eeting night arrived at length, the members were all present, and
punctual to the hour.

The Higholdboy had brought with him a pair of boxing-gloves, which he
announced were to be used in this wise: He was determined to keep order
in the meetings, and this, too, even if he had to resort to severe means
to do so. But actuated by the same feelings of benevolence which
animated the legislators who caused the passage of laws to prevent
cruelty to animals, he did not want to do physical injury to the
refractory members of the club. Therefore, he had brought the aforesaid
boxing-gloves, so that when he knocked a member down, he wouldn't either
draw blood or give him a black eye.

This humane considerateness on the part of Mr. Spout was warmly
commended by the brethren, and Mr. Quackenbush, in behalf of the club,

_Resolved_, that the Higholdboy is a model presiding officer.

This resolution in behalf of the club was adopted by Mr. Quackenbush.

Overdale here arose and said that he fully coincided with the spirit of
the resolution; he had a proposition to make, however, which was to
order up some cold corned beef, celery, mustard, rolls, and butter,
provided he would consent to let the members keep order after their own
fashion.

This appeal to Mr. Spout's feelings was irresistible, and he gave his
full consent, saying that that was all he had contemplated under any
circumstances, and if they could ring in Overdale for the feed, it was
so much gained. It was accordingly ordered that Overdale give his order.

Mr. Boggs said that boxing-gloves forcibly reminded him of some
experience he had had several years previously. Though a person by no
means thin, and notwithstanding the fact that he had been for years
troubled with chronic good health, yet, from reading at that time
various physiological works, he had become convinced, that from the want
of proper physical training, his dissolution might be considered near at
hand, unless he took immediate measures to save his precious life by
means of active exercise. He accordingly visited the gymnasiums, but the
idea of putting himself into such fantastic shapes as he saw young men
doing, was to him not to be thought of. Further, he was decidedly
opposed to the idea of making himself the laughing-stock of a set of
young rascals by his awkward efforts in his incipient progress. Whilst
he was yet undecided, a friend suggested to him that he procure a couple
of pairs of boxing-glov