ther authorities, his
preference will be recognized, and "empire" it will be to the end of
this chapter. At all events my nomination--for the first and only
time--was unanimously concurred in. Stepping at once into the
office and confronting the leaders of the opposing faction, I stated
candidly that while I highly appreciated the distinction tendered,
still I was unwilling to accept the responsible position of "empire"
save upon the explicit agreement that, _whatever the decision,_
there should be no complaint or grumbling upon the part of the
disaffected or disgruntled hereafter; that "empires" after all were
only men and liable to the mistakes and errors incident to our poor
humanity. To the end, therefore, that an "empire" act with proper
independence, it was all important that his decision pass unchallenged.
These reasonable requirement being readily acquiesced in, the office
was accepted and the money hazarded by each faction carefully
deposited in the "empire's" vest pocket. The arbiter now solemnly
addressing the principal actor said: "Doctor, the word is, 'sugar';
_proceed to spell."_

The Doctor immediately stood up. The psychological question, if
it be such, is here presented whether _standing_ is the more eligible
position for the severe mental effort indicated above. Waiving
all discussion upon this interesting point, the fact is here
faithfully chronicled that the Doctor stood up. Looking neither
to the right nor to the left, but standing majestically in the
middle of the room, and presenting in some of its characteristics the
beauty and symmetry of an inverted L, the Doctor began, "S-h-o-o-g
----" whereupon the little schoolmaster burst into loud laughing.
Solemnly warning him against the repetition of such conduct, the
arbiter reminded him that such manifestations in the very presence
of the "empire," were in some countries punished with immediate
death, and again significantly warned him against its recurrence.
At the same time the Doctor was reminded that he had not yet
completed the spelling of the word. The Doctor replied, "If it is
all the same to you, Mr. Empire, I believe I will begin all over
again." Permission being granted, the spelling was resumed:
"S-h-o-o-g-o-r." To this the arbiter responded, "You have spelled
the word correctly, Doctor," and _immediately handed him the
stakes._

One of the interesting events occurring during my residence in
Metamora, was a noted temperance