Part 2 (1/2)
”Any houses on that road?” asked Tom.
”Of course--farmhouses all along.”
”Then come on,” went on Tom to his brothers. ”We can hire a carriage to take us to Ashton and to the college. Some farmer will be glad of the chance to earn the money.”
”Let us wait and see if the train moves first,” answered d.i.c.k.
”She won't move just yet,” answered the brakeman with a sickly grin.
The boys stood around for a quarter of an hour and then decided to walk up to the country road that had been mentioned. Their trunks were checked through, but they had their dress-suit cases with them.
”We'll have to carry these,” said Sam dolefully.
”Let us see if we can't check them,” returned his big brother. But this was impossible, for the baggage car was locked and they could not find the man who had charge of it.
”Oh, well, come on,” said Tom. ”The cases are not so heavy, and it is a fine day for walking,” and off he started and his brothers followed him.
It was certainly a fine day, as Tom said. It was early September, clear and cool, with a faint breeze blowing from the west. On the way they pa.s.sed an apple orchard, laden with fruit, and they stopped long enough to get some.
”I declare this is better than sitting in that stuffy car,” remarked Sam as he munched on an apple. ”I am glad to stretch my legs.”
”If we don't have to stretch them too long,” remarked d.i.c.k.
”Say, I wonder if we'll pa.s.s anywhere near Hope Seminary!” cried Tom, ”It may be on this road.”
”What of it?” returned his younger brother. ”The girls are not here yet--won't be for two weeks.”
”Oh, we might get a view of the place anyway, Sam.”
”I want to see Brill first,” came from d.i.c.k. ”If that doesn't suit us--” He ended with a sigh.
”Oh, it will suit, you can bet on it!” cried Sam. ”Father wouldn't send us there if he wasn't sure it would be O.K. He's as much interested as we are.”
Walking along the highway, which ran down to a little milk station on the railroad, the three boys soon discovered a farmhouse nestling between some trees and bushes. They threw their baggage on the gra.s.s and walked up to the front door.
They had to knock several times before their summons was answered.
Then an old lady opened the door several inches and peeped out.
”What do you want?” she demanded in a cracked voice.
”Good afternoon,” said d.i.c.k politely. ”Can we hire somebody to drive us to Ashton? We were on the train, but there has been a smash-up, and we--”
”Land sakes alive! A smash-up, did you say?” cried the old lady.
”Yes, madam.”
”Was my son Jimmie killed?”
”n.o.body was killed or even hurt.”