BESSIE’S VISIT TO ROSE LAWN. 107

so that you can drive off all intruders; and it
shall be called Bessie’s Island.

Bessie.—I thank you, but what if—

Mr. Cramer—W hat if ?—

Bessie—What if poor Tom should be so
unlucky as not to raise vegetables enough
to pay for all this money ?

And Bessie looked at the two-dollar note
Mr. Cramer was reaching towards her, without
touching it, for it seemed to her an immense
sum of money. She continued:—* You know
there may be dry weather, and worms may
eat the young vegetables, and our pigs may
get into the garden, and our neighbor’s cows,
too ; so you see, Tom may not be able to make
so much money as all that.

Mr. Cramer.—But I am willing to lend
it to him, and run the risk of his paying it, as
soon as he can earn it.

Bessie—I am sure he would not take the
money in that way, for my mother always told
us, “Owe no man anything,” and we never do.
We do not owe a single cent to anybody,
and we can do without the island.

Mr. Cramer—Then you are rich’ indeed.