CHAPTER III
dave's presence of mind
Dave was as good as his word, and by one o'clock he entered Mr. Jackson's store. The proprietor, a portly man, greeted him pleasantly.
"More huckleberries, Dave?"
"Not to-day, Mr. Jackson. I came to ask you for a little information."
"Oh! What is it?"
"I guess you know our farm pretty well, don't you?"
"Why, yes; I've known that place for a good number of years. When I was a boy I used to go fishing in the brook back of the woods up there."
"What would you think the farm would bring if put up for sale?"
"Hum! That's a serious question to answer off-hand. How many acres?"
"Eighty-six, and fifty cleared."
"How big is the house?"
"Four good rooms. Then we have a small barn, a cowshed, a poultry house, besides two cows, a horse, and all the tools."
"Are you trying to sell out?"
