these people hear about me."

"You need not be afraid. You have a very good heard. Besides,
it is no more public than at my lectures."

"All right then!"

"Move your chair forward a little. There, that is right."

Prof. Crane arose, and assumed the attitude of a speaker.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he commenced, after clearing his
throat.

The gentlemen in the saloon looked up from their newspapers
in some surprise at this unexpected interruption.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am Prof. Crane, the phrenologist. I
trust you will pardon the interruption if I publically examine the
head of this young man, and describe his character as indicated
by his phrenological development."

"Go on," said a stout gentlemen opposite. "It will help to pass
the time."

"Thank you, sir. I trust that what I may say will not only help to
pass the time, but lead you to reflect seriously upon the great
importance of this science, and its claims upon your attention."

All eyes were turned upon Ben, who bore the ordeal very well.

"This lad has an excellent head. All the organs are well balanced,
none being in great excess. His temperament is nervous-sanguine.
Hope predominates with him. He will not be easily discouraged,
but when he has an object in view he will pursue it perseveringly
to the end. He is not quarrelsome, but will not allow himself to be
trodden upon. He has plenty of courage. He is not bashful, but
respectful to his elders and superiors. He is conscientious, and
more likely to do right than wrong. Of course he might yield to
temptation, but it would have to be a powerful one. He has a
fondness for pets, and will be kind to younger children. He will
find no pleasure in ill-treating or tyrannizing over them He has not
much invention, and would make a poor machinist, but is likely
to succeed in general business. He will probably be steady and
reliable, and faithful to the interests of his employer."

This was the substance of Prof. Crane's description of our hero.
Ben listened with satisfaction, feeling that it was a very good
character indeed. He was sorry that some business man could not
hear it, as it might lead him to offer him employment.

When the examination was over, Ben tendered the professor
twenty-five cents in payment.

"Now," said the professor, looking around him, "is there any other
lady or gentleman whose head I can examine, for the small sum of
twenty-five cents? My usual terms are