AND THE WILDERNESS BLOSSOMED 



always a faithful workman. He was handling a 

 pick one day on the island when a hornet, who 

 seemed much disturbed, came buzzing about, and 

 Frank made two or three vigorous passes at it 

 with his hat. " You be n't afraid of hornets, be 

 you, Frank ? " asked Deck Huntoon, who still 

 continued to wield his pick near by. 



"All I mind's their sting," said Frank; "I 

 like their looks first-rate." 



Driving once through a neighboring village 

 with my friend, the Deputy Sheriff, I asked him 

 what churches they had there. " Two," said the 

 Deputy. " One is the Congregational, and the 

 other a sort of a Union Chap-el." 



" And what denominations worship there ? " 



"The Universalists, the Unitarians, and the 

 Free Will Baptis'." 



" That 's an interesting combination," I ob- 

 served. " To which body do you belong ? " 



" To none of 'em," he answered ; " I 'm what 

 they call a Christian Baptis'." 



"Indeed," I said, "are there many of your 

 faith up here ? " 



" No," he answered solemnly ; " I am the only 

 one." 



I have often wondered how my friend the 

 52 



