of grey felt, was
evidently dressed for the _role_ of a farmer. He was a pleasant man,
tall and slight in figure, with blue eyes, a brown beard, and a cheery,
kindly manner, which made him a favorite with everybody, and especially
with boys, in whose projects he was always interested.

"Give you the wood to build a boat?" he repeated, when told what Jack
and Rob wanted to accomplish. "Willingly. I am glad to have you
attempt something of the kind. I have always maintained that boys
should be taught to work with their hands. Every youth ought to learn
the use of tools, just as a girl learns to sew, to cook, and help her
mother in household duties. Then we should not have so many awkward,
stupid, bungling fellows, who can not do anything for themselves. It
is as disgraceful for a lad not to be able to drive a nail straight
without pounding his fingers or thumb as it is for a girl not to know
how to stitch on a button. But I am letting my hobby run away with me,
and no doubt you are anxious to be off. You will find the lumber piled
in the storeroom of the barn. Take what you need. Perhaps Leo will
lend you his pony to draw the load home."

"Thank you, sir!" answered Jack, heartily.

Now that the means of carrying out his plan were insured to him, he did
not feel in such a hurry; and, furthermore, though quite satisfied that
he should have no trouble about it, he would not have objected to a few
hints as to how to begin.

"Can you tell me, Uncle," asked the boy, half jocosely, "if any of the
distinguished men you are thinking of ever attempted to make a boat?"

"To be sure," returned the gentleman. "There was Peter the Great, who,
though a tyrannical ruler, might have earned fair wages as a
ship-builder. But we shall have to talk about him another time, when I
have leisure; for I see that at present Michael wants me to devote all
my attention to tomato plants, peas, beans, and seed potatoes. If you
wait till tomorrow, I will show you how to set to work."

"Oh, I guess we can get on!" returned Jack, becoming impatient again,
and feeling that it would be impossible to delay, with the whole bright
day before them. Rob seemed to be of the same opinion.

Uncle Gerald smiled, reflecting that, since manual training does not
begin with boat-building, they would soon discover the task so
confidently undertaken to be a far greater one than they realized. He
made no comment, however; and the boys started for th