oducing
the discussion of a subject which lay very near his heart.

The company were in excellent humor for a favorable consideration of the
project of the new meeting-house; and Mr. Corlis became very eloquent on
the subject.

"Come, Neighbor Royden," cried Deacon Dustan, "you are the only
influential man in the society who has not expressed a decided opinion,
one way or the other."

"It is because I haven't a decided opinion, I suppose," replied Mr.
Royden, laughing. "You have heard the case, Father," he added, turning
to the old clergyman: "what is your opinion?"

"I have hardly come to any conclusion yet," replied Father Brighthopes.
"I have some ideas about such projects, however."

"Well, we would thank you to let us hear them, Father," rejoined Deacon
Dustan. "They must be of value, from your long experience."

"Is this Job Bowen's house?" asked the old man; for they were walking
leisurely past the shoemaker's residence.

"Yes; here lives patient Job, the wooden-legged philosopher," returned
Deacon Dustan, good-humoredly. "What of him?"

"I was there, the other day, and promised to come again. I don't know
when I shall have a better time. After I have said good-day to the
family, I will tell you something about new meeting-houses. Will you go
in too, Brother Corlis?"

Mr. Corlis could not refuse, although he would much rather have remained
without.

"We will all look in at the door, if you please, gentlemen," said Deacon
Dustan. "Job is a curiosity."

"I was just thinking that Job's family would have considered a dish from
your generous table to-day a very pleasant curiosity," observed Father
Brighthopes.

"Oh, Job is not quite a stranger to my dishes," returned the deacon,
quickly. "I should be sorry to say that he was; and I should be sorry to
have you think so."

With a smile of sunshine, the old man disclaimed the remotest idea of
insinuating such a suspicion.

"A fat dish may be considered a curiosity to a poor man at any time, you
know," he added, with tender humor. "Even a cold potato and a crust of
bread are often great sources of delight, when accompanied with a kind
word, and a cheerful, encouraging smile, from the charitable giver."

Deacon Dustan opened the door, without knocking.

"How are you to-day, Job?" he cried, with his great, strong, energetic
lungs.

"Ah! my kind friends!" said Job, rubbing his hands, "I wish I could run
to welcome you; but you will excuse me, and come