lin'
in a lawyer."

Quincy leaned over and whispered something to him.

"By crickey!" said Hiram, "what put thet idea inter yer head?"

"Oh," said Quincy, "since I've had to spend so much time plotting
against my enemies, I've got into the habit of thinking out little
surprises for my friends."

"Waal, I swan!" cried Hiram, "that would be the biggest thing ever
happened in Mason's Corner. Well, I rather think I shall be able to tend
to that matter now, at once. One, two, three," said Hiram, "just think
of it; well, that's the biggest lark that I've ever ben connected with;
beats buying the grocery store all holler."

"Well," continued Quincy, "you three gentlemen understand it now, and if
matters can be arranged I will do my part, and I promise you all a grand
send-off; but not a word of it must be breathed to outside parties,
remember. It won't amount to anything unless its' a big surprise."

"All right," said Hiram, "I kinder reckon Sawyer's surprise party will
be a bigger one than Strout's was."

"Oh," continued Hiram, "I 'most forgot. Mandy was up ter see her mother
abeout thet room for thet man that's comin' down from Boston Monday
night, and Mis' Hawkins says the price of the room is three dollars per
week and the board fifty cents a day. Mandy paid for the room for a
week, and Mis' Hawkins says after she takes out what the board comes to
she'll give the balance back ter Mandy."

"That's all right," said Quincy, "I've heard from the man in Boston, and
he'll surely occupy the room next Monday night. Mandy can tell her
mother to have it all ready."

Next morning about ten o'clock, Abbott Smith drove over from Eastborough
Centre, accompanied by his father and Wallace Stackpole. Quincy took his
place beside Mr. Stackpole on the rear seat of the carryall, and Abbott
drove off as though he intended to return to Eastborough Centre, but
when he reached the crossroad he went through, then turning back towards
Mason's Corner, drove on until he reached Deacon Mason's barn, following
the same plan that Ezekiel had on the night of the surprise party.

They found the Deacon at home, and all adjourned to the parlor, where
'Bias Smith stated his business, which was to ask the Deacon to act as
Moderator at the town meeting on the following Monday. The Deacon
objected at first, but finally consented, after Mr. Smith had explained
several matters to him.

"Yer know," said the Deacon, "my fellow citizens have tried on se