THE STRAWBERRY GARDEN. 183 



Just as it began to flow in the new direction, the clouds 

 threatened rain in real earnest ; the thunder muttered. 



" Good ! " cried John, Jr. " It's coming. Providence 

 is on my side this time. The rain will wash it in finely." 



The thunder pealed louder, and a few big drops pattered 

 down. The crank flew round, and the black river spread 

 in widening floods over the ground. The lightning flashed 

 and the thunder pealed at the same instant. The storm was 

 at hand. Still the sturdy John, Jr., maintained his post. 

 When the current was to be turned, he plied his hoe with 

 speed and dexterity ; he also turned the crank swiftly, and 

 pushed his hydraulics with vigor and success. Just as the 

 stream flowed down the last strawberry row, the storm burst 

 upon him. The dust from the road swept like a whirlwind 

 down the place, the pear-trees bent before the blast, and the 

 rain came down in a flood. John, Jr., made a vigorous push 

 for the paternal mansion, and just escaped a plentiful duck- 

 ing. 



In- a short time the shower passed over, and he went out 

 to see what was the result of the combined artificial and 

 natural hydraulics. 



All traces of the irrigation were gone, swept away by 

 the rain ; yet the desired result had been obtained, the 

 plants had been fed. 



The next day the ground was lightly stirred with a hoe, 

 and everything made smooth and sweet again. For that 

 matter, no unpleasantness could be discovered by the time 



