THE REFORMATION OF MARY HOG AN 201 



when time was called and Miss Lacy had them exchange papers 

 while she read the correct list aloud. To the delight of the school, 

 Peter Wright stood 96 per cent; Mary Hogan 98 per cent. 



At the announcement of the results of the contest, Mary 

 Hogan's heart nearly stood still and then began to pound so hard 

 that she could scarcely hear what was being said. It was truly 

 the happiest moment of her life. When the applause had died 

 away, Peter Wright rose to his feet and bowing low to Mary 

 smiling said, *'I am glad indeed to meet a little girl who knows 

 more about the common weeds than I do. I have had a long 

 acquaintance with weeds. You see I was the youngest son of a 

 large family. Money was scarce and I had to work, if I was to 

 get an education. I received permission to use a vacant lot as a 

 garden and in it, not only raised all the vegetables for the entire 

 family but I made about seventy-five dollars from it besides. 

 It was hard work, but he added reflectively, I think it made a 

 better man of me. I have often wished that all children had 

 gardens of their own, but perhaps you have. I am sure Mary 

 must have one to know as much about weeds as she does." 



Miss Lacy briefly told him the story of the vacant lot. When 



she had finished, Peter Wright remarked, "Not a bad idea to 



study the enemies of a garden first. Most people begin the 



other way. Now, I am going to tell you what I am going to do 



he continued, clasping his hands behind his back and keeping his 



eyes fixed on the eager faces in front of him. "I am going to get 



you permission to use that vacant lot as a school garden. Each 



one of you will have a plat of ground of your own to raise what 



you like and make all the money you can from it." Looking 



over at Mary Hogan he said smiling archly, "To get even with 



you for winning from me today I am going to ask the school 



to make you the head gardener. And this, ' ' he said handing the 



girl a ten dollar bill, "is to be used for ploughing and getting the 



lot in shape. Principal Dahl will, I am sure, subscribe for a 



good garden magazine so that this winter you can all be learning 



how to raise vegetables and flowers. Now, good-bye, until 



spring. Then I shall make it a point to come and see you all 



happily at work in your gardens." 



* * * 



Elated, Josephine Lacy hurried home to tell the good news. 

 She fotmd a letter awaiting her from the superintendent. He 



