A minute later they were tucked away from the cold morning, their small faces overshadowed by the new-mown hay, and here, through the morning hours, they slept soundly.  Then again they set forth, and it was late in the afternoon when they drew up before the high fence encircling the fair-grounds at Dryden.  The fall fair was in full blast.  Crowds were passing in and out of the several gates.  With longing heart, first Flea, then Flukey, placed an eye to a knothole, to watch the proceedings inside.  Rows of sleek cattle waved their blue and red ribbons jauntily in the breeze; fat pigs, with the owners’ names pasted on the cards in front, grunted in small pens.  For a time the twins stood side by side, wishing with all their might that they were possessed of the necessary entrance-fee.

“If I could get a job,” said Flukey, “we could get in.”

“I could work, too,” said Flea, her hands dug deep in her trousers pockets.

Just then a man hailed them.  “Want to get in, Kids?” he asked.

“Yep!” bawled Flea and Flukey in unison, their hunger forgotten in this new delight.

“Then help me carry in those boards, and then you can stay in.”

Flukey looked apprehensively at Flea.

“Ye ain’t a boy—­”

“Shet up!” snapped Flea.  “My pants’re as long as your’n, and I be a boy till we get to the good land.  Heave a board on my shoulder, Fluke.”

They slid through the opening in the fence made to pass in the lumber, and for ten minutes aided their new friend by carrying plank after plank into the fair-grounds.  When the work was done they stood awe-stricken, looking at the gorgeous surroundings.  Flags waved aloft on each building; yards of bunting roped in exhibits of all kinds.  Everywhere persons were walking to and fro.  But still the squatter children stood motionless and stared with wide-open eyes at such an array of good things as had never before gladdened their sight.  Then, after the strangeness had somewhat worn off, they wandered on, bewildered.  Snatchet was hugged tight in Flukey’s arms; for other dogs laid back their ears and growled at the yellow cur.

[Illustration:  “Then they comed an’ took me away for stealin’.”]

Suddenly they came upon the athletic field.  Here, reared high in the air, was a slender greased pole, on the top of which fluttered a five-dollar bill.  Several youngsters, dressed in bathing suits, awaited the hour when they should be allowed to try and win the money.  One after another they took their turn, and when an extra spurt up the pole was made by some lucky boy the crowd evinced its delight by loud cheers.  Time and again the breeze fluttered the coveted money, and yet no boy had won the prize.

“I’d like to try it,” said Flukey.

“If we couldn’t get it with bathing suits, you couldn’t climb that pole with them long pants,” retorted one of the contestants who stood near.  “Look! that kid’s goin’ to get it, after all!” There was disappointment in the tones; but the words had no sooner died away than the climber slipped to the ground.