Beauties," said another.

"I don't care what kind I get so long as it is a big bunch," added the
third girl.

"What are you talking about?" demanded the storekeeper.

"We are talking about the bouquets you are giving away," said the young
man. He had eaten nearly all of his cream and the girls had almost
finished.

"I am giving away no bouquets."

"Why, yes you are!" cried the girls.

"Of course!" put in one of the old maids, suspiciously. "And I want just
as good a bunch of roses as anybody."

"So do I," added the second old maid.

"Are you folks all crazy?" demanded the storekeeper. "I am not giving
away anything."

"What!" demanded the young man who had come in with one girl. "Your sign
don't read that way. It says 'free bouquets of roses to all young ladies
buying ice-cream here to-day.' You've got to give this young lady her
bouquet or I won't pay for this cream!"

"Where is that sign?" demanded the storekeeper, and when told rushed out
and tore the announcement down and into shreds. "This is a--an outrage!
I didn't put the sign up!"

After this there was a wordy war lasting several minutes. Nobody wanted
to pay for the cream eaten, and as he could not furnish the bouquets the
storekeeper could not collect. In a rage he chased the would-be
customers out and then started to look for the person who had played him
such a trick. But the cadets of Putnam Hall had withdrawn from that
vicinity and they took good care to keep out of sight.

CHAPTER XV

AN ASTONISHING GIFT

The steamboat had to take on considerable freight at Cedarville, so she
remained at the little dock for the best part of half an hour. During
that time the Rovers and their friends saw Tad Sobber and Nick Pell
walking around the village, but did not speak to them.

"Hullo, here is something new," said Songbird, as they walked past the
stores. "A dime museum!"

"Such a thing as that will never pay here," was Dick's comment. "Not
enough people."

"It is to remain only one week," said Sam, after reading the sign over
the door.

"Wonder if they really have one hundred snakes in the collection?" mused
Tom, also reading the sign. "If so, there would be some fun if the bunch
broke loose."

"Want to go in and look at the snakes?" asked Songbird.

"I ton't," answered Hans. "Of I look at so many of dem nasty dings I
couldn't sleep for a month or sefen days, ain't it!" And he shuddered.

While the boys were walking away they cha