to be done and can be done to brighten the
lives of these poor folks. They live in the hills remote from church
and Sunday School, which they never attend, and exist as heathen in a
Christian country. Their forefathers in England were among the best
yeomen of the land, and I believe many of these have the making of
good, honest, upright citizens."

"I think it is possible to organize a community school--a combination
of Sunday School and day school--for these dwellers in the hills,"
added John Larkin. "As I was riding down 'Sinex Knob' the other day I
passed a settler's cabin, larger and better built than most dwellings
in that section. The owner's name is Mart Spink. He has a wife and
several bright-looking children. Perhaps he would grant the use of his
living-room for school purposes. The Wiles family and a number of other
families live near enough to attend."

"My thought coincides with the suggestion of Mr. Larkin," said Viola
LeMonde. "We ought to have such a school. In it we should teach the
truths of religion and also the common branches of learning. Moreover,
we should help the whole community--the farmers to better cultivate
their lands and their minds; the farmers' wives to improve their
housekeeping, to get out of the ruts, and to take a wider interest in
developing their own intellects and those of their children; the sons
to have noble ambitions in life and to prepare to achieve them; the
daughters, besides the moral and intellectual training they receive, to
learn sewing, knitting, cooking, and other forms of domestic science.
Yes, and I would have a primitive dispensary, that the neighbors might
have at least first aid in case of sickness or accident. Tomorrow I
will have my servant Mose Williams to drive me in the phaeton to David
Hester's house. There I will talk with his daughter Henrietta, and I am
sure I can induce her to join me in the project. Together we will
explore the ground and make a beginning.

"I shall ask you gentlemen to aid us in every way in your power by
sympathy, advice, prayer, and work."

"Most gladly will I do so on one condition," Very responded with a
laugh, "that is, that we now adjourn to the parlor, and you will favor
us with music both instrumental and vocal."

"Would you have me to be so selfish as to be the whole show?" rejoined
Viola. "I will do nothing of the kind, sir; but I will play and sing if
the company will unite with me in singing the hymns."

This demand