the entire agricultural world."

"Did you make much money this season?" asked Sam dryly.

"Well -- er -- no; in fact, we ran a little behind. But we will
do finely next year -- I am certain of it. I will have some
strawberries and celery which shall astonish our State
agricultural committee," answered Randolph Rover. He was always
enthusiastic, in spite of almost constant failure. Thus far his
hobby had netted him a loss of several thousand dollars.

It was Friday, and Saturday was to be given over to packing up
for school. Yet on Saturday morning Tom managed to call Sam
aside.

"We'll go over to Fox's," said he. "Are you ready?"

"I am, Tom," answered the younger brother. "And be sure and pile
it on."

"Trust me for that," and Tom winked in a fashion that set Sam to
roaring.

They found Joel Fox at work along the roadside, mending a part of
a stone wall which had tumbled down. Fox was a Yankee, and
miserly and sour to the very core.

"Well, what do you want?" he demanded, as the boys came to a halt
in front of him.