Problem: CHAPTER XXIX

THE JUMPERS

The sun was rising when Joe Thorpe made a hasty breakfast with his two companions in their camp beside the lode. He was a logger by profession, though he had an extensive experience in prospecting for timber-rights and minerals. Big Joe was known as an honest man; that was why Frobisher had selected him to stake off a claim, and he had arrived late on the previous night after a forced march.

"We ought to have a clear day or two before the first of the crowd that's following us comes in, but that's all," he said. "We want to get our prospecting done and the best locations picked before the rush begins, and we'll start as soon as you've finished."

"I'll be through in a minute," said one of the others with his mouth full. "It's a pretty fair deal Frobisher made with us and he's not the man to go back on one."

"That's more than I'd say of Mappin," remarked the third of the party. "He's in this somehow, isn't he? What was it Carnally said to you when we were getting ready to start, Joe?"

"Told me to watch out for the Mappin crowd. It seems Mappin's put Scaith, who made the trouble over the Newark timber-rights, on to the job. The fellow's a crook, and two of the others have been mixed up in jumping rows. Now we like Carnally, and he allowed he was on to a good thing in the Allinson claims. Anyhow, Watkins, you've had enough for one man. Let up on the pork and bring along the drill."
1. What was Joe's job?
2. Why did Frobisher choose him?
3. What was his nickname?
4. What about his last name?
5. Did he take his time with his morning meal?
6. Did he eat with anyone else?
7. When had he arrived?
8. What kind of transportation got him there?
9. What skills aside from logging did Joe have?
10. Is anyone else coming to the location?
11. When will they arrive?
12. Are they in a hurry?
13. When will they begin?
14. Do they think Frobisher is honest?
15. What about Mappin?
16. Who did Mappin hire for the work?
17. Do they have a high opinion of Scaith?
18. Why not?
19. Who among the other workers do they respect?
20. Whose claims did he work on?
Answer: 1. He was a logger
2. because he was known as an honest man
3. Big Joe
4. Thorpe
5. No
6. Yes
7. late on the previous night
8. a forced march.
9. prospecting for timber-rights and minerals
10. Yes
11. in a day or two
12. Yes
13. as soon as they've finished breakfast
14. Yes
15. No
16. Scaith
17. No
18. he who made the trouble over the Newark timber-rights and is a crook
19. Carnally
20. Allinson's

Problem: CHAPTER X

A BREEZE OF WIND

The hay was almost in when Frank and Harry stood one evening close under the apex of the roof in the log barn. The crop was heavy and because the barn was small it had been their business during the afternoon to spread and trample down the grass Jake flung up to them. They had been working at high pressure at one task or another since soon after daylight that morning, and now the confined space was very hot, though the sun was low. Its slanting rays smote the cedar shingles above their bent heads, and the dust that rose from the grass floated about them in a cloud and clung to their dripping faces. Frank felt that the veins on his forehead were swollen when they paused a moment for breath, leaning on their forks.

"I suppose we could get a couple more loads in, and there can't be more than that," said Harry dubiously. "I wouldn't mind a great deal if the next jumperful upset."

Frank devoutly wished it would, for he felt that he must get out into the open air, but a few moments later they heard the plodding oxen's feet and the groaning of the clumsy sled. The sounds ceased abruptly and Jake's voice reached them.

"Tramp it down good!" he called. "You've got to squeeze in this lot and another."

Frank choked down the answer which rose to his lips. But the hay must be got in, and the boys fell with their forks upon the first of the crackling grass Jake flung up to them. There seemed to be more dust in it than usual, and before the jumper was half unloaded they were panting heavily. When at last the oxen hauled the sled away they stood doubled up knee-deep in the hay with their backs close against the roof.
1. Who had been working on the hay?
2. Would would they have time for?
3. Who thought this?
4. Who needed air?
5. Who flung the grass?
6. What was there more of than normal?
7. What pulled the sled?
8. How was the weather?
9. What type of shingles are there?
10. How tall was the hay when they were done?
Answer: 1. Frank and Harry
2. to get a couple more loads in
3. Harry
4. Frank
5. oxen
6. dust
7. the oxen
8. very hot
9. cedar
10. unknown

Problem: Robert lives in a small town. Five years ago, when he was nineteen, he finished middle school. He didn't like any subjects except playing when he was at school. Of course he learned nothing and the bosses wouldn't use a man like him. He has to stay at home, but doesn't do any housework, only watches TV or lies on bed. It makes his parents angry. They want him to study something, he always think it difficult and doesn't listen to them. One day Robert was walking near a bookshop while some young men were talking about the writers. He heard the publishing house pays the writers a lot. He became interested in it. As soon as he got home, he began to write. But he couldn't write anything. At last he bought a book and copied a story. Then he posted it to the publishing house. He waited for nearly half a year, but didn't get any answers. He had to ask an editor on the telephone, "Have you read my story yet, sir?" "Yes," said the editor, "I had read it before you were born! "
1. How old is Robert?
2. When did he get done with middle school?
3. How old was he then?
4. Was he good at school?
5. What was his favorite class?
6. What did he like?
7. Did he learn a lot?
8. Where does he live
9. Does he have a job?
10. Why not?
11. Does he help around the house?
12. What does he do?
13. How does his mom and dad feel?
14. What do they want him to do?
15. Why doesn't he?
16. What does he decide to try?
17. Where'd he get that idea/
18. What enticed him to try it?
19. Did he give something to a publisher?
20. Was it plagiarized?
Answer:
1. 24
2. five years ago
3. 198
4. no
5. he didn't like any of them
6. playing
7. no
8. a small town
9. no
10. the bosses can't use him
11. no
12. watches TV
13. angry
14. study
15. it's difficult
16. writing
17. some men were talking about writers
18. he heard they are paid a lot
19. yes
20. yes