s my
duty to listen to suggestions and to hear motions. What is your
pleasure, gentlemen?"

No one in looking at the countenance of Maurice Dawson would have
suspected he was extracting the keenest enjoyment from these
proceedings, yet such was the fact. There was something so intensely
ludicrous in the whole business, that only by assuming preternatural
gravity could he refrain from breaking into merriment. His policy was
to egg on the discussion until the company were ready for a decision,
when he would interpose with the proposal to wipe out the whole matter
and begin over again. The earnestness of Wade Ruggles, however,
threatened to check anything of that nature. He was on his feet
several times until Budge Isham, who shrewdly suspected the sentiments
of the chairman, protested.

"With all due respect to the parson, to Ruggles and to Bidwell, it
strikes me, Mr. Chairman, that they should give the rest of us a show.
We have listened to their yawping until it has grown monotonous.
Having told us a dozen times, more or less, that he wants us to punish
him all he deserves, Mr. Ruggles ought to let it rest with that; but
he shouldn't forget," added Budge, with the solemn manner which always
marked his waggery, "that, if we took him at his word, he would be
kicking vacancy this minute. However, this hasn't anything to do with
his general cussedness, but concerns his offence against the young
lady. That is all there is before the house, and I insist that we
confine ourselves to that----"

"Isn't that what I've been insistin' on?" demanded Wade Ruggles.

"There you go again! I have the floor, and you have no parliamentary
right to interrupt me with your frivolous remarks. Am I correct, Mr.
Chairman?"

"You are most unquestionably; proceed."

"Well, to bring this tiresome matter to a close, I move that Mr.
Bidwell be deprived of the bar privileges of the Heavenly Bower for a
period of four days, and that the same be denied to Mr. Ruggles for a
period of one week. Did I hear a groan?" asked Budge, looking round at
the two men, who were trying bravely to bear up under the threatened
punishment.

Both shook their heads, afraid to trust their voices by way of reply.

"If the gentlemen will permit me," said the chairman, "I should like
to say a few words."

"I am sure we shall be glad to hear from Mr. Dawson," remarked the
parson.

"Thank you. What I had in mind is this:--It is creditable to your
honor that you sh