franchise
he had recently obtained, he would present it as a free gift. He also
wished to propose to Mr. March and Master Frank March that they should
build the ferry-boat, for which he would furnish the material. To the
company he further proposed that if Mr. Frank March would agree for the
sum of one hundred dollars to run the ferry-boat for one year from the
time it was launched, his name should at once be placed upon the
subscription list, and he be credited with one share of stock.

All of these propositions having been accepted, the name of Frank March
was added to the list, and the books were declared closed.

Mr. Elmer said that the next business in order was the election of
officers, and he called for nominations.

Mrs. Elmer caused Mark to blush furiously by speaking of him in the
most flattering terms as the originator of the scheme, and nominating
him as president of the company.

The list of officers, as finally prepared and submitted to the meeting,
was as follows:

President Mark Elmer, Jun.
Vice-President and General Manager Mark Elmer, Sen.
Treasurer Ellen R. Elmer.
Secretary Ruth Elmer.
Superintendent of Mills Harold March.
Superintendent of Ferries Frank March.

And a Board of Directors, to consist of Jan Jansen, Esq., and the
officers of the company ex-officio.

This ticket being voted upon as a whole and unanimously elected, Mr.
Elmer resigned his chair to the newly made President, who gravely asked
if there was any further business before the meeting.

"Mr. President," said Mr. March, "I wish to move that the name 'Elmer
Mill Company,' which we recently adopted, be changed so as to read
'Elmer Mill and Ferry Company.'"

"All right," said the President; "you may move it."

"I second the motion," said Mr. Elmer, laughing, "and call for the
question."

"Nobody's asked any," said Mark, looking rather bewildered.

"I mean, Mr. President, that I call upon you to lay the motion just
made by our distinguished superintendent of mills, and seconded by
myself, before the meeting, that they may take action upon it."

"Oh," said Mark; and remembering how his father had done it, he put the
motion very properly, announced that the yeas had it, and that the name
of the company was accordingly changed.

Then the President made an address, in which he said that, after a