SEEIN' THINGS
On a certain fair day in the autumn Joshua Hicks stood in the doorway of
the Hicksville post office and contemplated the chickens which were
congregated on the store platform waiting for the mail. He looked as if
he had been standing there uninterruptedly since we last saw him. His
octagon-shaped spectacles were exactly half way down his nose, and his
nose was just as long as it was on the day we made his acquaintance--if
anything, a little longer. He was waiting for the big daily event in
Hicksville, the arrival of the train.
But a bigger event than that was to arouse Hicksville. When the train
arrived a solitary figure got out, a young man with a suitcase, who
waved his hand familiarly to Joshua and called, "Hello, Josh," as he
strode away up the road.
For a minute Josh could only stare and say, "By gum." Then he took off
his spectacles and wiped them as if they were responsible for the
strange thing he had seen. But this, when he replaced them, only made
the hurrying figure stand out clearer to his vision.
"Marthy," said he, re-entering the post office and addressing his
daughter, "I jes' seed a ghost; as sure as I'm standin' here, Marthy, I
seed the ghost of Joey Haskell. It got off the train jes' as sure as I'm
standin' here, Marthy, and called out ter me and went up the road. I
seed it plain."
"Same as you seed the goblins in Hiram Berry's cornfield before
prohibition," said Marthy, who was not to be startled out of her rustic
calm by any of her father's visions. And she continued sorting the mail
which consisted of a newspaper and two letters.
"If folks is dead and yer see 'em, it's sperits, ain't it?" Joshua
demanded.
"If folks is dead they don't come to Hicksville, I reckon," said the
girl.
One might suppose that Hicksville would be just the very place folks
would go to, if they were dead. Be that as it may the young man was no
ghost. He was just a little pale, and he looked as if he might have
known much suffering, but he was no ghost.
Up the little lane he went where goldenrod was blooming and where some
of the birds that had beaten him on the journey southward were flitting
and chirping in the trees. A little brook that bordered the narrow,
fragrant way seemed hurrying along at his side, laughing in its pebbly
bed, as if to give him a welcome home. Straight ahead he went till he
came to the little white house. In the tiny front window hung a small
faded square of cloth which might once have been red, and in the center
of this was a crude homemade star of gold, but all the pristine
brightness had gone from it.
The young man opened the door, laid down his suitcase, stepped into the
little sitting room, and taking down the tattered, faded symbol called
out, "What's this doing here? If that isn't like Hicksville! The war
over two years and--"
Just then the astonished and frightened face of a little, wizened old
lady appeared in the kitchen doorway.
"_Mother!_"
Then in another moment he was helping the trembling form to a chair and
laughing and stroking the gray hair and putting his arm around that
thin, wrinkled neck.
It was almost too much for her. She looked at him with a kind of terror
in her poor old eyes, as if she thought he was not real, and she clung
to him as if she were drowning.
"It's all right, Muddy," he laughed, kissing her and making a fine joke
of her bewilderment; "feel of me; here, pinch me. Ouch! See how real I
am? I'm hungry too, if anybody should ask you. I think I'll go up to
Ruth Jillett's house for supper--"
She only clung to him tighter--and cried a little more. "You was always
thinking of Ruth first," she said. "Joey, my eyes is not what they wuz,
I've seen you so much when I was alone here--in all the trouble--you
wouldn't fool me--Joey?"
For answer she got such a hug as no ghost could ever give. "Of course,
if you'd rather believe the Government than your own eyes.... Why here's
Sport! Hello, Sport, I'll leave it to you," he added, reaching down and
patting the dog whose tail was going like a pendulum. "Here's a woman
that doesn't--"
"Joey, you mustn't say that--you--you--"
"All right, old Muddy, then admit that I am me."
"I don't understand--I--Joey--"
Another hug, "Of course, you don't. You're just two years out of date.
You've been living among the dead and you think everybody's dead and I'm
going to--"
"You're not going to Ruth Jillett's, Joey--"
"Well, I certainly will if you don't get me some supper. How about that,
Sport? Here I am come home a rich man with three hundred dollars in my
pocket, and no supper."
