derstand that they can only have the benefits of the place as long as
they are on their good behavior."

"Ahem!" coughed the Elder again. "Mr. Haley is a very bright young
man--an especially good Latin scholar. But I fancy he finds the boys
quite enough to handle during the daytime, without having the care of
them at night. And--to be frank--I do not approve of the idea at all."

"Then--then you positively will not help us?" asked Janice,
disappointedly.

"You have not proved your case--to _my_ mind--Miss Day," said the old
gentleman, sternly. "It is not a feasible plan that you suggest. The
young rascals would make the place a regular nuisance. They would be
worse than they already are--and that is saying a good deal."

"I am sorry you think that, sir," returned Janice, quietly. "I think
better of them than you do. I believe the boys will appreciate such a
place and--if I can find enough people to help--I hope to see the
reading-room established."

"I disapprove, Miss--I disapprove!" declared Elder Concannon, almost
angrily, for he was not used to being crossed, especially in any
semi-public matter like this. "You will find, too, that my opinion is
the right one. Good-day, Miss. I am sorry to find one so young
impervious to the advice of her elders."

"I'll just _show_ him! That's what I'll do--I'll _show_ him!" was the
determination of the girl from Greensboro. "And I don't believe
Poketown boys are much worse than any other boys--if they only have
half a chance."

Fortunately all those to whom Janice went in her secret canvass were
not like the opinionated old minister. Several subscribed money, and
insisted upon paying their subscription over to her at once so that she
might have a "working fund." Janice set aside three dollars for the
first month's rent of the store and with the remainder purchased a
second-hand table, some plain kitchen chairs, and some lumber. She
began to use this subscribed money with some little trepidation,
for--suppose her scheme fell through, after all?

She got her uncle to agree to the needed carpenter's work; a painter
gave her a brush and sufficient wood-stain to freshen up all the
woodwork of the store. Miss 'Rill came and helped her clean the place
and kalsomine the walls and ceiling. A storekeeper gave her enough
enameled oilcloth to cover neatly the long table. Hopewell Drugg
furnished bracket lamps, and gave her the benefit of the wholesale
discount on