ekiel and Quincy bringing up the rear. As Quincy took the
last wrister from the pan that the Professor held, the latter turned
quickly away and beat a tattoo on the bottom of the pan with his
knuckles and cried out, "Gentlemen will please find their partners. The
wristers become the property of the gentlemen."

Then a wild rush took place. Screams of laughter were heard on every
side, and it was fully five minutes before the excitement subsided, and
in response to another tattoo upon the milk pan by the Professor, the
couples, as arranged by the hand of Fate, formed in line and marched
around the great kitchen to the music of a sprightly march written by
the Professor and called "The Wrister March," and respectfully dedicated
to Miss Hulda Mason. This announcement was made by Mr. Stiles from his
elevated position upon the kitchen table.

The hand of Fate had acted somewhat strangely. The Professor and Mandy
Skinner stood side by side, as did 'Zekiel Pettengill and Mrs. Mason.
Lindy Putnam and Huldy by a queer twist of fortune were mated with
Cobb's twins.

But Fate did one good act. By chance Quincy and Alice stood side by
side. She looked up at him and said to her partner, "What is your name,
I cannot see your face?"

"My name is Quincy," said Sawyer in a low voice.

"I am so glad!" said Alice, leaning a little more heavily on his arm.

"So am I," responded Quincy ardently.

After the procession had made several circuits of the great kitchen,
Professor Strout gave a signal, and it broke up, each gentleman being
then at liberty to seek the lady of his own choice.

"What games shall we play fust?" asked Strout, taking the centre of the
room, and looking round upon the company with a countenance full of
smiles and good nature.

"Who is it?" "Who is it?" came from a dozen voices.

"All right," cried Strout; "that's a very easy game to play. Now all you
ladies git in a line and I'll put this one chair right front of yer. Now
all the gentlemen must leave the room except one. I suppose we can use
the parlor, Mrs. Mason?"

Mrs. Mason nodded her head in the affirmative.

"I'll 'tend door," said Hiram; and he took his position accordingly.
After the rest of the gentlemen had left the room, Hiram closed the
door, and turning to Huldy said, "Shall I call them, or will you?"

"You call them," said Huldy.

"Got the handkerchief ready?" asked Hiram.

Huldy swung a big red bandanna in the air. Opening a door, Hiram c