Now that they have moved back to the little town of Appleton/ Iowa, George and Barbara Apple and Apple's father/ Aldon, are encouraging the four children to become involved in community affairs. So they are happy when/ Just before the 54th annual fair, Paul, Cathy, and Steve go enthusiastically to work building a float to compete for a prize at the fair. The float is finished, it's beautiful, and the kids are full of pride. Then, to his dismay, Apple discovers that it violates the rules of the fair. How does a conscientious dad handle a situation like that? Apple breaks the news, and promptly gets into the doghouse With all three kids. And then studious Patricia does some research into Appleton history. She makes a discovery that embarrasses the mayor and town council; solves the float problem, and makes heroes of the Apple family.

PICTURE THREE The demolition job was well under way when Apple  happened by and tried to express his sympathy. The young people's bitterness, however, spilled over onto him, "I hope you're satisfied," Calliy told him resentfully-"We wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for you. I'll bet we'd have won the contest, if you hadn't had to go and tell us that old poster was yours!" "But don't you feel you did the right thing?" Apple asked, immensely troubled by this attitude. "I think you did." "Sure- we did," Paul contributed from the depths of his biUeitic-ss, "and we feel great-just great!" Mimicking Phipps'S senlenlious tone, he added, "A clear conscience is its own reward!"

PICTURE FOUR Meanwhile the oldest of the Apple children was  about to run afoul of Appleton officialdom in her own way. In pursuit of her newfound historical interest Patricia bad gone to the Historical Society, where a helpful woman named Mrs. Barstow hunted up material for her about old Forl Treadwell. This Patricia read with mounting interest, then indignation. "Why, ii says here," she burst out at last to the startled Mrs. Barstow, "that the cily was supposed to restore the fort nine years ago. Well, they didn't, did they?" "They certainly didn't," the woman said regretfully. "I can take you out and show you the site. It's a—well, it's absolutely a disgrace!" :-

 PICTURE  5 At the historic site Patricia's indignation rose to  outrage. The place where the pioneer fort had stood was now a dump—and next to it was a noisy, dirty gravel pit. "But—but how can this be?," she spluttered, "when it says right in those clippings you gave me that Mrs. Maude- Something-Campbell left Hiis property and fifteen thousand dollars to restore the old fort?" "I just don't know, my dear," Mrs. Barstow said. "But if you ask me there's politics involved. Whatever's going on, if you go poking around you'll Find a politician!" "Well, I'm going to poke around!" Patricia vowed- "I'll go right home and ask my father how to start!"

PICTURE  6 By the time the eldest of the Apple children had   pedaled furiously home on her bike she was in such high dudgeon she didn't even see her brothers and sister as they completed their demolition job on the ill-fated float. When Apple saw how truly disturbed she was he dropped everything and gave her his full attention as .she told him the whole story of the disgraceful way in which the old fort had been treated by the powers-that-be. She was able to back up every statement with the careful notes she had taken at the  Historical Society. "I don't know if there's any skullduggery going on," she said at last, "but after all, Daddy, it's been nine years and nothing's been done. What I want to know is what all that money has been doing all this time!" "A good question," Apple murmured- "A very good question." Then he was silent for a time. thinking very hard indeed. A connection had occurred to him—between the unrestored fort and the disqualification of the children's float. And the more he thought about it the more excited he became until at last he leaped up, gave his daughter a jubilant hug and headed for the signal bell on the deck outside. "By George, honey," he told her as he went, "you just may have the key that will unlock everything!"

PICTURE SEVEN The bell pealed loudly,  and when the family had gathered be announced; "Patricia has been doing the homework for all of us. She can start this meeting off, and then I'll put in my two cents' worth." He grinned. "The Apples may raise a little dust around here!"