The White Crystals

all just putting supper on the table. There was a de

Adrian. "That'

ha

n bread. Can't anybody

in the cooking line, I

their hair, and when they hurried down to the kitchen t

body pitch in 'n' eat th' victuals set afore 'em," she went on. "After a body goes t' work 'n' gits up a good meal, it's mighty disparagin' t' see th' things scorned down on. I'm glad t' see ye eat, Roge

icely browned wing, and munching it with every ind

he homesickness that had twinged him once or twice during the day. The supper was about o

ur mail, neig

e several letters which Mr. Took had brought from the p

do my chores yit. Ho

t Roger, "and I'm much obliged

neighborly turn," said M

sses on the envelopes by the light of the kerosene lam

a few minutes he paid no attention to what went on around him, as he read the news f

d, though I shall miss you very much, though we all mi

pleasant little circle about the table at home; his father reading,

ball, in his deep hearty voice, and Rog

, went out to the barn, where, by the light of a lantern, the two wagons were loaded up, ready for an early start on the next day's trip.

e celery, potatoes, and cabbage had been piled securely on

o go t' bed, fer we'll hev t' be up earl

ughing and shouting in anticipati

le hive of the insects were about to settle down on him, when he was caught by a big fish that shook him in its mouth as a dog might a rat. Then he awo

house afire?" asked Roger

ully with the grapes, we'll have to start pretty soon.

y light, and some stars were still to be seen. From the kitchen there came the good sme

up a good lunch in a basket, as they would not be home to dinner. In a short time they were rea

rt of the journey was along the valley road, but at the upper end of this there bega

d then to rest at the "thank-'e-ma'ams," as certain places in the road were called; being mounds of earth dug across the highway, designed to prevent the too sudden rush of water down the hill during a rain. These hummocks served to divert the water to one side lik

as arranging some barrels of apples o

Mr. Andrews,"

ore-keeper, heartily. "What b

d of grapes you or

pes?" with a

he didn't have time to come over h

the 18th. I ordered 'em for the 26th. Can't possibly use 'em this week, for I've got all I need. Sorry," as he saw the disappointed look on the boy's face.

d father must have read your letter wrong. So I guess the only thing

to-day," cautioned Mr. Andrews as Adrian

called b

he wrong date had upset their plans. However there was a chance that Mr. Brown or Mr. Smith might need grapes, and the prospect of selling their produce there brightened matters for a little wh

bout from a visit to the last store, "I supp

?" exclaimed Adrian. "Not much! I came to

ow

for these, and I'm going to bring it if I can. You needn't help if you don

s cousin felt he wouldn't stand by him in an emergency. "Here, we'll drive

ust the thing

usters. They inquired politely of the villagers whether they didn't need some freshly picked grapes, at ten or fifteen cents a basket, and, before they had been in h

though at several places the old ladies said they thought they wanted no fruit that day, he didn't mind the refusals. Adrian had good luck on his side of

more here," said Adrian a

e do? Go b

only four miles farther, and we can peddle some on th

" admitted Rog

with them, so that the patient nag could eat, he opened the lunch his mother had put up for him and Roger. There was a clear spring of water near by, and from this t

the last four baskets. Thus, with about fifteen dollars snugly tucked away in his pocket, Adrian felt that he and Roger had accomplished something worth while, for he had receive

mented Adrian as he turned t

not," agreed R

l business transactions, and it made him want to do more in that

d the gathering darkness, though to Roger it seemed strange, for he had never driven in the country after nightfall. In the city it was very l

til, when they reached the top of the long slope of Tully hill, the last vestige of the slanting rays of the sun disappeared, and night had settled down. Calling cheerfully t

ives there, but he can't be home to-night, or there'd be a light in the window. He's lived all alone since his wife d

self thrown forward with considerable force. Instinctively he stuck out his hands, and he felt them strike the broad haunches of the horse. Then, with a rattle and ban

something seemed to flash by him. There was a confused rattle and rumbl

t asleep he heard a voic

ly and he knew nothing more, as he