Part 13 (1/2)
”Remember how you used to hate the farm, Tom?”
”Well, that was when we got too much of it. I don't like all farm and nothing else.”
”I wonder if Uncle Randolph has any new fads this summer?” came from d.i.c.k. Their uncle was more or less of a scientific farmer, and was always trying new ways, and usually losing money on them.
”He's got bees in his bonnet,” answered Tom.
”What's that?” demanded d.i.c.k, indignantly. ”Tom, Uncle Randolph is no more crazy than you are. He has a right to experiment if he wants to.”
”Who said he was crazy?”
”You said 'he has bees in his bonnet.' It's the same thing.”
”Not much,” answered Tom dryly. ”He's got bees on the brain-if that suits you better. Aunt Martha wrote me that he had invested in half a dozen hives of bees, and got a queen bee worth I don't know how much to boss the colony.”
”Oh, so he's going into bee culture!” murmured d.i.c.k. ”I hope he doesn't get stung.”
”He'll be stung right enough,” answered Sam. ”If not in one way then in another. He never makes his experiments pay. Say, I rather think I'll steer clear of those bees.”
”Maybe we can have some fun with them,” mused Tom, and immediately commenced to lay plans for that purpose.
They had a three hours' ride to Oak Run and on the way made several stops of more or less importance. At one place, near the depot, was a cigar store, and Tom left the train and came back with three cigars of large size in his hand.
”What are you going to do with those,” questioned Sam, ”learn to smoke?”
”No, I am going to treat some of my particular friends,” answered Tom, and winked one eye, suggestively.
”Oh, let me in on the joke!” pleaded his younger brother.
”Here it is then,” answered Tom, and brought from his pocket a small round wooden box. Taking off the cover he disclosed to view some pellets that were coated with what looked like silver.
”What are they?” questioned Sam.
”The fireworks catalogue called them Serpent's Eggs. You light one and the first thing you know it commences to swell up--”
”Oh, yes, and then pushes out just like a great big worm, or snake!”
finished Sam. ”I had a box of 'em last year. And are you going--”
”To put them in the cigars. They are harmless, but we can get some fun out of 'em,” concluded Tom.
It was an easy matter to cut out a portion of the tobacco from the smoking end of each cigar, and this done Tom inserted three of the pellets in each. Then he placed the cigars carefully in his pocket.
On the way to Oak Run the three lads discussed the doings at Brill, and also the news concerning Tad Sobber and Josiah Crabtree.
”Both of these rascals would like to get their hands on the Stanhope fortune,” said d.i.c.k.
”Yes, but in different ways,” returned Sam.
”Well, neither of 'em shall get his hands on a dollar-if I can help it,”
answered d.i.c.k.