[Illustration: "Sugar it is, then!"]
BY
SARA WARE BASSETT
Author of
"The Story of Lumber"
"The Story of Wool"
"The Story of Leather"
"The Story of Glass"
ILLUSTRATED BY C. P. GRAY
To my cousin
William Pittman Huxley
this book is affectionately inscribed
It gives me much pleasure to acknowledge the courtesy of theAmerican Sugar Refining Company, and also the kindness of SenatorTruman G. Palmer, of Washington, D. C.
S. W. B.
CONTENTS
I. COLVERSHAM
II. A NARROW ESCAPE
III. SUGARING OFF
IV. THE REFINERY
V. VAN SPRINGS A SURPRISE
VI. A FAMILY TANGLE
VII. MR. CARLTON MAKES A WAGER AND WINS
VIII. VAN MUTINIES
IX. VAN'S GREAT DEED
X. HOW VAN BORE HIS PUNISHMENT
XI. THE BOYS MAKE A NEW ACQUAINTANCE
XII. THE DAWN OF A NEW YEAR
Illustrations
"SUGAR IT IS, THEN!"
"I DON'T REMEMBER THAT BIG ROCK"
"I SHOULD THINK IT WOULD STICK TOGETHER"
"IT IS NO EASY TASK"
NO HORN HAD GIVEN WARNING
"THESE TANKS ARE CONNECTED"
THE STORY OF SUGAR
"Oh, say, Bobbie, quit that algebra and come on out! You've stuck atit a full hour already. What's the use of cramming any more? You'llget through the exam all right; you know you always do," protestedVan Blake as he flipped a scrap of blotting paper across the studytable at his roommate.
Bob Carlton looked up from his book. "Perhaps you're right, Van," hereplied, "but you see I can't be too sure on this stuff. Math isn'tmy strong point, and I simply must not fall down on it; if I shouldflunk it would break my father all up."
"You flunk! I'd like to see you doing it." Van smiled derisively."When you fall down on an exam the rest of us better give up. Youknow perfectly well you'll get by. You are always worrying your headoff when there's no earthly need of it. Now look at me. If there isany worrying to be done I'm the one that ought to be doing it. Do Ilook fussed? You don't catch your uncle losing any sleep over hisexams—and yet I generally manage to scrape along, too."
"I know you do—you old eel!" Bob glanced admiringly at his friend."I believe you just wriggle by on the strength of your grin."
"Well, if you are such a believer in a grin why don't you cultivateone yourself and see how far it will carry you?" chuckled Van. "Thetrouble with you, Bobbie, is your conscience; you ought to beoperated on for it. Why are you so afraid you won't get good marksall the time?"
"I'm not afraid; but I'd be ashamed if I didn't," was the seriousreply. "I promised my father that if he'd let me come to Colvershamto school I'd do my best, and I mean to. It costs a pile of moneyfor him to send me here, and