There was a large crowd gathered in the town hall of Mapleton. Toney and Tom escorted Ida, Rosabel, and the widow to the exhibition, and secured for them comfortable seats.
"Who is that little man seated on the platform?" asked Rosabel.
"That is the phrenologist," said Toney.
"What is that thing on the table before him?" asked Rosabel.
"The phrenologist informed me that it was the skull of a distinguished negro lawyer of Timbuctoo," said Toney.
"It looks like a sheep's head," said the widow.
Boneskull now arose and made a few remarks, tending to show what important results the science of phrenology was destined to produce; saying that in the administration of justice the guilt or innocence of parties accused of crimes could be ascertained with certainty by an inspection of their craniums; that men could thus know what occupation or calling they should pursue, and whom they should marry; remarking, with emphasis, that no gentleman should venture upon matrimony until he had first made a critical examination of the young lady's head.
"What's that he says?" asked the widow.
"Why, mother, he says that gentlemen should examine young ladies' heads when they court them," said Rosabel.
"If I were a young lady," said the widow, "I would like to see any man come pawing about my head."