got it in you,--I see that; and, let me tell you," said Jack, "if I
were you, I would take hold of things on this place in downright
earnest, and make a farm and a home to be proud of."

"I never could get in love with work," replied Wad. "I'm
_constitutionally tired_, as the lazy man said. The thought of that
trench makes my back ache."

"It won't be such a back-aching job as you suppose. You've only to take
one stroke with a pick or shovel at a time. And as for that
constitutional weariness you complain of, now is the time in your lives
to get rid of it,--to work it out of your blood,--and lay the
foundations of your manhood."

"I must say, you preach pretty well!" observed Wad.

"I'm not much of a preacher," replied Jack; "but I can't help feeling a
good deal, and saying just a word, when I see young fellows like you
neglecting your opportunities."

"If father and Rad would take hold with us, we would just straighten
things," said Rufe.

"Don't wait for your father to set you an example," replied Jack. "I
don't know about Rad, though I've heard you speak of him."

"Our cousin, Radcliff," said Rufe. "He's a smart fellow, in his way, but
he don't like work any better than we do, and he's off playing the
gentleman most of the time."

"Or playing the loafer," said Wad.

"Let him stay away," said Jack. "You'll do better without any gentlemen
loafers around."

"Did _you_ ever do much hard work?" Wad asked.

"What do you think?" replied Jack, with a smile.

"I think you've seen something of the world."

"Yes, and I've had my way to make in it. I was brought up on the Erie
Canal,--a driver, ignorant, ragged, saucy; you wouldn't believe me if I
should tell you what a little wretch I was. All the education I have, I
have gained by hard study, mostly at odd spells, in the last three
years. I had got a chance to work on a farm, and go to school in winter;
then I took to surveying, and came out here to be with Mr. Felton. So,
you see, I must have done something besides loafing; and if I talk work
to you I have earned the right to."

"I say, boys!" cried Link, "le's put this thing through, and have the
water running in the house."

"It will do for you to talk," said Wad; "mighty little of the work
you'll do."

"You'll see, Wad Betterson! Hain't I worked the past week as hard as
either of you?"

"This thing isn't to be pitched into in a hurry," said Rufe, more
excited than he wished to appear. "We shall have