Mr. Plausaby spread his “Map of Metropolisville” on the table, let his hand slip gently down past the “Depot Ground,” so that the fat gentleman saw it without seeming to have had his attention called to it; then Plausaby, Esq., looked meditatively at the ground set apart for “College,” and seemed to be making a mental calculation.  Then Plausaby proceeded to unfold the many advantages of the place, and Albert was a pleased listener; he had never before suspected that Metropolisville had prospects so entirely dazzling.  He could not doubt the statements of the bland Plausaby, who said these things in a confidential and reserved way to the fat gentleman.  Charlton did not understand, but Plausaby did, that what is told in a corner to a fat gentleman with curly hair and a hopeful nose is sure to be repeated from the house-tops.

“You are an Episcopalian, I believe?” said Plausaby, Esq.  The fat gentleman replied that he was a Baptist.

“Oh! well, I might have known it from your cordial way of talking.  Baptist myself, in principle.  In principle, at least Not a member of any church, sorry to say.  Very sorry.  My mother and my first Wife were both Baptists.  Both of them.  I have a very warm side for the good old Baptist church.  Very warm side.  And a warm side for every Baptist.  Every Baptist.  To say nothing of the feeling I have always had for you—­well, well, let us not pass compliments.  Business is business in this country.  In this country, you know.  But I will tell you one thing.  The lot there marked ‘College’ I am just about transferring to trustees for a Baptist university.  There are two or three parties, members of Dr. Armitage’s church in New York City, that are going to give us a hundred thousand dollars endowment.  A hundred thousand dollars.  Don’t say anything about it.  There are people who—­well, who would spoil the thing if they could.  We have neighbors, you know.  Not very friendly ones.  Not very friendly.  Perritaut, for instance.  It isn’t best to tell one’s neighbor all one’s good luck.  Not all one’s good luck,” and Plausaby, Esq., smiled knowingly at the fat man, who did his best to screw his very transparent face into a crafty smile in return.  “Besides,” continued Squire Plausaby, “once let it get out that the Baptist University is going to occupy that block, and there’ll be a great demand—­”

[Illustration:  PLAUSABY SELLS LOTS.]

“For all the blocks around,” said the eager fat gentleman, growing impatient at Plausaby’s long-windedness.

“Precisely.  For all the blocks around,” went on Plausaby.  “And I want to hold on to as much of the property in this quarter as—­”

“As you can, of course,” said the other.

“As I can, of course.  As much as I can, of course.  But I’d like to have you interested.  You are a man of influence.  A man of weight.  Of weight of character.  You will bring other Baptists.  And the more Baptists, the better for—­the better for—­”