Joe sighed as he thought how far away was the prospect of his being able to go to California. He could not help wishing that he were the possessor of the magic carpet mentioned in the Arabian tale, upon which the person seated had only to wish himself to be transported anywhere, and he was carried there in the twinkling of an eye.
Joe walked home slowly, dreaming of the gold-fields on the other side of the continent, and wishing he were there.
CHAPTER IV
JOE’S LEGACY
The next day was Saturday. There was no school, but this did not lighten Joe’s labors, as he was kept at work on the farm all day.
He was in the barn when Deacon Goodwin, a neighbor, drove up.
Oscar was standing in front of the house, whittling out a cane from a stick he had cut in the woods.
“Is Joe Mason at home?” the deacon inquired.
Oscar looked up in surprise. Why should the deacon want Joe Mason?
“I suppose he is,” drawled Oscar.
“Don’t you know?”