“Yes, yes, my friends, if you put it in that way! My heart is full, but I promise you all that I will put my conscience into my eyes. I will use my eyes for the town and not for myself. I would do anything to advance the interests of this grand old town. Let me see, what is it I am to do? Report to you what, is the funniest, most useful, and the grandest thing that I see at the Fair, and all that I find that can be of benefit to us here. Yes, my friends, I will go. I thank you for your good will and confidence with all my heart!” One of the Directors of the principal railroad to California _via_ Chicago, was present. He arose and said:— “Mr. Marlowe, your interest in the Village Improvement Society was the influence that led our company to extend a branch line here. I will give you two passes to Chicago and return. You may like to take one of your family with you.” When Manton Marlowe returned home that night, he was a happy man. His public spirit had returned to bless him. His wife was an invalid, and she could not go to the Fair. His son Ephraim wished to go. He had heard what the Society had done. So Ephraim sat down by his father, and expected to receive the invitation. It was a mellow May evening. As the two sat side by side, old Ephraim came slowly into the room and joined them. “Manton,” said the latter, “I am an old man.” “Yes, father, but not very old.” “I can travel on the cars.” “Yes, as well as I.” “I never been to many places in my long life.” “No. I wish that you could go to the Fair, father.” “Manton, I want to go. Why, I have been preaching peace in the old Meeting-House on the Hill for forty years, and I would feel as though I could depart in peace, if I could only attend the meetings of the Peace Congress. I have been reading about that proposed Congress, and dreaming about it.” “Young Ephraim,” said Mr. Marlowe, “I know that you want to go to the Fair; but would you not rather have grandfather go?” “Yes, father,” said the manly boy, “I shall be happy if he can go.” “Thou hast well spoken,” said old Ephraim. “Thy heart is right, and I can see that it is already consecrated. But why can we not both go? I have a little money of my own. I will pay my own way.” “Oh, grandfather, and we will see the world all living together in peace in one white city.” “Yes, boy. I have seen it in visions. I never expected to see it in the flesh. What have you to say, Manton?” “We will all go. The papers say that the White City by the Lake is the most beautiful sight that ever arose in this world under the sun. I am glad that we can see it together.” [Illustration: AGRICULTURAL BUILDING.] “I am told,” said the old man, “that the white-bordered flag is to be carried there. That flag is the beginning of the peace of the world. To see it would turn this old heart into a psalm. It would make me sing like the men of old, Quaker that I am!”