"Anyway a good western trip will greatly benefit you, and I shall not be at all surprised if on your return your conception of your duty has undergone important modifications." As if signifying that he desired to discuss the subject no farther, Mr. Davis rose and left the room. Keenly feeling his father's disappointment and displeasure, John instinctively turned to his mother for sympathy. Mrs. Davis stepped to his side and with a fond caress said: "Thank God you have made this choice; I shall do all in my power to help you." "Thank you, mother dear. I believe you understand me, and know how sincere is my desire to do what I can for my fellow men. "I do so long to lead some of them to Christ; for many are wandering in darkness, just waiting for some one to reach them a helping hand. "In deference to father's wishes I shall take a vacation; though it can by no possibility alter my determination. On my return I shall begin active work without delay. "I have education enough to preach the simple truths of God's love. I wish to preach to sinners, not to saints. I shall ask no salary and have no denomination. My Church will be Christ." After tenderly embracing his mother, during which the souls of mother and son united in a prayer to the Most High, John bade her "Good night" and retired. The following week found John on his way to South Dakota, his plan being to make his first stop of any length at Aberdeen. He arrived there at night and the following morning mounted his bicycle for a trip through the surrounding country. It was a new world to him. His first thought was: how splendid the roads were for wheeling, they seemed even better than the paved streets of the city. He cast his eyes over his surroundings. On all sides was the vast expanse of prairie, ending only in the horizon--the fields of grass and grain, moving in the wind like the waves of the sea; overhead the blue sky, stretching out in a dome unbroken by hill or forest. The sun above him seemed to shine with a brighter splendor than he had before known. The beauties of nature filled the soul of this city-bred youth with wonder and admiration. He rode on and on. At one moment the joyous song of a lark captivated him; at another, the capering of some colts, or a sleek herd of cattle quietly grazing in a nearby pasture attracted his attention; or a colony of prairie gophers which dived excitedly into their burrows at his approach, amused him with their antics. At last he began to wonder how far he had gone. Seeing nearby a large, well kept farm-house, he rode up to it, to procure such rest and refreshment as it might afford him, before undertaking his long ride back to town. His knock at the door was answered by a beautiful girl, apparently about fifteen years of age. John explained his errand to her, and requested such courtesies as could be granted without putting the people of the house to undue inconvenience.