GERMS. 133 



following Sunday the good man opened by chance to 

 read the first hymn he always opened by chance he 

 opened to the pasted page and began to read, in a deep 

 voice : 



"Fm a double-jointed huckleberry aching for a fight." 



So determined was the good man to cling to Gospel 

 Songs No. 2 that he read the first line through without 

 stopping. He shut the book on his finger, looked at 

 the cover and saw the words, "Gospel Songs No. 2." 

 That settled it and he read the second line : 



"I can eat a pound of liver, beef or pork," 



The aged man closed the book again, scrutinized the 

 cover 'twas all right; it bore the words "Gospel Songs 

 No. 2" but there were smiles in the audience and 

 other evidence of unbelief, showing a lack of confidence. 

 However, the good man remained undaunted, and so 

 determined was he to cling to Gospel Songs No. 2 that 

 he re-adjusted his glasses and read more firmly than 

 before : 



"I can whip a pair of catamounts and eat 'em, when I'm 

 tight," 



"Brethren," said the good man with a puzzled look, 

 "I don't remember seeing those words in this book be- 

 fore, and holding the book up to view he exclaimed, 

 "but this is Gospel Songs No. 2," and his voice grew 

 louder and firmer as he said :> "I will read the remain- 

 ing line of the first stanza:" 



"I'm a terror from the country, watch my smoke." 



