crowd, he acknowledged the salutations of the people with a courteous
wave of the hand, but drew rein only when he reached the group of
dignitaries about the store. There he dismounted and shook hands with
the parson, who has rejoined the party, with Dr. Partridge, Squire
Edwards and Squire Woodbridge.

"What news bring you from the convention? I trust you have been
Providentially guided. I have not failed to remember you in my
prayers," said the parson.

"For which I am deeply grateful, Reverend Sir," replied Sedgwick. "And
truly I think your prayers have been effectual. The blessing of God
has been manifestly upon the convention. Berkshire has not been
disgraced, as have been the lower counties, by a seditious and
incendiary body of resolutions on the part of her delegates. There
were not wanting plenty of hot-heads, but they were overruled. I am
convinced such might also have been the issue in the other counties,
had the gentlemen put themselves forward as delegates, instead of
leaving it all in a fit of disgust to the people."

"Was there any action taken in favor of the plan for the emission of
bills, which shall systematically depreciate!" inquired Squire
Woodbridge.

"Such a resolution was introduced by Thomas Gold of Pittsfield, a
pestilent fellow, but we threw it out."

"What was the action on reduction of expenses of suits at law?"
inquired Dr. Partridge.