tter that relates to the
question before the meeting, which is, 'Shall money be appropriated to
buy books for what is called the town library?' I say NO; and my reason
for this is contained in this letter, which I propose to read."

"Go on, Mr. Smith," said the Moderator.

"Well," continued Mr. Smith, "Mr. Quincy Adams Sawyer, in this letter,
offers to the town of Eastborough the sum of five thousand dollars, to
be used either for purchasing books and paying the expenses of a library
to be located in the Town Hall; or a portion of the money may be used to
build a suitable building, and the balance for the equipment and support
of the library."

Mr. Butterfield was on his feet again.

"Mister Moderator, I'm agin acceptin' this donation. If we take it, we
shall only jump out er the fryin-pan inter the fire; instead of buyin' a
few books and payin' the librari'n a dollar a week, we shall hev to hev
a jan'ter for the new buildin', and pay fer insurance, and we shell hev
ter hev a librari'n ev'ry day in ther week, and by'm by the ungodly will
want ter hev it open on a Sunday, so thet they kin hev a place to loaf
in; and I'm agin the whole bizness teetotally. I've sed my say; neow,
you kin go ahead, and do jest as you please."

This was Mr. Butterfield's usual wind-up to his arguments; but on this
occasion it seemed to fail of its effect.

The Moderator said, "Was Mr. Butterfield's motion seconded?" There was
no response. "Then the matter before the meeting is the question of
appropriating money for the support of the town library."

"Mister Moderator," said Mr. Smith, "I move that the donation from Mr.
Quincy Adams Sawyer be accepted, and that the library be named 'The
Sawyer Free Public Library of the Town of Eastborough.'"

"Second the motion!" came from a hundred voices.

Strout was on his feet again.

"Mister Moderator," said he, "I move to amend the motion by havin' it
read that we decline, that the town declines the donation without
thanks."

A loud laugh arose from the assemblage.

Abner Stiles had evidently misinterpreted Mr. Strout's motion, for he
called out, "Mister Moderator," and when he got the floor, "I move to
amend so that the motion would read, this library shall be called the
Strout Free Library of the Town of Eastborough."

This was greeted with shouts of laughter, and Strout grasped Abner by
his coat collar and pulled him violently back upon the settee.

"Shut up, you fool," cried he bet