A decade or more ago tourists across the continent westward bound, on reaching Chicago, were given choice of three great railway lines. Whatever the route chosen, all were landed in Omaha, from which point the Union and the Central Pacifics then constituted the only great highway to the western coast. It was in the year 1869 that the last spike was driven in completion of this greatest railway enterprise of the world. A strong current of travel across the continent then set in. Jefferson was one of the many towns where the people soon began to feel that contact with this current was the opening of a new era in their history.

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Among other things that indicated Jefferson had taken a step forward, was the early organization of a lecture committee. important question with the committee was what lectures should they have, or rather could they have, Jefferson being an obscure Western town. They saw clearly that the season of greatest activity with them would not be the regular lecture season, but the vacation season. The cause of this was the high popularity that the summer excursions to California had reached. Among the excursionists they thought there was doubtless a fair proportion of lecturers, some of them probably men of the highest reputation. The problem before the committee was to discover how many of these were disposed to interrupt their fight and pay them a

study. Whilst stopping in Jefferson he had availed himself of an unexpected opportunity to do something for the lecture interests of the town. Though a young man, he thought his familiarity with the working of the system in the East entitled him to a controlling influence in the committee.

"We want, gentlemen," said Hollie, at a mecting of the committee, "a good man for our first attempt. I've a letter from my chum saying that the Reverend Doctor Joseph Honeysuckle of Boston is going to spend the heated term in California. He's all right, if we can get him. And then I see by the papers sent me, that Albert Clarence Westmoreland, another Boston man, is going. man, is going. He will do. I don't know him; but I shall write to him and Honeysuckle."

After some delay, both these parties replied, regretting the necessity for declining any engagements during the summer.

But,

in the meantime, the committee were not limiting their operations to correspondence with parties at a distance. Their business being to catch lecturers, they laid their plans accordingly. They engaged two railroad conductors to help them, John and Charley Wilson, both of whom professed to be able to tell a lecturer at sight. They also arranged with correspondents in the nearest towns to post them as to the movements of any lecturers who might be in the

field.

It was not long before the people of Jefferson began to speak of them not under the respectful title of the Jefferson Lecture Committee, but as "Our Lecturer-Catching Committee." Perhaps there was an element of irony here, as the catching business did not result in their giving to their fellow citizens of Jefferson the opportunity

to hear any lectures. When, however, the season--not lecture season, but the vacation season-was well advanced, a notice appeared in the Daily Times of Littstown (the only place near Jefferson that presumed to put on city airs) that the Reverend Doctor Joy would lecture there. Hollie proposed to go over.

"Let me go," said Colonel Johnson. "You don't understand these yere Western people as well as me or know what'll suit 'em best." Colonel Johnson regarded himself as the most experienced member of the committee. He was experienced so far as his knowledge of the society and institutions of the West were concerned. He took rank as one of the oldest inhabitants of Jefferson, held a very influential position, and was, all things considered, a representative Western man. Judge Brooks, the other of the three committee men, likewise an influential citizen of Jefferson, and editor of the Jefferson. Gazette, favored letting the Colonel go, as Hollie's services might be more needed in Jefferson.

The Littstown Times of next morning spoke of the brilliant effort of the Reverend Doctor Joy, and added that Colonel Johnson, of the Jefferson lecture committee, had secured his services for his town.

Johnson telegraphed that same evening, Saturday: "All right-arrange for lecture Tuesday evening."

"Johnson has been successful," said Hollie, entering the Judge's office with the dispatch.

"Yes, yes," drawled the Judge meditatively, "and I've a letter from Henderson at Canton, stating that another lecturer, Doobang or some such name, is on the road, and will probably be here this afternoon. You be around at the hotel soon after the train comes in."

Hollie was at the hotel in time to look over the shoulder of John Doobang as he wrote on the register opposite his name, "Limekill, Conn." He had scarcely put the

last flourish to his signature when he seemed moved to address a question to the hotel clerk.

"You don't often have lecturers stop off here, I guess?" said he in a tone of inquiry. Now it happened that Mr. Doobang was not addressing the regular clerk, as he imagined. The regular clerk had stepped out, and his place was for the time being filled by a gentleman of leisure who was rather hard of hearing. After a pause, he repeated his question in a louder tone.

