51

CHAPTER VI.
CLEARING THE CREEK, 64

CHAPTER VII.
PAT'S VISIT HOME, 74

CHAPTER VIII.
LETTER FROM PAT, 84

CHAPTER IX.
BERTIE'S SPELLING MATCH, 97

CHAPTER X.
BERTIE'S PRESENTS, 107

CHAPTER XI.
THE HEART AND HAND, 118

CHAPTER XII.
VIOLETS AND VIOLETTA, 127

CHAPTER XIII.
BERTIE'S REWARD, 138

CHAPTER XIV.
BERTIE AND THE NEWSBOY, 148

CHAPTER XV.
THE LAST CHAPTER, 155

Bertie and the Gardeners.

CHAPTER I.

THE NEW FARMER.

The new house at Woodlawn was nearly completed; and Mr. Curtis now set
to work in earnest, clearing the grounds of the rubbish, in order to
make the terraces and lay out his avenue in front.

Those who have read the other books about Bertie, will know that two
wide avenues, enclosed by handsome iron gates, had been already made;
one winding along on the shores of Lake Shawsheen, the other entering
from a higher point which led through a grove toward the house where
the enchanting view of lawn and water burst at once on the vision.

But in the vicinity of the house, no grading had been done, on account
of the vast amount of bricks, lime, mortar-bins, wood and chips lying
scattered in every direction.

The house, elegant in proportion and finish, stood about a hundred
rods in front of a high, grassy mound, upon the top of which a cluster
of chestnut-trees cast a pleasant shade.

The rich, green turf on the lawn which sloped to the lake, was dotted
with magnificent old trees undisturbed for a century. Back of the
house, or rather beyond the barn, was another swell or mound, which
like the first, was so regular in its form as almost to excite the
belief that it was artificial. Indeed, from the fact that two
tomahawks were found buried in the spot where the barn stood, Mr.
Curtis inferred that it might have been used for the grand council of
the Indian tribe, and that here they buried all hostilities.

"Certainly," Mrs. Curt