finally, as capacity was reached, he came to the rostrum.

"Friends and neighbors," he said, "it's too bad that our program must
be preceded by an apology. As a stranger in your midst, I did not
properly estimate your interest and enthusiasm. I accept the blame for
not providing a larger auditorium and I want, at this time, to give
credit to Miss Adine Lough, of the B-line ranch, for her zeal in
providing the feature of the entertainment and giving it the wide
publicity it deserves. Make yourselves as comfortable as you can and
we will proceed with our offerings."

The young minister was a real artist with an accordion. He played
several popular numbers, interspersed with old-time classics such as
"The Flower Song," "The Blue Danube," and others. It was good music,
well played, and received generous applause. These were followed by a
solo and encore by the minister's wife and then a quartette of young
girls sang a couple of popular selections.

Paul Curtis had preceded each number by a brief statement as to what
it was to be. Now he came to the rostrum. "We are now at the feature
number of our program," he announced. "I understand it had its
beginnings in a horse trade. Back in other days, a horse trade was
often tinged with fraud and chicanery. This one has ended in a great
good; really, it's the most fortuitous happening in my brief career as
a minister of the Gospel. It has given me a quick and hearty contact
with all the people where I am to work. It goes to show that a great
good can spring from lowly origins. The Saviour of men, you know, was
from lowly Nazareth and born in a manger.

"But we will let the next speaker tell of the hoss trade, although he
is scheduled to talk about midgets and tell us something about life
with a circus-show. Both of these topics interest me deeply, as I know
nothing about either, and am anxious to learn about them.

"Folks, neighbors, and friends of Adot and community, allow me to
introduce my new-found young friend and our near-neighbor, Mister
David Lannarck, lately a feature with the Great International Circus,
and now a resident of the Silver Falls neighborhood. Mister Lannarck."

Davy slid down from an uncomfortable chair and climbed up on the
little platform that had been placed at the side of the pulpit proper.

"Howdy, folks, and thank you, Brother Curtis, for the kindly
introduction. Calling me your young friend is a compliment I hardly
deserve. Yet it's a form of p