80 BRAGGADOCIO.

out-of-the-way piece of ground to plant with
potatoes, that he might sell them in the fall,
and buy the geography that he longed for.
Now, in imitation of John Fitch, I am going
to ask father for half of what I can raise in
the garden more than we can use, and I will
sell the vegetables and buy the books and
things that I want.

Bessie—Did John Fitch raise potatoes
enough to buy the book?

Tom.—Almost; and the merchant who
bought it for him, made up the rest. I believe
John paid him afterwards.

Bessie.—I don’t quite understand how you
mean to do, Tom.

Tom.—You know there are a great many
folks down in the village, who have no gar-
dens. What I mean to do is, to supply some
of them with vegetables from ours. We will
have all we can eat ourselves, and for what is
over I will divide the profits with father: in
that way, you see, I will earn something for
him and something for myself, too.

*‘ Capital! capital!” shouted Bessie; “what
a boy you are, Tom!”