Mr. Butterfield kept on talking:  “Mister Moderator, this is not a question of privilege; this is a question of expenditure of money for a needless purpose.  Yes, Mister Moderator, for a needless purpose.”

Mr. Butterfield had evidently lost the thread of his discourse, and Mr. Smith, taking advantage of his temporary indecision, said, “I agree with the gentleman who has just spoken; I am in favor of closing up this musty, dusty old room, and saving the further expenditure of money upon it.”

Mr. Butterfield, hearing these words, and not having sufficiently collected his thoughts to say anything himself, nodded approvingly and sank into his seat.

Mr. Smith continued, “I have a proposition to submit in relation to the town library.  I hold in my hand a letter from Mr. Quincy Adams Sawyer, whose name has been previously mentioned—­”

Mr. Strout jumped to his feet.

“Mister Moderator, I rise to a question of privilege.”

“I second the motion!” cried Abner Stiles.

“State your question of privilege, Mr. Strout,” said the Moderator.

“I wish to inquire,” answered Strout, “if the time of this town meetin’ is to be devoted to the legitimate business of the town, or is it to be fooled away in hearin’ letters read from a person who is not a citizen of the town, and who is not entitled to be heard in this town meetin’?”

“Mister Moderator,” said Mr. Smith, “I am a citizen of this town, and I’m entitled to be heard in this meeting, and the matter that I’m about to bring to the attention of this meeting is a most important one and affects the interests of the town materially.  I consider that I have a right to read this letter or any other letter that relates to the question before the meeting, which is, ’Shall money be appropriated to buy books for what is called the town library?’ I say no; and my reason for this is contained in this letter, which I propose to read.”

“Go on, Mr. Smith,” said the Moderator.

“Well,” continued Mr. Smith, “Mr. Quincy Adams Sawyer, in this letter, offers to the town of Eastborough the sum of five thousand dollars, to be used either for purchasing books and paying the expenses of a library to be located in the Town Hall; or a portion of the money may be used to build a suitable building, and the balance for the equipment and support of the library.”

Mr. Butterfield was on his feet again.

“Mister Moderator, I’m agin acceptin’ this donation.  If we take it, we shall only jump out er the fryin-pan inter the fire; instead of buyin’ a few books and payin’ the librari’n a dollar a week, we shall hev to hev a jan’ter for the new buildin’, and pay fer insurance, and we shell hev ter hev a librari’n ev’ry day in ther week, and by’m by the ungodly will want ter hev it open on a Sunday, so thet they kin hev a place to loaf in; and I’m agin the whole bizness teetotally.  I’ve sed my say; neow, you kin go ahead, and do jest as you please.”