hink there'd
be much fun in it."

"Fun! I guess not. For my part, I'd be willing to go barefoot, if other
people would, for the sake of getting rid of pegging."

"I suppose you have some time to yourself, though, don't you?"

"Precious little. I ought to be in the shop now. Father sent me down to
the store for some awls, and he'll be fretting because I don't get back.
I broke my awl on purpose," said Dick, laughing, "so as to get a chance
to run out a little while."

"I suppose your father gives you some of the money that you earn,
doesn't he?' inquired John.

"A few cents now and then; that's all. He says everything is so high
nowadays that it takes all we can both of us earn to buy food and
clothes. So if a fellow wants a few cents now and then to buy a cigar,
he can't have 'em."

John was glad to hear this. He felt that he could the more readily
induce Dick to assist him in his plans.

"Dick!" he said abruptly, looking round to see that no one was within
hearing-distance, "wouldn't you like to earn a two-dollar bill?"

"For myself?" inquired Dick.

"Certainly."

"Is there much work in it?" asked indolent Dick cautiously.

"No, and what little there is will be fun."

"Then I'm in for it. That is, I think I am. What is it?"

"You'll promise not to tell?" said John.

"Honor bright."

"It's only a little practical joke that I want to play upon one of the
boys."

"On who?" asked Dick, unmindful of his grammar.

"On Frank Frost."

"Frank's a pretty good fellow. It isn't going to hurt him any, is it?"

"Oh, no, of course not."

"Because I wouldn't want to do that. He's always treated me well."

"Of course he has. It's only a little joke, you know."

"Oh, well, if it's a joke, just count me in. Fire away, and let me know
what you want done."

"You know that Frank, or his father, keeps pigs?"

"Yes."

"I want you to go some night--the sooner the better--and let them out,
so that when morning comes the pigs will be minus, and Master Frank will
have a fine chase after them."

"Seems to me," said Dick, "that won't be much of a joke."

"Then I guess you never saw a pig-chase. Pigs are so contrary that if
you want them to go in one direction they are sure to go in another.
The way they gallop over the ground, with their little tails wriggling
behind them, is a caution."

"But it would be a great trouble to Frank to get them back."

"Oh, well, you could help him, and so get still more fun out