be in authority over us that we want
to elect. At present we have no one.

The Priest. No, that's just it. Every meeting nowadays seems to claim
authority on its own account. Let rather show our respect to actual
authority--such respect as we would show to our fathers. (Sits down.)

Gran. Then, as far as I can grasp the situation, the Chief Magistrate
has been proposed and seconded?

The Priest. Yes.

Gran. Does any one wish to propose any one else? (Silence.)

Alstad. May I request the Chief Magistrate to take the chair?

Koll (getting up). I don't know that it is any great compliment to be
elected in this way; but I will take the chair, for the sole reason of
enabling the meeting to proceed to business. (Takes his place on the
platform, and raps on the table with a mallet.) I declare the meeting
open.

Gran (getting up). Mr. Chairman!

Koll. Mr. Gran will address the meeting.

Gran. The motion proposed by the directors is this: "That only one class
of railway carriage shall be purchased, slightly more comfortable than
the ordinary third-class carriage." (Gives the motion in writing to the
chairman, and sits down.)

Koll. The following is the motion submitted to meeting. (Reads it out.)
Who wishes to speak on the motion? (Silence.) Come, some one must
speak on it--or I shall have to put it to the vote forthwith. (Silence,
followed by laughter here and there.)

The Priest. Mr. Chairman!

Koll. The Priest will address the meeting.

The Priest. I see, in this assembly, a number of young men, even a
number of maidens; and I feel bound to ask whether young men, and even
maidens, are to be allowed to take part in these proceedings?

Koll. Any shareholder that is of age has the right to.

The Priest. But St. Paul expressly tells us that women are not to speak
in public places.

Koll. Well, they can hold their tongues, then. (Laughter.)

The Priest. But even the fact of voting at a railway meeting does not
seem to me to be in accordance with the humility and modesty that both
Nature and the Scriptures indicate as characteristic of woman. I believe
it to be the first step on a wrong road. The apostle says--

Koll. We must leave them to decide the matter for themselves. Does any
one wish to--?

The Priest (interrupting him). Mr. Chairman, if you will not permit me
to quote the apostle, allow me at all events to say that the spectacle
of a young man voting against his father, or a woman voting against her