Mr. Bartholomew sat down amid a volley of applause, after which there was a long silence, he being really the only practical man among them; or, to speak more correctly, the only man who had practice in this kind of movement, and knew how to conduct it. "The first thing we've got to do, you know," he said, looking around, "is to propose a resolution forming ourselves into a distinct body. As the chairman of the meeting, I can't propose any resolution; it is for one of you to do it." "All right, chairman," said a bold boot and shoe maker, "I do it." "What?" inquired Mr. Bartholomew. "Propose it," said the bold boot and shoe maker. "Propose what?" asked Mr. Bartholomew. "That we're a distinct body," said the bold boot and shoe maker. "I seconds it," said another boot and shoe maker, starting up, and sinking instantly into his chair, covered with confusion. It was the first public speech he had ever made. "No, no, that won't do," said Mr. Bartholomew, "you must put it in words--understandable words. You propose that we form ourselves into a working-man's club. That's your proposition, ain't it?" "That's it," said the bold boot and shoe maker. "And you second it," said Mr. Bartholomew, looking at boot and shoe maker No. 2, who faintly nodded. He had not the courage to speak again. "It is proposed by Mr. Richard Chappel," said Mr. Bartholomew, "boot and shoe maker, and seconded by Mr. William Blackmore, that we form ourselves into a working-man's club, we being all of us Liberals, and our chief object being the political and social advancement of working-men generally. Those in favor of the resolution signify it in the usual manner by holding up their hands." Every hand was held up. "On the contrary," said the chairman. Full half of those present held up their hands. "No, no, no," cried the chairman, "there must be something wrong here. You, Stokes, and you, Manning, and you, Bill Forbes, and you, William Blackmore, who seconded the resolution, all voted for it, of course, and now you vote against it. You can't vote two ways!" Boot and shoe maker No. 2, with a white face, whispered something in a neighbor's ear, who thereupon said: "Blackmore says he always votes on the contrary. He does it at home." "But that can't be here," said the chairman; "we must all vote one way or the other. Are you in favor of this club?" "Yes," every man cried. "Is there any one not in favor of it?" "No," every man cried. "Then it's carried," said the chairman, "unanimously. Now we must give it a name." Upon the face of every man present dwelt a pondering expression, the general just interpretation of which would be vacuity. Half a dozen put their fingers to their brows, but not one of them had a name to propose. The ever-ready chairman--and be it here remarked that Mr. Bartholomew was as good-humored as he was apt--rose and said: "It ain't the lightest of matters to give a fit name to such a club as ours. I think I can suggest one."