this year, he will live to a green old age.


A NECKTIE PARTY

CHAPTER I
SI'S SCHEME.

WHEN Deacon Littlefield dismissed the pupils of the one school in the
little town of Orland, on a certain day in December some years ago, he
was at a decided loss to understand what caused such an excitement
among them before they had walked the short length of the playground.
The deacon had a very large bump of inquisitiveness on his bald head,
which, perhaps, accounted for his great desire to know why nearly all
the boys and girls had stopped beside the tiny brook that scolded and
fretted all the long summer days away, but which was now closely
encased in ice, and why they were apparently holding a very animated
discussion, despite the intensely cold weather. But the deacon's bump
of inquisitiveness was counterbalanced by one representing dignity, and
he thought that it would be hardly the proper thing for a deacon and a
school-teacher to be seen running through the snow with a skull-cap and
dressing-gown on; therefore he watched his pupils from the window, but
without being able to satisfy his curiosity in the slightest degree.

The girls and boys were indeed in a high state of excitement.

On the noon of that same day, Agnes Morrell had, under injunctions of
strictest secrecy, told Maria Gilman and Annie Rich of a certain plan
which she had developed in her own mind. In some unaccountable way it
had been whispered around until, before recess was over, nearly