who was fond of fun, conceived a project for mortifying
Fletcher, and readily obtained the co-operation of his classmates.

It must be premised that Fitz was vain of his reading and
declamation. He had a secret suspicion that, if he should choose to
devote his talents to the stage, he would make a second Booth. This
self-conceit of his made it the more easy to play off the following
joke upon him.

A fortnight later, the young ladies of the village proposed to hold a
Fair to raise funds for some public object. At the head of the
committee of arrangements was a sister of the doctor's wife, named
Pauline Clinton. This will explain the following letter which,
Fletcher received the succeeding day:--

"FITZGERALD FLETCHER, ESQ.--Dear Sir: Understanding that you are a
superior reader, we should be glad of your assistance in lending
_eclat_ to the Fair which we propose to hold on the evening of the
29th. Will you be kind enough to occupy twenty minutes by reading
such selections as in your opinion will be of popular interest? It
is desirable that you should let me know as soon as possible what
pieces you have selected, that they may be printed on the programme.

"Yours respectfully,
"PAULINE CLINTON,
"(for the Committee)."

This note reached Fletcher at a time when he was still smarting from
his disappointment in obtaining promotion from the Clionian Society.
He read it with a flushed and triumphant face. He never thought of
questioning its genuineness. Was it not true that he was a superior
reader? What more natural than that he should be invited to give
_eclat_ to the Fair by the exercise of his talents! He felt it to be
a deserved compliment. It was a greater honor to be solicited to
give a public reading than to be elected President of the Clionian
Society.

"They won't laugh at me now," thought Fletcher.

He immediately started for Oscar's room to make known his new honors.

"How are you, Fitz?" said Oscar, who was in the secret, and guessed
the errand on which he came.

"Very well, thank you, Oscar," answered Fletcher, in a stately
manner.

"Anything new with you?" asked Oscar, carelessly.

"Not much," said Fletcher. "There's a note I just received.

"Whew!" exclaimed Oscar, in affected astonishment. "Are you going to
accept?"

"I suppose I ought to oblige them," said Fletcher. "It won't be much
trouble to me, you know."

"To be sure; it's in a good cause. But how did