“The time has arrived for calling this meeting to order,� said the town clerk, who then read the warrant.
“Prepare your ballots for a moderator,� commanded the Clerk. But now the rear door opened, and in filed forty voters from Hulbert’s office. After the choice of a moderator and a few minor town-officers, Mr. Hulbert arose and said:—
“I move that this meeting, except the balloting for town-officers, be adjourned to seven-thirty o’clock this evening.�
“I second the motion,� said John Wycliff.
A chorus of objections arose from the Baldwin party.
“Question!� shouted Hulbert with his auctioneer’s lungs. “A motion to adjourn, Mr. Moderator, is not debatable.�
“Question! question! question!� the forty followers yelled, at the top of their lungs.
“Right you are; a motion to adjourn is not debatable,� said the Moderator, as soon as he could make himself heard. “You hear the motion; all in favor of adjourning this meeting to seven-thirty o’clock this evening, will signify it by saying Aye; contrary minds, No. It is a vote.�
“Disputed! disputed!� the Baldwin forces yelled, as they now saw other voters coming, and hoped for reinforcements by delay.
“All in favor of this motion raise your right hands,� said the Moderator. “I see forty-two hands. Now all opposed, raise your right hands. I see seventeen hands. The motion is carried. This meeting is adjourned until seven-thirty o’clock this evening.