r.

"I am afraid you are not remembering what the Apostle Paul said, Mr.
Latham," said Peter, determined to deal faithfully with Yankee. "'By the
deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified.'"

It was now Yankee's turn to gaze helplessly at Peter. "I guess you have
dropped me again," he said, slowly.

"Man," said Peter, with a touch of severity, "you will need to be more
faithful with the Word of God. The Scriptures plainly declare, Mr.
Latham, that it is impossible for a man to be saved in his natural
state."

Yankee looked blank at this.

"The prophet says that the plowing and sowing, the very prayers, of the
wicked are an abomination to the Lord."

"Why, now you're talkin', but look here." Yankee lowered his tone. "Look
here, you wouldn't go for to call"--here again he jerked his head toward
the house--"wicked, would you? Fur if you do, why, there ain't any more
conversation between you and me."

Yankee was terribly in earnest.

"'There is none righteous, no, not one,'" quoted Peter, with the air of
a man who forces himself to an unpleasant duty.

"That's so, I guess," said Yankee, meditatively, "but it depends some on
what you mean. I don't set myself up for any copy-book head-line, but
as men go--men, say, just like you here--I'd put--I'd put him alongside,
wouldn't you? You expect to get through yourself, I judge?"

This was turning the tables somewhat sharply upon Peter, but Yankee's
keen, wide-open eyes were upon him, and his intensely earnest manner
demanded an answer.

"Indeed, if it will be so, it will not be for any merit of my own, but
only because of the mercy of the Lord in Christ Jesus." Peter's tone was
sincerely humble.

"Guess you're all right," said Yankee, encouragingly; "and as for--as
for--him--don't you worry about that. You may be dead sure about his
case."

But Peter only shook his head hopelessly. "You are sorely in need of
instruction, Mr. Latham," he said, sadly. "We cannot listen to our
hearts in this matter. We must do honor to the justice of God, and the
word is clear, 'Ye must be born again.' Nothing else avails." Peter's
tone was final.

Then Yankee drew a little nearer to him, as if settling down to work.

"Now look here. You let me talk awhile. I ain't up in your side of
the business, but I guess we are tryin' to make the same point. Now
supposin' you was in for a hoss race, which I hope ain't no offense,
seein' it ain't likely but suppose, and to take first money