nbush liked the rules very much, as he thought it was coming
down to first principles.

Mr. Van Dam said that, so far as he was concerned, the matter was all
right; if it wasn't, "he'd make it right."

An inquiry was made as to who would fill the office of the Higholdboy.

Mr. Spout replied. He said that their club was an anomaly. It differed
in its features from any organization which had ever been made. He
thought that its individual peculiarities should be kept up in the
matter of the election of its presiding officers. He was in favor of
self-elevation to the position, and of letting the voluntary
acquiescence of the members measure the duration of individuals' tenure
of office--in other words, when they got tired of him, leave him to
preside over a meeting composed of himself and the furniture. "Now,
gentlemen," concluded Mr. Spout, "who wants to be a Higholdboy? Don't
all speak at once."

Van Dam looked at Boggs; Boggs glanced at Dropper; Dropper eyed
Quackenbush, and Quackenbush turned his eyes upon Spout.

"No one speaks," said Spout, "which leads me to believe that no one
desires the position unless it be myself, which I confess, gentlemen, is
true. Gentlemen, I declare myself duly elevated and installed into the
office of Higholdboy of the Elephant Club, and when you survey my
proportions, and look at the size of that chair, I am satisfied you
will concede that I am well adapted to fill it. In conclusion,
gentlemen, I ask of you your cooperation in forwarding the aims and
purposes of this club. Mr. Boggs, will you pass me the tobacco-box?"

"Certainly," said Boggs, as he passed the box, "and allow me to
congratulate your constituency in having elevated you to so responsible
a position."

"A very respectable constituency of one--Spout," said Mr. Quackenbush.
"But it is very funny, isn't it?" said he.

"It's a go," said Dropper.

Mr. Van Dam was very glad that he wasn't the lucky man, as he had such
an abhorrence of responsibility.

The question of the time and place of meetings was the next subject
discussed. It was finally agreed to leave that matter for future
consideration.

"Gentlemen," said Spout, "I have assumed a responsibility, in
anticipation of my attaining the Higholdboyship of this club. In this,
perhaps, my course will not meet with your full approval; the nature of
the step you will be apprised of in the room below. Will you accompany
me?"

The party assented, wondering what furthe