Two weeks slipped by, and Dick managed to keep his team employed at various odd jobs of hauling between the business section and the suburbs of Albany.
His cash capital, after deducting all expenses to date, had increased to $200.
He decided it was now time to look up his contemplated venture in nuts.
Accordingly he purchased the necessary supplies for a possible week’s stay at the deserted farm, and they made an early start for the scene of operations.
The nights were now cold and frosty, and the boys found it necessary for comfort to keep up a good fire in the old, rusty stove, the only article left behind by the former occupants when they moved away.
Just why this farm had been abandoned was not clearly understood, even by Farmer Haywood, the nearest neighbor.
It had been vacant for more than a year, and a mildewed sign planted near the fence gave the passerby notice that the place was for sale and that information could be obtained from somebody whose name and address were no longer decipherable.
Early on the morning succeeding their arrival Dick and Joe walked out to the grove of nut trees and found the ground literally covered with nuts.
It was fully a mile back of the house.
They brought the wagon to the edge of the wood and spent the whole day loading up.