s hose because it was the best and
longest in the neighborhood and was provided with a patent nozzle which
was so versatile that there was actually no detail in its business
which it did not perform in a most masterly way. I shall never forget
the feeling of exultation with which I stood on that expansive lawn and
sprayed the parched grass and drooping shrubbery. I fancied I could
see the thirsty blades and leaves reach up to drink in the restoring
element. My thoughts while I was thus engaged were similar, I suppose,
to those of benevolent men who hasten to the succor of their suffering
fellow-beings. I can imagine that it was with some such inspiring
feelings that relief was borne to Livingstone in Africa and to Greely
in the Arctic Circle. To the good man it is always a pleasure to do an
act of magnanimity, and the fact that my considerate regard for our
lawn involved no danger or privation did not serve in the least to
abate my satisfaction in the performance of my task.

While I was thus engaged I observed a stranger coming up the lawn
toward me. I bade him a very good morning, but he seemed disinclined
to exchange civilities with me. He was a low-browed, roughish-looking
fellow, and I conceived an immediate dislike for him.

"You 'll have to give me your name," said he, very gruffly.

"For what purpose?" I asked, for his tone and manner nettled me.

"I 'm a detective," said he, exhibiting a silver star on his vest
front, "and I 'm on the trail of you ducks that sprinkle your lawns
after legal hours. Oh, I 'm onto your racket."

"Sir," said I, indignantly, "I have made no racket. I am a quiet,
law-abiding citizen, and this is my own lawn to do with as I please."

"Come, now," said he, insolently, "don't give me any funny business.
You 're sprinklin' after hours and I 'm going to report you to police
headquarters. There 's no use of kickin', so you 'd better give me
your name an' save trouble."

"Sir," I cried, "Reuben Baker is not a name to be ashamed of, and if
you think that by any of your underhand hocus pocus you can trespass on
my premises and prevent my caring for my own property you are grandly
mistaken."

"You 'll sing a different song to-morrer," said the fellow, and I am
sure I heard him chuckling to himself as he walked away.

Later in the day I learned from neighbor Baylor that I had indeed
transgressed the law by operating the lawn hose at ten o'clock in the
morning. It seems that