Bertie and the Gardeners; or, The Way to be Happy

by Madeline Leslie

  Produced by D Alexander and the Online DistributedProofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file wasproduced from images generously made available by TheInternet Archive)

  _THE WOODLAWN SERIES._

  Bertie and the Gardeners:

  OR,

  THE WAY TO BE HAPPY.

  BY

  MRS MADELINE LESLIE.

  AUTHOR OF "AUNT HATTIE'S LIBRARY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS," ETC.

  CHICAGO:

  HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY 1880.

  Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by

  A. R. BAKER,

  In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

  Winnie catching the Snow-flakes. Vol. VI., p. 103]

  THE WOODLAWN SERIES.]

  TO

  HARRY, NELLIE, AND WILLIE SAMPSON;

  ALSO,

  To the Memory of their Deceased Brothers and Sister,

  BERTIE, FRANKEY AND EMMA,

  THESE LITTLE BOOKS ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

  If the perusal prompt them and other readers to imitate the virtues ofour hero in his efforts to _be_ good, and to _do_ good, the wishes ofthe author will be realized.

  BERTIE; OR, THE WOODLAWN SERIES.

  BY MRS. MADELINE LESLIE.

  16 mo. 6 vols., Illustrated.

  I. BERTIE'S HOME.

  II. BERTIE AND THE CARPENTERS.

  III. BERTIE AND THE MASONS.

  IV. BERTIE AND THE PLUMBERS.

  V. BERTIE AND THE PAINTERS.

  VI. BERTIE AND THE GARDENERS.

  CONTENTS.

  CHAPTER I. THE NEW FARMER, 11

  CHAPTER II. THE SICK WORKMAN, 21

  CHAPTER III. THE MERRY GARDENER, 30

  CHAPTER IV. VISITORS TO WOODLAWN, 40

  CHAPTER V. THE SORROWING FATHER, 51

  CHAPTER VI. CLEARING THE CREEK, 64

  CHAPTER VII. PAT'S VISIT HOME, 74

  CHAPTER VIII. LETTER FROM PAT, 84

  CHAPTER IX. BERTIE'S SPELLING MATCH, 97

  CHAPTER X. BERTIE'S PRESENTS, 107

  CHAPTER XI. THE HEART AND HAND, 118

  CHAPTER XII. VIOLETS AND VIOLETTA, 127

  CHAPTER XIII. BERTIE'S REWARD, 138

  CHAPTER XIV. BERTIE AND THE NEWSBOY, 148

  CHAPTER XV. THE LAST CHAPTER, 155

  Bertie and the Gardeners.

  CHAPTER I.

  THE NEW FARMER.

  The new house at Woodlawn was nearly completed; and Mr. Curtis now setto work in earnest, clearing the grounds of the rubbish, in order tomake the terraces and lay out his avenue in front.

  Those who have read the other books about Bertie, will know that twowide avenues, enclosed by handsome iron gates, had been already made;one winding along on the shores of Lake Shawsheen, the other enteringfrom a higher point which led through a grove toward the house wherethe enchanting view of lawn and water burst at once on the vision.

  But in the vicinity of the house, no grading had been done, on accountof the vast amount of bricks, lime, mortar-bins, wood and chips lyingscattered in every direction.

  The house, elegant in proportion and finish, stood about a hundredrods in front of a high, grassy mound, upon the top of which a clusterof chestnut-trees cast a pleasant shade.

  The rich, green turf on the lawn which sloped to the lake, was dottedwith magnificent old trees undisturbed for a century. Back of thehouse, or rather beyond the barn, was another swell or mound, whichlike the first, was so regular in its form as almost to excite thebelief that it was artificial. Indeed, from the fact that twotomahawks were found buried in the spot where the barn stood, Mr.Curtis inferred that it might have been used for the grand council ofthe Indian tribe, and that here they buried all hostilities.

  "Certainly," Mrs. Curtis remarked, "this was a pleasant view to takeof it," and as there was no one to dispute the fact, the larger moundwas called "Peace Mountain."

  Mr. Curtis, or the Squire, as the Oxford villagers called him, wasnow in his element. Every pleasant morning he might be seen, hiswife leaning on his arm, walking over the premises, planning theimprovements to be made, and often Bertie and Winifred accompaniedthem.

  When the weather was not so clear, the gentleman and his son hurriedfrom one part of the grounds to the other, directing Tom Grant, ormeasuring with a ten-foot pole.

  There was a nice sunny plat containing sixteen acres back of PeaceMountain, which had been ploughed earlier in the season, to be inreadiness next year for a garden and orchard. Besides this there wereto be heart-shaped and diamond-shaped figures and circlets cut in thelawn, near the house, for flowers of every hue.

  It was now October, and the most must be made of the fine weather.Ploughing and preparing the ground for agricultural purposes, was whatthe farmers in the neighborhood were accustomed to, and therefore helpwas easily to be obtained.

