o "keep a
blowin'!"

And, as I stood thus on the steps of the deserted school-house and blew,
only to hear the wild lamentations of my soul translated into strains of
fiendish mirth through the medium of the horn, the Turkey Mogul, arrived
on his second visit of examination to the Wallencamp school, seemed to be
descending before my eyes, in a vortex of the giddy atmosphere. In fact,
he was alighting from his buggy, and a grim, though reassuring smile sat
on his features.

"I see! I see!" he nodded his head. "You've given them a good start," he
added, succinctly, indicating the direction of the Wallencampers; "humph!
yes! they are always up to something!"

He thrust his hands in his pockets, and, maintaining the same sardonic
grin, he, too, stood and watched that receding column.

It was an odd combination of circumstances. I had ceased my mad though
involuntary jubilate, on the horn, and was slowly aspiring to that
equanimity of mind which the exigencies of the case seemed to require,
when the Turkey Mogul turned abruptly, and without speaking a word,
handed me a soiled and wrinkled little sheet of paper, the contents of
which caused my heart, for an instant, to cease beating, and then set it
throbbing with a wild joy and exultation.

It was simply a petition--wrought out of whose brain I know not, but most
curiously inscribed in Aunt Patty's own hand, and signed by all the
Wallencampers, with "CAPTAIN SARTELL," at the head, and "b. lot" at the
foot--to the effect that it was their desire that my labors might be
longer continued among them.

Only one, who, having made a play-day of life, turns, at last, to attempt
some earnest work, and fails, as he believes, utterly, and then catches a
glimpse of unexpected light in the darkness, can understand the impulse
given me by that dirty little scroll. It was such happiness as I had
never felt before. It made me strangely weak.

"You'll stay," said the Turkey Mogul, at length, "another term, or we'll
consider this term extended, if you please."

"I'll stay a few more weeks, anyway," I said, and the Turkey Mogul must
have marvelled at the childish faith and joy with which I clung to this
new-found rock of my salvation; "but I hadn't thought of it before," I
added, a little faintly, thinking of home.

"You're tired!" said the Turkey Mogul, almost sympathetically; "and
hungry!" he subjoined, quickly, in a different tone.

I knew by this time that the Turkey Mogul's ey