"Outside of their business peculiarities," continued the colonel, "both these men possess many good qualities. I don't want to give you a wrong impression of them. Wilder is really kind and accommodating. It is his nature to want to please people and to stand well in popular opinion. Easton honestly believes that he is a Christian gentleman, and he is said to be a good father and husband. But in their dealings with the cottagers these partners have contracted a sort of moral color-blindness; they can't distinguish their own rights from those of others." "I believe I understand you. Good morning, Colonel." "Good morning, Mr. Jarrod." Saturday evening Jarrod attended the meeting. It was held in a big, shedlike structure in the woods called the "Auditorium," where divine services were held on Sundays. All Tamawaca was there, for the men took their wives to enjoy the "fun." It was the only occasion during the whole year when the cottagers got together, and here they were accustomed to frankly air their grievances and then go home and forget them. On the platform sat a dignified, pleasant faced old gentleman who nodded courteously to each arrival. At the secretary's desk was a little man intently perusing a newspaper. When all had assembled the chairman arose and rapped gently upon the rostrum. "The meeting will please come to order," he said, and a sudden hush fell upon the place. "I believe the first thing in order is for the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting." The secretary glanced over his paper. "I've mislaid 'em somewhere," he said; "but they don't amount to anything, anyhow." The chairman looked reproachful when the meeting joyously applauded this announcement. "Ahem!" he said. "Are there any remarks?" A tall, thin man rose from the benches and cleared his throat. Instantly every eye was upon him. Someone beside Jarrod laughed, and the lawyer turned around to find George B. Still seated there. "La--dies and gen--tle--men!" began the orator. "We are gathered together this evening to--ah--to meet one another. The--er--reason we are so--ah--so gathered together in one meeting is to--er--consider why we should be--er--should be brought in contact one with another for the public welfare of Tamawaca this gathering!" As he paused impressively Geo. B. murmured: "Gather up the sands from the s--e--a sho--o--r--e!" "I take it," continued the speaker, raising his voice aggressively, "that we are met here with a purpose; I may say--er--an object in here gathering together. It is my earnest wish, ladies and gentlemen, that this--er--purpose may be fulfilled!" He sat down amid a round of applause, mainly bestowed because he sat down. But he held himself erect and didn't lean against the back of the bench for a good five minutes. "I call for the reports of the committees," announced the chairman. A man arose and said: