“A cow had broken into the orchard, tramped the fence down, and was feasting on the rosy fruit! A few branches were broken, and a sorry sight it was, to be sure.
“Jack shrieked and threw himself on the ground sobbing:
“‘My dear little tree I planted with my own baby hands! I loved it so! Now it is ruined!’
“Johnny Appleseed heard the wail and hastened to the scene.
“‘It isn’t ruined, Jack; it can be made almost as good as new. See!’ He skilfully cut the broken branches, covered the wounded spots with a paste made of clay, talking the while to the little tree as though it were a person whose wounds he was binding up so carefully.
“‘See!’ he said. ‘This clay paste will harden and keep the bugs out of the wood until it can heal over. It will soon be all right again, but it is too bad. Such a picture as it was, and the apples are most all gone!’
“The apples!—Jack suddenly remembered. ‘The apple party was to be to-day! What can we do?’
“‘Well, my boy, don’t you worry. The apple party will be to-day just the same. We’ll take this basket and I’ll show you something I’ve kept as a surprise.
“‘I planted the seeds that were left over in the far corner lot, and those trees are as pretty a sight as you want to see. I have been watching them as we have this. Come along.’
“The two trudged on, Jack wiping away his tears and beginning to wear a rainbow smile after the shower.