"I think I can tell you why Mr. J. Jervice didn't send after you," said Will. "It's been his busy day. I just read about it in the evening paper. Excepting that it was funny I wondered what excuse they had for giving it so much space. But I now see why it is important. Look at this!"
He handed Glen the paper folded back to a column headed: "Peddler in Wrong Pew."
"Every good citizen knows of the new license ordinance but not every peddler. One came briskly to the county clerk's office this morning. He was not too rushed to stop and sell a patent tie clip to a man at the door.
"'I'm a traveling merchant,' said he to our genial county clerk.
"'Very good,' said the clerk. 'I see you are doing a little business.'
"'Pretty fair,' agreed Mr. Peddler. 'But that ain't what—'
"'Hold on a bit,' interrupted the clerk. 'First thing is a license.'
"'I've got something more important, just now,' urged the peddler. 'I want to tell you about—'
"'First things first,' persisted our efficient clerk. 'You must pay a license to peddle in this county.'
"'But I don't want to peddle now. I want to lodge—'