The meeting obeyed at once.

"Ahem--I 'spose we had better fill the offices first. Who will be
president?"

This magnanimous tender of the office to any one present was received in
silence. The meeting was overawed by the thought of this mighty honor so
nigh at hand. All recovered in a short time, and several, including Pip
Peckham, were about to sacrifice themselves for the common good, when Sid
dexterously presented himself as an offering ahead of them all, and said:
"Well, if nobody wants it, as I don't like to see an office go a-beggin',
I'll--I'll take it!"

"Three cheers for our president!" said Charlie, magnanimously, and the
three were given, though it must be confessed that several disappointed
souls cheered faintly.

"We ought to have a governor," said Charlie.

"What! besides a president?" inquired Sid, a slight sneer noticeable in
his tones.

"Don't they have a governor in Massachusetts?" inquired Charlie,
triumphantly.

"Well, ye--ye--yes."

That settled it, for Massachusetts custom was plainly authority in this
matter.