"Yes," resumed Ben, "it does persons a great deal of good, and in order to know how much they are improving, their relations come around frequently to witness their performances, and to judge of what progress they have made, both in health and strength." This called forth a fresh outburst of applause; but Ben preserved the utmost gravity. "I may say to your honor," he went on, "that this subject is not understood by the great mass of the people in this country. They do not take exercise enough. They shut themselves up in offices and shops, over-tax their energies, eat unwholesome food, and as a consequence become dyspeptic, sallow-faced, and miserable. Now, if they would spend a few hours each week in a gymnasium, it would do them more good than all the doctor's pills that were ever made." "Upon my word," exclaimed the judge, "you are not the sort of man I had supposed from what I had heard of you. I thought that you must be a monster, but I find that you are very much of a gentleman." This compliment was greeted by a round of applause from the spectators, all of whom had been won by Ben's ready wit and intelligent bearing. "I think you will find, sir," rejoined Ben, "that the monsters are those who have pressed these charges against me." "Well, perhaps that is so," said the judge. "However, it is my duty to hold you, and I will therefore put you under two hundred dollars bonds." "That is certainly kind," observed Ben. "I expected that you would make it fifteen hundred!" "The next time you appear before me I shall." "But I shall never appear here again!" rejoined Ben. And he never did. CHAPTER VII. Attempt to Rob Ben--How he Became a Minister and Married a Couple--A Jolly Wedding--French Kate Jealous. Continuing to recount our hero's adventures while in Babylon, we shall find that they partook both of a tragic and comical character. Illustrative of the former, the following may be taken: Ben was returning to his house on a certain night, after a visit to a neighboring town. He was obliged to make his way through the mountain passes, which at best were dangerous places in those days. The night was densely dark. Black clouds rolled themselves up in the sky, obscuring the light of the moon and stars. The wind blew in angry gusts, making solemn music in the branches of the over-arching trees. It was such a night as best befits deeds of violence and crime. Alone through the darkness Ben made his way. He had reached a point not far distant from his house, but in one of the most secluded spots in the mountains, when suddenly three men, masked, and with revolvers in their hands, rose up in his path.