“You are entirely mistaken,” interrupted Josiah Crabtree.  “Perhaps you do not know that I am worth, in bank stocks and in bonds, between twenty and thirty thousand dollars.”

“I would like to see the stocks and bonds,” said the girl.

“So would I,” whispered Fred to Sam.  “I’ll wager he isn’t worth a thousand dollars all told although they say he is a good deal of a miser.”

“Dora, do not insult Mr. Crabtree.  If you, wish to come along and see the ceremony performed, put on your things...”

“I do not wish to go.”

“Very well, then; you had best return to the house.”

“It is a shame!” cried the girl, and burst into tears.

“We will be back by seven o’clock,” said Josiah Crabtree, and led the widow down the garden path to where the carriage was standing.

“I wish I could stop this wedding,” whispered Sam to his chum.

“I am with you on that,” returned Fred.

“Creation, here come the hounds!  Just the thing!”

He looked at Sam, and his chum, instantly understood.  Leaving the porch at a bound, they ran across the garden.

“Hurrah! we have you!” yelled Larry Colby, as he rushed up, followed by Tom, Dick, and a dozen of the other big cadets.

“Quick, this way!” cried Sam.  “Do you see that carriage?”

“Of course we do,” answered Torn.

“It contains Mrs. Stanhope and old Crabtree.  They are going to drive off and get married against Dora Stanhope’s wishes.”

“Phew!” came in a low whistle from the eldest of the Rover Boys.

“We ought to stop this affair,” went on Fred.

“Old Crabby is going to get married!” came in a shout.  “Come on, let us go along!”

And pell-mell went the boys after the carriage, which had just turned from the horse-block with the teacher and Mrs. Stanhope inside, and a farmhand named Borgy on the front seat.

CHAPTER XIV

JOSIAH CRABTREE IN DIFFICULTY

Dora Stanhope had witnessed the approach of the boys, and now she came out into the garden again and confronted them.  She blushed prettily upon seeing Dick and several others with whom she was acquainted.

“I understand that Mr. Crabtree is about to be married,” said Dick in a low tone.

“Yes, he insists on marrying my mother this afternoon.  He has been at her about this for several months,” answered Dora between her sobs.

“Evidently you oppose the marriage.”

“I —­ I hate Mr. Crabtree!” came almost fiercely.  “He is —­ is nothing like my poor dead papa was.”

“I believe you, Dora,” answered Dick.  “I don’t see what your mother can find in him to like.  We hate him at the academy.”

“I know it —­ and I imagine Captain Putnam is preparing to get rid of him, for I heard he was corresponding with a teacher in Buffalo —­ one who has been head master in a military academy out in that vicinity.”