2 THE ACORN young people. Children, confident of an interested companion, went to her with their troubles and joys. She was all her title implied, a true grandmother. Grandfather had worked so hard that spring to have a good garden. Anxiously he had watched it, noting each new leaf as it pushed its way up through the warm earth. It had annoyed him to see the neighbor's chickens so persistent in scratching that precious bit of land, but now he was grieved to know that the greater part of his tiny plants were destroyed. Day after day he had worried about it, had tried to think of some way of keeping the fowls out of the lot. Several times he had spoken to Mr. Harris who neglected to better existing conditions and had even intimated that they did no harm. This made Grandfather angry and caused him to determine to build a high board fence between the two lots and to declare that neither he nor his family would even speak or associate with the Harrises any more. Grandmother opposed that plan with all her might but to no avail. Accordingly in due time the fence was built and the Harrises were told that they should never speak with them again. Grandmother worried and fretted over this but Grandfather stood firm in his resolution. Years passed and the fence still stood. Never had the Browns and Harrises exchanged words since that day. It was summer again, Grandfather's lot was still the cleanest, best kept lot in all the village, and his garden was the finest in the country. That summer the old folks' hearts were made glad by the news that their Grand-daughter, Janet Barnes, who had just graduated from college, was coming to stay with them a whole year. Pretty, smiling Janet finally came and there was singing in the pretty cottage home again. Janet told Grandmother of her happy college days, of how she and Clyde Harris had renewed their old friendship, Clyde Harris, the neighbors' boy who had been her play-fellow when she used to stay here. She told how he had graduated with highest honors in their class and how he had planed to continue his studying in a higher institution of learning for a few months longer. One bright morning in November soon after the mail man had made his accustomed visit to the Brown's home; Janet came timidly into her Grandmother's bed room, where the old lady sat combing her hair, and gave her a letter to read. A letter closely resembling other messages she had frequently received since she had been in the country. As Grandmother read the letter she pleasantly commented, "So Clyde is intending to come home next week." She continued reading and finally, with a puzzled expression on her face asked Janet how they could ever arrange to have Clyde THE ACORN 3 spend Thanksgiving with them, according to his plan. Janet and Grandmother discussed the question pro and con but could make no decision on what was to be done. They wanted Clyde to spend the day with them but in respect and love for Grandfather, could not disregard his vow. Days passed and Clyde was expected home that night, the night before Thanksgiving. Janet and Grandmother had made all prepparations necessary for entertaining company on Thanksgiving, but had done so, with no hopes of receiving any guests for their feast. Grandfather had worked unusually hard that day. On account of being so warm from the extra exertions of the day, he had drunk more water than was good for him. In the evening when he came in the house he took a still larger draught of water. When they sat down to supper he complained of having severe pains in his stomach. Before they had partaken of the food, Grandfather's pain had become so bad that great drops of perspiraiton stood on his forehead and his muscles became rigid. Thinking that he might be more comfortable if he were in bed Grandmother and Janet half carried, half dragged him into the bed room. The moving made him so much worse that he became unconscious. The two women were nearly frantic from fear. Grandmother had presence of mind enough to wish for the presence of a doctor. So she sent Janet in haste for him. Grandfather lay as if he were dead for some time, then he began moaning and moving his body slowly. Finally after Grandmother had done all she knew how to for him, he half opened his eyes and in a strange gasping voice, called "Elizabeth." Upon hearing the kind voice of his wife he managed to make her understand that he thought he was dying. While he was yet trying to speak, Janet and the doctor entered the house. While the doctor was examining his patient, Janet heard her Grandmother's fears and in a broken hearted manner tried to comfort her. After taking the pulse and temperature of the sick man the doctor questioned closely how long Grandfather had been sick, if he had ever had any similar attacks, and what he had done during the day. Upon finding that Grandfather had enjoyed perfect health all day but had worked unusually hard and had therefore drunk too much cold water, he assured the sick man and the two brokenhearted women that Grandfather was not going to die, that his pain might be severe for a few hours but that he would soon be alright. He left some medicine and instructed them what was to be done and departed. Grandfather, who was not wholly convinced that he would live to see morning, began telling his wife what to do with their property, after his death, so that she would receive the greatest benefits from