ree elderly personages, and the first of the three is a venerable
sage with a staff. What if this embassy should bring me the message of
my fate?"

While Squire Hawkwood and his colleagues entered, Ralph rose from his
seat and advanced a few steps to receive them, and his stately figure
and dark countenance as he bent courteously toward his guests had a
natural dignity contrasting well with the bustling importance of the
squire. The old gentleman, according to invariable custom, gave an
elaborate preliminary flourish with his cane in the air, then removed
his three-cornered hat in order to wipe his brow, and finally
proceeded to make known his errand.

"My colleagues and myself," began the squire, "are burdened with
momentous duties, being jointly selectmen of this village. Our minds
for the space of three days past have been laboriously bent on the
selection of a suitable person to fill a most important office and
take upon himself a charge and rule which, wisely considered, may be
ranked no lower than those of kings and potentates. And whereas you,
our native townsman, are of good natural intellect and well cultivated
by foreign travel, and that certain vagaries and fantasies of your
youth are doubtless long ago corrected,--taking all these matters, I
say, into due consideration, we are of opinion that Providence hath
sent you hither at this juncture for our very purpose."

During this harangue Cranfield gazed fixedly at the speaker, as if he
beheld something mysterious and unearthly in his pompous little
figure, and as if the squire had worn the flowing robes of an ancient
sage instead of a square-skirted coat, flapped waistcoat, velvet
breeches and silk stockings. Nor was his wonder without sufficient
cause, for the flourish of the squire's staff, marvellous to relate,
had described precisely the signal in the air which was to ratify the
message of the prophetic sage whom Cranfield had sought around the
world.

"And what," inquired Ralph Cranfield, with a tremor in his
voice--"what may this office be which is to equal me with kings and
potentates?"

"No less than instructor of our village school," answered Squire
Hawkwood, "the office being now vacant by the death of the venerable
Master Whitaker after a fifty years' incumbency."

"I will consider of your proposal," replied Ralph Cranfield,
hurriedly, "and will make known my decision within three days."

After a few more words the village dignitary and his