covered that Edward was a very bad boy.
His conversation was low and profane, and he seemed to take special
delight in relating sundry "scrapes," in which he himself figured in a
character that was something worse than mischievous, and bordered on
the criminal. He "talked large," too, amazingly large; and Oscar and
Alfred were at length forced to the reluctant conclusion that he was an
unmitigated liar. But these were small faults, in their view. They
considered Ned a capital fellow, and a right down good companion, in
spite of these little drawbacks, and they sought his company as much as
ever.

Ned spent a good deal of his time around the several railroad depots.
He seemed to have quite a mania for such places. Oscar and Alfred
often accompanied him to these favorite old haunts of theirs. One
morning, as the three were loitering around a depot, having nothing in
particular to amuse themselves with, an excursion on foot into a
neighboring town was proposed, and all readily agreed to the
suggestion. They immediately set out, accompanied by Oscar's dog,
Tiger. They walked along the railroad track, and crossed the river by
the railroad bridge, thus saving their tolls, besides many extra steps.
They passed several small sign-boards, on which was painted the
warning, "_No Person allowed to cross this Bridge_;" but this did not
check their progress, and as no one interfered with them, they were
soon safely over the river. They still followed the track for some
distance, until they had reached the open country, and then they turned
off into the green fields.

There were many fine orchards and gardens on every side, but ripe
fruits and berries were very scarce. Strawberries and cherries had
pretty much disappeared, and it was not yet time for plums, peaches,
and early apples and pears. Ned appeared to regret this very much.

"Just see there!" he exclaimed, as they approached a large garden,
remote from any house, whose trees were loaded with green fruit. "What
fine picking we should have, if it were only a few weeks later! I mean
to come out here again next month, you see if I don't. We must mark
this place; let me see; there's an old rough board fence--I shall
remember that, I guess. Didn't you ever rob an orchard, Alf? I've
robbed more than you could shake a stick at. I 'm a first-rate hand at
it, I can tell you--never got caught in my life; but I've come pretty
near it, though, a good many times. Hold on