“I cal’lated he expected somebody’d move to make it unanimous, but they didn’t.  So the blank ballots was handed around, and the pencils got busy.  Gabe app’ints three tellers, Bassett and Ellis, of course, for two—­and the third, Jotham Gale.

“‘As a compliment to our newest member,’ says the chairman, smilin’ philanthropic.

“When the votes was in the hat, the tellers retired to the amusement room to count up.  It took a long time.  I see the Conservatives and Progressives nudgin’ each other and winkin’ back and forth.  Five minutes, then ten, then fifteen.

“And all of a sudden the biggest row bu’st loose in that amusement room that ever you heard.  Rattlety—­bang!  Biff!  Smash!  The door flew open, and in rolled Bassett and Ellis, all legs and arms.  Gabe and some of the rest hauled ’em apart and held ’em so, but the language them two hove at each other was enough to bring down a judgment.

“‘Gentlemen! gentlemen!’ hollers poor Gabe.  ’What in the world?  I am astounded!  I—­’

“‘You miserable traitor!’ shrieks Gaius, wavin’ a fist at Dan.

“‘You low-down hound!’ whoops Dan back at him.

“‘Silence!’ bellers Gabe, poundin’ thunder storms on the desk.  ’Will some one explain why these maniacs are—­Ah, Mr. Gale—­thank goodness, you at least are sane!’

“Jotham walks to the front of the platform.  He was holdin’ the hat and a slip of paper with the result set down on it.

“‘Ladies and feller members,’ says he, ‘there’s been some surprisin’ votin’ done in this election.  Things ain’t gone as we cal’lated they would, somehow.  Mr. Holway, your election wa’n’t unanimous, after all.’

“The way he said it made most everybody think Gabe was elected, anyhow, and I guess Holway thought so himself, for he smiled forgivin’ and says: 

“‘Never mind, Mr. Gale,’ says he.  ’A unanimous vote was perhaps too much to expect.  Go on.’

“‘Yes,’ says Jotham.  ’Well, here’s the way it stands.  I’ll read it to you.’

“He fixes his specs and reads like this: 

“‘Number of votes cast, 32.’

“‘Honorable Atkinson Holway has 4.’

“‘What?’ gasps Stingy Gabe, fallin’ into his chair.

“‘Yes, sir,’ says Jotham.  ’It’s a shame, I know, but it looks as nobody voted for you, Mr. Holway, but yourself and me and Dan and Gaius.  To proceed: 

“‘Daniel Bassett has 9.’

“The Conservatives and their women folks fairly groaned out loud.  Tompkins jumped to his feet, but Jotham held up a hand.

“‘Just a moment, D’rius,’ he says.  ‘I ain’t through yet.’

“‘Gaius Ellis has 9.’

“Then ‘twas the Progressives’ turn to groan.  The racket and hubbub was gettin’ louder all the time.

“‘There’s ten votes left,’ goes on Jotham, ’and they bear the name of Jotham W. Gale.  I can’t understand it, but it does appear that I’m elected president of this ’ere club.  Gentlemen, I thank you for the honor, which is as great as ‘tis unexpected.’