Five Little Peppers and their Friends

t the last words. Joel slid to the floor in a

e where it went," and s

ng up and shook Joel's arm.

that any trouble had come to Joel, each vied with the

y, as they all raced across the greensward, Polly and Alexia following swiftly. "Hold on there, James," ordere

," said James to the wo

Jasper, as the whole group precip

sor." Polly and Alexia were already in the arbor in the thickest of the green branches scattered over the floor,

with both hands, while Joel, who could scarcely see for the tears th

distress. "Well now, that's too bad. W

em?" demanded Jasper,

the dum

end your men with lanterns; don't touch a single th

Now, boys," to the workmen, "you can leave thi

ht," sai

ing, won't you?" called Jasper over

preferred the pleasures of "the dump," a big dell in proce

e're mewed up here when we might be in that dear old s

very much sometimes that she might be a boy, "so we'd much b

something, and poking aimlessly at the green branches scattered on the flo

a little white line c

?" and Alexia gave a restful stretch to her long

r bill, Alexia," repeated Polly hoars

ll this." Alexia waved her arms at the green draperies. "I'm going to pul

or, "we must leave all that till Jasper comes

o poke over those old things. You know yourself it's no earth

e sound, and Alexia, wh

ap down in the middle

aking her arms. "Oh, Polly, do get up, we will find it, I'

Alexia. "Polly, plea

hands. "Oh, what did I

as sure as anything. We

do ge

and began to pat the white face. Pol

eadful things for, Alexia

ou've scared me 'most to death, Polly Pepper. Do get up." So Polly sat straight

"this isn't hunting for

I tell you." She sprang to her feet. "Let's clear a place in this corner"-and she rushed over to it-"and then pick up e

y didn't hear when the boys came back from their search. But the first moment she saw Jasper's face, Polly kn

bbed, "it's gone,

d Jasper, clapping him on t

ainst the arbor side, and feeling quite sure they should

it," she said, swallowing a big lump in her throat; "don't cry, dear," whil

we'll all set to work on these vines that are left. C

hat had been such a piece of work for the gardeners to put up. Percy sai

ss fingers; "you must shake each one as you pull it down, before you throw it out on the

Alexia. "Oh, Van, what a pi

Joel, "We ought to help,

d it! I've

excitement to Polly and Joel. "There, old fellow, what did I tell y

t contempt, "he hasn't, either;

crestfallen, and flinging down the

oor and cried as if his heart would break. They couldn't get him out of it, so Jasper

at his swollen nose and eyes (for he had cried so he could hardly see), if he had found it yet. But these chances became very few, for it was Jasper's and Polly's very especial business to keep guard over Joel, and try to divert him in every way. Meantime the hunt went on. And

to sel

an, looking over his glasses. "What i

ll tin," said

ejaculated old Mr.

I, Grandpapa? Please say I may." Joel ran around the wri

. King, leaning back in dismay,

he recovered it and dashed on, "And I can't do it unless you will let me sell tin. Please, Grandpapa dear. Mr. Biggs used to, in Badgertown, you know, and he took me with him sometimes on his cart, so I know how; and I can sell a lot.

ses that had slipped to the end of his nose, and taking

possible. And before long Joel forgot he hadn't laughed for oh, such a long while, and lo and behold! Grandpapa

nd she was so overcome by the joyful sound that she sat right down on the step.

n the step by her side. "Now everything

g up her ears to catch the blissful s

atisfaction. "Father has been so pul

y, "because it was careless, just as Mamsie said,

'm sure any one is likely to do it, and Joel was in such a hurry t

aken, "and just think how he worked before, Jasper. He h

inging down his hand with emphasis on his k

" mourned Polly, her head drooping sorrowfully

; "it's going to be all right now, Polly, I do believ

d in every nook and corner where there was the least possible chance that the ten-dollar bill could be in hiding. They had both been so sleepy on the evening of the garden party when the loss had been announced, that it fel

room, he was hanging to the old gentleman's hand

rk," said old Mr. Kin

said Joel, bobbing hi

here's to be no dropping the job, once you take it up. If you do, you'll get

y, and hopping up and down; "I'll do every single spe

tleman. "Now, then, Joel, my boy, we'll go down-town and buy the blank book, so that I

d Mr. King's writing-room, and that Grandpapa and he were already off down-town to buy a new blank book for t