GRASSHOPPERS 93 



The boys went home with the turnip seed in their 

 pockets, and the next morning when their father had 

 gone to town they sowed it. Mr. Blake was busy 

 with his corn-crop and so he did not get back to the 

 garden for nearly three weeks. One morning he 

 decided to plow the garden. As he went through 

 the gate the boys followed him and when he saw the 

 turnips he was greatly surprised. 



"What is this? "he asked. 



The boys explained that they had sowed turnips 

 there because they thought he liked them. 



"I do/ 7 answered Mr. Blake, "but where did 

 you get the seed? 7 ' 



"From Captain Shelby/' they answered. 



A pleased smile crept over his face, as he said : "I 

 see through it now. That is a game of yours, and 

 the Captain helped you. Boys/' he continued, "I 

 would never have disturbed your grasshopper cages, 

 but I am glad that you sowed the turnips, and even 

 if I had intended to plow that ground, your game 

 would have caused me to change my mind." 



The boys watched their tumbler under the old 

 apple tree and the cages by the garden fence, hoping 

 that the eggs might yet hatch before the cold weather 

 set in. But September passed and October came 

 with its colors of russet, gold, and red. The golden- 

 rods and the frost-flowers covered the earth, and the 

 cornfields rustled in the autumn breezes. 



