wedge.  If this ’ere bill passes and we git a new hearse, then it’ll be said thet ther horses don’t look as well as the hearse, and then if ther hearse gits out in ther storm, we shell hev ter pay money to git it polished up agin, and we who are livin’ will hev to work harder and harder for the benefit of those who are jest as well satisfied with the old hearse as they would be with a new one.  I move, Mister Moderator, that instid of buyin’ a new hearse, thet ther old one be lengthened six inches, which ken be done at a slight expense.”

Mr. Tobias Smith now took the floor.

“I am glad that my friend has not opposed this measure entirely, but has provided for my proper exit from this world when my time comes.  I must confess that it has troubled me a great deal when I have thought about that hearse.  I was born down in the State of Maine, where the boys and the trees grow up together.  I stand six feet two in my stockings and six feet three with my boots on, and I haven’t looked forward with any pleasure to being carried to my last resting place in a hearse that was only six feet long.  I second Mr. Butterfield’s motion, but move to amend it by extending the length to seven feet.”

The vote was taken, and Mr. Butterfield’s motion was carried by a vote of three hundred and forty to twenty-two.  Mr. Butterfield sank back in his seat with an expression on his face that seemed to say, “I’ve done the town some service to-day.”

The Moderator then rose and said, “Fellow-citizens, all the business matters upon the warrant have now been disposed of.  We will now proceed to the election of town officers for the ensuing year.”

Mr. Stackpole rose and called out, “Mister Moderator, it is now nearly twelve o’clock, and some of us had to leave home quite early this morning in order to be in time at the meeting.  I move that we adjourn till one o’clock, at which time balloting for town officers usually commences.”

Forty voices cried out, “Second the motion,” and although Strout, Stiles, and several others jumped to their feet and endeavored to secure the Moderator’s eye, the motion was adopted by an overwhelming vote, and the greater portion of the members made their way out of the hall and directed their steps towards the Eagle Hotel, as if the whole matter had been prearranged.  Here, Mr. Parsons, the proprietor, had set out a most tempting lunch in the large dining-room, and those who were able to give the password were admitted to the room, and feasted to their heart’s content.

Abner Stiles, impelled by curiosity, had followed the party, and had noticed that each one said something to the proprietor before he was admitted to the dining-room.  Going up to Parsons, he said, “What’s goin’ on in there?”

“Oh, I guess they’re having a caucus,” replied Mr. Parsons.

“When thet last feller went in,” said Abner, “I saw that the table was all set, and I kinder ‘magined they must be havin’ a dinner.  I’d kinder like some myself.”