The White Crystals

hom Roger looked down at from the top of the stage. It seemed to

sisted his nephew down. "He's on time t' th' minute, 'n'

r stomach," exclaimed Mrs. Kimball, laughing as she

s the more sturdy of the two, and it was easily seen what an advantage he had because of his life in the open air. He was tanned, and as brown as a butternut on his hands and face, and there was a clearness to his skin and a brightness to his eyes t

took it in a firm grasp, shaking i

the country boy suddenly.

ut I haven't had much chance a

the grass," said Adrian. He

t on, "I'm ashamed on ye. Don't ye know Roger's bin travellin' a good while,

"I never claimed to be much of a w

by any boy of his own age, in a test of strength, w

you used to?"

not par

en," said the country boy, a

an was his cousin. At the same time, though Roger was not as strong and well set-up as a lad of his age should have been,

seeking for good holds, and ready to break any too dangerous grip on the part of the other. Their faces wer

about the city boy's neck. But Roger was too quick for him, and, instead of gaining this advantage, Adrian found himself circ

des, was somewhat alarmed for the effects of the wrestling on her nephew, whose frame was not trained to such rough exercise, she thought. However, she said not

ting his advance with a force he did not expect was in his cousin's rather thin arms. At first Adrian tried to duck his head out from the encircling hold of Roger. When he c

t while, acted solely on the defensive. Then, seeing he was not making out as poorly as he feared he would, he ventured to try something on the offence. He p

ve been so ready to try the old trick. The country boy let himself be shoved over, ever so slightly. He

ball, though not displeased because he was going to see his own

aightened up. He twisted his neck from the crook of Roger's arm, grabbed his cousin by the shoulders, shifted rap

imself. "I thought ye had him, Roger, but he fooled ye. Guess ye'll hev t' eat

re was a determined look on his face that was good to see, for

d. "Maybe I'll do better next time. Are you r

at it again?" asked Adr

this time I'll try once more, and then to-morrow,

all. "That's what I like t' hear. Never say

n't rassal any more t'night. Adrian, I'm s'prised at ye

d much pleased at Roger's pluck. "But we won't try any more falls r

attened up, 'n' ye won't do thet ef ye keep on rassalin'. I guess I'll declare a flag a' truce. Now mind," and his voi

" replied Adrian

s postponed for a while, he would not rest until he had thrown his cous

er, 'n' I'll interduce ye t' yer cousin Clara, 'n' let ye set yer teeth in some a' th' finest salt-risin' bread in Cardiff, 'n' th' best buckwheat honey growed in Onondaga County," and he s

ping hill, on the sunny declivities of which was a large vineyard, belonging to Mr. Kimball. In front of the house was a stretch of fields, forming the bottom part of the valley, and some of these broad acres belonged to Adrian's father. The valley was about three miles wide, and, if one sh

f the autumn forest, caused the woods to appear as if they were blazing with golden fire. The beauty of the sunset made all pause to look at it,

ide of the building leading to the barn in the rear. Instead of going in the front door, which was, as is usual in the country, seldom opened, Mr. Kimball led the way around the side. Roger, following, heard

from a spring right up thar on my hill, 'n' we're th' fust family t' git it, jest 's it bubbles up from th' ground. Here!" taking down the half of

d back the empty dipper, with a grateful breath of contentment, his uncle needed no better evidence t

er looked up to meet the gaze of a pretty, brown-eyed girl, whos

ed out Adrian. "That's hi

st time yer mother were here, Clara wa'n't born yit, 'n' I vum, ye was such' a leetle chap, thet

s a girl of fourteen, and was almost as large as Roger. H

soon as you got off the stage. I believe he would rather roll in the dirt that w

supper's so near ready," answered Ad

he best he had ever smelled, for he was hungry, more hungry than he had been in several weeks, as his

xt to where Adrian slept, and, when she had seen his valise and trunk brought up, and showed

an at midnight in New York, where, indeed, there is never lack of noise. Through the open window of the room came only the faint rattle of a distant wagon down the dusty road, and the chirp of crickets, that had begun their evening

n't help feeling a trifle homesick. He controlled his feelings, poured out the water, and dashed it into his face vigorously. When he had finished using the towel he broke into

ate. He had fresh buckwheat honey, which had been taken from the hives that same day, his uncle told him. Then there was crisp, brown ham,

ed strange to the city boy, used only to gas or electricity. About nine o'clock Roger's eyes began to get heavy,

d Roger was glad to hear him say so. With a sm

ment, when Roger had settled snug bet

el

I know a deep hole where we c

through his open door.

ee-toads. Gradually these sounds became fainter and fainter, and at last he could o