IshutmyeyesnowandlookbacktomynativetowninMassachusetts，andIseethecattle-showgroundonthemountain-top；Icanseethehorse-
shedsthere。IcanseetheCongregationalchurch；
seethetownhallandmountaineers\'cottages；
seeagreatassemblyofpeopleturningout，dressedresplendently，andIcanseeflagsflyingandhandkerchiefswavingandhearbandsplaying。Icanseethatcompanyofsoldiersthathadre-enlistedmarchinguponthatcattle-showground。Iwasbutaboy，butIwascaptainofthatcompanyandpuffedoutwithpride。Acambricneedlewouldhaveburstmealltopieces。ThenIthoughtitwasthegreatesteventthatevercametomanonearth。Ifyouhaveeverthoughtyouwouldliketobeakingorqueen，yougoandbereceivedbythemayor。
Thebandsplayed，andallthepeopleturnedouttoreceiveus。ImarchedupthatCommonsoproudattheheadofmytroops，andweturneddownintothetownhall。ThentheyseatedmysoldiersdownthecenteraisleandIsatdownonthefrontseat。Agreatassemblyofpeopleahundredortwo——cameintofillthetownhall，sothattheystoodupallaround。Thenthetownofficerscameinandformedahalf-circle。Themayorofthetownsatinthemiddleoftheplatform。Hewasamanwhohadneverheldofficebefore；buthewasagoodman，andhisfriendshavetoldmethatImightusethiswithoutgivingthemoffense。Hewasagoodman，buthethoughtanofficemadeamangreat。Hecameupandtookhisseat，adjustedhispowerfulspectacles，andlookedaround，whenhesuddenlyspiedmesittingthereonthefrontseat。Hecamerightforwardontheplatformandinvitedmeuptositwiththetownofficers。NotownofficerevertookanynoticeofmebeforeIwenttowar，excepttoadvisetheteachertothrashme，andnowIwasinviteduponthestandwiththetownofficers。Ohmy!