. And when they had done,
Bill declared they were "better 'an a sawmill." It was Bill, too, that
did the financing, and his passage with Williams, the storekeeper from
"the other side" who dealt in lumber and building material, was such as
established forever Bill's reputation in finance.

With The Pilot's plans in his hands he went to Williams, seizing a time
when the store was full of men after their mail matter.

"What do you think ov them plans?" he asked innocently.

Williams was voluble with opinions and criticism and suggestions, all of
which were gratefully, even humbly received.

"Kind ov hard to figger out jest how much lumber 'll go into the shack,"
said Bill; "ye see the logs makes a difference."

To Williams the thing was simplicity itself, and, after some figuring,
he handed Bill a complete statement of the amount of lumber of all kinds
that would be required.

"Now, what would that there come to?"

Williams named his figure, and then Bill entered upon negotiations.

"I aint no man to beat down prices. No, sir, I say give a man his
figger. Of course, this here aint my funeral; besides, bein' a Gospel
shop, the price naterally would be different." To this the boys all
assented and Williams looked uncomfortable.

"In fact," and Bill adopted his public tone to Hi's admiration and joy,
"this here's a public institooshun" (this was Williams' own thunder),
"condoocin' to the good of the community" (Hi slapped his thigh and
squirted half way across the store to signify his entire approval), "and
I cherish the opinion"--(delighted chuckle from Hi)--"that public men
are interested in this concern."

"That's so! Right you are!" chorused the boys gravely.

Williams agreed, but declared he had thought of all this in making his
calculation. But seeing it was a church, and the first church and their
own church, he would make a cut, which he did after more figuring. Bill
gravely took the slip of paper and put it into his pocket without a
word. By the end of the week, having in the meantime ridden into town
and interviewed the dealers there, Bill sauntered into the store and
took up his position remote from Williams.

"You'll be wanting that sheeting, won't you, next week, Bill?" said
Williams.

"What sheetin' 's that?"

"Why, for the church. Aint the logs up?"

"Yes, that's so. I was just goin' to see the boys here about gettin' it
hauled," said Bill.

"Hauled!" said Williams, in amazed indignation. "