The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery of the Totem Faces

The Happy Hollisters and the Mystery of the Totem Faces — page 9
Mr Roebuck’s wrinkled face broke into a broad smile setting off a twinkle in his gray eyes Boys will be boys Well I suppose you’re wondering what I’m do ing here with a totem pole He explained that Mrs Tompkin was his great niece I just came to Shoreham this June to live with her and her husband he said Th ey’re on vacation now I set up my totem pole as a surprise when they return Did you come from Indian-land Sue asked him She was still astride her tricycle You might call it that Old Ben said Alaska was my home for fi fty years I’m an old sourdough But you don’t look sour Holly told him Mr Roebuck chuckled He explained that a sour dough was the name given to explorers and gold miners in the far north of Canada and Alaska Th at’s because we used to eat sour dough biscuits the elderly man said He told the children that a small amount of sour dough was always carried by the old time adventurers When mixed with bread dough it acted as a leaven making the bread rise before baking It might not sound good to you Old Ben said but when you’re hungry it tastes mighty fi ne By now dusk was beginning to settle over the town of Shoreham and Pam thought the Hollisters should go home But Ricky begged to hear more about the totem I carved it as a hobby Mr Roebuck said and it stood in front of my little house in Juneau But I brought the to tem along to remind me of my happy days in Alaska 12