"But not a word to the home folks," I cautioned him.




CHAPTER II.

JOHN HENRY GETS A SUFFICIENCY.

Since Uncle Peter Grant was elected Mayor of Ruraldene one book
ago, our family group considers it extremely disloyal to stay in
the big town for more than four hours at a time. So with us it is
a case of catching those imitation railroad trains at all sorts of
hours and commute to beat the band.

Since I became a confirmed commuter I have sprained three watches
and two of my legs trying to catch trains that are wild enough to
dodge a dog-catcher.

The commuters are divided into two classes: going and coming.

One of the first rules for a commuter to follow after he locates
the railroad station, and hikes there a couple of times to get in
training, is to get a red and pink and blue hammock.

A hammock is a necessary evil in the country, because only by this
means can the insects become acquainted with the new commuter.

The day after we first put up our new hammock Uncle Peter came