Hugh had picked up a whole lot of information by making the journey out to the cross-roads.

Somehow he seemed to feel drawn toward the old blacksmith, who seemed to be such a sterling character.
Hugh had met him in church circles and at sociables, but, not knowing the tragedy that lay back in the deacon's younger life, he had so far failed to cultivate his acquaintance.

But he was now determined to see more of Deacon Winslow, for he believed the weather prophet would be able to tell him a host of interesting things about Nature's storehouse, from which he had gleaned astonishing facts during many years' study..