"And I would like to ask why this honorable body is called on to pass a
measure which will plunge this old and distinguished town in such
enormous indebtedness?" he began again, after a pause which he
thought impressive. "Why should fifty thousand dollars' worth of bonds
be issued? For what purpose will the money be used? Why should this
great increase in taxes by made? What is to be done with the money
drained from our people, who are not worshippers of Mammon and
who set not their hearts on mere material things? I beg this honorable
body not to be led astray. It will be a sad day for this city of a
precious past--"

He stopped. Mary Cary's eyes, which in the beginning of his speech had
been bent on a letter held in her hand lest the laughter in them be
seen, were raised, and she was now looking at him with a steadiness
which was disconcerting, and the words died upon his lips.

"Are you through, Mr. Brickhouse?"

He sat down, wiping his moist face limply. "Yes, I am through."

This time Mary Cary, who had been standing below the platform,
stepped upon it, and the letter she had been holding was laid upon the
table.

"I am very much obliged to Mr. Brickhouse for asking the questions he
has asked," she began. "Except the name of the person giving this money
to Yorkburg there is no one of them that will not be answered readily,
as they should be rightly. Whether we are entitled to peculiarities, or
not, all of us possess them, and one of this friend of Yorkburg's is