But his profession had become a burden to him, and he had often wondered if there were no possibility of extracting some joy out of the juiceless lemon of his profession.
Now, it so happened one summer that Deacon Cramps had a large drove of cattle ranging on the hills about thirty miles to the southeast of Mount Olivet community.

This drove of cattle consisted of a thousand head, and it became necessary that the Deacon employ some trustworthy person to herd the cattle and prevent them from scattering, or being stolen by cattle-thieves who sometimes visited that section.

Since Jake Benton was known as an upright man and was a brother in the church, Deacon Cramps offered him the position.

Out of pure financial necessity Jake accepted.
This was some years before the rubber-tired automobile had invaded the flint hills of this section and thirty miles meant hours of toilsome travel.

Thus it was necessary that Jake take along a camping outfit and remain all summer.