CHAPTER XIV.
A COUNCIL OF WAR While the frivolous-minded of Clayton were bent upon the festivities of fair week, it must not be imagined that the grave and thoughtful contingent, which acts as ballast in every community, was idle.
Mr.Moseley was a self-constituted leader in a crusade against dancing.

At his earnest suggestion, every minister in town agreed to preach upon the subject at prayer-meeting the Wednesday evening of the hop.
They held a preliminary meeting before services in the study of the Hard-Shell Baptist Church.

Mr.Moseley occupied the chair, a Jove of righteousness dispensing thunderbolts of indignation to his satellites.

A fringe of scant hair retreated respectfully from the unadorned dome which crowned his personal edifice.

His manner was most serious and his every utterance freighted with importance.
Beside him sat his rival in municipal authority, the Methodist preacher.