Say, Joe, now honest, what do you think of my chances ?" Such a confirmed joker as Dimick couldn't lose an opportunity like this.

With the aid of one trying to be cheerful under discouragement he answered that, so far, Asaph's chances looked fair, pretty fair, but of course you couldn't always sometimes tell.

Mr.Tidditt rushed away to begin the handshaking all over again.
From this round of cordiality he was reluctantly torn and conducted to the platform.

After thumping the desk with his fist he announced that the gathering would "come to order right off, as there was consider'ble business to be done and it ought to be goin' ahead." He then proceeded to read the call for the meeting.

This ceremony was no sooner over than Abednego Small, "Uncle Bedny," was on his feet loudly demanding to be informed why the town "hadn't done nothin'" toward fixing up the Bassett's Hollow road.