ts in the F

per Wood walk toward the hillside, where he had started a new vineyard where only reddish, sweet Alsatian grapes grew. The hillside lay toward the valley abou

nferior kind, and when he sometimes went to see whether his grapes would ripen this year, he alw

year will not be like last! Just let them come!" and

ed the Justice of Peace, "so that one could make an examp

ull of meaning. "The boldest of them will carry the reminder of the

hese communities all kinds of things happen. At present all the inhabitants of the three places were in great tension and expectation about something which caused so much

e running expenses, so she was going down to Oakwood where she had a cousin who was glad to have her live with him. Now the question was, where the little stran

out everywhere with large baskets full of cake and unusually good cookies; these must be secured. The Middle Lotters especially were against the morning church service. To the surprise of all, big Churi voted for the church-going. He had brought it about that the great, long-prepared battle day was fixed for Organ-Sunday, although many voices voted against it, and there were still some that did not agree with the arrangement, for they were sure that on the feast-day much else was to be seen and heard. But Churi grew quite wild if anyone said

small Greek army against the enormous hordes of Persians stood before him, and he had to swallow

n the evening fixed, and there was an indescribable noise. But big Churi shouted the loudest and explained to them the arrangements of the day

d shouted, "that is why you voted for church

you do not want to go, then don't, and the Upper Wooders will pay yo

owed at once, was finished; and in the morning only Churi with his officers should march out to arrange all places and positions

its, and this had greatly encouraged Churi and his allies. But he knew how careful the Mayor had been this year, and he knew very well of his daily walks and that in the afternoon his wife also took a walk in the direction of the vineyard, and in the evening they often took the same walk together; so that the culprits had not any day

ear-olds. Ahead of all was Kaetheli, who was always on the spot when something was to be seen or heard. When she left the meadow, she saw Erick standing near the hedge, where he had stoo

answere

y n

act as I do no

ys alone. Do you know where you are going

N

e auctioned off. My

ck, who now listened more

n the room and they bid on you, an

stupid,"

s it s

re money if they gave me t

g to be sold, quite the reverse; he who gets

es him t

ained. "Do you see, there is a money box with money in it

grew p

o be auctioned,"

efore one is confirmed. If you do not obey, then someone just

ed on the same spot and did not move. He had become deathly pale and his blue eyes flashed defiance and indignation

ty? I never have seen you so mad," he

ived no

and strike hard; that wi

hook hi

The fellow who has made you wrathful will n

boy," grum

en, perhaps

d," Erick burst out and his a

d you will forget the auction on the spot. Or are you afraid of the thrashing, you f

bout it; so he reckoned that none of the others would go first and he himself would prefer to have some other fellow first find out whether a

u?" he urged t

r shook his h

hat you need not be auc

that?" Erick a

whole mountain, far beyond Lower Wood, and he knows all the people and can place you where he likes. You only need to say wha

eved word for word what the swaggering Churi told him. He conside

t and always go first to see whether the land is clear and safe for us and where we can best pitch our tents and give battle. But one thing I have

tle there, nor camp,

through the vineyard and not make a bit of noise, do you hear? And not run away, else-" Chur

going,"

is the best thing for you;

ck's cheeks. He hesitated a moment, then he asked: "If I go with

ou can," Chu

I wi

your ha

t hold of the hand. "Promise that you will be there under t

se," sai

said "Good night," and dis

child in Upper and Lower Wood, and above all, in Middle Lot, knew that the quiet Erick all at once belonged to the rowdies; that he was not only going

hands of the coarse and wicked Churi and would be ruined and led to do all kinds of wicked things by the bad boy. All this made her tender heart ache. She had gone, in the afternoon, to the sol

eeches, for he hardly had taken his seat at table, when he looked across at Sally and said: "You can count to-morrow the blue

fer to begin this evening and fight through the whole day to-morrow," she cried, h

ng he had searched for an example after which he mig

ick that he has joined the fighters, moreover, and that he has made friends with the very worst rowdy. But, dear Sally, you need

d a deep sigh and said: "Everything is over for me, but I will be glad for one thing, t

ay sc

an that, I mean

ay school

something which one can use very wel

ickly, much contented wit

racles. There will be apple-cake, that is what I meant," Edi said with a sigh, for n

be able to eat again because Erick gets his bumps; then we will also get her share, and that will