"Well, how was the celebration, Sammy?" asked our hero.

 

"No good."

 

"That's too bad."

 

"After this I'm a-goin' to stay to hum on the Fourth," went on Sammy, as he began to fork over the hay vigorously. "I ain't goin' to no city to be skinned."

 

"Did they skin you?"

 

"Jest about. A feller robbed me an' I was pushed into a duck pond."

 

"That's too bad."

 

"If I hadn't a-had my train ticket I'd had to walk home," went on Sammy. "As it was, I had to borrow fifteen cents on the stage, to pay fer thet ride. No more city celebrations fer me. I kin³ have all I want right here at Riverport." And then Sammy related his adventures in detail, to which our hero listened with much secret amusement.

 

Over at the Thompson place the ground had been plowed⁴ up in part, and as soon as he left Jerry Borden Randy set to work in earnest to plant late vegetables. For what our hero had done for the Bordens he was paid in vegetables, and also received a rooster and four hens. This gave the Thompsons their own eggs, for which the lady of the cottage was thankful.

 

Randy was at work early one morning, when Jack⁵ appeared.

 

"Hullo, at it already?" sang out Jack. "I thought I'd find you still in bed."

 

"I prefer to work when the sun is not so hot," answered Randy. "But what brings you out at such an hour as this?"

 

"I've got news."

 

"What is it?"

 

"We are going to move to Albany."

 

"When?"

 

"The first of next week."

 

"I'll be sorry to miss you, Jack."

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