, the librari'n, and she sez they want a new Wooster's
Dictshuneery, 'cause ther old one iz all worn eout. Neow, I looked
through the old one, and I couldn't see but what it's jest as good as
ever; there may be a few pages missin', but what's thet amount ter when
there's more'n a couple of thousan' on 'em left?"

Mr. Tobias Smith was again fidgeting in his seat. He evidently had
something to say and was anxious to say it.

Mr. Butterfield continued: "Neow, to settle this question onct fer all,
I make ther motion that this 'ere lib'ry be closed up and the librari'n
discharged; she gits a dollar a week, and ther town ken use that
fifty-two dollars a year, in my opinion, to better advantege."

"Mister Moderator," came again from Mr. Tobias Smith, "I rise to a
question of privilege--"

Mr. Butterfield kept on talking: "Mister Moderator, this is not a
question of privilege; this is a question of expenditure of money for a
needless purpose. Yes, Mister Moderator, for a needless purpose."

Mr. Butterfield had evidently lost the thread of his discourse, and Mr.
Smith, taking advantage of his temporary indecision, said, "I agree with
the gentleman who has just spoken; I am in favor of closing up this
musty, dusty old room, and saving the further expenditure of money upon
it."

Mr. Butterfield, hearing these words, and not having sufficiently
collected his thoughts to say anything himself, nodded approvingly and
sank into his seat.

Mr. Smith continued, "I have a proposition to submit in relation to the
town library. I hold in my hand a letter from Mr. Quincy Adams Sawyer,
whose name has been previously mentioned--"

Mr. Strout jumped to his feet.

"Mister Moderator, I rise to a question of privilege."

"I second the motion!" cried Abner Stiles.

"State your question of privilege, Mr. Strout," said the Moderator.

"I wish to inquire," answered Strout, "if the time of this town meetin'
is to be devoted to the legitimate business of the town, or is it to be
fooled away in hearin' letters read from a person who is not a citizen
of the town, and who is not entitled to be heard in this town meetin'?"

"Mister Moderator," said Mr. Smith, "I am a citizen of this town, and
I'm entitled to be heard in this meeting, and the matter that I'm about
to bring to the attention of this meeting is a most important one and
affects the interests of the town materially. I consider that I have a
right to read this letter or any other le