“It was the child’s birthday, and he was most interested in the small parcel thinking it might be for him.
“‘Jack,’ cried Johnny after reading the letter, ‘what do you s’pose is in it? Look!’ and he disclosed a mass of brown glossy seeds. ‘The letter says they are from a wonderful new kind of apple. How would you like an apple tree all your own for a birthday present?’
“‘Yeth,’ lisped Jack, ‘an apple tree all my own.’
“‘Then let’s pretend you are another Johnny Appleseed, starting an orchard. Bring your cart.’
“Jack’s eyes shone at the word ‘pretend,’ for he dearly loved it, and soon came drawing the little red cart, in which Johnny placed the package of seeds.
“‘Now we’ll go and get a lunch,’ said the old man as they walked to the kitchen door.
“Jack rapped on the door, and Mother appeared.
“‘If you please, Marm,’ said Johnny, ‘we are going on an expedition. We have a birthday and we want to celebrate it, for we have a wonderful gift. Some seeds which when planted will bring forth a very unusual apple tree. May we have a lunch for this journey?’
“Mother’s eyes twinkled as she hastily placed in a small basket sandwiches and gingerbread.
“Johnny thanked her and away they went. After what seemed quite a walk for the small sturdy legs they halted in a grassy nook beside the brook.