y, and let
the remainder be paid in money to the treasurer, so that he might
receive his salary in quarterly payments. This would be the means of
avoiding much that was annoying to all parties, and was the only terms
on which he would think it wise to remain in Merleville.

He alluded to a report that had lately reached him, as to his having
money invested in Scotland. In the hand of a friend he had deposited
sufficient to defray the expenses of his eldest son, until his education
should be completed. He had no more. The comfort of his family must
depend upon his salary; and what that was to be, and how it was to be
paid, must be decided without loss of time.

He said just two or three words about his wish to stay, about the love
he felt for many of them, and of his earnest desire to benefit them all.
He had no other desire than to cast in his lot with theirs, and to live
and die among them. But no real union or confidence could be maintained
between them, while the matter of support was liable at any moment to
become a source of discomfort and misunderstanding to all concerned. He
added, that as so many were present, perhaps no better time than
to-night could be found for arranging the matter, and so he left them.

There was quite a gathering that night. Judge Merle was there, and the
deacons, and the Pages, and Mr Spears, and a great many besides.
Behind the door, in a corner seat, sat Mr Snow, and near him, Mr
Greenleaf. He evidently felt he was not expected to remain, and made a
movement to go, but Sampson laid his hand on his arm.

"Hold on, Squire," he whispered; "as like as not they'd spare us, but
I'm bound to see this through."

There was a long pause. Then Deacon Fish got up and cleared his throat,
and "felt as though he felt," and went over much ground, without
accomplishing much. Deacon Slowcome did pretty much the same. Judge
Merle came a little nearer the mark, and when he sat down, there was a
movement behind the door, and Sampson Snow rose, and stepped out. He
laid his hand on the door latch, and then turned round and opened his
lips.

"I expect you'll all think it ain't my place to speak in meetin', and I
ain't goin' to say a great deal. It's no more than two hours or so
since I got home from Rixford, and Squire Stone, he told me that their
minister had given notice that he was goin' to quit. Goin' to Boston, I
guess. And the Squire, says he to me, `We've a notion of talking a
litt