Lewston's" cabin--or the Akeville telegraph station, as I should
say--George and Harry had a slight dispute, and Purvis took occasion to
give vent to some of his dissatisfaction.

"I don't see what you're President for, anyway," said he to Harry.
"After the Board of Directors had been organized it ought to have
elected all the officers."

"But none of you fellows knew anything about the business," said Harry.
"Kate and I got up the company, and we needn't have had a Board of
Directors at all, if we hadn't wanted to. If any of you boys had known
anything about telegraphs we would have given you an office."

"I reckon you don't have to know anything about telegraphs to be
Secretary, or Treasurer either," said George, warmly.

"No," answered Harry, "but you've got to know how to keep accounts and
to be careful and particular."

"Like your sister Kate, I suppose," said George, with a sneer.

"Yes, like Kate," answered Harry.

"I'd be ashamed of myself," said George, "if I couldn't get a better
Secretary or Treasurer than a girl. I don't see what a girl is doing in
the company, anyway. The right kind of a girl wouldn't be seen pushing
herself in among a lot of boys that don't want her."

Without another word, the President of the Crooked Creek Telegraph
Company arose and offered battle to George Purvis. The contest was a