"What is it, sir?" said the gentleman of leisure leaning forward with his hand to his

This came from a rough-looking fellow standing at the main entrance, his hands in his pockets, and his rustic visage ornamented with a slouch hat. In response came an inquiry from the platform outside. "A lecturer ?"

"Yawp," replied the man at the door, ready to advance on Mr. Doobang and give him closer inspection.

Doobang at this point turned again towards the clerk, having satisfied himself that he was no unimportant arrival in Jefferson. The regular clerk was now on duty, and to him Mr. Doobang put his questions with a still more important air.

"I should suppose, sir-that is to say, sir-ahem! I should judge you don't often have lecturers stop off here?"

"Oh, I believe they are beginning to find us out.

"Indeed! I supposed lecturers were pretty scarce in this region. You don't have so many, I suppose, but what the people are ready to turn out?"

"Well, I couldn't say from personal observation, as I never go; but here is Mr. Hollie who can tell you all you want to know."

Mr. Doobang and Hollie retired to the parlor for a talk. As they did so, Doobang noticed that a number of men and boys had come in to stare at him. One youth put his head in at the door as they passed and yelled :

"Ah, you would like to know something about what might be your success here ?"

66 'No, sir, I am not troubled about success, though I formerly was, I think; however, I have now hit on the secret of successful lecturing. I am no hobbyist, nor do I attach any importance to political topics. My idea is," said Mr. Doobang, rising to his feet, and placing himself firmly in front of Hollie, with his hands behind his coat tail, "to write a new lecture for every place visited. I believe that the present decline of the lecture interest proceeds from this thing of trying to make the same lecture acceptable in thirty or forty States. and among all classes of hearers, town or country. I tell you this confidentially, because I believe you will be interested in anything that will help the cause. As lectures are a new thing with you away out here, the important point is to start off right. Now I would be pleased to have any suggestions from you, and also the names of a few of your most prominent citizens, that I may find out what subject will interest them. When I get the information, I can soon fill out one of my skeleton lectures which

Mr. Doobang was interrupted by a sudden Hurrah" which came from below the balcony on which the parlor windows. opened. When he arose he had taken a position which exposed him to view from the street, where he was soon caught sight of by the loafing crowd. After a moment's pause, there arose in strong chorus, the shout "A lecturer, hurrah!" Mr. Doobang's glance towards Hollie, showed that he was evidently getting nervous. "Is this," he began hesitatingly, "is this--ah-quiterespectful ?"

"Oh! don't be troubled, Mr. Doobang; they do strange things out West; and, you see, this is their manner of welcoming you to their "

"Oh-ah-I declare !" came from Mr. Doobang as he stepped towards the balcony.

"Don't Mr. Doobang! for heaven's sake don't go out there!" exclaimed Hollie springing forward to check him.

But Hollie was too slow. Mr. Doobang stepped on the balcony, and saluting the now rapidly increasing crowd, began to make some "appropriate remarks." The uproar became so great that Hollie could catch only parts of sentences;-" at your service-local interest-good of the cause -great railway to the Pacific-name some subject

"You have a pleasant town here, Judge. I thought I would stop off on my way to California and look around, and—”

"And lecture for us?" queried the Judge. "No sir," was replied rather emphatically; but this he immediately modified by "Not this time."

"Not this time ?" repeated Brooks.

If a

"No. You see, speaking confidentially, I'm on my way to California, and my desire is to be invited to lecture on my return; for I don't wish to appear to be a professional lecturer. It hurts the cause. man offers himself he shows that he's making a profession of it. Why, sir, it is not safe even to advertise; and I pity those who fish for invitations by doing something to make themselves famous, such as making big speeches, or getting up great inventions, or performing some marvelous feat of physical endurance, or engaging in book writing or traveling, and such things. Such a mania have some of these fellows for notoriety that if it were not for the danger to their necks, they would even dare to commit murder, if they could not draw public attention in any other way." Lowering his voice to a very confidential tone, he continued: this, I think, can be easily gotten through here. I have some slight acquaintance. I procured from a minister at Charleston at letter of introduction to the Rev. Mr. Negy, which has made it all right with him; and you, Judge, remember me. Now if you will just start this paper," said he, taking a document from his pocket, and turning to the Judge, with other help, it will soon be fixed up."

