ess was steadily
going into a state of liquidation, even the lemon sticks being reduced
to a liquid. There was no stock on hand now but two peppermint sticks
and some tire tape.

Suddenly a most astonishing thing happened. The sound of an automobile
horn was heard in the distance. A deep, melodious, dignified horn.
Not since the passing of the six merry maidens had such welcome music
sounded in Pee-wee's enraptured ears.

The signs had all been made fight, the ice cream had been made cold, the
sausages hot, and the ground glass had been put where it belonged. No
longer did "our taffy stick like glue." Indeed, there was no taffy of
any kind on hand, notwithstanding these blatant announcements.

Along came the automobile, an eight-cylinder Super Junkster. And, yes,
it was followed by another, and still another. Pee-wee could see the
imposing procession as far down as the bend.

"Some detour," a good-natured voice said.

"Detour? Detour?" Pee-wee whispered in sudden and terrible excitement.
Then, as the full purport of the staggering truth burst upon him he
issued forth from the roadside rest and contemplated the approaching
pageant with joy bubbling up like soda water in his heart.

"Never mind," said another voice, "we can get some eats in this jungle,
thank goodness. What I won't do to a couple of hot frankfurters."

A sudden chill cooled the fresh enthusiasm of Scout Harris.

"I'll buy every blamed doughnut they've got in the place," somebody
shouted. "We won't leave a thing for the rest of the cars that have to
plow through this jungle. I suppose this is what motorists will be up
against for six months. What do you know about that? This eats merchant
ought to clear a couple of million. I'll dicker with him for everything
hot that he's got, I'm starving."

"Same here!" another shouted.

Frantically, like a soldier waving his country's emblem in the last
desperate moment of forlorn hope Scout Harris clambered over the counter
and grasped the jar containing two peppermint sticks.

"Peppermint sticks! Peppermint sticks!" he shouted at the advancing
column. "Get your peppermint sticks! They quench thirst and--and--and
satisfy your hunger! They're filling! They warm you up! Peppermint is
hot! Oh, get your peppermint sticks here!"

CHAPTER XXIX

INDUSTRIAL CONDITIONS

Pee-wee emerged safely, if not triumphantly, from this ordeal amid much
laughter, and was just congratulating himse