nowledge
of celestial phenomena, for often Dr. Kane's idle humor induced him to
stand by and explain the various theories touching comets,--their
velocity, their substance or lack of substance, their recurrence,
their status in the astral economy,--and cognate themes. As he was a
man of very considerable reading and mental qualifications, of some
means for the indulgence of his taste, and a good deal of leisure, the
synopsis of astronomical science presented in the successive
expositions was very well worth listening to, especially by the more
ignorant of the community, who were thus enlightened as to facts
hitherto foreign even to their wildest imaginings.

But following hard on every benefaction is the trail of ingratitude,
and certain of the irreverent in the crowd found a piquant zest in
secret derision of the doctor, who sometimes did, in truth, present
the air of a showman with a panorama. More especially was this the
case when his enthusiasm waxed high, and his satisfaction in the
glories of the comet partook of a positive personal pride.

"What's he goin' ter do about it?" demanded one grinning rustic of
another on the outskirts of the crowd.

"Put salt on its tail," responded his interlocutor.

Others affected to believe that the doctor was performing a great feat
with the long bow, especially in the tremendous measurements of which
he seemed singularly prodigal. A reference to the height of the
mountains of the moon as compared with the neighboring ranges elicited
a whispered hope that the roads were better there than those of the
Great Smoky; and an inquiry concerning the probable fate of the comet
provoked a speculation that when he was done with it he would sell it
at public outcry to the highest bidder at the east door of the
court-house.

Close about the stand, however, the crowd took on something of the
demeanor of a literary society. Discussions were in order, questions
asked and answered, authorities quoted and refuted: the other
physician, who practiced much in consultation with Dr. Kane, two or
three clergymen, several of the officers of the court, and a number of
lawyers, all taking part. The more youthful members of the gathering
affected the role of peripatetic philosophers, and sauntered to and
fro, arm in arm, in the light of the waxing moon.

The big black shadows of the giant oaks were all dappled with silver
as the beams pierced the foliage and fell to the ground below; only
the corni