Part 36 (1/2)
”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 letter 'Ephraim Young.' Everybody in Plainfield knows me.”