This brisk little off-hand speech was received with great favor. Immediately upon its conclusion Jim moved an adjournment, which was unanimously carried, and Jim led the way to a neighboring corner, where he expended a reasonable proportion of the money which Slugby had given him. A few evenings afterward the Convention met. Mr. Slugby was appointed President, and Mr. William Condor Secretary. The Honorable B.J. Ele presented a series of resolutions, which were eloquently advocated by General Arcularius Belch. At the conclusion of his speech the Honorable A. Bat made a speech, which the daily _Flag of the Country_ the next morning called "a dry disquisition about things in general," but which the _Evening Banner of the Union_ declared to be "one of his most statesmanlike efforts." After these speeches the Convention proceeded to the ballot, when it was found that nine-tenths of all the votes cast were for Abel Newt, Esquire. General Belch rose, and in an enthusiastic manner moved that the nomination be declared unanimous. It was carried with acclamation. Mr. Musher proposed an adjournment, to meet at the polls. The vote was unanimous. Mr. Enos Slugby rose, and called for three cheers for "the Honorable Abel Newt, our next talented and able representative in Congress." The Convention rose and roared. "Members of the Convention who wish to call upon the candidate will fall into line!" shouted Mr. Condor; then leading the way, and followed by the members, he went down stairs into the street. A band of music was at hand, by some thoughtful care, and, following the beat of drums and clangor of brass, the Convention marched toward Grand Street. CHAPTER LXVIII. THE INDUSTRIOUS APPRENTICE. Good news fly fast. On the wings of the newspapers the nomination of Abel Newt reached Delafield, where Mr. Savory Gray still moulded the youthful mind. He and his boys sat at dinner. "Fish! fish! I like fish," said Mr. Gray. "Don't you like fish, Farthingale?" Farthingale was a new boy, who blushed, and said, promptly, "Oh! yes, Sir." "Don't you like fish, Mark Blanding? Your brother Gyles used to," asked Mr. Gray. "Yes, Sir," replied that youth, slowly, and with a certain expression in his eye, "I suppose I do." "All boys who are in favor of having fish dinner on Fridays will hold up their right hands," said Mr. Gray. He looked eagerly round the table. "Come, come! up, up, up!" said he, good-naturedly. "That's it. Mrs. Gray, fish on Fridays." "Mr. Gray," said Mark Blanding. "Well, Mark?" "Ain't fish cheaper than meat?" "Mark, I am ashamed of you. Go to bed this instant." Mark was unjust, for Uncle Savory had no thought of indulging his purse, but only his palate. When the criminal was gone Mr. Gray drew a paper from his pocket, and said,