"Joey, if I had only known I'd have made a meat pie. I won't believe
you're real till I see you eat, Joey." That would be a good test.
"We won't eat here many more times--"
"Oh yes, we will. I've got three hundred dollars, and two hundred of it
belongs to some boy scouts. They made me take it as a loan. We're going
to stay right here and I'm going to get a job in Cartersburgh and I'm
coming home every night--so as to be near Ruth. Hey, Sport."
Poor old Mrs. Haskell only clung tighter to him. And Sport looked up,
and kept looking, as if he did not understand at all.
And so, as the evening drew on, these two, mother and son, sat in the
little kitchen of their old home and talked while Joe ate his supper; a
very good supper indeed for a "sperit." And since it was a matter of
eating, may we not fancy that the staunch spirit of Pee-wee Harris of
the raving Ravens was with them as they talked late into the night? And
when Joey Haskell jollied his poor old mother (as he did most
shamefully) may we not picture that diminutive scout saying in high
disgust, "You think you're smart, don't you?"
And yet, you know, you will hear it said that nothing ever happens in
Hicksville....
THE END
THE ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of the TOM SLADE BOOKS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset and Dunlap's list.
Roy Blakeley
In a book given by a kindly old gentleman, Pee-wee Harris discovers
what he believes to be a sinister looking memorandum, and he becomes
convinced that the old gentleman is a spy. But the laugh is on
Pee-wee, as usual, for the donor of the book turns out to be an
author, and the suspicious memorandum is only a literary mark. The
author, however, is so pleased with the boys' patriotism that he loans
them his houseboat, in which they make the trip to their beloved
Temple Camp, which every boy who has read the TOM SLADE BOOKS will be
glad to see once more.
Roy Blakeley's Adventures in Camp
Roy Blakeley and his patrol are found in this book once more happily
established in camp. Roy and his friends incur the wrath of a land
owner, but the doughty Pee-wee saves the situation and the wealthy
landowner as well. The boys wake up one morning to find Black Lake
flooded far over its banks, and the solving of this mystery furnishes
some exciting reading.
Roy Blakeley, Pathfinder
Roy and his comrades, having come to Temple Camp by water, resolve to
make the journey home by foot. On the way they capture a leopard
escaped from a circus, which brings about an acquaintance with the
strange people who belong to the show. The boys are instrumental in
solving a deep mystery, and finding one who has long been missing.
Roy Blakeley's Camp on Wheels
This is the story of a wild and roaming career of a ramshackle old
railroad car which has been given Roy and his companions for a troop
meeting place. The boys fall asleep in the car. In the night, and by a
singular error of the railroad people, the car is "taken up" by a
freight train and is carried westward, so that when the boys awake
they find themselves in a country altogether strange and new. The
story tells of the many and exciting adventures in this car.
Roy Blakeley's Silver Fox Patrol
In the car which Roy Blakeley and his friends have for a meeting place
is discovered an old faded letter, dating from the Klondike gold days,
and it appears to intimate the location of certain bags of gold,
buried by a train robber. The quest for this treasure is made in an
automobile and the strange adventures on this trip constitute the
story.
Roy Blakeley's Motor Caravan
Roy and his friends go West to bring back some motor cars. They have
some very amusing, also a few serious, adventures.
Roy Blakeley, Lost, Strayed or Stolen
The troup headquarters car figures largely in this very interesting
volume.
Roy Blakeley's Bee-Line Hike
The boys resolve to hike in a bee-line to a given point, some miles
distant, and have a lively time doing it.
Grosset & Dunlap, Publishers, New York
THE TOM SLADE BOOKS
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of the ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset and Dunlap's list.
THE TOM SLADE books have the official endorsement and recommendation
of THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA. In vivid story form they tell of Boy
Scout ways, and how they help a fellow grow into a manhood of which
America may be proud.
