The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-27

bled his father. The boy had not thought
much about 1t, but he remembered no"
how sparsely the garden was hlled. now
blghted the fruit-buds had been, ana now
backward the vegetables.
II am telling you this" his father went
on. because you are getting old enough
to understand. and / do not want your
mother worried over 1t any more than we
can help" :,
II wish I could do something to help"
said Perry.
His father smiled sadly. There will
not be much to be done at home" he re-
turned.
81 might get a place, maybe"
His father shook his head. Ut doubt
II. There are more boys than places. You
remember wha, time Ben Roberts mad
getting a Job, and then IL didn't pay him
enough to keep him. You couldn't earn
your board, my son. And you'll have
enough to eat at home | hope
The rest of the way home Perry ponder
ed over the subject. Even very little
would help; but how earn II, ana yet DE
able 10 live at home
That evening. after supper, when sweet
odors came waiting up from the meadow,
when the sun went down in golden glory
behind he orchard trees, Perry, with
bucket in his hand went down to the
spring, which bubbled up. sparkling. out
of the solid rock at the foot Of the hill,
The overhanging ferns bent down to skim
lightly the surface OF the water. which
went tricl;ling between the rocks, making
a musical little sound.
"Myl but that's good'' said Perry, drain
ing the cocoanut shell which served In
lieu of a cup. II wish those city people
could taste this" Then his eyes grew
bright with a sudden inspiration, and he
paused cup In hand. why, OF course.
he said "Tll try IL. anyhow. Maybe 1t
won't pay, but then maybe 1t Will Ana
he strobe cheerily up the hill with his
bucket of water.
''Where's father" he asked as he set
down the bucket.
IT saw him go down toward the stile."
answered his mother. and Perry started
in the direction indicated.
"AII alone, dad?" he exclaimed bright
Is. when he reached the spot Il have an
idea. Come, let us sit down here and
talk it over 1t Is fine out here" And
then he proceeded TO unfold his plan. IF
you aren't going TO use the horse and
wagon for while. l want you 10 let me
have them TO haul water I've notion
can find customers that will be glad TO get
our good, sweet water while the supply in
the city IS so bad. and I'm going to try
Il, anyhow I'll SO near the market and
set up my stand" And he told of the
conversation he had overheard that morn
ing.
His father looked at him obviously. 1T
will be pretty hard work for you,' he
said. especially in hot weather"
Never mind" returned Perry. IF I
can make any money at all, it will be
worth It, and my crop will not need TO
be worked. and it will be all clear again
You know, every one says that our
spring can't be beat. and it never dries up
| even i'm the hottest weather"
well. YOU can try IT," agreed his IA
Their. you can take old Pete, and some
feed in the wagon. ] suppose. He's pretty
slow but he gets there after a while. so
| you might try him. | shall want 10 use
Bess. But I'm afraid there's nothing i'm
! It,"
Perry, however. was bound to make the
attempt, and the next day or two was
spent in getting together receptacies for
his sock. Some gallon bottles were found.
| filled, and carefully packed away I'm the
| wagon; a huge water-cooler was con-
| stTucted by placing "A keg within a barrel
and packing the former around with
charcoal and sawdust. spigot was
/ bought, two or three glasses were added
to the outfit, and Perry set forth upon
his enterprise.
He took up his stand near the market.
! on a corner Of a street which was a
great thoroughfare. The old horse was
taken out of the shafts. and stood pa
tently behind the wagon. while Perry
took up his stand in front
The first two or three days We're not
very promising; but the lads bright face
began to attract attention, and one morn
ing his luck came IN the person Of an
old gentleman who stopped before the
sign: Fresh, Pure Spring Water. 1 CT
| a Glass"
whats this?" he asked
Spring water sir Have CLASP"
The old gentleman nodded acquiescence
and, after slipping the water cautiously
handed the glass back 10 the boy.
Where do you get ths?" he inquired
From Rose Farm answered Perry
"about four miles out on the York Pike
II should like to take some Of this home
with me- said the old gentleman.
|. II have gallon bottles. Shall take
one to your house," asked Perry.
ayes. Here Is the address. You car
stop on your way home I suppose?"
"Oh very easily" responded the lad.
That afternoon he left the bottle as
directed.
a few days later the old gentleman
again appeared II have tested YOU
spring water" he said. "and am delighte,
to find anything as pure as this. Now
my boy. ] am, as you saw by the sigi
on my door, a physician. and amons
my patients are a number who will b.
glad TO get such water. We are having
very poor supply from the city. and. TO
children especially. / should be glad &
recommend this. / drove out TO you
place this morning, and all | saw onll
confirmed my previous opinion; so, II yol
are prepared to fill orders, | think | cat
give you enough to make it worth you
whie-for the summer, at least
Perry looked up with a beaming face
"Oh. thank you. sir" he said. THAT vii
be such lift. you don't known"
"I do know" replied the doctor II ha'
a long talk with your father. He say
you are his right-hand man. II was
bit OF a sacrifice 10 give up your Ion.
summer days in the country. I know hoy
happy those days can be, for I was
country boy myself. II was hard worl
TO stand here day after day I'm the heat
and you were a brave lad to do il. Now
have been thinking that you coul'
make an arrangement to have the waite
sold by the glass at one OF these stall
about here so you will only have to max
one trip day. coming in in the mornin
and going right out again as soon a
you have served the customers at thei
houses. How'll that dor"
Perry's brown eyes shone with pleasure
That's a fine idea. sir. You see. Their
| a-a son,a who would miss IN here IL