the half-dollar and with a low moan he
passed away.

"In the excitement I grabbed Peaches and we flew for home.

"Say! Bunch! the only time I'll ever go in the St. Regis again
will be just after a hearty dinner."

"I guess you're right, John, but what about this scheme to win out
my wedding money?" Bunch queried. "I'm dreadfully nervous about
it."

"I know. Bunch, I know just how you feel. I'm quite a bit to the
St. Vitus myself, because if Clara J. ever gets wise that I've been
speculating again after faithfully promising her to cut out all the
guessing contests, she's liable to say something unkind. I simply
must get that money back, Bunch, before she knows I lost it, and
Signor Petroskinski is the name of our paying teller. I tell you,
Bunch, we can't lose if we handle this cinch right, and I've got it
all framed up. It's good for a thousand plunks apiece every week,
so cut out the yesterday gag and think of a fat to-morrow."

"I'd like to see this Petroskinski," said Bunch.

"I'll have him take luncheon with us to-morrow at the Hotel
Astor--twelve thirty. Are you for me to the finish, Bunch?"

"If you think it's all right I'll trail," said Bunch, and we shook
hands.

"But not a word to the home folks," I cautioned him.

CHAPTER II.

JOHN HENRY GETS A SUFFICIENCY.

Since Uncle Peter Grant was elected Mayor of Ruraldene one book
ago, our family group considers it extremely disloyal to stay in
the big town for more than four hours at a time. So with us it is
a case of catching those imitation railroad trains at all sorts of
hours and commute to beat the band.

Since I became a confirmed commuter I have sprained three watches
and two of my legs trying to catch trains that are wild enough to
dodge a dog-catcher.

The commuters are divided into two classes: going and coming.

One of the first rules for a commuter to follow after he locates
the railroad station, and hikes there a couple of times to get in
training, is to get a red and pink and blue hammock.

A hammock is a necessary evil in the country, because only by this
means can the insects become acquainted with the new commuter.

The day after we first put up our new hammock Uncle Peter came
rubbering around to look it over. He was all swelled up over being
elected Mayor, and he dropped in the hammock with a splash. Ten
seconds later the rope exploded and Uncle Peter made a deep
impression on the stone porch.

Every mosquito