"TO THE BEST DOG OF ANY BREED!"

Ferris knew nothing about the various breeds of dogs. But he did
know that Chum was by far the best and most beautiful and the
wisest dog ever born. If Marden were offering a hundred dollar
prize for the best dog, there was not another dog on earth fit to
compete with Chum. That was a cinch.

As for the hundred dollars--why, it would be a godsend on the
mortgage payment! Every cent of it could go toward the principal.
That meant Ferris could devote the extra few dollars he had
already saved for the principal to the buying of fertilizers and
several sorely-needed utensils and to the shingling of the house.

Avid for more news of the offer, he entered the store and hunted
up the postmaster, who also chanced to be the store's proprietor
and the mayor of Hampton and the local peace justice. Of this
Pooh-Bah the inquiring Ferris sought for details.

"Some of the Red Cross ladies from up Craigswold way were here
this morning, to have me nail that sign on the store," reported
the postmaster. "They're making a tour of all the towns
hereabouts. They asked me to try to int'rest folks at Hampton in
their show, too, and get them to make entries. They left me a
bunch of blanks. Want one?"

"Yep," said Link. "I guess I'll take one if it don't cost
nothin', please."