and we can go to the party as well. But if we should do simply one
thing or the other, then the girls would be sure to think we had been
beaten. Now, if all the fellers will agree to that, I'll get my share
of the money right away, an' we'll ask Deacon Littlefield to buy the
wood this morning."

Tom saw, even before he had ceased speaking, that the majority of the
boys were in favor of. his scheme, since by carrying it out they would
miss neither one pleasure nor the other, and would only be obliged to
pay ten cents extra, and to spend a little time sawing wood.

"But we can't get both sleighs for the same price we could one," said
Si; but even this
objection showed that he was favorably inclined towards Tom's scheme,
if it could be accomplished without too great a sacrifice.

"Yes, we can, if we don't take them till the middle of the afternoon.
We will start about
three o'clock, an' come back to Aggie's house in time for the party."

"But how'll you fix it about the letters?" asked Si.

"I'll send this one to Maria Gilman, for she sent me the necktie, an'
you can all copy it."
Then Tom read the following letter, which he had written while the
others had been talking:

DEAR RIE: - I am much obliged for the invitation and the
necktie. I will be there by eight o'clock if you will do a
little favor for me. Us boys have been getting up a sleigh-