dog is the only living mortal that has the privilege of looking
upon the face of his deity.

All of which was doubtless very interesting, and part of which
thrilled Ferris, but none of which enlightened him as to a dog's
uncanny wisdom in certain things and his blank stupidity in
others. Next day Link returned the book to the library, no wiser
than before, albeit with a higher appreciation of his own good
luck in being the god of one splendid dog like Chum.


July had drowsed into August, and August was burning its sultry
way toward September. Link's quarterly check from the Paterson
Market arrived. And Ferris went as usual to the Hampton store to
get it cashed. This tine he stood in less dire need of money's
life-saving qualities than of yore. It had been a good summer for
Link. The liquor out of his system and with a new interest in
life, he had worked with a snap and vigor which had brought
results in hard cash.

None the less, he was glad for this check. In another month the
annual interest. on his farm mortgage would fall due. And the
meeting of that payment was always a problem. This year he would
be less cruelly harassed by it than before.

Yet, all the more, he desired extra money. For a startlingly
original ambition had awakened recently in his heart--namely, to
pay off a little of the mortgage's principal along with the
interest.