poked its big nickel plated
nose around the bend and advanced slowly, easily, along the narrow,
grass grown way. It looked singularly out of place in that wild valley.

A low, melodious horn politely reminded Simeon Drowser, who stood gaping
in the middle of the road, to withdraw to a safer gaping point. He
retreated to the platform in front of the post office and consulted with
Beriah Bungel, the village constable, about this sumptuous apparition.

Only a couple of hundred feet remained now between the refreshment
parlor and this party of mirthful victims. If Pepsy's red hair had been
short enough it would have stood on end; as it was her fingers tingled
with mingled appeal and confidence in the head of the firm.

Would it stop? Oh, would it stop? The suspense was terrible.

"F--r--resh doughnuts!" called Pee-wee in a sonorous voice. "Ice cold
lemonade! It's ice cold! Get your fudge here!"

Pepsy looked admiringly upon her hero. She would not have dared to
obtrude into the negotiations which seemed at hand. She gazed wistfully
at a half dozen girls in fresh, colorful, summer array as only a little
red-headed orphan girl in a gingham dress can do. She gazed at the big,
palatial touring car with eyes spellbound. It was thus that the Indians
first gazed upon the ships of Columbus.

"Hot frankfurters," shouted Pee-wee from behind his counter. "They're
all hot! Here you are. Get your fresh sweet cider! Five a glass.
Doughnuts six for a dime. All fresh."

CHAPTER XV

SIX MERRY MAIDENS

"What kind of nuts did you say?" called a girl merrily, as the car
stopped.

"Doughnuts," said Pee-wee.

"We thought maybe everybody here were nuts," laughed the man who was
driving.

"I'd like a nice saucerful of ground glass," laughed one of the girls.
"Can you serve carbon remover with it?"

"Oh, isn't he just too cute." another girl said.

"Could we get a little of your delicious tire tape, we're so hungry?
What are you all going to drink, girls? We'll have six glasses of carbon
remover, if you please, and, let's see, we'll have six plates of ice
cream hot out of the oven."

"Do you think you can jolly me?" said the head of the firm. "I'll give
you some carpet tacks to eat if you'd like them."

"Oh, wouldn't those be too scrumptious," another girl said. "Do you
serve peanut glue with them?"

"I'll give you some fried fish-hooks," Pee-wee shot back with blighting
sarcasm.

"Yes, but what