I half
believe we preach too much. My friend Cotton Mather had a story of an
old Indian who was in jail, about to be hanged for some crime.

[Sidenote: WOULD-BE ELDERS]

"A minister visited him in his cell and prayed with him and preached at
him till the Indian begged the jailer to hurry up the hanging. He
preferred it to any more talk.

"This harness was getting about as rusty as my old bones and needed
oiling badly. And now, neighbours, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Well, Mr. Hancock, your remark just now about your age is to the point.
Some years ago you had the help of your good son Ebenezer, whose loss we
all deplore. And some of us have been considering your great age, and
the numerous and hard duties you perform; and we have thought it might
be well if you had some assistance and aid. We know that it used to be
common to have a couple of elders to assist the pastor; and thought that
you might find it pleasant to revive the office, and have the help of
two elders."

Mr. Hancock thought for a moment and said: "That's an excellent notion.
But where can we find men ready to fulfil the duties of the office?"

"Well, Uriah and me have been talking it over, and we would be willing
to take the office, for the sake of helping you."

"I suppose you know the duties of elders?"

"No! But you know all about it, and could tell us."

"Well, gentlemen, the duties of elders have never been very clearly
defined in the church. But latterly they have settled down to this. The
younger elder is to brush down and harness the pastor's horse when he
wishes to ride out, and the elder is to accompany him, when he goes out
of town, and pay his bills. I should be glad to have you appointed."

Uriah gave a gasp, and said: "Hello! It looks as if there was a shower
coming up, and my hay's out. Good-by, Mr. Hancock; we'll see you another
day."

The bishop looked after them, as they walked away, and turned round with
a twinkle in his eye. Seeing us laughing, he laughed too, and said:--

[Sidenote: NO ELDERS IN MR. HANCOCK'S DAY]

"I don't believe we shall have any elders in Lexington, boys. At least,
not in my day."

CHAPTER III

IN WHICH ARE DETAILS OF A GREAT FOX HUNT

When the winter came there were a great many quail about our barn.
Smiling Bill Smith, who worked for us,--Old Bill Smiley some folks
called him, on account of the broad grin he always wore,--said to me:--

"Them whales, Ben, pretty near both