im, and having no home now, I
was glad to accept. After supper, I was called into the library, and
questioned at great length by Mr. Hale and Mr. Hardy in regard to the
affairs of the Institute. While we were thus engaged, Bob was sent to
deliver several notes to prominent and wealthy men in the place. At
seven o'clock there were not less than half a dozen of the "heavy men"
of Parkville in the library.

Of course Bob and I did not know what was going on, but we were
confident that the affairs of the Institute were under discussion. At
a later hour, Mr. Hale and another gentleman drove off, in a buggy,
towards the cottage of my uncle, where I heard one of them say they
were going. Bob and I went to bed, tired out, and did not ascertain
what had been done by the gentlemen who assembled that evening.

At nine o'clock in the forenoon of the next day, the students were all
in their seats, in the school-room; but Mr. Parasyte did not appear.
It was reported that there were half a dozen gentlemen with him in his
office, and that my uncle Amos was one of them. I was astonished at
this intelligence. I subsequently heard that he was there on business,
and hardly spoke a word during a long and stormy interview between Mr.
Parasyte and his visitors.

The clock on the school-house struck ten, and still Mr. Parasyte did
not come. It was deeply impressed upon our minds that something was
about to happen, and we waited with intense anxiety for the event. At
half past eleven o'clock, Mr. Parasyte entered the school-room. He
looked sad and subdued, and his coming was the signal for a breathless
silence among the boys. It was evident that he had a proposition to
make.

"Young gentlemen, I appear before you now for the last time," said he.

He paused, and his words made a tremendous sensation, though, I am
happy to say, there was no demonstration of any kind. We looked upon
him as a fallen man.

"I have sold the Parkville Liberal Institute to a company composed of
the citizens of this town, who have made me an offer for the property,
so liberal that I could not afford to refuse it. Until about a week
ago, my relations with the students have been exceedingly pleasant. I
shall not allude to recent events. I take my leave with many regrets,
and I sincerely desire that prosperity and happiness may attend you in
the future. Good by."

"Good by," replied a large number of the boys, and Mr. Parasyte bowed
and left the room.

As he wen