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37 Ambrose, Ranger, and Buster 9 Somewhat in response to his doctor’s admonition to slow down, Ambrose had plowed and planted only five acres of oats this year. In past years he had put in ten acres. Now in May, with the oat crop up and growing, he worked at planting his garden; this time both his dog, Buster, and Ranger, the raccoon, were with him, “helping” him with the job at hand. “Well, fellows, what’s going to sell well in the vegetable stand this year?” he asked. Both animals looked at him like they understood the question. He planted a long row of radishes, another long row of leaf lettuce, and ten rows of potatoes—three of early red ones, and the rest of late potatoes . Ambrose had started about fifty tomato plants from seed back in late March, and he would hold off setting out the tomatoes until the end of the month, when he was reasonably sure that a late frost wasn’t still up Mother Nature’s sleeve. After lunch and an hour’s nap, Ambrose and his “helpers” were once more out in the garden continuing to plant cabbages, broccoli, sweet corn— three different varieties that would mature at different times—a long row of sunflowers, and an equally long row of ornamental corn, which always sold well. He would hold off on planting squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins until he set out the tomatoes. These vine crop seeds always germinated so much better when the soil was warmer. As Ambrose worked in his garden, the question of his long-held secret nagged at him. “Okay, you guys. When do I let the world know that old Ambrose Adler isn’t the strange, out-of-date, stuttering farmer that everyone thinks he is?” Buster wagged his tail, and Ranger held out his paws, as he often did when Ambrose talked to him. 38 Ambrose, Ranger, and Buster “So you don’t know either?” asked Ambrose. “How will I know when the time is right? I may not have that much time left.” Buster continued wagging his tail, and Ranger looked straight at Ambrose. Ambrose bent over and petted both the dog and the raccoon. “Well, if we’re gonna finish planting this garden today, we’d better get back at it,” said Ambrose. The two animals continued watching as Ambrose worked under the warm May sun. ...

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