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The Moodna creek had now become very low, and not over half of its stony bed was covered with water. At many points, light, active feet could find their way across and not get wet. Junior now had a project on hand, of which he and Merton had often spoken of late. A holiday was given to the boys, and they went to work to construct an eelweir and trap. With trousers well rolled up, they selected a point on one side of the creek where the water was deepest, and here they left an open passage-way for the current. On each side of this they began to roll large stones, and on these placed smaller stones, raising two long obstructions to the natural flow. These continuous obstructions slanted obliquely up-stream, directing the main current to the open passage, which was only about two feet wide, with two posts on each side narrowing it still more. In this they placed the trap, a long box made of lath, sufficiently open to let the water run through it, and having a peculiar opening at the upper end where the current began to rush down the narrow passage-way. The box rested closed on the gravelly bottom, and was fastened to the posts. Short, close-fitting slats from the bottom and top of the box, at its upper end, sloped inward, till they made a narrow opening. All its other parts were eel-tight. The eels coming down with the current which had been directed toward the entrance of the box, as has been explained, passed into it, and there they would remain. They never had the wit to find the narrow entrance by which they had entered. This turned out to be useful sport, for every morning the boys lifted their trap and took out a goodly number of eels; and when the squirmers were nicely dressed and browned, they proved delicious food.

In the comparative leisure which the children enjoyed during August, they felt amply repaid for the toil of the previous months. We also managed to secure two great gala-days. The first was a trip to the sea-shore; and this was a momentous

event.

The "Mary Powell," a swift steamboat, touched every morning at the Maizeville landing. I learned that, from its wharf in New York, another steamboat started for Coney Island, and came back to the city in time for us to return on the "Mary Powell" on the same day. Thus we could secure a delightful sail down the river and bay, and also have several hours on the beach. My wife and I talked over this little outing, and found that by taking our lunch with us, it would be inexpensive. I saw Mr. Jones, and induced him and his wife, with Junior, to join us. Then the children were told of our plan, and their hurrahs made the old house ring. Now that we were in for it, we proposed no half-way measures. Four

plump spring chickens were killed and roasted, and to these were added such a quantity of hamsandwiches and hard-boiled eggs, that I declared that we were provisioned for a week. My wife nodded at Bobsey, and said:

"Wait and see!"

Whom do you think we employed to mount guard during our absence? None other than Mr. Bagley. Mr. Jones said that it was like asking a wolf to guard the flock, for his prejudices yielded slowly; but I felt sure that this proof of trust would do the man more good than a dozen sermons. Indeed, he did seem wonderfully pleased with his task, and said: "Ye'll find I've 'arned my dollar when ye get back."

The children scarcely slept, in their glad anticipation, and were up with the sun. Mr. and Mrs. Jones drove down in their light wagon, while Junior joined our children in another straw-ride, packed in between the lunch-baskets. We had ample time after reaching the landing to put our horse and vehicle in a safe place, and then we watched for the "Mary Powell." Soon we saw her approaching Newtown, four miles above, then speed toward and round up to the wharf, with the ease and grace of a swan. We scrambled aboard, smiled at by all. I do not suppose we formed, with our lunch-baskets, a very stylish group; but that was the least of our troubles. I am confident that none of the elegant people we brushed against were half so happy as were we.

We stowed away our baskets and then gave ourselves up to the enjoyment of the lovely Highland scenery, and to watching the various kinds of craft that we were constantly passing. Winnie and Bobsey had been placed under bonds for good behavior, and were given to understand that they must exercise the grace of keeping moderately still. The sail down the river and bay was a long, grateful rest to us older people, and I saw with pleasure that my wife was enjoying every moment and that the fresh sea breezes were fanning color into her cheeks. Plump Mrs. Jones dozed and smiled, and wondered at the objects we passed, for she had never been much of a traveler; while her husband's shrewd eyes took in everything, and he often made us laugh by his quaint comments. Junior and Merton were as alert as hawks. They early made the acquaintance of deck-hands who good-naturedly answered their numerous questions. I took the younger children on occasional exploring expeditions, but never allowed them to escape my reach, for I soon learned that Bobsey's promises sat lightly on his conscience.

At last we reached the great Iron Pier at Coney Island, which we all traversed, with wondering eyes. We established ourselves in a large pavilion, fit

ted up for just such picnickers as ourselves. Beneath us stretched the sandy beach. We elderly people were glad enough to sit down and rest, but the children forgot even the lunch-baskets, in their eagerness to run upon the sand in search of shells. All went well until an unusually high wave came rolling in. The children scrambled out of its way, with the exception of Bobsey, and he was caught, and tumbled over, and lay kicking in the white foam. In a moment I sprang down the steps, picked him up, and bore him to his mother.

