1-38 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



" No, my dear, I didn't. I kept it and tried another 

 store. Here I changed my tune. You see I was provoked, 

 and didn't care what I said. 



"Marching in very brave, I said, 'Want any fine fresh 

 strawberries ? Got the hulls on, to keep 'em fresh. Picked 

 this day. In prime order, 'cause the hulls are on. Makes 

 'em keep better. In bulk, to keep them sweet.' 



" There were two men in the store, and they both came 

 to look at my berries. 



" 'How much?' says one, poking his fingers into the 

 berries. 



"'Twenty-five cents,' says I. 'Thirty cents, if you 

 spoil 'em by poking them over in that way.' 



" The man stared, and the other fellow laughed. 



" ' Do you want 'em? ' says I. 



" ' No,' says he. 



" ' Prime berries,' says I. 'Warranted to keep, 'cause 

 the hulls are on.' Then the other fellow looked into a 

 little book he held in his hand and said, ' Guess we'll have 

 to take 'em. It's a tremendous price ; but they are very 

 early. Here's your money ; ' and he took the basket and 

 gave me this. 



" ' Yea,' says I, ' they are early. Half-past four in the 

 morning. Very early.' Then I started for home, and 

 you know the rest." 



"But, Johnny," cried Kate, lifting her hands, "where 

 is the basket ? You did not sell that too ? " 



"Oh! " exclaimed Joliimy. a I never thought of it." 



