ly late!"

Before we could remonstrate with the Boy-Disaster he let another
whoop out of him and darted off in the direction of the barn.

That whoop brought the two wire-tappers to their feet and after
they both shook their fists eagerly in our direction they started
in frenzied haste for the depot.

As they scurried frantically out of our neighborhood Uncle Peter
smiled blandly and murmured, "For lecturers, female reformers and
all those who lead a sedentary life there's nothing like exercise!"

Putting my arm around Clara J.'s waist I whispered, "Didn't I tell
you it was one of Bunch's put-up jobs? He's jealous because I'm so
happy out here with you, that's all! As for the telegram, forget
it!"

"All right, John," said Clara J., "but nevertheless that same
telegram gave you a busy day, didn't it?"

"It surely did, but it was only because I hated to have you
worried," I answered as she went in the house to console Aunt
Martha.

I sat down in a chair expecting every moment to have the Prince of
Liars come up and congratulate me.

Humming a tune quietly to himself Uncle Peter watched the flying
squadron disappear in a bend of the road, then he sat down near me
and said, "John, you're worried about something and I've a pretty
fair idea what it is. This property is too big a load for you to
carry, eh?"

From the depths of my heart I replied, "It certainly is!"

"Well," said the old gentleman, "it surely has made a hit with me.
I never struck a place I liked half as well as this. How would you
like to sell it to me, then you and Clara J. could live with us,
eh? Come on, now, what d'ye say?"

I sat there utterly unable to say anything.

"What did it cost you; come on, now, John?" the old fellow urged.

"Oh, about $14,000," I whispered, picking out the first figure I
could think of.

"It's worth it and more, too," he said. "I'll give you $20,000 for
it--say the word!"

"Well, if you insist!" I replied, weakly; and the next minute he
danced off to write me a check.

In the tar barrel every time I opened my mouth! Hard luck was
certainly putting the wrapping paper all over me.

Well, the only thing to do now was to hustle up to town in the
morning and inform Bunch that I had sold his property.

I felt sure he'd be tickled to a stand-still--not!

CHAPTER VII.

JOHN HENRYS HAPPY HOME.

Early the next morning I broke camp and took the trail to town,
determined never to come back alive un