His clothing had been deluged; and now what was to be done? After inquiry and consultation, I found that I could procure for him a little bathingdress which would answer during the heat of the day, and an old colored woman promised to have his garments dry in an hour. So the one cloud on our pleasure proved to have a very bright lining, for Bobsey, since he was no longer afraid of the water, could roll in the sand and gentle surf to his heart's content.

Having devoured a few sandwiches to keep up our courage, we all procured bathing-dresses, even Mrs. Jones having been laughingly compelled by her husband to follow the general example. When we all gathered in the passage-way leading to the water, we were convulsed with laughter at our ridiculous appearance; but there were so many others in like plight that we were scarcely noticed. Mr. Jones remarked that if "we could take a stroll through Maizeville now, there would n't be a crow left in town."

Mrs. Jones could not be induced to go beyond a point where the water was over a foot or two deep, and the waves rolled her around like an amiable porpoise. Merton and Junior were soon swimming fearlessly, the latter wondering, meanwhile, at the buoyant quality of the salt water as compared with that of our creek. My wife, Mousie and Winnie allowed me to take them beyond the breakers, and soon grew confident. In fifteen minutes I sounded recall, and we all emerged, lank Mr. Jones now making, in very truth, an ideal scarecrow. Bobsey's dry clothes were brought, and half an hour later we all were clothed, and, as Mr. Jones remarked, "for a wonder, in our right minds."

In due time we arrived at home, tired, sleepy, yet content with the fact that we had filled one day with enjoyment and added to our stock of health. The next morning proved that Bagley had kept his word. Everything was in order, and the amount of work accomplished in the garden showed that he had been on his mettle.

The month of August was now well advanced. We had been steadily digging the potatoes in the field and selling them in their unripened con

use.

The

dition, until half the acre had been cleared. vines in the lower half of the patch were now growing very yellow, and I decided to leave them until the tubers had thoroughly ripened, for winter By the twentieth of the month we had all the space that had been cleared, half an acre set in Dutchess and Wilson strawberries; and the plants first set were green and vigorous, showing a disposition to renew their running tendencies. But these runners were promptly cut off, so that the plants might grow strong enough to give a good crop of fruit the following June.

I now began to tighten the reins on the children, and we all put in longer hours of work.

During the month we gathered a few bushels of plums on the place. My wife preserved some, and the rest were sold at the boarding-houses and village stores; for Mr. Bogart had written that when I could find a home market for small quantities of produce, it would pay me better than sending it to the city. I kept myself informed as to city prices, and found that he had given me good and disinterested advice. Therefore, we managed to dispose of our small crop of early pears and peaches in the same manner as with the plums. Every day convinced me of the wisdom of buying a place already stocked with fruit; for although the first cost was greater, we had immediately secured an income which promised to leave a margin of profit after meeting all expenses.

During the last week of August the potatoes were fully ripe, and Merton, Winnie, Bobsey and I worked manfully, sorting the large from the small, as they were gathered. The crop turned out very well, especially on the lower side of the field, where the ground had been rather richer and moister than in the upper portion.

I permitted Merton to dig by spells only, for it was hard work for him; but he seemed to enjoy throwing out the smooth, great, white-coated fellows, and they made a pretty sight as they lay in thick rows behind us, drying, for a brief time, in the sun. They were picked up, put in barrels, drawn to the dry, cool shed, and well covered from the light. Mr. Jones had told me that as soon as potatoes had dried off after digging, they ought to be kept in the dark, as far as possible, since too much light made them tough and bitter. Now that they were ripe, it was important that they should be dug promptly, for I had read that a warm rain was apt to start the new potatoes growing, and this spoiled them for table use. So I said:

"We will stick to this task until it is finished, and then we shall have another outing. I am almost ready to begin rebuilding the barn; but before I do so, I wish to visit Houghton Farm, and shall take you all with me. I may obtain some

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ideas which will be useful, even in my small outlay Moreover, I could not endure to keep pigs in the of money."

So we dug away at the potatoes, and gathered like ants until we had nearly a hundred bushels stored. As they were only fifty cents a bushel, I resolved to keep the rest of the crop and sell during the following winter and spring, when I might need money more than at present, and also get better prices.

Then, one day toward the end of August, we all started, after an early dinner, for the Farm, Junior going with us as usual.

Houghton Farm, distant a few miles, is a magnificent estate of about one thousand acres; and the outbuildings upon it are princely in comparison with anything I could erect. They had been constructed, however, on practical and scientific principles, and I hoped that a visit might suggest to me some useful hints. Sound principles might be applied, in a modest way, to even such a structure as would come within my means. At any rate, a visit to such a farm would be full of interest and pleasure.

