er, I will inform you of
a fact known only to Mr. Van Dam and myself; and which is, that, two
hours since, not one of the gentlemen of this quintet had ever known
another of it; if I except the case of Mr. Boggs and Mr. Quackenbush."

"Mr. Quackenbush," inquired Spout, "allow me to ask whether you are
acquainted with life in the metropolis in its multiform phases?"

"I confess my ignorance," was the reply. "It is most unfortunate that
the position of a teacher in a public school is one not calculated to
bring an individual in contact with much that is interesting."

"Taking that fact into consideration," said Spout, "I propose, that you
all meet me at my room, two evenings hence, when I shall be prepared to
unfold to you a purpose and a plan, which I have just conceived. My
room, gentlemen, is over old Shavem's, the brokers, three doors from the
corner. The number would be 461-1/2, if there were any on the door. You
can't mistake the place, however; there is an antiquated pump in front,
and when I'm at home there is a Spout inside."

"Oh--h!" groaned Dropper.

"Never mind," resumed Spout, "I don't often attempt such things. Can I
depend upon your coming?"

All gave an affirmative response.

"Then," said Spout, "you can depend upon my going, I pronounce this
meeting adjourned."

After a few words the parties separated.

[Illustration]

HOW THE CLUB ORGANIZED.

Put out the light, and then put.--SHAKSPEARE.

[Illustration]

THE evening arrived on which the gentlemen, named in the last chapter,
were to meet in the room of Mr. John Spout.

Mr. Spout was there, awaiting the arrival of his friends. He was seated
at the end of a table, in a large easy-chair, in his dressing-gown.
Before him, on the table, were several written papers. The apartment was
one of moderate dimensions, neatly carpeted, and, with plenty of
furniture, unobjectionable in quality and taste. On the walls were
suspended various pictures, engravings, fencing-foils, and masks,
boxing-gloves, antique models, Indian ornaments, plaster casts of legs,
arms, hands, feet, &c. On either side of the table were two chairs,
placed there, evidently, in anticipation of the arrival of his friends.

Several pipe-stems protruded from a pasteboard box, which was on the
table. It required no unusual shrewdness to guess at the contents, and
to rightly determine that it was filled with the best-abused, and, at
the same time, best-used weed known.

O