they might have for a year from date, to Harry and his associates,
provided that the telegraphic service should always be performed
promptly and to their satisfaction.

A contract, fixing rates, etc., was drawn up, and Harry, the Directors,
the Secretary, and the Treasurer, all and severally signed it. This was
not actually necessary, but these officers, quite naturally, were
desirous of doing all the signing that came in their way.

Private subscriptions came in more slowly. Mr. Loudon gave fifteen
dollars, and Dr. Price contributed ten, as his son was a Director. Old
Mr. Truly Matthews subscribed five dollars, and hoped that he should see
his money back again; but if he didn't, he supposed it would help to
keep the boys out of mischief. Small sums were contributed by other
persons in the village and neighborhood, each of whom was furnished with
a certificate of stock proportioned to the amount of the investment.

There were fifty shares issued, of three dollars each; and Miss Jane
Davis, who subscribed one dollar and a quarter, got five-twelfths of a
share. The members of the Board, collectively, put in thirty dollars.

The majority of the shareholders considered their money as a donation to
a good cause, for of course, it was known that Aunt Matilda's support
was the object of the whole business; but some hoped to make something
out of it, and others contributed out of curiosity to see what sort of a
telegraph the company would build, and how it would work.

It was urged by some wise people that if this money had been contributed
directly to Aunt Matilda, it would have been of much more service to
her; but other people, equally wise, said that in that case, the money