"Signing a deed?" said Farmer Hardaker, opening eyes and mouth very wide.
"Yes, sir," went on George, courteously. "You said that you would sell us the tall pine for thirty dollars, and I have brought you the money, and a deed of the purchase for you to sign."
"The mischief you have!" said the old fellow, crossly, but with his eyes twinkling a little at the sight of the money, which George judiciously exposed just then. "Wa'al, I s'pose I'll have to give in."
So the money was handed over, and the rest done in good shape, and the boys went home feeling better than they had ever felt before in their lives.
One or two who hadn't had a chance to contribute to the "fund" went up to the top of the mountain on the 22d of February with their mite. It was a silver plate, on which were inscribed these words (you may have seen them before):
George Washington:
First in War, first in Peace, and first in the Hearts of his Countrymen.
And that very plate, only tarnished a little by wind and weather, may be seen upon the mighty trunk of "George Washington" to this day.