"I can't tell you now. But I know I'm tired of slaving and having nothing for my work, so I am going after the magic lamp."
CHAPTER XIV
ALADDIN'S LAMP
The morning after the hail storm dawned fair and sunshiny. David went out and stood at the edge of his tobacco field. All about him the hail had wrought its destruction. Where yesterday broad, thick leaves of green tobacco had stood out strong and vigorous there hung only limp shreds, punctured and torn into worthlessness.
"All wasted, my summer's work. I'll rub that magic lamp now. Fool that I was, not to do it sooner!"
A little later, as he walked down the road to town, his lips were closed in a resolute line, his shoulders squared in soldierly fashion. "I hope Caleb Warner is in his office," he thought.
Caleb Warner was in; he greeted David cordially.
"Good-morning, Dave. How are things out your way? Hail do much damage?"
"Some damage," echoed the farmer. "It hailed just about four hundred dollars' worth too much for me."