The Story of Sugar

dishonor by himself. After the last one was over it was with a breath of relief that the two lads tossed pajamas

ows venturing from their houses the country was still in the grip of winter; great drifts bu

Bob," remarked Van, as, on alighting from the train at Allenville, he buttoned clo

red for your benefit," Bob replied, springing into the sleigh beside his chum. "My, but this is a jolly old pung

t one of 'em will be a mite of use till April. I borrowed this turnout of the McMasters', who live a piece down the road

ith evident disappointment. "I understood Father

avid's quick answer. "There's gallons of sap that hasn't been bo

better than othe

a good cold snap, followed by a thaw. That's just

the reins

use him for working on the road, and he has to wait while we pick up stones and spread gravel; in the spring he makes the rounds of the sugar orchard every morning and stands round on three

ring where the hay, stones, or sap buckets were to-day. It was only David's repeated urging which kept him moving at all. In consequence it was dark before the boys cau

're pretty hungry," a

s!" Swinging himself out upon the steps Bob bent and kissed h

big fellow who smiled down at her. "How strange it is that although you and Bob are such fr

hool to visit I've either been away or shut up in the infirmary with chicken-pox or something. I'm great at catchi

ghed b

athers, where'

n the fire. Come in and see what

all, while David staggered at the re

ton came

ther," Bob said, proud

. Carlton responded. "Bob's friends

k you

cted a moment the

ppen to be a connection

olorado," repl

the sugar Blakes; n

s my father, and he is in the beet

mitted hurriedly, stooping to push the g

, Fa

s inte

your fingers by this time. Bob, take Van up-stairs and tumble out of

ining-room in a twinkling, and so eagerly did they chatter of their plan

g and some snow-shoeing; and we must climb Monadnock. Van says he hasn't seen a real mountain since he came East. Then w

ther l

good sleigh ride,

have to go with that horse that brough

o!" Van

o get anywhere and back if you went slei

one

continued. "You'd better make sure of good weather when you get it. It won't make so mu

iew from the top if he make

at went m

ever, no want of cordiality in his hearty goodnight or in the zest with which he advocated that if the next morning proved to be unclouded the two lads better make certain of their mountain excursion. He even helped lay out the walk and o

tly to start the fire in the b

rubbed his e

tioned in a whisper that he might not arou

r. Bob. There ain't

ol and compel you to rush madly into your clothes lest you be late for breakfast and chapel, and receive a black mark in consequence. No, for ten delicious days there was to be no such thing as hurry. Bob lay very still luxuriating i

head, routing further

a fellow alon

untain climber you are, sleeping here all day. Hav

d that pillow at me, you heathen. What's the good

even o'

p and stared. "Why, man alive, I ha

e a log for nine morta

isn't it? That's better

the

ep. I'm worn out

are,

ctual wreck," moaned

t, which was cut shor

eery voice of Mr. Carlton. "Step live

ed no more ti

king of a hearty breakfast which was capped by heaps of golden brown pancake

this meal," Van gasped as he left the table

grin

the snow. Probably we shall find it drifted in lots of places. Then we shall want some time at the top of the mountain, you know.

, Bob?" his mother called as th

Haven't I climbed that mountain so many times that

Mother," agreed Mr.

s mother. "Have a fine day

with a scuff of thei

rough low, flat woods, fragrant with hemlock and balsam; he

ked by rough stones; you wouldn't believe how different it looks now all covered with snow. It doesn't seem like the same place. I didn't realize what a difference t

ed on for

p of Van's sn

called. "This darn thing's busted.

ped impa

ok at it before yo

as the good-natured reply. "No matter, I h

tening to the shoe and moccasin secure, and

her prophet," remarked Bob, glancing at

ot really after the view. I don't give a hurrah for what we se

shuff

e instead of outside of me, won't you?" p

nfernal clothes," was Van's retort. "I don't

ant them

tie my red sweater to this tree and leave it

ld when you g

r be too cold then than too hot no

the offending sweater about a great white b

s Bob's parting thrus

w that frequently Bob had to stop an

other seasons of the year, I'll admit that. Remember, I've never climbed this hill when the snow was on the gro

a mass of heavy gray clouds beneath which the sun was hidden; the wind was cutting as a knife, an

the view?" he called to his companion. "

shiv

ew-I told you that before. I'm just hungry. Let's ge

d. I said y

ed, though. Where c

anced

Take my knife and cut away some of it. There's a piece of an

fe and I'll cut an armful. Let's build it in that little rocky she

y and the chops and bacon were sizzling in the frying-pan. Bob

regal l

everythin

nds over the dying embers of the blaze. "But I'm war

ll hungry?" queried Bob who w

chuc

only thought we ought

d laughed; then h

" he cried. "And another! Jo

ting down, I supp

an; fast as we ca

hurry? It wil

tell you that," replied Bob seriously. "

d back dow

wfall i

der. "And this wind is fierce. I had no idea it would snow. It is

spe

ier than the climb, and

a huge boulder that fronted them. "Isn't it a whacker! Odd that I didn

I DON'T REMEMBER

er it, though. Everything looks queer and different in

till see o

I couldn't miss my way after com

the blazes

was Bob's scornful retort. He was silent for a moment. "But don't you wor

ever, was les

wen

oming out anywhere, do

N

ittle clearing some

here wa

we pas

N

's ahead

minute and brush the snow off these trees

lly i

wn their packs

rks on these trees," Van asser

here m

m then-if

rutinized severa

rail; missed it somehow. We'd better go back; we can't

s very

or the path too. Now don't go getting nervous, Bobbie, old chap. Two of us can't very well get lost on this mountain. We'll separate enough to keep within ha

e turned back when it began to cloud up; but I never dream

right, only it may take us a

hed into a

blinding sheets, and their fo

, they scann

mark a

lled now, and thei

n the mountain began to definit

Bob said after a long pause. "I was too cock-sure

to know where we are. Do you suppose we've been making an

miles," groaned Bob. "I've got t

oke w

ob," Van retorted sharply. "Brac

I'm tired an

railed off

hook him violently by the shoulders. "Now pull yourself together!" he comma

go anot

aster! Faster than that, do you hear? I'm just behind you, a

g, Bob

y he ga

matter?" d

He pointed before him with t

shed p

My sweater! Bla

h laughe

he trail!" Bob almo

you hear voices? It's David,

d inde

ord and then laughed again-

y's right here!" c

nd joined them Van saw that his face wa

e remarked, appearing not to notice the boy's fatigue.

d an arm

fast as you can. Hurry, boy. Your mother's pret