Tom Slade, Boy Scout
Tom Slade lived in Barrel Alley. The story of his thrilling Scout
experiences, how he was gradually changed from the street gangster
into a First Class Scout, is told in almost as moving and stirring a
way as the same narrative related in motion pictures.
Tom Slade at Temple Camp
The boys are at a summer camp in the Adirondack woods, and Tom enters
heart and soul into the work of making possible to other boys the
opportunities in woodcraft and adventure of which he himself has
already had a taste.
Tom Slade on the River
A carrier pigeon falls into the camp of the Bridgeboro Troop of Boy
Scouts. Attached to the bird's leg is a message which starts Tom and
his friend on a search that culminates in a rescue and a surprising
discovery. The boys have great sport on the river, cruising in the
"Honor Scout."
Tom Slade With the Colors, A Wartime Boy Scout Story
When Uncle Sam "pitches in" to help the Allies in the Great War, Tom's
Boy Scout training makes it possible for him to show his patriotism in
a way which is of real service to his country. Tom has many
experiences that any loyal American boy would enjoy going through--or
reading about, as the next best thing.
Tom Slade on a Transport
While working as a mess boy on one of Uncle Sam's big ships, Tom's
cleverness enables him to be of service in locating a disloyal member
of the crew. On his homeward voyage the ship is torpedoed and Tom is
taken aboard a submarine and thence to Germany. He finally escapes and
resolves to reach the American forces in France.
Tom Slade With the Boys Over There
We follow Tom and his friend, Archer, on their flight from Germany,
through many thrilling adventures, until they reach and join the
American Army in France.
Tom Slade, Motorcycle Dispatch Bearer
Tom is now a dispatch rider behind the lines and has some thrilling
experiences in delivering important messages to troop commanders in
France.
Tom Slade With the Flying Corps
At last Tom realizes his dream to scout and fight for Uncle Sam in the
air, and has such experiences as only the world war could make
possible.
Tom Slade at Black Lake
Tom has returned home and visits Temple Camp before the season opens.
He builds three cabins and has many adventures.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE PEE-WEE HARRIS BOOKS!
By PERCY KEESE FITZHUGH
Author of THE TOM SLADE and ROY BLAKELEY BOOKS
May be had wherever books are sold. Ask for Grosset & Dunlap's list.
All readers of the TOM SLADE and the ROY
BLAKELEY books are acquainted with Pee-wee Harris
and will surely enjoy reading every volume of this series.
Pee-wee Harris
Pee-wee goes to visit his uncle whose farm is located on a by-road.
Pee-wee conceives the idea of starting a little shack along the road
in which to sell refreshments and automobile accessories.
In accordance with his invariable good luck,--scarcely has he started
this little shack than the bridge upon the highway burns down and the
obscure country road becomes a thoroughway for automobiles. Pee-wee
reaps a large profit from his business during the balance of the
summer.
Pee-wee Harris on the Trail
Pee-wee gets into the wrong automobile by mistake and is carried to
the country where he has a great time and many adventures.
Pee-wee Harris in Camp
The scene is set in the beloved and familiar Temple Camp. Here Pee-wee
resigns from the Raven Patrol, intending to start a patrol of his own.
He finds this more difficult than he had expected, but overcame all
obstacles--as usual.
Pee-wee Harris in Luck
Pee-wee goes with his mother to spend the summer on a farm, where he
meets a girl who is bewailing her fate that there is no society at
this obscure retreat. Pee-wee assures her he will fix everything for
her--and proceeds to do so--with his usual success.
Pee-wee Harris Adrift
A little spot of land up the river breaks away and floats down stream,
with a laden apple tree growing upon it. Pee-wee takes possession of
this island and the resulting adventures are decidedly entertaining.
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
THE TOM SWIFT SERIES
By VICTOR APPLETON
UNIFORM STYLE OF BINDING. INDIVIDUAL COLORED WRAPPERS.
These spirited tales, convey in a realistic way, the wonderful
advances in land and sea locomotion. Stories like these are impressed
upon the memory and their reading is productive only of good.
