erful myself."

"I beat you on that," said Abner; "I eat a sasserful of each kind."

As Abner finished speaking he emptied his glass and then reached forward
for the bottle in order to replenish it. Strout's glass was also empty,
and being much nearer to the bottle than Abner was, he had it in his
possession before Abner could reach it. When he put it down again it was
beyond his companion's reach. Abner turned some molasses into has
tumbler, and then said, "Don't you think 'twas purty plucky of that city
feller to come to our party to-night?"

"No, I don't," said Strout, "he jest sneaked in with 'Zeke Pettengill
and his sister. He'll find out that I'm no slouch here in Eastborough.
When I marry the Deacon's daughter and git the Deacon's money, and am
elected tax collector agin, and buy the grocery store, and I'm app'inted
postmaster at Mason's Corner, he'll diskiver that it's harder fightin'
facts like them than it is Bob Wood's fists. I kinder reckon there won't
be anybody that won't take off their hats to me, and there won't be any
doubts as to who runs this 'ere town. That city feller's health will
improve right off, and he'll go up to Boston a wiser man than when he
come down."

"That's so," remarked Abner; and as he spoke he stood up as if to
emphasize his words. Before he sat down, however, he reached across the
table for the bottle, but again Strout was too quick for him.

"I was only goin' to drink yer health an' success to yer," said Abner.

"All right," said Strout, "make it half a glass and I'll jine yer."

The two men clinked their glasses, drank, and smacked their lips.

"If you don't go to bed now you won't git up till to-morrer," said the
Professor.

"Yer mean ter-day," chuckled Abner, as he got up and walked 'round to
the other side of the table, where he had left his lamp.

"I guess," remarked Strout, "I'll have some more fire. I ain't goin' to
bed jest yet. I've got some heavy thinkin' to do."

While he was upon his knees arranging the wood, starting up the embers
with the bellows, Abner reached across the table and got possession of
his tumbler, from which he had fortunately removed the spoon. Grasping
the bottle he filled it to the brim and tossed it down in three big
swallows. As he replaced the tumbler on the table, Strout turned round.

"There was 'bout a spoonful left in the bottom of my tumbler," said
Abner, apologetically. "Them that drinks last drinks best," said he, as
he took u