, anyhow, Mr. Johnson," spitefully returned number one.

   "Gentlemen, if you please—" beseechingly interposed the sage.

   "I haven't come here, Mr. Bulkley, to quarrel," said one.

   "Who started this?" sarcastically answered Mr. Johnson.

   "Not me, anyway," number three replies.

   "You don't say I did, do you?" says number one.

   "Gentlemen!—gentlemen!—"

   "Mr. Bulkley, you see how it is; there's Johnson—"

   "Yes, Mr. Bulkley," says Johnson, "and there's old Winkles, too, and here's Deacon Potter, also."

   "I

    am

   here," stiffly replied the deacon, "and I am sorry the Reverend Mr. Bulkley finds me in such company, sir!"

   "Now, gentlemen,

    brothers

   , if you please," said Mr. Bulkley, "this is ridiculous,—"

   "So I say," murmured Mr. Winkles.

   "As far as

    you

   are concerned, it is ridiculous," said the deacon.

   This brought Mr. Winkles

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