d into Polktown during the two previous
seasons. Now news of the out-of-the-way, old-fashioned hamlet had
spread; and by the end of July the Lake View Inn was comfortably
filled, and most people who were willing to take "city folks" to board
had all the visitors they could take care of.

"But I dunno's we're goin' to make much by havin' sech a crowd," Lem
Parraday complained. "With Marm sick nothin' seems ter go right. Sech
waste in the kitchen I never did see! An' if I say a word, or look
skew-jawed at them women, they threaten ter up an' leave me in a bunch."

For Marm Parraday, by Dr. Poole's orders, had been taken out into the
country to her sister's, and told to stay there till cool weather came.

"If you are bound to run a rum-hole, Lem," said the plain-spoken
doctor, "don't expect a woman in her condition to help you run it."

Lem thought it hard--and he looked for sympathy among his neighbors.
He got what he was looking for, but of rather doubtful quality.

"I cartainly do wish Marm'd git well--or sumpin'," he said one day in
Walky Dexter's hearing. "I don't see how a man's expected to run a
_ho_-tel without a woman to help him. It beats me!"

"It'll be _sumpin'_ that happens ter ye, I reckon," observed Walky,
drily. "Sure as yeou air a fut high, Lem. In the Fall. Beware the
Ides o' September, as the feller says. Only mebbe I ain't got jest the
month right. Haw! haw! haw!"

Town Meeting Day was in September. The call had already been issued,
and included in it was the amendment calling for no license in
Polktown--the new ordinance, if passed, to take immediate effect.

The campaign for prohibition was continued despite the influx of Summer
visitors. Indeed, because of them the battle against liquor selling
grew hotter. Not so many "city folks" as the hotel-keeper and his
friends expected, desired to see a bar in the old-fashioned community.
Especially after the first pay day of the gang working on the branch of
the V. C. Road. When the night was made hideous and the main street of
Polktown dangerous for quiet people, by drink-inflamed fellows from the
railroad construction camp, a strong protest was addressed to the Town
Selectmen.

There was a possibility of several well-to-do men building on the
heights above the town, another season. Uncle Jason had a chance to
sell his sheep-lot at such a price that his cupidity was fully aroused.
But the buyer did not care to close the bargain if th