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR CYCLE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS MOTOR BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIRSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SUBMARINE BOAT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RUNABOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIRELESS MESSAGE
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE DIAMOND MAKERS
TOM SWIFT IN THE CAVES OF ICE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS SKY RACER
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE
TOM SWIFT IN THE CITY OF GOLD
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR GLIDER
TOM SWIFT IN CAPTIVITY
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WIZARD CAMERA
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GREAT SEARCHLIGHT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS GIANT CANNON
TOM SWIFT AND HIS PHOTO TELEPHONE
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AERIAL WARSHIP
TOM SWIFT AND HIS BIG TUNNEL
TOM SWIFT IN THE LAND OF WONDERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS WAR TANK
TOM SWIFT AND HIS AIR SCOUT
TOM SWIFT AND HIS UNDERSEA SEARCH
TOM SWIFT AMONG THE FIRE FIGHTERS
TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC LOCOMOTIVE
GROSSET & DUNLAP, PUBLISHERS, NEW YORK
EVERY BOY'S LIBRARY
BOY SCOUT EDITION SIMILAR TO THIS VOLUME
The Boy Scouts of America in making up this Library, selected only
such books as had been proven by a nation-wide canvass to be most
universally in demand among the boys themselves. Originally published
in more expensive editions only, they are now, under the direction of
the Scout's National Council, re-issued at a lower price so that all
boys may have the advantage of reading and owning them. It is the only
series of books published under the control of this great organization,
whose sole object is the welfare and happiness of the boy himself.
For the first time in history a _guaranteed_ library is available,
and at a price so low as to be within the reach of all.
Adventures in Beaver Stream Camp, Major A. R. Dugmore
Along the Mohawk Trail, Percy Keese Fitzhugh
Animal Heroes, Ernest Thompson Seton
Baby Elton, Quarter-Back, Leslie W. Quick
Billy Topsail with Doctor Luke of the Labrador, Norman Duncan
The Biography of a Grizzly, Ernest Thompson Seton
The Boy Scouts of Black Eagle Patrol, Leslie W. Quick
The Boy Scouts of Bob's Hill, Charles Pierce Burton
Buccaneers and Pirates of Our Coasts, Frank R. Stockton
The Call of the Wild, Jack London
Cattle Ranch to College, R. Doubleday
College Years, Ralph D. Paine
Cruise of the Cachalot, Frank T. Bullen
The Cruise of the Dazzler, Jack London
Don Strong, Patrol Leader, W. Heyliger
Don Strong of the Wolf Patrol, William Heyliger
For the Honor of the School, Ralph Henry Barbour
The Gaunt Gray Wolf, Dillon Wallace
A Gunner Aboard the Yankee, From the Diary of Number Five of the
After Port Gun
The Guns of Europe, Joseph A. Altsheler
The Half-Back, Ralph Henry Barbour
Handbook for Boys, Revised Edition, Boy Scouts of America
The Horsemen of the Plains, Joseph A. Altsheler
Jim Davis, John Masefield
Kidnapped, Robert Louis Stevenson
Last of the Chiefs, Joseph A. Altsheler
Last of the Plainsmen, Zane Grey
The Last of the Mohicans, James Fenimore Cooper
Lone Bull's Mistake, J. W. Schultz
Pete, The Cow Puncher, J. B. Ames
Ranch on the Oxhide, Henry Inman
The Ransom of Red Chief and other O. Henry Stories for Boys,
Edited by F. K. Mathiews
Scouting with Daniel Boone, Everett T. Tomlinson
Scouting with General Funston, Everett T. Tomlinson
Scouting with Kit Carson, Everett T. Tomlinson
Through College on Nothing a Year, Christian Gauss
Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Jules Verne
Under Boy Scout Colors, J. P. Ames
Ungava Bob; A Tale of the Fur Trappers, Dillon Wallace
Williams of West Point, H. S. Johnson
GROSSET & DUNLAP, Publishers, NEW YORK