And as for love, Jake loved everybody and everybody had found it out.

If anybody in the community wanted a favor done them, all that was necessary was to mistreat Benton and he would do them a favor.

He had also developed into quite a preacher.

Ever since the meeting closed in the brush arbor he regularly gathered the saints together on Sunday in the school house, and encouraged them in the things of the Lord.

His life was simply exemplary, and even his bitterest enemies were compelled to acknowledge that God was with him.
One Sunday morning when Preacher Bonds stood before his meager audience, the familiar face of Deacon Gramps was absent.