merely talking against time, hoping in this unbecoming way to tire out the friends of the measure and so defeat it.  Such conduct might be respectable enough in a village debating society, but it was trivial among statesmen, it was out of place in so august an assemblage as the House of Representatives of the United States.  The friends of the bill had been not only willing that its opponents should express their opinions, but had strongly desired it.  They courted the fullest and freest discussion; but it seemed to him that this fairness was but illy appreciated, since gentlemen were capable of taking advantage of it for selfish and unworthy ends.  This trifling had gone far enough.  He called for the question.

The instant Mr. Buckstone sat down, the storm burst forth.  A dozen gentlemen sprang to their feet.

“Mr. Speaker!”

“Mr. Speaker!”

“Mr. Speaker!”

“Order!  Order!  Order!  Question!  Question!”

The sharp blows of the Speaker’s gavel rose above the din.

The “previous question,” that hated gag, was moved and carried.  All debate came to a sudden end, of course.  Triumph No. 1.

Then the vote was taken on the adoption of the report and it carried by a surprising majority.

Mr. Buckstone got the floor again and moved that the rules be suspended and the bill read a first time.

Mr. Trollop—­“Second the motion!”

The Speaker—­“It is moved and—­”

Clamor of Voices.  “Move we adjourn!  Second the motion!  Adjourn! 
Adjourn!  Order!  Order!”

The Speaker, (after using his gavel vigorously)—­“It is moved and seconded that the House do now adjourn.  All those in favor—­”

Voices—­“Division!  Division!  Ayes and nays!  Ayes and nays!”

It was decided to vote upon the adjournment by ayes and nays.  This was in earnest.  The excitement was furious.  The galleries were in commotion in an instant, the reporters swarmed to their places.  Idling members of the House flocked to their seats, nervous gentlemen sprang to their feet, pages flew hither and thither, life and animation were visible everywhere, all the long ranks of faces in the building were kindled.

“This thing decides it!” thought Mr. Buckstone; “but let the fight proceed.”

The voting began, and every sound ceased but the calling if the names and the “Aye!” “No!” “No!” “Aye!” of the responses.  There was not a movement in the House; the people seemed to hold their breath.

The voting ceased, and then there was an interval of dead silence while the clerk made up his count.  There was a two-thirds vote on the University side—­and two over.

The Speaker—­“The rules are suspended, the motion is carried—­first reading of the bill!”

By one impulse the galleries broke forth into stormy applause, and even some of the members of the House were not wholly able to restrain their feelings.  The Speaker’s gavel came to the rescue and his clear voice followed: