Now I am comin' to the point
that I want to make. If we had let him alone the chances are that he
wouldn't have stayed here more than a month any way. Now, s'posen he had
gone home at the end of the month; in that case he never would have met
the lady who sits by his side to-night, and who by her marriage has
added new lustre to her native town. If he had not remained, she never
would have written those stories which are known the world over, and I
tell you, fellow-citizens, that in writing Blennerhassett, An American
Countess, The Majesty of the Law, and The Street Boy, she has done more
to make this town famous than all the men who were ever born in it."
The speaker paused and drank a glass of water, while cheers and applause
came from all parts of the gallery. Abner Stiles apparently forgot his
surroundings, and, thinking probably that it was a political rally,
called out, "Three cheers for Alice Pettengill"! which were given with a
will, much to his delight, and the surprise of the banqueters.
The toastmaster resumed: "If he had gone away disgusted with the town
and its people, he never would have found out who Linda Putnam really
was, and she, consequently, would never have been what she is to-day, a
peeress of England and the great benefactress of this town, a lady who
will always have our deepest affection and most sincere gratitude.
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