tters: 'No
such thing: Hiram is not going.'

It would have been easy, one would suppose, to settle the important
controversy by a direct appeal to Hiram Meeker himself. Strange to say,
this does not appear to have been done, both sides fearing, like
experienced generals, to risk the result on a single issue. But numerous
were the hints and innuendoes conveyed to him, to which he always gave
satisfactory replies--satisfactory to both parties--both contending he
had, by his answers, confirmed their own particular view of the case.

This state of things could not last forever. It was brought suddenly to
an end one Friday afternoon.

Hiram Meeker was a member, in regular standing, of the Congregational
Church in Burnsville. The Preparatory Lecture, as it is called, that is,
the lecture delivered prior to 'Communion-Sabbath,' in the church, was
always on the previous Friday, at three o'clock P.M. On a pleasant day
toward the end of April, Hiram Meeker and Sarah Burns went in company
to attend this lecture. The exercises were especially interesting.
Several young people, at the close of the services, who had previously
been propounded, were examined as to their 'experience,' and a vote was
separately taken on the admission of each. This over, the clergyman
spoke as follows: 'Brother Hiram Meeker being about to remove from among
us, desires to dissolve his connection with the Congregational church in
Burnsville, and requests the usual certificate of membership and good
standing. Is it your pleasure that he receive it? Those in favor will
please to signify it.' Several 'right hands' were held up, and the
matter was concluded. A young man who sat nearly opposite Sarah Burns,
observed that on the announcement, her face became very pale.

When the little company of church-members was dismissed, Hiram Meeker
and Sarah Burns walked away together as they came. No, not _as_ they
came, as the following conversation will show.

'Why did you not tell me, Hiram?'

'Because, Sarah, I did not fully decide till the mail came in this very
afternoon. I had only time to speak to Mr. Chase, and there was no
opportunity to see you, and I could not tell you about it while we were
walking along so happy together.'

Hiram Meeker lied.

Sarah Burns could not disbelieve him; it was not possible Hiram would
deceive her, but her heart _felt_ the lie, nevertheless.

Hiram Meeker is the hero of this history. It is, therefore, necessary to
give