WINDFALLS OF CORN 149 



with a smile. "You know he is a peculiar man/' 

 he added. 



"Frank/' said his father, "you can go and ask 

 Mr. Whitney, if you want to." 



"All right/' Frank answered, and started down the 

 road to Mr. Whitney's home. 



Frank's father and his uncle sat on the front porch 

 watching Frank going down the road. Frank's 

 uncle said, "I am not sure whether the old man will 

 answer his questions ; let me see, Frank is twelve 

 years old now and Mr. Whitney has never been 

 much of a man with boys. There is no better farmer 

 for miles, and he would do anything for you in 

 trouble, but he is peculiar. When you ask him a 

 question he may answer it or he may not, or he may 

 give you a good scolding. He and I are good friends, 

 and when he finds out that Frank is my nephew, he 

 may be real nice to him." Mr. Sellars wondered 

 how this visit might come out. 



Frank was a bright, cheerful, winning boy, with 

 a smile for every one he met. When he arrived at 

 Mr. Whitney's home a large collie came running 

 towards him, barkjng ; he spoke to the animal and 

 they became friends immediately. Mr. Whitney 

 was sitting on a chopping-block under the lean-to of 

 the old barn. 



"Good evening; is this Mr. Whitney?" Frank 

 said. 