We had been told that the large-minded and liberal owner of this model farm welcomed visitors, and so we had no doubts as to our reception. Nor were we disappointed when, having skirted broad, rich fields for some distance, we turned to the right, down a long, wide lane, bordered by beautiful shrubbery, to the great buildings, each one numbered conspicuously. We were met courteously by Major Alvord, the agent in charge of the entire estate; and when I had explained the object of my visit, he kindly gave us a few moments, showing us through the different barns and stables. Our eyes grew large with wonder as we saw the complete appliances for carrying on an immense stock-farm. The summer crops had been gathered, and we exclaimed at the hundreds of tons of hay, fodder, and straw stored in the mows.

When we came to look at the sleek Jersey cows and calves, with their fawn-like faces, our admiration knew no bounds. The children went into ecstasies over the pretty, innocent faces of the Jersey calves.

We next went to see a great Norman mare, and the large, clumsy colt at her side. Then we all admired beautiful stallions with fiery eyes and arching necks, the superb carriage-horses, and the sleek, strong work-animals and their stalls, finished in fine, hard wood. Soon afterward, Bobsey went wild over the fat little Essex pigs, black as coals. "Possess your soul in patience, Bobsey," I said. “With our barn, I am going to make a sty, and then we shall begin to keep pigs."

I had had no good place for them thus far, and felt that we had attempted enough for beginners.

muddy, common pens in ordinary use, feeling that we could never eat the pork produced under such conditions.

After a visit to the sheep and poultry departments, each occupying a large farm by itself, we felt that we had seen much to think and talk over. It was hard to get Winnie away from the poultry houses and yards, where each celebrated breed was kept scrupulously by itself. There were a thousand hens, besides innumerable young chickens. We were also shown incubators, which, in spring, hatch little chickens by hundreds.

A visit to "Crusoe Island" entertained the children more than anything else. A mountain stream had been dammed so as to make an island. On the surrounding waters floated fleets of waterfowl, ducks and geese of various breeds, and, chief in interest, a flock of Canada wild-geese, domesticated. Here we could look closely at these great wild migrants that, in spring and fall, pass and repass high up in the sky, in flocks, flying in the form of a harrow or the two sides of a triangle, meanwhile sending out cries that, in the distance, sound strange and weird.

Leaving my wife and children admiring these birds and their rustic houses on the island, I went with Major Alvord to his offices, and saw the fine scientific appliances for carrying on agricultural experiments designed to extend the range of accurate and practical knowledge. Not only was the great farm planted and reaped, the blooded stock grown and improved by careful breeding, but, accompanying all this labor, was maintained a careful system of experiments tending to develop and establish that supreme science, the successful culture of the soil. Major Alvord evidently deserved his reputation for doing the work thoroughly and intelligently, and I was glad to think that there were men in the land, like the proprietor of Houghton Farm, who were willing to spend thousands annually in enriching the rural classes by bringing within their reach the knowledge that is power.

I was thoughtful as we drove home, and at last my wife slyly lifted a penny toward my face.

"No," I said, laughing, "my thoughts shall not cost you even a penny. What I have seen today has made clearer what I have believed before. There are two distinct ways of securing success in outdoor work. One is ours, and the other is after the plan of Houghton Farm. Ours is the only way possible for us — that of working a small place and performing the labor, so far as possible, within ourselves. If I had played 'boss,' as Bagley sometimes calls me, and hired the labor which we have done ourselves, the children meanwhile idle, we

1885.]

THE OWL, THE PUSSY-CAT, AND THE LITTLE BOY.

should soon have come to a disastrous end in our country experiment. The fact that we all have worked hard, and wisely, too, in the main, and have employed extra help only when there was more than we could do, will explain the balance in our favor. I believe that one of the chief causes of failure on the part of people in our circumstances is that they employ help to do what they should have done themselves, and that it doesn't and can't pay small farmers and fruit-growers to attempt much beyond what they can take care of, most of the year, with their own hands. Then there's the other method,- that of large capital carrying on a farm as we have seen to-day. The farm then becomes like a great factory or mercantile house. There must be at the head of everything a large organizing brain capable of introducing and enforcing thorough system, and of skillfully directing labor and investment, so as to secure the most money from the least outlay. A farm such as we have just seen would be like a bottomless pit for money in bungling, careless hands."

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"I'm content with our own little place and modest ways," said my wife. "I never wish our affairs to grow so large that we can't talk them over every night, if so inclined."

"Well," I replied, "I never should have made a great merchant in town, and I am content to be a small farmer in the country. The insurance money will be available in a few days, and we shall begin building at once."

The next day, Merton and I cleared away the rest of the débris in and around the foundations of the barn; and before night the first load of lumber arrived from the carpenter who had taken the contract.

This forerunner of bustling workmen, and all the mystery of fashioning crude material into something looking like the plan over which we had all pored so often, was more interesting to the children than the construction of Solomon's temple.

"To-morrow the stone-masons come," I said at supper; "and we are promised a new barn, complete, by October."

(To be concluded.)

THE OWL, THE PUSSY-CAT, AND THE LITTLE BOY.

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