Bertie and the Gardeners or, The Way to be Happy   By: Madeline Leslie (1815-1893)

Bertie and the Gardeners:

OR,

THE WAY TO BE HAPPY.

BY

MRS MADELINE LESLIE.

AUTHOR OF "AUNT HATTIE'S LIBRARY FOR BOYS AND GIRLS," ETC.

CHICAGO:

HENRY A. SUMNER & COMPANY 1880.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by

A. R. BAKER,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.

[Illustration: Winnie catching the Snow flakes. Vol. VI., p. 103]

[Illustration: THE WOODLAWN SERIES.]

TO

HARRY, NELLIE, AND WILLIE SAMPSON;

ALSO,

To the Memory of their Deceased Brothers and Sister,

BERTIE, FRANKEY AND EMMA,

THESE LITTLE BOOKS ARE AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED.

If the perusal prompt them and other readers to imitate the virtues of our hero in his efforts to be good, and to do good, the wishes of the author will be realized.

BERTIE; OR, THE WOODLAWN SERIES.

BY MRS. MADELINE LESLIE.

16 mo. 6 vols., Illustrated.

I. BERTIE'S HOME.

II. BERTIE AND THE CARPENTERS.

III. BERTIE AND THE MASONS.

IV. BERTIE AND THE PLUMBERS.

V. BERTIE AND THE PAINTERS.

VI. BERTIE AND THE GARDENERS.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. THE NEW FARMER, 11

CHAPTER II. THE SICK WORKMAN, 21

CHAPTER III. THE MERRY GARDENER, 30

CHAPTER IV. VISITORS TO WOODLAWN, 40

CHAPTER V. THE SORROWING FATHER, 51

CHAPTER VI. CLEARING THE CREEK, 64

CHAPTER VII. PAT'S VISIT HOME, 74

CHAPTER VIII. LETTER FROM PAT, 84

CHAPTER IX. BERTIE'S SPELLING MATCH, 97

CHAPTER X. BERTIE'S PRESENTS, 107

CHAPTER XI. THE HEART AND HAND, 118

CHAPTER XII. VIOLETS AND VIOLETTA, 127

CHAPTER XIII. BERTIE'S REWARD, 138

CHAPTER XIV. BERTIE AND THE NEWSBOY, 148

CHAPTER XV. THE LAST CHAPTER, 155

Bertie and the Gardeners.

CHAPTER I.

THE NEW FARMER.

The new house at Woodlawn was nearly completed; and Mr. Curtis now set to work in earnest, clearing the grounds of the rubbish, in order to make the terraces and lay out his avenue in front.

Those who have read the other books about Bertie, will know that two wide avenues, enclosed by handsome iron gates, had been already made; one winding along on the shores of Lake Shawsheen, the other entering from a higher point which led through a grove toward the house where the enchanting view of lawn and water burst at once on the vision.

But in the vicinity of the house, no grading had been done, on account of the vast amount of bricks, lime, mortar bins, wood and chips lying scattered in every direction.

The house, elegant in proportion and finish, stood about a hundred rods in front of a high, grassy mound, upon the top of which a cluster of chestnut trees cast a pleasant shade.