le as he leaned forward and asked in an
audible whisper:

"General, who's your friend?"

"Mr. John Ogden, of Crofield, away up on the Cookyhutchie River. I
netted him at the door," was the reply, in the same tone.

"Good catch?" asked the other.

"Just as good as I was, Judge, forty years ago. I'll tell you how that
was some day."

"Decidedly raw material, I should say."

"Well, so was I. I was no more knowing than he is. I remember what it
is to be far away from home."

The hoarse, subdued whispers ceased; the two gentle men looked grim and
severe again. Then there was a grand burst of music from the organ,
the vast congregation stood up, and Jack rose with them.

He felt solemn enough, there was no doubt of that; but what he said to
himself unconsciously took this shape:

"Jingo! If this isn't the greatest going to church _I_ ever did! Hear
that voice! The organ too--what music! Don't I wish Molly was here!
I wish all the family were here."

The service went on and Jack listened attentively, in spite of a strong
tendency in his eyes to wander among the pillars to the galleries, up
into the lofty vault above him, or around among the pews full of
people. He knew it was a good sermon and that the music was good,
singing and all--especially when the congregation joined in "Old
Hundred" and another old hymn that he knew. Still he had an increasing
sense of being a very small fellow in a very large place. When he
raised his head, after the benediction, he saw the owner of the pew
turn toward him, bow low, and hold out his hand. Jack shook hands, of
course.

"Good-morning, Mr. Ogden," said the gentleman gravely, with almost a
frown on his face, but very politely, and then he turned and walked out
of the pew. Jack also bowed as he shook hands, and said,
"Good-morning. Thank you, sir. I hope you enjoyed the sermon."

"General," said the gentleman in the pew behind them, "pretty good for
raw material. Keep an eye on him."

"No, I won't," said the general. "I've spoiled four or five in that
very way."

"Well, I believe you're right," said the judge, after a moment. "It's
best for that kind of boy to fight his own battles. I had to."

"So did I," said the general, "and I was well pounded for a while."

Jack did not hear all of the conversation, but he had a clear idea that
they were talking about him; and as he walked slowly out of the church,
packed in among the crowd in the aisle, he had