“Ah!” he said. “Mrs. Smith, sister of the well-known novelist, Marriott Nolan Tarbro, takes two copies of Jarby's Encyclopedia of Knowledge and Compendium of Literature, Science and Art, bound in full morocco, one of which she begs to present to the worthy pastor of this happy flock, with her compliments and good wishes.”
“I can't thank you,” stammered the minister; “it is so kind. I have so few books, and so few opportunities of securing them.”
Eliph' Hewlitt held out his hand for the sample volume.
“When you have this book,” he declared, “you NEED no others. It makes a Carnegie library of the humblest home.”
The entire picnic had gradually gathered around him.
“Ladies and gents,” he said, “I have come to bring knowledge and power where ignorance and darkness have lurked. This volume——”
He stopped and handed his sample to the minister.
“Introduce me to the lady in the blue dress,” he said to Mrs. Smith, and she stepped forward and made them acquainted.
“Miss Briggs, this is Mr——”
“Hewlitt,” he said quickly, “Eliph' Hewlitt.”