rk. I know its proper place and
value to the world. That is why I called what I have to say, 'The Man
in the Background.' There is no reason why I should shiver and shrink
at meeting and explaining my work to my fellows. Every man has his
vocation, and some of you in the limelight would cut a sorry figure if
the man in the background should fail you at the critical moment. Don't
worry about me, Doc. I am all serene. You won't find I possess either
nerves or fear. 'Be sure you are right, and then go ahead,' is my law."

"Well I'll be confounded!" said the doctor.

In a large hall, peopled with thousands of medical men, the name of the
Harvester was called the following day and his subject was announced. He
arose in his place and began to talk.

"Take the platform," came in a roar from a hundred throats.

The Harvester hesitated.

"You must, David," whispered Carey.

The Harvester made his way forward and was guided through a side door,
and a second later calmly walked down the big stage to the front, and
stood at ease looking over his audience, as if to gauge its size and the
pitch to which he should raise his voice. His lean frame loomed every
inch of his six feet, his broad shoulders were square, his clean shaven
face alert and afire. He wore a spring suit of light gray of good
quality and cut, and he was perfect as to details.

"This scarcely seems compatible with my subject," he remarked casually.
"I certainly appear very much in the foreground just at present, but
perhaps that is quite as well. It may be time that I assert myself. I
doubt if there is a man among you who has not handled my products more
or less; you may enjoy learning where and how they are prepared, and
understanding the manner in which my work merges with yours. I think
perhaps the first thing is to paint you as good a word picture as I can
of my geographical location."

Then the Harvester named latitude and longitude and degrees of
temperature. He described the lake, the marsh, the wooded hill, the
swale, and open sunny fields. He spoke of water, soil, shade, and
geographical conditions. "Here I was born," he said, "on land owned
by my father and grandfather before me, and previous to them, by the
Indians. My male ancestors, so far as I can trace them, were men of
the woods, hunters, trappers, herb gatherers. My mother was from the
country, educated for a teacher. She had the most inexorable will power
of any woman I ever have known. From