  Through the summer, Mr. Curtis had borne in mind that he should need askilful farmer to till his land, one who understood the science aswell as the art of farming to the best advantage. He greatly approvedThomas Grant's industry, and the zeal he manifested in all thatconcerned his master's interests; but he feared the man was soattached to the old ways of managing land, that he would be unwillingto avail himself of the improved implements of agriculture, or thenew-fangled notions, as he called mowing-machines, horse-rakes,sowing-machines, etc., etc.

  But one noon, while his oxen were eating their dinner, Mr. Curtisfound him sitting under the shade of a tree, examining with greatinterest the latest report of the State Agricultural Society.

  Turning to a picture of a Devon cow, he exclaimed:

  "Well, Squire, if Adam carried such cows as that with him when he wentoutside of Eden, I think he might have set up another paradise To mythinking, Squire, nothing can beat that cow."

  Mr. Curtis threw himself on the grass, wishing to test Tom's ideas offarming; and after conversing half an hour, resolved to hire him forhis farmer.

  But still it was necessary for the gentleman to employ a gardener, onewho loved flowers and had a taste for landscape gardening.

  "I must advertise, Cecilia," he said one day to his wife; "I wantexactly the right kind of a man for there is a great opportunity toimprove and beautify the place."

  While his papa and mamma were talking, Bertie sat on a cricket beforea wooden chair which he had borrowed of Mrs. Taylor from the kitchen.Winnie was by his side, and he was teaching her to make a penny spinaround so that it looked like a ball.

  CHAPTER II.

  THE SICK WORKMAN.

  Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Curtis noticed that their son listened to theconversation; but he did, and remembered it.

  The next day he harnessed Whitefoot into his donkey carriage as soonas he had read his chapter, with his mamma, and drove away with allspeed to Woodlawn.

  Mr. Fuller and most of the workmen had left; but Joe Allen and hisfather were
busy in the conservatory which they were just finishing.It was a beautiful building, the centre much higher than the rest, tobe filled with climbing roses, vines, etc.; the sides sloped off untilthey were only high enough to allow free entrance at the doors. It wasfinished in a highly ornamental manner, and in the distance resembleda heathen pagoda.

  This was Joe's first effort at architecture; and he was proud of it.When he left Oxford he was going directly to Mr. Bryant's with whomhis kind friend Mr. Curtis had made arrangements for him to study andperfect himself in his chosen pursuit.

  Joe was not at work when Bertie found him; he was giving directions tothe man who had brought a load of marble blocks for the walks.

  The little fellow found he would be busy for some time; so hesauntered on to the back of the building till he came to the painterMr. Dodge, who was engaged in setting some panes of glass which hadbeen broken. He smiled directly when he saw Bertie, but he did notspeak, and presently the child noticed he was very pale. Occasionallyhe put his handkerchief to his mouth; and the little fellow wasfrightened when he saw that it was spotted with blood.

  "Oh, dear!" he exclaimed, "you are sick. You must go home, and sendfor the Doctor."

  "I confess I don't feel like moving a mountain this morning," answeredDodge, with a sickly laugh; "I'm on my last job at painting. Did youknow it?"

  "What do you mean?"

  "I wasn't brought up to be a painter; and it doesn't agree with me."

  "What did you do before?"

  "Oh, I turned my hand to anything! I took up painting because it paidbest at the time, and I had my mother and sister to support."

  "What shall you do then?"

  "I don't know." He laid down his putty knife and leaned back, wipinghis mouth again.

  "I know you're sick," Bertie urged anxiously, "and I'm going to callmy papa."

  "No, don't! I've had such turns before; but they do make me weak as ababy."

  But the child was alarmed, and had already gone. When he returned thepainter had risen and was slowly walking toward the house on his wayto his boarding place.

  "My son," said Mr. Curtis, "call Whitefoot and harness him into thecarriage as quick as you can."

  "Sit down on the boards, Dodge, until he brings the donkey round.Bertie tells me you think painting disagrees with you."

  "Yes, sir, I am sure it does. I half promised my mother never to doanother day's work at it; but when Torrey was hurt I couldn't refuseMr. Fuller; he's been a good friend to me in times past."

  "What would you choose for an employment?"

  "Out-door work, sir, was what I was brought up to. I shall try to getsomething at that. There's nothing more healthy for the lungs thanbeing over horses and cattle."

  The gentleman noticed that the effort of talking seemed to give theman pain, and instantly checked him from saying more.

  "You must stop at once," he urged in a firm voice. "Such warnings asthat," pointing to the blood-stained handkerchief, "are not to betrifled with. I shall send a physician to see you; and I will talkwith you again."

  At noon Mr. Curtis found that the woman who boarded Mr. Dodgecouldn't keep him while he was sick; and arrangements were made atonce to remove him to the chamber in Mrs. Taylor's farm-house whichPatrick Riley had left.

  The next day he was so much worse that his mother was sent for; andthus an acquaintance commenced which continued for life.

  CHAPTER III.

  THE MERRY GARDENER.

  Mrs. Dodge was the widow of a clergyman. At her husband's death shewas left destitute; and until Albert was able to labor for hersupport, she kept school, filling up every moment out of school hours,in sewing for the slop-shops.

  In this way she injured her health, and her son insisted she shouldhire a couple of rooms, take his sister from an uncle's where she wasnot happy, and keep house for him.