"Now

The Judge took the paper and read: "We, the undersigned, citizens of Jefferson, have been pleased to notice that the Hon. John Jukell has stopped off to visit in our midst for a few days. As Mr. Jukell is on his way to California, and will be returning in two weeks, it will afford us great pleasure to hear his renowned lecture on Horology and the Calendar. In it he discusses questions which have become of

the greatest importance since the completion of the railway to the Pacific has rendered it possible to make the circuit of the globe in a very short period of time. It is a wellknown fact that navigators, during their passage of the Pacific, if it be eastward, reckon two days under one date; or, if it be westward, pass over one date without assigning to it a day. The line by common consent fixed upon for the change of date, is the 180th meridian from Greenwich. custom now prevails, when it is the first day of a month on the east side of the line, it is the second day on the west. Mr. Jukell proposes to show why this is, how it is, and how it ought not to be. Mr. Jukell also clearly sees that this lightning age is to render the present system of reckoning time entirely useless.

As

"We, therefore, are clearly convinced that the citizens of Jefferson, whose interests are so closely connected with the great Pacific Railway, should hear what Mr. Jukell has to say on this important question; and give him hearty sympathy in his effort to effect the assembling of a great Pan Congress at Tokio, Japan, which shall take into consideration what shall be done to meet the coming emergency."

Judge Brooks signed with great alacrity, and got rid of his visitor by sending for Hollie, whom he instructed to aid Mr. Jukell in finding some of the prominent citizens of Jefferson.

Hollie was seized with a sudden impulse to visit Mr. Negy, pastor of the Methodist Church, as well as to shake off so disagreeable a person as Mr. Raymond.

Now Mr. Raymond was a person known to the committee as "our resident lecturer." He had received this designation, not because he had a contract to do the lecturing for the town, but rather because he showed such a willingness whenever opportunity offered.

An invitation such as Jukell was working up, would have filled him with delight. When well advanced in life, he had concluded to make a lecturer of himself, at which period he had drifted as far west as Jefferson. Thinking this neglected region a good field for beginners to practice in, he set about embracing every opportunity before trying it further east. He found little to do however, beyond attending the weekly meetings of the literary club; and, whenever invited, reading selections, which were always well received, though after a manner he failed to perceive.

When Hollie drew near the Methodist parsonage about the hour of sunset, Mr. Negy was sitting at his front door enjoying the fine panorama of earth and sky in the west, and at the same time being entertained by the Reverend Mr. Cobbaff, who the Saturday previous had made a demand on him for hospitality.

Hollie's arrival interrupted an effort that was being put forth on the part of Mr. Cobbaff to make Negy cry. He had tried on the day previous to bring tears to the eyes of Brother Negy's people to whom he had preached. Having made some strong asser

tions as to his pathetic power in story telling, he was solicited to test his abilities upon his brother clergyman. As respects the people, the Reverend Mr. Cobbaff had tried his powers of pathos for a special object; for, after having made an impression as a preacher, he prepared next to appear as a lecturer.

It may be stated briefly of Mr. Cobbaff, that he was on the return tour from California, had lectured on the way-had invariably, where opportunity presented, first tried his powers as a preacher, (and his ability to melt his audiences to tears had very much reduced his expenses-had previously reduced them by an interview with the passenger agent, in which he secured a half-fare pass), had in some places lectured with astonishing success-had even had silver half dollars thrown after him as he hurried to the train. His work for the day had been chiefly directed towards securing the postponement of a festival, announced for Mr. Negy's people for Wednesday night, in order that he might lecture. The utmost degree of agreeableness which Brother Cobbaff was able to bring into exercise, was of no avail, however, towards iufluencing Brother Negy to do anything for him in his lecture project.

The truth was, Brother Negy was thinking of lecturing himself. He had only quite. lately been appointed by the conference to Jefferson. It might lead to a better understanding of him to say that he was not pleased with his appointment. He had expected to be sent to Marion; but a difficulty had arisen. The last minister at Marion had been to Europe and the Holy Land. He was so much given to lecturing about his tour, and to referring to it in his sermons, that it was said his congregation knew every street and corner in Jerusalem, and were so well acquainted with the road to Jericho, that they could walk it blindfolded. Negy had likewise lately made the same wonderful tour, and he dis