k now I can encompass it in this. The place is an
experiment. When medicinal herbs, roots, and barks became so scarce that
some of the most important were almost extinct, it occurred to me that
it would be a good idea to stop travelling miles and poaching on the
woods of other people, and turn our land into an herb garden. For four
years before mother went, and six since, I've worked with all my might,
and results are beginning to take shape. While I've been at it, of
course, my neighbours had an inkling of what was going on, and I've been
called a fool, lazy, and a fanatic, because I did not fell the trees and
plow for corn. You readily can see I'm a little short of corn ground out
there," he waved toward the marsh and lake, "and up there," he indicated
the steep hill and wood. "But somewhere on this land I've been able to
find muck for mallows, water for flags and willows, shade for ferns,
lilies, and ginseng, rocky, sunny spaces for mullein, and open, fertile
beds for Bouncing Bet----just for examples. God never evolved a place
better suited for an herb farm; from woods to water and all that goes
between, it is perfect."

"And indescribably lovely," added the Girl.

"Yes, I think it is," said the Harvester. "But in the days when I didn't
know how it was coming out, I was sensitive about it; so I kept quiet
and worked, and allowed the other fellow to do the talking. After a
while the ginseng bed grew a treasure worth guarding, and I didn't
care for any one to know how much I had or where it was, as a matter
of precaution. Ginseng and money are synonymous, and I was forced to be
away some of the time."

"Would any one take it?"

"Certainly!" said the Harvester. "If they knew it was there, and what
it is worth. Then, as I've told you, much of the stuff here must not be
handled except by experts, and I didn't want people coming in my absence
and taking risks. The remainder of my reason for living so alone is
cowardice, pure and simple."

"Cowardice? You! Oh no!"

"Thank you!" said the Harvester. "But it is! Some day I'll tell you of
a very solemn oath I've had to keep. It hasn't been easy. You wouldn't
understand, at least not now. If the day ever comes when I think you
will, I'll tell you. Just now I can express it by that one word. I
didn't dare fail or I felt I would be lost as my father was before me.
So I remained away from the city and its temptations and men of my age,
and worked in the woods until I was ti