noon
In this rôle `` Providence , '' as he had been taught to call it , had heretofore smiled rather evasively upon Wesley Elliot . He had been permitted to make sure his sacred calling ; but he had not secured the earnestly coveted city pulpit . On the other hand , he had just been saved -- or so he told himself , as the fragrant June breeze fanned his heated forehead -- by a distinct intervention of `` Providence '' from making a fool of himself . His subsequent musings , interrupted at length by the shrieking whistle of the noon train as it came to a standstill at the toy railway station , might be termed important , since they were to influence the immediate future of a number of persons , thus affording a fresh illustration of the mysterious workings of `` Providence , '' sometimes called `` Divine . '' There existed in Brookville two separate and distinct forums for the discussion of topics of public and private interest . These were the barroom of the village tavern , known as the Brookville House , and Henry Daggett 's General Store , located on the corner opposite the old Bolton Bank Building . Mr. Daggett , besides being Brookville 's leading merchant , was also postmaster , and twice each day withdrew to the official privacy of the office for the transaction of United States business .