Mr. Opp came to a close and waited for applause; nor was he disappointed. "Gee! I wish I could write like that!" said Nick, rising on his elbow. "I can do the printing all right, and hustle around for the news; but I never know how to put on the trimmings." Mr. Opp laid a hand upon his shoulder; he was fast developing a fondness for the youth. "It's a gift," he said sympathetically, "that I am afraid, my boy, nobody can't learn you." "Can I come in?" said a voice from outside, and Mr. Gallop peeped around the open door. "Walk in," cried Mr. Opp, while Nick sprang to his feet. "We are just by way of finishing up the work at hand, and have a few minutes of spare leisure." "I just wanted to know if you'd help us get up a town band," said Mr. Gallop. "I told the boys you'd be too busy, but they made me come. I asked Mr. Fallows if you was musical; but I wouldn't repeat what he said." "Oh, Jimmy is just naturally humoristic," said Mr. Opp. "Go along and tell me what he remarked." "Well," said Mr. Gallop, indignantly, "he said you was a expert on the wind-pipe! Mr. Tucker, I believe it was, thought you used to play the accordion." "No," said Mr. Opp; "it was the cornet. I was considerable of a performer at one time." "Well, we want you for the leader of our band," said Mr. Gallop. "We are going to have blue uniforms and give regular concerts up on Main Street." Nick Fenny began searching for a pencil. "You know," went on Mr. Gallop, rapidly, "the last show boat that was here had a calliope, and there's another one coming next week. All I have to do is to hear a tune twice, then I can play it. Miss Guin-never Gusty is going up to Coreyville next week, and she says she'll get us some new pieces. She's going to select a plush self-rocker for the congregation to give the new preacher. They're keeping it awful secret, but I heard 'em mention it over the telephone. The preacher's baby has been mighty sick, and so has his mother, up at the Ridge; but she's got well again. Well, I must go along now. Ain't it warm?" Before Mr. Opp had ceased showing Mr. Gallop out, his attention was arrested by the strange conduct of his staff. That indefatigable youth was writing furiously on the new wall-paper, covering the clean brown surface with large, scrawling characters. Mr. Opp's indignation was checked at its source by the radiant face which Nick turned upon him. "I've got another column!" he cried; "listen here: "'A new and handsome Show Boat will tie up at the Cove the early part of next week. A fine calliope will be on board.' "'Miss Guinevere Gusty will visit friends in Coreyville soon.' "'The new preacher will be greatly surprised soon by the gift of a fine plush rocking-chair from the ladies of the congregation.' "'The infant baby of the new preacher has been sick, but is better some.' "'Jimmy Fallows came near getting an undertaking job at the Ridge last week, but the lady got well.'