irst of November.

With the summer boarders gone, the cranberry picking finished, state
election over, school begun and under way, and real winter not yet upon
us, Bayport, in the late fall, distinctly needs something to enliven
it. The Shakespeare Reading Society and the sewing circle continue, of
course, to interest the "women folks," there is the usual every evening
gathering at Simmons's, and the young people are looking forward to the
"Grand Ball" on Thanksgiving eve. But for the men, on week days,
there is little to do except to "putter" about the house, banking
its foundations with dry seaweed as a precaution against searching
no'theasters, whitewashing the barns and outbuildings, or fixing things
in the vegetable cellar where the sticks of smoked herring hang in rows
above the barrels of cabbages, potatoes, and turnips. The fish weirs,
most of them, are taken up, lest the ice, which will be driven into the
bay later on, tear the nets to pieces. Even the hens grow lazy and
lay less frequently. Therefore, away back in the "airly days," some
far-sighted board of selectmen arranged that "town meeting" should be
held during this lackadaisical season. A town meeting--and particularly
a Bayport town meeting, where everything from personal affairs to
religion is likely to be discussed--can stir up excitement when nothing
else can.

This year there were several questions to be talked over and settled at
town meeting. Two selectmen, whose terms expired, were candidates for
re-election. Lem Myrick had resigned from the school committee, not
waiting until spring, as he had announced that he should do. Then
there was the usual sentiment in favor of better roads and the usual
opposition to it. Also there was the ever-present hope of the government
appropriation for harbor improvement.

Mr. Tidditt was one of the selectmen whose terms expired. In his dual
capacity as selectman and town clerk Asaph felt himself to be a very
important personage. To elect some one else in his place would be, he
was certain, a calamity which would stagger the township. Therefore
he was a busy man and made many calls upon his fellow citizens, not to
influence their votes--he was careful to explain that--but just, as
he said, "to see how they was gettin' along," and because he
"thought consider'ble of 'em" and "took a real personal interest, you
understand," in their affairs.

To Captain Cy he came, naturally, for encouragement and help, being--