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 John met the Friends with a pleasant smile as they dismounted, and, regretting that he had not more comfortable seats to offer, arranged them as best he could on a bench, a box, and a pile of boards, and "the three owls" looked overburdened with wisdom.

"We have been with Friend Watson," commenced the spokesman, "this morning, and now are pained to say we have an unpleasant duty to perform."

"Yes?" remarked John, trying to look very serious and concerned; but the merry light that was ever in his eyes could not be dimmed even by so solemn an announcement, and the Friends stared at him as if they were ill at ease, and doubtless did wish themselves at home.

"Friend Watson," the spokesman continued, "has informed us that it was thee that took Ruth Davenport from the boat, forcibly removing her, and at an unseemly time of the night—"

"Hush!" rang through the shop, as if the old oak had been struck by lightning