The store at which Mr. Preston traded was at the village where the stage left Oscar, which goes by the name of the “Cross-Roads,” from the fact that two of the principal thoroughfares of that section of country cross at this point.  Though this store was about five miles distant, there was no other one nearer to Mr. Preston’s.  The boys had a fine ride over to the village.  Oscar drove, and was quite anxious to put Billy to a test of his speed; but as his uncle told them not to hurry, because the horse had been worked some in the forenoon, he did not dare to make any experiment of this kind.  Jerry assured him, however, that he once drove Billy over to the Cross-Roads in just twenty minutes, which was the quickest time he had ever been known to make.  He thought this a remarkable feat; but Oscar did not seem much astonished at it, and said he knew of horses that could go a mile in three minutes, and even in less time if the road was smooth and level.

After riding about three-quarters of an hour, they arrived at the Cross-Roads, and drove up to a post and chain for tying horses in front of the store.  The store was kept in a large wooden building.  Over the door was the sign, “J.  FLETCHER, VARIETY STORE;” and the shutters were covered with columns of names of articles sold within, such as “Bacon,” “Cheese,” “Flour,” “Grain,” “Shoes,” “Dry Goods,” &c.  Another sign in one of the windows indicated that this was also the post-office of the village.

The boys went into the store, and while Jerry was ordering the articles his mother had sent for, Oscar improved the opportunity to look around the premises.  It was to him a queer assortment of goods.  There seemed to be a little of everything for sale.  Here you could buy of one salesman articles that you could obtain in Boston only by visiting a dozen different shops.  Groceries and dry goods, country produce and hardware, boots, shoes, and hats, confectionary and fancy articles, stoves and children’s toys, were in most neighborly companionship.  Before leaving the store, Oscar invested a few cents in candy and cigars; for his father had given him a little spare change beyond what was necessary to defray the expenses of the journey.  He shared the candy with Jerry, and put the cigars in his pocket for future use.

Jerry having finished his business at the store, they set out on their return, and arrived home in safety and without meeting with any remarkable adventure.  The boys employed themselves the rest of the afternoon in planning excursions and amusements, and before they got through, they had laid out “fun” enough to occupy them for several days.

The evenings were now quite short, and as it was the custom to retire to bed early at Mr. Preston’s, it frequently happened that no lamps were lit in the house for several days in succession.  As twilight came on that evening, Oscar, who began to feel pretty tired, laid down upon the sofa in the sitting-room, and in a few minutes was fast asleep.  Jerry got a straw, and was about to tickle his ear, when his mother stopped him.  Oscar’s nap, however, was a short one, and suddenly waking up, he began to laugh.