Part 44 (1/2)

Even the grave uncle of the luckless nephew had to laugh as he thought of the sli their travels in the short but enormous ”priches” fetched from fatherland

”Howout some money

”I don't know--I don't keeps priches to sell; ave the Ger,--

”Allow me to pay for the ht: the German never did

Neither--it may as well be said here--did Radcliff's own relatives see hiain for many years What various adventures were his can only be sur up his accounts with the world, left hiacy of six thousand dollars, when he once entleman, and favored his Western friends with a visit

He ran through his little fortune in a few ain, five or six years later (when Jack and Vinnie saw hio hotels

CHAPTER XL

PEAKSLOW'S HOUSE-RAISING

”Mercy onan unusual noise in the front part of the house; ”noe are to have the racket of those Peakslow children!

What could you have been thinking of, Lavinia dear? I'ave _ our library into a kitchen! Not that I blaht to have considered”

”Surely you wouldn't have denied the houseless family a shelter?” Vinnie replied ”That would have seereat chambers unoccupied As for the _library_,”--Vinnie smiled, for the unfurnished roo in it but a fireplace,--”I don't think any har the Peakslow children, which she laid before Mrs Peakslow as soon as the new inmates were fairly settled in the house

”Since un a little school, with only two scholars,--Cecie and Lilian Wouldn't your children like to join it? I think it would be pleasant”

”Whuther they would or not, I'd like to have 'eratefully ”The chances for schoolin' is dreffle slih two mile But how shall I pay ye?”

”You needn't mind about that”

”Yes, I shall mind too We must do somethin' for you in return”

”Well, then,” said Vinnie, ”if you like, you irls help a little in my sister's kitchen, to make up for the time I spend with theood sit all out of her you can”

So it was arranged The little school of tas increased to five; the ”parlor”--used only to store grain in hitherto--was turned into a school-room; and Lyddy worked in Mrs Betterson's kitchen

”Lavinia dear, you _are_ an extraordinary girl!” said Caroline ”It seereatest_our_ dishes!”

No one was better pleased with this arrange Vinnie--with all her health and strength and cheery spirits--doing the hardest of the housework

Jack took early occasion, on visiting Long Woods, to go and see Mr

Peakslow, andonce suspected Zeph of taking his corunt for his pains