  Her health was now entirely restored, and she had resolved toadvertise for a situation as housekeeper, and thus relieve her son ofthe burden of her own and her daughter's support.

  The longer Mrs. Curtis knew Mrs. Dodge, the better she was convincedthat she was exactly the person to relieve her of her household care.

  They sent to the city for Nelly the daughter, and found she was oldenough to be of service as a chamber girl. Nancy was to retain her oldplace as nurse, so that only a cook was needed to make the corpscomplete.

  It was not long before Albert was able to return to the city. He wasdelighted that his mother and sister were provided for, and kept Mr.and Mrs. Taylor laughing from morning till night; and yet Mr. Curtissuspected there was something on his mind that troubled him.

  The night before he was to leave he requested an interview with theSquire, when with some embarrassment he said:

  "Bertie told me to-day that you were looking for a gardener. If I canfit myself for the business by next spring, will you let me try it?"

  "Do you know any thing about flowers?"

  "I worked one winter for a gentleman who cultivated flowers and fruitfor sale. He had violets and carnation-pinks and roses, and in otherhouses he had strawberries and mushrooms, and lettuce. I think as faras I went I learned the business thoroughly."

  "Capital! and do you understand about laying out grounds? I mean smallplats for flowers."

  "I can't say, sir, how I should please you or the lady; but I coulddraw you a plan of what I've been wanting to see in front of thehouse. Perhaps you could judge something by that."

  Mr. Curtis sat thinking for a time, and then Albert said with hisold, merry twinkle:

  "I'd like first rate to work for you, Squire; and I suppose motherwould like to have me where she can look after me a little. I needn'tpromise, I'd try to do my best, for you know that already. I'd workfor considerable less wages for the sake of being near Bertie."

  "But your Mission School! what will become of that?"

  Albert's face grew serious. "That's the only thing I regret, inleaving the city," he said. "There's so much to be done for the poorchildren wandering about the streets, I am sorry to leave my school;but the doctor says my life depends on quitting my present business."

  As Mr. Curtis still seemed absorbed in thought, the young man addedpresently: "If you give me any encouragement I shall go back to Hantzwhere I once worked. Before you would need me in the spring I couldlearn something if I tried."

  "Does Bertie know of your wish?"

  "No, sir, I was afraid you'd consent to try me just to please him; andI want you to feel yourself that I'm worth trying."

  This was said with a laugh.

  "Well," answered the gentleman, "I'll think of it, and possibly I maygive you an answer in the morning. But, as you are going to leave thecity, you mustn't give up trying to do good. Workmen are needed in thecountry as well as the city."

  It was Mr. Curtis' intention to move into his new house the first weekin November. Upholsterers were already engaged inside in fittingcarpets, and making ready for the furniture to be removed from theircity home.

  Mrs. Dodge, therefore, was going to give up her rooms, sell her plainfurniture, and be ready to return as soon as possible. She knewnothing of her son's application to Mr. Curtis and felt considerableanxiety on his account. Her delight, therefore, may be imagined whenafter they were seated in the cars on their return to the city heinformed her that the Squire had engaged him for a gardener, and thusthey would all be together once more.

  CHAPTER IV.

  VISITORS TO WOODLAWN.

  I suppose some of my young readers will be glad to know that Torreyrecovered entirely from his accident, and had returned to his paintingin the city. Perhaps there was no one of the workmen, aside from theAllens, who parted with Bertie with so much regret as he did, forthere was no one who owed him so much for his kindness.

  When the little fellow called to bid him good-by and to send a book byMrs. Torrey to Edgar, the man caught his hand, exclaiming:

  "I'm getting to like all children for your sake. At any rate nobodywill ever hear me say again that chi
ldren are a bother."

  "Tell Edgar, please," urged the boy, "that I'm so glad to hear he ispatient; and that the doctors think there is hope he will be well.Papa says he can stay there as long as he wishes, without any pay. Imean to ask Miss Lerow to go with me and see him when I'm in the citynext time."

  Mrs. Torrey promised to go to the girls' ward the first time shevisited Edgar and ask for Susy Hunt and the tame linnet. The bird hadarrived safely at the Hospital and proved a great amusement to thepatients. Miss Lerow wrote a short note in answer, which I shall copy.

  "DEAR BERTIE:--This morning when I carried the cage into Mrs. Ayer's ward there was great rejoicing. Susy and Marianne, that bright eyed girl you spoke to near the door, laughed aloud and clapped their hands, and exclaimed:

  "'Bertie didn't forget. He did send his bird. Oh, Miss Lerow will you please thank him, and say we like it ever so much!'

  "Mrs. Ayers says, 'Tell that blessed little boy I'll take the best care of his linnet. Tell him the cage is hung on the hook where all the children can see it; and the pretty creature is chirping as merrily as if it had always been here.'

  "So, my dear little friend, you will be pleased that your self-denying act has given pleasure to so many suffering children, and that they think of you with gratitude. Your friend,

  "CARRIE LEROW."

  One pleasant afternoon Bertie and his sister were riding through thestreet, when a handsome carriage came slowly toward them.