looked neat, he would have his eyes opened to the debt he owed the
community.

Paul, it seemed, had learned the main cause of the old man's holding
aloof from his neighbors. It came from the fact that some years back he
had lost his wife and children in the burning of his house; and ever
since had looked upon boys as especially created to worry lone widowers
who wanted only to be let alone.

Well, the scouts certainly made a great friend of Peleg Growdy. He had
even tried to induce them to let him purchase their suits to show that he
was a changed man; but of course they could not allow that, because each
true scout must earn every cent of the money with which his outfit in the
beginning is bought. But in many ways had old Peleg shown them that he
was now going to be one of the best friends the boys of Stanhope Troop
had ever possessed.

He had heard about their intended trip, when he came to town with some
produce; and rather than go back home with some things for which there
did not seem to be any sale at the price he wanted, he had come around
with his wagon to ask his boy friends to please him by accepting them as
his contribution to the cause.

They could not disappoint the generous-hearted old man by refusing; and
besides the half-bushel of onions, and double the quantity of new
potatoes, looked mighty fine to the lads.

About two o'clock, when it seemed that their list was about complete,
even though they would doubtless think of a lot of things after it was
too late to get them, Paul decided to send for the wagon that was to haul