ow space of
water between the boat and the shore, and entered the wide front
opening.

The interior resembled a country store.

A counter, running three quarters of the length of the boat and stacked
with all sorts of glassware, divided the room in two parts.

Sandwiched between the counter and the shelves, which were also heavily
laden with glass, was a clerk, intent upon the customers who crowded
the narrow aisle.

And what queer customers they were! Boys and girls, for the most part
poorly dressed, who kept an eye on the different articles displayed, or
hovered round the large scales at one end of the counter, guarding
strange looking bundles and baskets.

To Laura, who had visited the boat each summer for as long as she could
remember, it was a familiar scene, but everything proved new and
wonderful to Alene.

For a time they were content to wait and watch before making any
investments.

"What are they doing?" inquired Alene, pointing to two boys who had
dragged a battered basket and a great bundle to the scales.

"Just watch and you'll see."

The clerk took the basket which was filled with pieces of old iron,
small bolts, nails, and such things, rusty and apparently good for
nothing, and weighed it on the scales; its owners watched carefully to
verify its correct weight, and while they calculated its value the
clerk proceeded to weigh the bundle.

"Rags," whispered Laura to the wondering Alene. "They buy them from
all the towns along the river and sell them in the city to make paper
and things."

"The iron?"

"No, silly--that's made over I guess at the foundries."

Alene became interested in watching the two boys whose property had
been valued. With an air of importance they turned their attention to
choosing its equivalent in crystal ware.

After examining critically the different articles, the older boy at
last decided upon a large plate with "Give us this day our daily bread"
in fancy letters around the rim, but his companion hesitated between
two pitchers.

"Oh, Laura!" Alene's cry of dismay drew Laura's attention. "He's
going to buy that purple monstrosity!"

"I think that blue one with the bulgy sides is out o' sight," the boy
was saying, his gaze straying from one to the other; "I wonder which ma
would like the best!"

Laura stepped forward with an elder-sisterly air.

"Is it for water?" she inquired.

"Yes; ma broke her chiny one the other day and I want to s'prise her."

"