As soon as the manager of the Riverside Baseball Club had a good chance he said to Eugene Maxfield, "Try to get over as early next Sunday afternoon as possible, we've got something extra on hand after the game.

"I have another engagement for Sunday afternoon and cannot be with you," replied Mr. Maxfield.

"Not be with us on Sunday!" exclaimed one of the Jamestown baseball men who overheard the conversation. "Why, of course we expect you to be with us. We have not tried to get another pitcher. What shall we do?"

"I am sure I do not know, but I can never play with you again on Sunday," the preacher replied.

"Say, parson, have you got a wedding on hand for Sunday?" asked one of the boys.

"I am not at liberty to divulge my plans," said the minister, "but I guess you will hear about it sooner or later."

Before the social ended Mr. Maxfield asked the sheriff if there were any objections to the seats being left in the court-house yard for a few days.

He said he knew of no objection.

During the social the young preacher mingled with the crowd, shaking hands, and getting acquainted with the people. As he greeted Mr. Crawford the aged minister said, "Brother Maxfield, will you let me make an announcement ?"

"What do you wish to say!
y?"

"I want to invite these people to come to our church."

"I do not think it would be wise to do so now, brother Crawford. Let us make the teachings of Christ so attractive that they will desire of their own accord to attend divine worship."

CHAPTER XI

DICK'S DEN

Ask me no questions, and

I'll tell you no fibs.

-Goldsmith.

HE FOLLOWING morning Eugene Maxfield said to

THE

Dick Crawford, "Will you please do me a favor?" · "Sure, I will! What's up your sleeve now?"

"It's a secret. Will you promise not to tell it until the proper time comes?"

"Say, Reddy, did I ever give you away or play you false?"

"No, Dick, and that's why I am asking you to help me. I would like to organize a brass band. Do you think we can get enough boys whom we can depend upon to organize one ?"

"Enough boys to organize a brass band! Say, Reddy, every boy in town will want to get in on that deal. About how many do you want?"

"I think from eighteen to twenty-four will be enough to begin with."

"You'll have more trouble keeping boys out than in getting them in. What do you want me to do?"

"Now, here is my plan," said the preacher. "You select boys between fourteen and sixteen years of age who you

think have some musical ability. A good whistler usually makes a good musician. Ask each boy to be at your house at three o'clock,' sharp, next Sunday afternoon. Don't tell them what's on hand."

"Dad always sleeps every Sunday afternoon unless he has a funeral. Let's meet at our barn," suggested Dick.

"All right. I want you to be at the barn to welcome them, and when you think they are all there, give me a signal and I will come over. How does that strike you, Dick?"

"Say, old man, you're as full of ideas as some old women are of gossip. Sure, I'll help you.”

Friday and Saturday Dick was rounding up the boys. On Saturday night he made a report of his success to the preacher.

Nearly a score of boys on Sunday morning made some flimsy excuse to their parents for not wanting to go to Riverside to see the baseball game.

Just before church time Mr. Crawford noticed his son on the porch and said to him, "Richard, are you ill?"

"Not yet. Why, dad?"

"I noticed that you did not accompany the baseball boys to Riverside this morning. You said a few days ago that you hoped your arm would be well enough so you could go."

"Oh, I thought I would stay at home today and read how Jonah swallowed the whale."

"Richard Crawford! Why are you so frivolous? You try my patience to the uttermost."

"Well, dad, mebbe you'd rather have me try to find out where Cain got his wife."

As Mr. and Mrs. Crawford left the porch Dick said, "Dad, if anybody invites you to dinner today you had better accept."

The Crawfords, some women, and a few children were the only persons at the morning service. Mr. Maxfield gave a short object lesson to the children before his sermon.

As the congregation dispersed they noticed Dick Crawford standing in front of the church. He handed the young preacher a special delivery letter.

Mr. Crawford was aroused from his slumbers that afternoon by hearing a lot of noise in his yard. Looking out of the window he saw Dick and a number of boys. Calling to his son Mr. Crawford said, "Richard, wherefore so many young men here? Why so much hilarity on the Sabbath day?"

Putting his hands megaphone shape up to his mouth he said, "Don't speak so loud, dad. I'm organizing a new Sunday School class, we must not be interrupted or it might break the charm."

Mr. Crawford closed the window in order to shut out the noise and turning to his wife said, "My dear, I fear the evil one has complete control of our son.'

"I do not think so, father. Dick and I both enjoy innocent fun. I wish that he and you were more companionable."

Eugene Maxfield telephoned to the manager of the Jamestown baseball club at noon and asked him if he could have the baseball crowd at the court-house yard by eight o'clock that evening.

When the boys at the barn saw the preacher coming they were inclined to run, but Dick quieted their fears and said, "Say, boys, Reddy's got something important to tell you." Every boy was all ears to hear the message.

When Mr. Maxfield entered the barn he noticed that Dick had fixed up one corner for his den, and asked him why he had it in the barn.

Dick replied in an undertone, “Dad wouldn't let me have it in the house, for he said that I made so much noise that it disturbed his meditations."

As the preacher noticed a phonograph on the shelf he said, "Dick, when we were at school one of our instructors told us that a cow would give more milk if she heard music during the milking time. Have you ever noticed this effect upon your cow?"

"Yes, sir, she does give more milk. Dad laughed at me when I told him I wanted to try it. But after he searched the Scriptures and found that the Bible said music was a good thing, he told me that if I would get sacred music I might try it on the cow, and it worked to a charm, but," he added, "dad don't let me have any more milk to drink or to sell."

Many of

Dick introduced Mr. Maxfield to the boys. them he recognized as having met at the socials. He asked the strangers about their parents, their homes, their school work, and the things which interest a boy, and after some further conversation he asked them if they would like to organize a brass band and wear a uniform. Every boy eagerly assented to the suggestion.