259

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

CALVIN PARKS _Frontispiece_

"HE LOOKED FROM ONE TWIN TO THE OTHER, HALF
AMUSED, HALF INDIGNANT" 40

"CALVIN REGARDED THEM BENEVOLENTLY" 49

MR. CHEESEMAN 120

"'HOLD ON, MISS HANDS!' SAID CALVIN, AS SHE MOVED
TOWARD THE DOOR" 137

"'THEN I HOVE HIM BACK INTO THE DRIFT TO COOL
OFF A SPELL'" 188

MARY SANDS 204

"THEN WITH ONE SWIFT MOTION, CALVIN TRANSFERRED
THE PIE FROM HIS PLATE TO THE STOVE" 233

THE WOOING OF CALVIN PARKS

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCING THE PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS

"If I'm not mistaken," said Calvin Parks, "this is the ro'd where Sam
and Sim used to live!"

He checked his horse and looked about him. "And there--well, I'm blowed
if that ain't the house now. Same old pumpkin-color; same old
well-sweep; same old trees; it certinly is the house. Well!"

He looked earnestly at the house, which seemed to give him a friendly
look in return; a large, comfortable yellow house, with windows of
cheerful inquiry, and a door that came as near smiling as a door can.
Two huge elms mounted guard over it, and touched tips with a group of
splendid willows that clustered round the ample barnyard; the front yard
was green and smooth, with a neat flagstone path; a vast and
friendly-looking dog lay on the broad door-step; everything about the
place looked comfortable and sociable.

"If that ain't a pictur'," said Calvin Parks, "I never see one, that's
all."

He drove into the yard, and clambered rather slowly out of his wagon. He
was a tall, light-limbed, active-looking man, but the wheels seemed to
be in his way.

"I never shall get used to this rig," he muttered; "I'd ought to have a
rope and tayckle to hi'st me out."

He cast a disapproving look at the wagon, and hurried toward the house.
The vast dog rose, shook himself, yawned, and sniffed approvingly at his
trousers.

"That's right, son!" said Calvin. "A friend is a friend, in pants or
tails! Now let's see where the boys be. I must wipe my feet good,
though, or I shall have the old lady after me!"

He opened the front door; and after casting a look of friendly
recognition round the hall,