Tommy’s friends, and those who had not backbone enough to vote against his decision, rose and were counted. I voted with this side because I really believed that Wetherstane had spoken first. “Twenty-one,” said the president, after he had counted the affirmatives; and I noticed that his lips were compressed, as if to subdue some angry emotions which he felt at the result. “Those opposed stand till counted.” A large majority, obtaining pluck from mere numbers, sprang to their feet. “All up! All up!” shouted the more demonstrative of the rebels, who had doubtless been to town meetings in their day. “Order!” screamed Tommy, more fiercely than ever; for the vote, to him, looked like factious opposition. “Eighty-six in the negative,” he added, when he had completed the count. Silence reigned in the hall then, and perhaps many of the students were appalled to think of what they had done. They had actually voted down the high and mighty Tommy Toppleton, whose word was law. The experience of the nations that deliberative bodies are not favorable to the rule of tyrants was in a fair way to be realized by the heir of the house of Toppleton. The boys watched the president, expecting an outburst of indignation and wrath at his defeat; but, happily, the dignity of the presiding officer prevailed over the feelings of the individual, and with a mighty struggle he repressed his emotions. As I have had occasion to say before, Tommy was in the main a good fellow; he would have been a first-rate one if he had not been spoiled by the weak indulgence of his father and mother. He had been taught to have his own way, and his passions were a volcano within him, ready to break out whenever he was thwarted. I am inclined to think this was the first time he had ever conquered himself, and restrained his wrath when defeated. “The decision is in the negative,” added Tommy, with admirable self-possession for one of his temperament. “Barnscott has the floor.” “Mr. President,” said the lucky claimant, “I move that we proceed to the election of officers for the ensuing year.” “Second the motion,” added Faxon. “It is moved and seconded that the stockholders proceed to the election of officers,” continued Tommy, who could not see why all this storm had been created on so simple a proposition. “The question is now before the house.” “Mr. President!” shouted Wetherstane, loud enough to have been heard on the other side of Ucayga Lake. “Wetherstane,” replied Tommy, indicating that the speaker had the floor. “I move you that we adjourn to Grass Springs at two o’clock this afternoon,” added the young gentleman, who, beyond the possibility of a doubt, had the floor now. “Second the motion,” added Putnam. “It is moved and seconded that we adjourn to Grass Springs at two o’clock this afternoon,” repeated the president, wondering what this movement meant.