulted through all the processes, especially enjoying some sweet
+spareribs.
+
+I next gave all my attention, when the weather permitted, to the
+proper winter covering of all the strawberries, and to the cutting
+and carting home of old and dying trees from the wood lot.
+
+The increasing cold brought new and welcome pleasures to the
+children. There was ice on the neighboring ponds, and skates were
+bought as premature Christmas presents. The same was true of sleds
+after the first fall of snow. This white covering of the earth
+enabled 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 all
+its rather stern reality; but we were sheltered and provided for. We
+had so far imitated the ants that we had abundant stores until the
+earth should again yield its bounty.
+
+Christmas brought us more than its wonted joy, and a better
+fulfilment of the hopes and anticipations which we had cherished on
+the same day of the previous year. We were far from regretting our
+flight to the country, although it had involved us in hard toil and
+many anxieties. My wife was greatly pleased by my many hours of rest
+at the fireside in her companionship, caused by days too cold and
+wintry for outdoor work; but our deepest and most abiding content
+was expressed one evening as we sat alone after the children were
+asleep.
+
+"You have solved the problem, Robert, that was worrying you. There
+is space here for the children to grow, and the Daggetts and the
+Ricketts and all their kind are not so near as to make them grow
+wrong, almost in spite of us. A year ago we felt that we were
+virtually being driven to the country. I now feel as if we had been
+led by a kindly and divine hand." I had given much attention to my
+account-book of late, and had said, "On New Year's morning I will
+tell 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 might
+understand in part, I went over the different items, and the expense
+and proceeds of the different crops, so far as I was able to
+separate them. Bobsey's attention soon wandered, for he had an
+abiding faith that breakfast, dinner, and supper would follow the
+sun, and that was enough for him. But the other children were
+pleased with my confidence, and tried to understand me.
+
+"To sum up everything," I said, finally, "we have done, by working
+all together, what I alone should probably have accomplished in the
+city--we have made our living. I have also taken an inventory or an
+account of stock on hand and paid for; that is, I have here a list
+on which are named the horse, wagon, harness, cow, crates and
+baskets, tools, poultry, and pigs. These things are paid for, and we
+are so much ahead. Now, children, which is better, a living in the
+city, I earning it for you all? or a living in the country toward
+which even Bobsey can do his share?"
+
+"A living in the country," was the prompt chorus. "There is
+something here for a fellow to do without being nagged by a
+policeman," Merton added.
+
+"Well, children, mamma and I agree with you. What's more, there
+wasn't much chance for me to get ahead in the city, or earn a large
+salary. Here, by pulling all together, there is almost a certainty
+of our earning more than a bare living, and of laying up something
+for a rainy day. The chief item of profit from our farm, however, is
+not down in my account-book, but we see it in your sturdier forms
+and in Mousie's red cheeks. More than all, we believe that you are
+better 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 ask
+God to help us."
+
+And so my simple history ends in glad content and hope.
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Driven Back to Eden, by E. P. Roe
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DRIVEN BACK TO EDEN ***
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