Part 2 (1/2)

Put out the light, and then put.--SHAKSPEARE.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE evening arrived on which the gentlemen, named in the last chapter, were to meet in the room of Mr. John Spout.

Mr. Spout was there, awaiting the arrival of his friends. He was seated at the end of a table, in a large easy-chair, in his dressing-gown.

Before him, on the table, were several written papers. The apartment was one of moderate dimensions, neatly carpeted, and, with plenty of furniture, un.o.bjectionable in quality and taste. On the walls were suspended various pictures, engravings, fencing-foils, and masks, boxing-gloves, antique models, Indian ornaments, plaster casts of legs, arms, hands, feet, &c. On either side of the table were two chairs, placed there, evidently, in antic.i.p.ation of the arrival of his friends.

Several pipe-stems protruded from a pasteboard box, which was on the table. It required no unusual shrewdness to guess at the contents, and to rightly determine that it was filled with the best-abused, and, at the same time, best-used weed known.

One by one, the other gentlemen arrived, and were ushered by the housekeeper into Mr. Spout's apartment. They sat, engaged in discussing tobacco and the events of the day. At length, Mr. Dropper inquired of Mr. Spout if he had as yet fully elaborated the idea which, on the occasion of the previous meeting, had seemed to weigh so heavily on his mind?

”I was about to advert to the subject,” said Mr. Spout. ”It has engaged my undivided attention up to the present time, and the idea and plan based upon it are sufficiently perfected to satisfy myself.”

”Trot it out,” said Boggs, ”we are all attention.”

”The fact, gentlemen,” said Spout, ”that most of our number have been either absent from the city, or so much engaged in our different vocations that we have never gained, or have lost, familiarity with many interesting phases of life, as it exists in New York, suggested to me the thought of devoting some portion of our time to looking about, and having put our observations in writing, to interchange them for our mutual gratification.”

”A capital idea,” said Mr. Dusenbury Quackenbush.

”Brilliant with pleasurable results,” remarked Mr. Myndert Van Dam.

”Replete with rational enjoyment,” suggested Mr. Remington Dropper.

”I'm in,” was the laconic response of Mr. James George Boggs.

”Then I suppose I can count upon your cooperation in the realization of the idea,” said Spout.

A general affirmative answer being given, Mr. Spout continued.

”You being unanimous,” said he, ”I'll now proceed to unfold my plans.

To secure unanimity of action and entire success, it is necessary that we have a plan of organization. But in thinking upon this subject, I have foreseen that, by the adoption of any of the ordinary plans, we saddle ourselves with a useless machinery, which will hinder the successful accomplishment of the object we desire. We have no time to spare in discussing rules of order, the adoption of which invariably makes disorder the rule. Yet, there must be a head. In brief, then, gentlemen, I propose that the principles upon which our meetings shall be governed, shall be a despotic principle, but one which shall be compatible with the largest liberty of the governed. How do you like the idea?”

”The idea looks paradoxical to me,” said Van Dam.

”Rather profound,” suggested Quackenbush.

”Funny,” said Boggs.

”I can tell better when I hear the rules,” said Dropper.

”I have them prepared,” continued Spout. ”Shall I read them to you?”

”By all means,” replied Van Dam.

The others signified an affirmative response.