The three boys shouldered their knapsacks, Fritz still wearing his rain-coat, although the sun shone brightly, and went through the market place on their way to the station, Pixy in the lead carrying a bone that Letta had given him after he finished his dinner, while the family gathered on the porch and watched their slow movements with tears of mirth in their eyes.

They had intended walking to Frankfort for two reasons.  It would be something of an exploit to relate to their schoolfellows, and it would save money; but slow as they traveled to the station, the train seemed to have waited for them for they were in ample time.

“Do you wish single fares, or return tickets?” asked the clerk.

This was a question which could not be settled too quickly.  The boys held a consultation, and Fritz gave the deciding opinion.

“If we buy a return ticket,” he explained, “we will save money, but we may want to walk back, and then would have to lose what we pay for a return ticket.  Besides, if we did not want to ride home, some one of us, or it may be all of us, might lose our return ticket, and Aunt Fanny would insist giving us money for tickets which we would not wish her to do.  No, we will take single fares.”

They bought them, and were about to step into a car when they were stopped by the conductor.

“Where is your ticket for the dog?” he asked.

“Must I have a ticket for him?” asked the boy, in surprise.

“I should say so!  You must be a kindergarten youngster to ask such a question.  Moreover, if anybody in the car objects to having him in there, you will have to take him in a freight car even if you have a ticket for him.”

“I object,” said a woman, sitting in the car next the window.  “Who wants to get dog hairs on them when traveling for pleasure?”

“What shall we do?” asked Fritz, ready to cry.

“Get a ticket and get it quickly for the train will soon start, and put the dog in the freight car.”

“But I must go with him.  He would be frightened to be there without me.”

“Certainly.  You can go as freight if you wish.  I have nothing to say against it.”

Fritz hurried away, secured the ticket and returned, sad with the thought of being separated from his companions, but smiles came again to his face when they told him that they would go to the freight car with him.

They hurried in, and the train moved off while they were looking about them, hoping to see among the freight some boxes that would serve for seats.

They were nearly thrown off their feet, while Pixy, not at all unsettled by the motion of the cars, saw something so interesting in a slatted box filled with chickens that he sniffed and capered about in doggish delight.  But the chickens were not at all pleased with his appearance, and fluttered, cackled and shrieked, awakening the old woman who was taking them to market.