etty smart," said the countryman, looking surprised.

"Are your parents quite well?"

"They're so's to be around."

"When did you come to the city?"

"This mornin'."

"Do you stay any length of time?"

"I'm goin' back this afternoon."

"You didn't expect to meet me now, did you?" asked Mr. Montgomery.

"I s'pose I'd orter know you," said the perplexed youth, "but I can't
think what your name is."

"What! Not know Mr. Barnes, the minister of Hayfield Centre? Don't you
remember hearing me preach for your minister?"

"Seems to me I do," answered the young man, persuading himself that he
ought to remember.

"Of course you do. Now, my young friend, I am very glad to have met
you."

"So am I," said the other, awkwardly.

"You can do me a favor, if you will."

"Of course, I will," said Jonathan, "if it's anything I can do."

"Yes, you will have no trouble about it. You see, I went into a
jeweler's near by to sell a valuable ring, and they wanted to make sure
I was really a minister, and not intending to cheat them. If you will go
in with me, and say that you have often heard me preach, and that I am
the Rev. Mr. Barnes, of Hayfield Centre, I won't mind paying you five
dollars for your trouble."

"All right; I'll do it," said the rustic, considering that it would be
an unusually easy way of earning few dollars.

"You'll remember the name, won't you?"

"Yes--Parson Barnes, of Hayfield Centre."

"That is right. The store is near by. Walk along with us, and we will be
there in five minutes."

CHAPTER XXIII

A NEW EXPEDIENT

"I believe your name is Peck?" said Mr. Montgomery, hazarding a guess.

"No, it's Young, Ephraim Young."

"Of course it is. I remember now, but I am apt to forget names. You said
your parents were quite well?"

"Yes, they're pretty smart."

"I am glad to hear it; I have the pleasantest recollections of your
excellent father. Let me see, didn't you call there with me once, Mrs.
Barnes?"

"Not that I remember."

"You must go with me the next time. I want you to know the parents
of our young friend. They are excellent people. Do you go back this
afternoon, Mr. Young?"

"Yes, I guess so. You don't know of any sitooation I could get in a
store round here, do you?"

"Not at present, but I have some influential friends to whom I will
mention your name. Suppose, now, I could obtain a situation for you, how
shall I direct the letter letting you know?"

"Just put on the let