He observed that the children, the workmen, and the farmer’s wife, were all seated, so he sat down, too.  He also observed that the men had left their hats outside where they had washed; and this caused him to feel very strangely, because he had his own in his hand.  He dropped it, however, beside his chair; then he began to watch the children and to try to do just as they were doing.  But as no two of the youngsters were doing the same thing, he again felt troubled.  The older members of the family, he noticed, sat very still; and suddenly John realized that they must be listening to the farmer, who had been reading.  John knew that he had not heard one single word that had been read, and here, the farmer was now saying, “Let us pray.”

When they knelt beside their chairs, John was again bewildered; but having decided to do just as nearly as he possibly could the way the rest did, he, too, slipped down upon his knees.  For some reason that he could not understand, a burning shame that seemed to benumb his whole being swept over him, and he could hardly hear the farmer’s words; but he realized suddenly that the farmer was saying, “Dear Lord, bless the help today, and keep them from accidents and danger.”

Hurriedly glancing around, John saw the children peeking from between their fingers; and hastily covering his own face with his hands, he gave a quick glance toward Mr. A, his boss.  Mr. A was kneeling beside his chair, but was picking his teeth and looking out of the window.  Just then the farmer said, “Amen,” and they all arose.

Then, as John compared his own attitude with that of Mr. A.’s, another feeling of shame came over him; and for some time he kept asking himself, “Why didn’t I act unconcerned like the boss?” But John was not a bad boy naturally.  He was ignorant of what was right.  He had never understood that there is a Savior and that that Savior loved him and left an example for him to follow.  To be sure, he had often heard both his Savior’s and his Creator’s names reviled and abused by his evil companions.  But he did not know that these were Beings to whom he could go when in trouble; nor did he understand that in God’s sight he was a sinner.

More than once that day while working, John thought of the farmer’s words and wondered if the prayer would have any effect upon the day.  Some way he thought it would, and he decided to watch and see.  The day was ideal, and the help orderly; and God kept them free from accident and trouble.  It was all a mystery to John, and he pondered over it along the way home and even during the night.  Farmer Z had opened up a new channel for his thoughts.

CHAPTER VIII

With the Circus

During the following year a circus that was passing through the country stopped at a town near by; and John, together with a number of his associates, attended some of the exhibitions.  John’s interest was at once captivated, and he felt that it would be great to join the company and to act the part of the clown; and he soon began to plan to secretly join them the following season.  His visions of great wealth enlarged day by day, and in fancy he pictured a future of wonderful fame.