I "set him again" exhibition New Coventry Academy; and here he undertook "speaking part"--as, in my boyish, worldly days, I remember the bills used of Mlle Celeste all trustees New Coventry Academy; and there has lately been "a of feeling" because the Sandemanian trustees regularly attend the exhibitions intimated, indeed, Sandemanians are leaning towards Free-Will, , therefore, neglected these semi-annual exhibitions, while that Auchmuty last year went to Commencement at Waterville Now the head master at New Coventry is real good fellow, who knows Sanskrit root when he sees it, and often cracks etymologies with me-- , in strictness, I ought exhibitions But think, reader, of sitting through three long July days Academy chapel, following the program from

Tuesday Morning English Composition Sunshine Miss Jones,

round to

Trio on Three Pianos Duel from opera of Midshipman Easy Marryatt

coming in at nine, Thursday evening ! Think , reader, for men the world is trying backward, and give their lives if help it on ! Well ! The double had succeeded Board, that him Academy (Shade of Plato, pardon ! ) He arrived early on Tuesday, when, indeed, few but mothers and clergymen are generally expected, and returned evening , covered with honors He had dined right hand chairman, and he spoke in high terms repast The chairman had expressed his interest French conversation " you liked it," said Dennis; poor chairman, abashed, supposed the accent wrong end day, the gentlemen present called upon for speeches--the Rev Frederic Ingham first, as it happened; Dennis had risen, and had said, " said, and, whole, said, that occupy the time " The girls were delighted, because Dr Dabney, the year before, had given them occasion scolding on impropriety of behavior at lyceum lectures They all declared Mr Ingham was love--and so handsome ! (Dennis is good-looking ) Three , with arms behind the others' waists, followed him wagon he rode home in; and little girl with blue sash sent him rosebud debut in speaking, he went exhibition for two days more, mutual satisfaction of all concerned Indeed, Polly reported that he had pronounced the trustees' dinners of higher grade than those parsonage next term began, six Academy girls had obtained permission across the river and attend our church But this arrangement long continue

he went to several Commencements , and ate the dinners provided; he sat through three Quarterly Conventions --always voting judiciously, simple rule mentioned above, of siding minority And I, meanwhile, who had before been losing caste among my friends, as holding myself aloof associations body, began to rise in everybody's favor "Ingham's good fellow--always on hand"; "never talks much--but does the right thing right time"; " as unpunctual as he used --he comes early, and sits through end " "He has got over his old talkative habit, too I spoke to friend once; and Ingham took it kindly," etc , etc

This voting power of Dennis was particularly valuable quarterly meetings Proprietors Naguadavick Ferry My wife inherited from her father some shares enterprise, which fully developed, though it doubtless will become very valuable property The law of Maine then forbade stockholders to appear by proxy at such meetings Polly disliked , not being, , "hens'-rights hen," and transferred her stock I, after going once, disliked it more than she But Dennis went next meeting, and liked it the armchairs were good, the collation good, free rides to stockholders pleasant little frightened first took him upon ferry-boats, but after quarterly meetings he became quite brave

Thus far I never had any difficulty Indeed, being type called shiftless, only too happy told daily what , and charged not forthputting or in original discharge duty He learned, however, to discriminate lines life, and preferred these stockholders' meetings and trustees' dinners and commencement collations to another set of occasions, he used to beg off most piteously Our excellent brother, Dr Fillmore, had taken notion Sandemanian churches needed more expression of mutual sympathy He insisted upon it that we were remiss , that, Bishop came to preach at Naguadavick, all the Episcopal clergy neighborhood were present; if Dr Pond came, all the Congregational clergymen turned out to hear him; if Dr Nichols, all the Unitarians; and he thought we owed it to that, whenever an occasional service at Sandemanian church, the other brethren should all, if possible, attend "It looked well," if nothing more Now this really meant that I to hear one of Dr Fillmore's lectures Ethnology of Religion He forgot that hear one course Sandemanianism of Anselm But badly when it; and afterwards I always made Dennis go to hear all the brethren preach, when not preaching myself what exceptions to-- , as , which he ever did except to Now came the advantage long morning-nap, and green tea Polly supplied the kitchen But plead, so humbly, let off, only from ! I never excepted him, however the lectures were of value, and it best the connection

Polly is more rash than , reader has observed outset memoir She risked Dennis one night under the eyes of her own sex Governor Gorges had always been very kind ; and when his great annual party town, asked us I confess I hated deep new volume of Pfeiffer's Mystics_, which Haliburton had just sent me from Boston "But how rude," said Polly, "not to return the Governor's civility and Mrs Gorges's, when sure to ask why away ! " Still I demurred, and at last she, wit of Eve and of Semiramis conjoined, let me off by saying that, if go in with her, and sustain the initial conversations Governor ladies staying there, risk Dennis rest evening was just what She took Dennis in training all that afternoon, instructed him in fashionable conversation, cautioned him against the temptations supper-table--and at nine evening he drove us all down carryall the grand star-entree with Polly pretty Walton girls, who were staying We had put Dennis into great rough top-coat, without his glasses-- girls never dreamed, darkness, of looking at him He sat carriage, door, while we entered the agreeable to Mrs Gorges, was introduced to her niece Miss Fernanda--I complimented Judge Jeffries decision great case of D'Aulnay vs Laconia Mining Co --I stepped dressing-room for moment--stepped out for another--walked home, after nod with Dennis, and tying the horse to pump--and while I walked home, Mr Frederic Ingham, my double, stepped in library Gorges's grand saloon