150 THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 



CHAPTER V. 



CONCERNING MRS. GRUNDY WIDOW. 



WE must condense. The go-ahead Johnny and the 

 lively Kate took their new work in hand, and, in spite of 

 many troubles, vexations, and disappointments, pushed 

 things with vigor and success. 



To be sure, they found it rather hard to be obliged to go 

 to work picking strawberries as soon as they returned from 

 school, and getting up so very early in the morning and 

 carrying the berries through the streets was not equal to 

 base-ball as an amusement. 



Still they toiled on, cheered by the slowly increasing 

 pile of scrip. About the fourth day of their experience a 

 fresh trouble appeared, an unlooked-for embarrassment 

 of riches. There we're more berries than they could pick 

 unless assistance was procured. 



Their operations had fortunately begun at the very open- 

 ing of the season. The warm and sheltered situation of 

 their garden had favored them greatly. Their fruit was 

 ripe several days earlier than that on the neighboring farms. 

 This was the cause of the high price they obtained by their 

 first sales. As soon as the berries began to come in from 

 the surrounding country, down went the price. 



