Part 29 (1/2)

”Don't you mind me at all,” cried Fred. ”I'll go with you-as far as Marville.”

”And I go so far as Ithaca,” added Hans. ”Py chiminy! I hopes you cotch dot rascal, Tad Sobber alretty quick!”

”So do I hope we catch him,” answered d.i.c.k.

The Rover boys were so used to traveling that getting ready did not bother them. They knew they could catch a train for Ithaca in two hours and so lost no time in packing their dress-suit cases.

”We'll go to the depot in the auto,” said d.i.c.k. ”Frank Rand can bring the machine back here.” And so it was arranged, Rand being an automobile owner living at the Run.

”Oh, boys, I do hope you will take care of yourselves!” cried Aunt Martha, when they were ready to leave.

”Don't worry, Aunty, we'll do that!” cried Sam.

”Here is something to remember me by!” added Tom, and gave her a warm hug and a kiss. Then the others kissed her, and gave a handshake to Uncle Randolph.

d.i.c.k brought the automobile out, and in all of the lads piled and Aleck Pop lifted in the dress-suit cases and Hans' bundle. The power was turned on, and off the touring car moved.

”Good-bye!” was the cry from the boys.

”Don't forget to let us know what is happening!” called out Randolph Rover. ”And if you need me, don't hesitate to send for me.”

d.i.c.k turned on more gasolene and advanced the spark, and soon the big touring car was shooting along the country road at a speed of twenty-five miles an hour. They had plenty of time to make the train, but the Rovers were impatient to get to Oak Run, to send a message to their parent, advising him of their coming.

Through the village of Dexter's Corners they dashed, around a corner, and then straight for the bridge spanning Swift River. A farm wagon was making for the bridge from the opposite sh.o.r.e, and there was not room for both vehicles to pa.s.s on the bridge.

”Better slow up and wait, d.i.c.k!” cautioned Sam, but instead, d.i.c.k turned on more power, and away they sailed over the bridge like the wind, and past the farm wagon.

”Phew! that's going some!” cried Fred. ”I don't know as I would have nerve to run a car like that!”

”Oh, d.i.c.k's a dandy driver,” answered Tom, enthusiastically.

Arriving at the station, they went to the telegraph office and asked for messages, and found none. Then word was sent to Anderson Rover at Cedarville. After that the automobile was turned over to Frank Rand, who agreed to take it back to Valley Brook farm that afternoon.

”Off ag'in, eh?” said Ricks, when they bought their tickets. ”I don't see why you boys can't settle down fer awhile.”

”Smoking any cigars now, Mr. Ricks.” asked Tom, dryly.

”If I am, 'tain't none o' your business!” snapped the old station agent.

”I just heard of a new cure for smoker's jim-jams,” went on the fun-loving youth. ”You take a squash and boil it in lard, and then cut it into thin slices, and--”

”I don't want none o' your cures!” roared Mr. Ricks savagely. ”I ain't got no smoker's jim-jams, nor nuthin'. I--”

”But you saw things, Mr. Ricks, you said you did. Worms, and snakes, and strange things--”

”I didn't! I didn't!” howled the old station agent, growing red in the face. ”Now you shet up, do you hear? The boys has been pokin' fun enough at me as it is! Everywhere I go they ask me about my smokin'! I'm sick o'

hearin' about it, an' I ain't goin' to stand it, I ain't!” And he shook his fist in Tom's face.

”Sorry you feel so bad about it, Mr. Ricks,” said Tom coolly. ”I only wanted to do you a favor. Now this squash cure is warranted to--”