ebrated evangelist
was holding a big protracted meeting under canvas in the town and had
asked all those who had read the book of Hezekiah in the Bible to stand
up, Miss Minerva on one side of the big tent and her devoted lover on
the other side were among the few who had risen to their feet. She had
read the good book from cover to cover from Genesis to Revelation over
and over so she thought she had read Hezekiah a score of times.

So now, when the preacher called for little orphans to come forward, she
leaned down and whispered to her nephew, "Go up to the front, William,
and shake hands with the nice kind preacher."

"Wha' fer?" he asked. "I don' want to go up there; ev'ybody here'll look
right at me."

"Are there no little orphans here?" the minister was saying. "I want to
shake the hand of any little child who has had the misfortune to lose
its parents."

"Go on, William," commanded his aunt. "Go shake hands with the
preacher."

The little boy again demurred but, Miss Minerva insisting, he obediently
slipped by her and by his chum. Walking gracefully and jauntily up the
aisle to the spot where the lecturer was standing by a broad table, he
held out his slim, little hand.

Jimmy looked at these proceedings of Billy's in astonishment, not
comprehending at all. He was rather indignant that the older boy had not
confided in him and invited his participation.

But Jimmy was not the one to sit calmly by and be ignored when there was
anything doing, so he slid awkwardly from the bench before Miss Minerva
knew what he was up to. Signaling Frances to follow, he swaggered
pompously behind Billy and he, too, held out a short, fat hand to the
minister.

The speaker smiled benignly down upon them; lifting them up in his arms
he stood the little boys upon the table. He thought the touching sight
of these innocent and tender little orphans would empty the pockets of
the audience. Billy turned red with embarrassment at his conspicuous
position, while Jimmy grinned happily at the amused congregation.
Horrified Miss Minerva half rose to her feet, but decided to remain
where she was. She was a timid woman and did not know what course she
ought to pursue. Besides, she had just caught the Major's smile.

"And how long have you been an orphan?" the preacher was asking of
Billy.

"Ever sence me an' Wilkes Booth Lincoln's born," sweetly responded the
child.

"I 'bout the orphantest boy they is," volunteered Jimmy.

Franc