Two or three people in the shadows behind clapped their hands. Horace protested that it was premature, irregular, that he was too young, etc.; but the match-maker was persistent, and on a vote there was no opposition. The Rev. Dr. Turner ceased smiling for a moment or two while this was going on, and twirled his thumbs nervously; but nobody paid any attention to him, and soon his face lightened again as his name was placed just before that of Father Chance on the general committee. Once started, the work of organization went forward briskly. It was decided at first to call the organization the “Thessaly Reform Club,” but two manufacturers suggested that this was only one remove from styling it a Cobden Club outright, and so the name was altered to “Thessaly Citizens’ Club,” and all professed themselves pleased. When the question of a treasurer came up, Reuben Tracy’s name was mentioned, but some one asked if it would look just the thing to have the two principal officers in one firm, and so the match-maker consented to take the office instead. Even the committee on by-laws would have been made up without Reuben had not Horace interfered; then, upon John Fairchild’s motion, he was made the chairman of that committee, while Fairchild himself was appointed secretary. When the meeting had broken up, and the men were putting on their overcoats and lighting fresh cigars, Dr. Lester took the opportunity of saying in an undertone to Reuben; “Well, what do you think of it?” “It seems to have taken shape very nicely. Don’t you think so?” “Hm-m! There’s a good deal of Boyce in it so far, and damned little Tracy!” Reuben laughed. “Oh, don’t be disturbed about that. He’s the best man for the place. He’s studied all these things in Europe--the cooperative institutes in the English industrial towns, and so on; and he’ll put his whole soul into making this a success.” The doctor sniffed audibly at this, but offered no further remark. Later on, however, when he was walking along in the crisp moonlight with John Fairchild, he unburdened his mind. “It was positively sickening,” he growled, biting his cigar angrily, “to see the way that young cub of a Boyce foisted himself upon the concern. I’d bet any money he put up the whole thing with Jones. They nominated each other for president and treasurer--didn’t you notice that?” “Yes, I noticed it,” replied Fairchild, with something between a sigh and a groan. After a moment he added: “Do you know, I’m afraid Rube will find himself in a hole with that young man, before he gets through with him. It may sound funny to you, but I’m deucedly nervous about it. I’d rather see a hundred Boyces broiled alive than have harm come to so much as Tracy’s little finger.” “What could have ailed him to go in blindfold like that into the partnership? He knew absolutely nothing of the fellow.”