The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery of the Golden Witch
make a joke so that their farmer friend would not feel so bad But the man did not smile He looked sorrowfully at the tractor and the spilled load of pumpkins Trouble and more trouble he said with a sigh and thrust his hands deep into his overall pockets First my farm helper leaves just in the middle of harvest and now this Can’t you get another one Ricky asked I’ve tried Mr Johnson replied but there’s a shortage of workers this fall I’ll have to do without a farmhand all right and that’s no joke Maybe we can help you Pete said Now a little smile flicked across Farmer Johnson’s face You’re nice to say that Pete he said but how The boy ran his hand over his blond crew-cut hair Well first of all we can set the wagon upright and gather these pumpkins Good idea Pete said Mr Hollister Let’s get started He jumped into the ditch and helped the farmer uncouple the wagon shaft from a hitch that connected it to the back of the tractor then with everyone pitching in the wagon was pulled out of the ditch and onto the lane As Mrs Hollister set a stone behind the back wheels her family began to gather the pumpkins that had rolled into the nearby field Even dark-haired Sue giggling with delight carried the smallest pumpkins to the wagon Ricky Pete come over here called their father I need help with this one Together the three lifted 10
a huge golden-yellow globe and half stumbling carried it to the wagon All ready now one two three heave said Mr Hollister and the pumpkin rolled onto the floor of the wagon The red-cheeked boys took a deep breath of crisp October air Yikes said Ricky what a monster The farmer glanced up at the setting sun which slanted brightly over the farm If you’ll excuse me I’ll hurry on ahead he said I have to phone for a mechanic to get here before dark I hope you can find one on Sunday afternoon said Mr Hollister and added We’ll pull the wagon to the barn for you Yikes I like to play horse exclaimed Ricky as he grabbed the wagon shaft Pete Pam and Mr Hollister pulled on it also while Mrs Hollister and the other children pushed from the rear With creaking wheels the wagon went up the hill around a bend and along a level stretch which led to Mr Johnson’s barn and beyond it the rambling farmhouse On the way they passed a grove of willow trees with long yellow leaves Beside it was a little duck pond fed by a narrow stream that trickled down the hillside In a field nearby were tethered three small goats on long chains When the Hollisters reached the barn Holly dashed over to a wire enclosure at the side of it Look she cried Chickens As she stooped clucking at the hens Mr Johnson and his wife approached smiling 11
Yikes I like to play horse 12
Thank you for helping us said Mrs Johnson She was tall and thin with dark hair pulled tightly into a bun Holly ran up to her and the farm woman put an arm around her I was making pumpkin pies when my husband told me of his troubles she said Then with a big sigh she added I don’t know what we’ll do now with all the pumpkins to harvest and no tractor or horse to pull the wagon That’s the trouble with a tractor the farmer said with a wry smile They sometimes break But horses don’t break do they chirped little Sue When she said this a bright look came into Pete’s face Crickets I have an idea he said Why don’t we lend Domingo to Mr Johnson He can help to pull the pumpkins from the field all help Mr and Mrs Johnson Yikes That would be great Pam said Really we mean it course I’ll pay you Domingo’s our burro Holly put in quickly I’ve got a better idea said Pam Why don’t we Like after school you mean asked Ricky The grownups exchanged amused glances and That will be fine said Mr Johnson and of We wouldn’t think of it declared Pete Ricky was so excited that he did a cartwheel on the grass and out of his jacket pocket fell a penknife a plastic whistle a long nail and two pennies Quickly scooping up his treasures he dashed toward the wooded hillside that sloped up some distance behind 13
