THE COUNTRY BOY 183 



had been holding hands for half an hour, and 

 we hadn't spoken a word. Finally, turning 

 to me, he said: 



"Homer, I feel like the old farmer, and I 

 guess you do, who was on his death-bed, 

 when they sent for the minister. The old 

 farmer hadn't been a church member in his 

 day, hadn't given much thought to religion or 

 the hereafter. When the preacher asked him 

 as the family stood close around, if he wouldn't 

 like to make his jDcace with God, he said, 'No, 

 I don't see as there is any use, we ain't never 

 had any fuss.' " 



So, as the grip of our hands grew stronger, 

 he said, "Homer, we've never had any fuss, 

 so we can part peacefully." 



On the train my valise attracted attention, 

 and a crowd of drummers gathered around it. 

 They asked me where I was going, and I told 

 them to San Francisco. They asked me where 

 I got the valise and I told them, and I saw 

 a few of them take down the storekeeper's 

 name that sold it. Finally one of them said, 

 after I had told them my name: "Mr. 

 Davenport, I don't think you appreciate the 

 opening there is for you or anybody else in 



