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e shutters； sweep the store and make the fire。 He received a small salary for his services and the perquisites of what profit he could derive from purchasing candies on his own account to sell to their younger customers； and； as usual； his father insisted that he should clothe himself。
There was much to be learned in a country store； and principally； as he found； this： that sharp tricks； deception and dishonesty are by no means confined to the city。 More than once； in cutting open bundles of rags； brought to be exchanged for goods； he found stones； gravel or other rubbish wrapped up in them； although they were represented to be 〃all pure linen or cotton。〃 Often； too； loads of grain were brought in； warranted to contain so many bushels； but on measuring them they were found five or six bushels short。
In the evenings and on stormy days the store was a general meeting place for the idlers of the village； and young Barnum derived much amusement from the story…telling and joke…playing that went on among them。 After the store was closed at night he would generally go with some of the village boys to their homes for an hour or two of sport； and then； as late； perhaps； as eleven o'clock； would creep slyly home and make his way upstairs barefooted； so as not to wake the rest of the family end be detected in his late hours。 He slept with his brother； who was sure to report him if he woke him up on coming in； and who laid many traps to catch Phineas on his return from the evening's merry…making。 But he generally fell fast asleep and our hero was able to gain his bed in safety。
Like almost every one in Connecticut at that time he was brought up to go regularly to church on Sunday； and before he could read he was a prominent member of the Sunday…school。 His pious mother taught him lessons in the New Testament and Catechism； and spared no efforts to have him win one of those 〃Rewards of Merit〃 which promised 〃to pay to the bearer One Mill。〃 Ten of them could be exchanged for one cent； and by securing one hundred of them； which might be done by faithful attendance and attention every Sunday for two years； the happy scholar could secure a book worth ten cents！
There was only one church or 〃meeting…house〃 in Bethel； and it was of the Presbyterian faith； but every one in town attended it； whatever their creed。 It was a severely plain edifice； with no spire and no bell。 In summer it was comfortable enough； but in winter it was awful！ There was no arrangement for heating it； and the congregation had to sit in the cold； shivering； teeth chattering； noses blue。 A stove would have been looked upon as a sacrilegious innovation。 The sermons were often two hours long； and by the time they were ended the faithful listeners well deserved the nickname of 〃blue…skins〃 which the scoffers gave to them。 A few of the wealthier women carried 〃foot…stoves〃 from their homes to their pews。 A 〃foot…stove〃 was simply a square tin box in a wooden frame； with perforations in the sides。 In it was a small square iron dish； which contained a few live coals covered with ashes。 These stoves were usually replenished just before meeting time at some neighbor's near the meeting…house。
After many years of shivering and suffering； one of the brethren had the temerity to propose that the church should be warmed with a stove。 His impious proposition was voted down by an overwhelming majority。 Another year came around； and in November the stove question was again brought up。 The excitement was immense。 The subject was discussed in the village stores and in the juvenile debating club； it was prayed over in conference； and finally in general 〃society's meeting；〃 in December； the stove was carried by a majority of one and was introduced into the meeting…house。 On the first Sunday thereafter two ancient maiden ladies were so oppressed by the dry and heated atmosphere occasioned by the wicked innovation that they fainted away and were carried out into the cool air； where they speedily returned to consciousness； especially when they were informed that owing to the lack of two lengths of pipe no fire had yet been made in the stove。 The next Sunday was a bitter cold day； and the stove； filled with well…seasoned hickory； was a great gratification to the many； and displeased only a few。
During the Rev。 Mr。 Lowe's ministrations at Bethel he formed a Bible class； of which young Barnum was a member。 They used to draw promiscuously from a hat a text of Scripture and write a composition on the text； which compositions were read after service in the afternoon to such of the congregation as remained to hear the exercises of the class。 Once Barnum drew the text； Luke x。 42： 〃But one thing is needful； and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her。〃 Question； 〃What is the one thing needful？〃 His answer was nearly as follows：
〃This question； 'What is the one thing needful？' is capable of receiving various answers； depending much upon the persons to whom it is addressed。 The merchant might answer that 'the one thing needful' is plenty of customers； who buy liberally； without beating down； and pay cash for all their purchases。' The farmer might reply that 'the one thing needful is large harvests and high prices。' The physician might answer that 'it is plenty of patients。' The lawyer might be of opinion that 'it is an unruly community； always engaging in bickerings and litigations。' The clergyman might reply； 'It is a fat salary； with multitudes of sinners seeking salvation and paying large pew rents。' The bachelor might exclaim； 'It is a pretty wife who loves her husband； and who knows how to sew on buttons。' The maiden might answer； 'It is a good husband； who will love； cherish and protect me while life shall last。' But the most proper answer； and doubtless that which applied to the case of Mary； would be； 'The one thing needful is to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ； follow in his footsteps； love God and obey His commandments； love our fellowman； and embrace every opportunity of administering to his necessities。' In short； 'the one thing needful' is to live a life that we can always look back upon with satisfaction； and be enabled ever to contemplate its termination with trust in Him who has so kindly vouchsafed it to us； surrounding us with innumerable blessings； if we have but the heart and wisdom to receive them in a proper manner。〃
The reading of a portion of this answer occasioned some amusement in the congregation； in which the clergyman himself joined； and the name of 〃Taylor Barnum〃 was whispered in connection with the composition； but at the close of the reading Barnum had the satisfaction of hearing Mr。 Lowe say that it was a well…written answer to the question； 〃What is the one thing needful？〃
CHAPTER II。 EARLY YEARS AT BETHEL。
DEATH OF HIS GRANDMOTHER AND FATHERLEFT PENNILESS AND BAREFOOTEDWORK IN A STOREHIS FIRST LOVETRYING TO BUY RUSSIAUNCLE BIBBIN'S DUEL。
In August； 1825； the aged grandmother met with an accident in stepping on the point of a rusty nail； which shortly afterwards resulted in her death。 She was a woman of great piety； and before she died sent for each of her grandchildrento whom she was devotedand besought the