ndications of rain. Oscar's uncle and aunt advised him so
earnestly not to expose himself to the cold and damp wind, that he did
not extend his rambles any further than to the barn that day. But if
he did not go far, he made many new acquaintances. Having made sure of
Jerry and Mary, he left his other two cousins to "surrender at
discretion," and turned his attention in another direction. His first
performance was to introduce himself to Billy, the horse, who was
eating the breakfast James had just given him. After rubbing and
talking to him awhile, he paid his respects to a pair of oxen and three
or four cows, which he helped James and Jerry to drive into the pasture
near the barn. He next visited the hogs, and then the hens. This
completed the list of life stock on the farm. He then had a frolic
with Jerry in the hay-loft, in the midst of which he suddenly stopped
and inquired:

"Is n't it almost time for you to go to school, Jerry?"

"No," his cousin replied, with a laugh, "it wants just six months of
it."

"Six months!" exclaimed Oscar; "what do you mean? Don't you go to
school?"

"Yes, I go when there is any school; but it does n't commence till next
December," replied Jerry.

"That's a queer idea," said Oscar; "I should like to know how long your
school keeps, after it begins."

"It keeps three months," replied Jerry.

"I should like that first-rate--I wish I lived here," said Oscar; "I
have to go to school all the time. But why does n't your school keep
more than three months?"

"I don't know," replied Jerry; "I guess it's because folks are too
stingy to pay for it. They 've been talking of having a summer school,
but I don't believe it will amount to anything."

"I should hope it would n't if I lived here," said Oscar. "What
capital times you must have!--no school to bother you, and no lessons
to get. But I suppose you have to work some--don't you?"

"No, not much," said Jerry; "I help a little in planting and haying
time, and have a few chores to do about the house,--that's all."

"Do you have many boys to play with?" inquired Oscar.

"There are boys enough," replied his cousin, "but they are scattered
all over town,--that's the worst of it. There is only one fellow of my
age that lives near here, and he's half a mile off."

"If you call that near, I should like to know what you call distant,"
said Oscar. "I 'm afraid I should be lonesome if I lived here."

"Halloo, it rains!" s