Homepage
Login
Profile
BookClubs
dmBox
Read Ebook: The Brownie Scouts at Windmill Farm by Wirt Mildred A Mildred Augustine
Font size:
Background color:
Text color:
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page Prev Page
Ebook has 1811 lines and 38065 words, and 37 pages
Rosemary also turned down the invitation. Vevi and Connie were the only two Brownies to go. They sat in the back seat of the big brown sedan, while Miss Mohr and Miss Gordon rode up front with Mr. Piff.
As the car sped along the open country road, the promotor talked at great length. He kept telling the two young women about his elaborate plans for the flower festival.
"I want to interest every tulip grower in the community," he said grandly. "This will be the biggest affair Rosedale has ever had!"
Connie and Vevi fairly tingled with excitement to hear Mr. Piff describe everything he intended to do.
The Brownie leader and Miss Mohr were less impressed. In fact, both women seemed rather relieved when finally the car came within view of the Van Der Lann nursery.
"Oh, see the cute Dutch windmill!" cried Vevi as the car rolled over a hilltop.
The tower-like wooden building stood nearly fifty feet high on a slight rise of land. Because it had been painted red, blue and green, the unique structure could be seen from a long distance. Four large wind flaps turned lazily in the breeze.
"Oh, how lovely!" exclaimed Miss Gordon, who never before had seen the mill. "Why, it looks like a charming bit of Old Holland!"
Two stone gate piers marked the entrance to the farm. The house was gabled, with a red tile roof which sloped forward to cover a wide veranda. Beyond stood the big barn and a small milk house. Everywhere there were acres and acres of tulips. Only a few of the flowers as yet were in bloom.
"This place will be a sea of color in a week or so!" exclaimed Miss Mohr. "I'd love to see it then."
"We'll have the show when the flowers are at their best," said Mr. Piff. He leaped out of the car to open the gate.
Returning, he drove through and pulled up in front of the house. Vevi and Connie jumped out, eager to explore. The farm was a delightful place, neat as a pin. Even the trees had been whitewashed.
As the two little girls stood watching the huge revolving arms of the windmill, a nice looking young man came out of the house. His shirt was open at the neck and he was deeply tanned from having lived much of the time outdoors.
"Good afternoon," he said, walking over to the car. "May I help you?"
Vevi and Connie noticed that instead of saying Good, the word sounded a little like "goot." They guessed at once that he was Mr. Van Der Lann, the owner of the nursery.
Mr. Piff introduced himself and at once began to tell of his plans for the flower show.
Not caring to listen, Vevi and Connie wandered off down the cinder path.
"Oh, see!" cried Vevi pointing ahead. "A little canal! The windmill must pump water from it to irrigate the tulip beds."
The path which led to the canal went directly past the big windmill. Its great arms were covered with gray sailcloth which moved lazily in the light breeze. The big flaps swept low to the ground each time they revolved.
"The windmill has a little house!" Vevi declared. "That must be where the machinery is kept."
"I've never been inside a real mill," Connie remarked wistfully.
Connie held back. "I don't think it would be polite, Vevi. We're only half-way guests here on the farm. Mr. Van Der Lann didn't even invite us. We just came with Mr. Piff."
For awhile the children watched the mill, and then went on down to the canal. A little bridge of planks stretched across to the opposite side.
Both shores were lined with tulips, heavy with bud. All of the beds had been laid out in attractive patterns.
"My, it will be pretty here when the flowers bloom," Vevi sighed. "No wonder Mr. Piff wants Mr. Van Der Lann to help with the flower show! This place would be a big attraction."
Vevi noticed a small flat-bottomed boat tied up near the bridge. Its name, "GOLDEN TULIP," had been painted in bright yellow letters on the craft.
"What an odd name for a boat!" she exclaimed. "Let's take a ride."
"We can't," Connie replied firmly. "Anyway, the canal might be deep."
"Why, it's shallow as anything," Vevi corrected her. "I can see the bottom."
"We shouldn't do it anyway. Miss Gordon wouldn't like it."
Connie knew that she must be firm, for Vevi had a way of getting into trouble. Once she had hooked her sled onto an automobile, and had been carried far out into the country. On another occasion the little girl had climbed into a box car to be taken off with a circus!
"I wonder where the canal leads?" Vevi speculated, giving up the idea of a boat ride.
The children could see that the canal wound along rich farm land toward another nursery property. However, the adjoining farm did not look as well laid out or as nicely kept as Mr. Van der Lann's place.
After tossing a stick into the canal, the girls decided it must be time to return to the house.
They were recrossing the bridge when Vevi suddenly halted.
Connie, directly behind, bumped into her.
"What's the idea, Vevi McGuire?" she demanded. "You nearly made me fall into the water!"
Vevi spoke in an excited, hushed voice. "Connie, just see what is coming!"
She moved aside so that her little friend's view would not be blocked. The barn doors had swung open, and now, clattering toward them, was a cart hauled by a huge dog.
"Well, did you ever!" exclaimed Connie, laughing in delight.
The little cart had two wheels. It was painted bright blue and held empty milk cans.
Hurrying on across the bridge, the two girls ran toward the dog. Even though he had no driver, he seemed to know exactly where he was supposed to go. At least he trotted toward the milk house farther down the canal.
"Hello, doggie," Vevi called in a soft voice. "What's your name?"
To her astonishment, the dog stopped and looked at her. He was a very large dog, but with a sad, kind face.
"Why, he's friendly as anything!" Connie exclaimed.
"Mr. Van Der Lann must own him," Vevi said. Carefully, she petted the dog's head. "Oh, don't you just love this place? I'd like to live here."
"So you could go boating on the canal and ride in the dog cart!" teased Connie.
"Well, it would be fun."
Vevi gazed speculatively at the cart. She could see that there was room to slide in behind the empty milk cans.
Before Connie could stop her, she climbed in and picked up the reins.
"Oh, Vevi!" Connie protested. "You're too heavy for that poor dog to haul."
Add to tbrJar First Page Next Page Prev Page