ht to be constructed
for certain flowers, the names of which he wrote down on a slip of
paper. Some of these beds were to be circular, some square, and some
oblong. Fadda told me that I would require at least three loads of
black dirt, and he gave me the address of a person who dealt in this
precious commodity at one dollar and a half a load. I called upon this
person at once and ordered the three loads of black dirt to be
delivered immediately. I then bethought myself that I required an
outfit of garden tools; so I made my way to the nearest hardware shop
and purchased a spade, a hoe, a rake, a wheelbarrow, a watering can, a
trowel, and a pruning-knife. I trundled the barrow home, with the
other purchases in it.

The day was exceedingly warm, and my appearance in this new role
excited the derision of my neighbors; but I felt rather flattered to be
called Farmer Baker, and I was glad to give the Baylors, the Edwardses,
the Dollers, the Tiltmans, the Rushes, the Sissons, and the rest to
understand that I by no means disdained to condescend to the humble
plane of an agriculturist. Now that I come to think of it, I remember
to have read somewhere that Galileo took his recreation at hoeing and
grubbing in the vineyard adjoining his observatory.

As I trundled the barrow up the winding road of the Schmittheimer place
I became aware that a man was following me. So I stopped and waited
for him to overtake me. His appearance indicated poverty and all its
attendant miseries.

"Good sir," said the stranger, "pardon me for this intrusion, but
misfortunes of a most grievous character compel me to thrust myself
upon your mercy. You behold in me, sir, one of the most hapless of
creatures, one whom adversity has buffeted with cruel pertinacity, and
finally driven out to become a homeless and friendless wanderer upon
the face of the earth. My name, sir, is Percival Wax, born and reared
under the auspices of riches, but now forced by the reverses of
remorseless fate to importune you for the wherewithal to procure food
and lodging."

"Mr. Wax," said I, "your appearance by no means belies your words.
Your raiment is torn and soiled; your shoes are not mates, and your hat
was evidently made for a larger head than yours. I also read in your
dim eyes, your unkempt beard, and your dishevelled hair corroboration
of your claims to intimacy with adversity. While I sympathize with you
in your misfortune, I cannot break one of the