Chapter 1. Preparing To Leave The Old Home
_ CHAPTER I. PREPARING TO LEAVE THE OLD HOME
Over and over again had Mark and Ruth Elmer read this paragraph, which appeared among the "Norton Items" of the weekly paper published in a neighboring town:
"We are sorry to learn that our esteemed fellow-townsman, Mark Elmer, Esq., owing to delicate health, feels compelled to remove to a warmer climate. Having disposed of his property in this place, Mr. Elmer has purchased a plantation in Florida, upon which he will settle immediately. As his family accompany him to this new home in the Land of Flowers, the many school-friends and young playmates of his interesting children will miss them sadly."
"I tell you what, Ruth," said Mark, after they had read this item for a dozen times or more, "we are somebodies after all, and don‘t you forget it. We own a plantation, we do, and have disposed of our PROPERTY in this place."
As Mark looked from the horse-block on which he was sitting at the

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