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                                                               Exhibit 10.21



                          STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT



                                   BETWEEN



                                NISOURCE INC.



                                     AND



                           THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.




                              DECEMBER 12, 2001




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<TABLE>
                                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
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                                                                                                              PAGE

                                                     TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                     -----------------
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1.       DEFINITIONS.............................................................................................1

2.       PURCHASE AND SALE OF SM&P SHARES........................................................................6

                  (a)      Basic Transaction.....................................................................6

                  (b)      Purchase Price........................................................................6

                  (c)      Purchase Price Adjustment.............................................................6

                  (d)      The Closing...........................................................................7

                  (e)      Deliveries at the Closing.............................................................7

3.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION...............................................8

                  (a)      Representations and Warranties of the Seller..........................................8

                  (b)      Representations and Warranties of the Buyer...........................................9

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER CONCERNING SM&P...........................................10

                  (a)      Organization, Qualification and Corporate Power......................................10

                  (b)      Capitalization.......................................................................10

                  (c)      Noncontravention.....................................................................11

                  (d)      Financial Statements.................................................................11

                  (e)      Title to Personal Property...........................................................12

                  (f)      Legal Compliance.....................................................................12

                  (g)      Contracts............................................................................13

                  (h)      Litigation...........................................................................13

                  (i)      Environmental Matters................................................................13

                  (j)      Insurance............................................................................14

                  (k)      Employee Relations...................................................................14

                  (l)      Taxes................................................................................15

                  (m)      Events After October 31, 2001........................................................17

                  (n)      Customers............................................................................17

                  (o)      Condition of Personal Property.......................................................17

                  (p)      Real Property........................................................................17


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                  (q)      Transactions with Affiliates.........................................................18

                  (r)      Employee Benefits....................................................................18

                  (s)      Sufficiency of Assets................................................................19

                  (t)      Accounts Receivable..................................................................19

                  (u)      Employees............................................................................20

                  (v)      Intellectual Property................................................................20

                  (w)      Completion of UTI Exchange Transaction...............................................20

                  (x)      Undisclosed Liabilities..............................................................20

5.       PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS..................................................................................21

                  (a)      General..............................................................................21

                  (b)      Notices and Consents.................................................................21

                  (c)      Operation of Business................................................................21

                  (d)      Full Access..........................................................................23

                  (e)      Notice of Developments...............................................................23

                  (f)      Intercompany Obligations.............................................................24

                  (g)      Parent Guaranties....................................................................24

                  (h)      Financial Statements.................................................................24

                  (i)      Exclusivity..........................................................................24

                  (j)      Provision of Working Capital.........................................................24

                  (k)      Transition of UTI Billing............................................................25

                  (l)      New Lease Agreement..................................................................25

6.       POST-CLOSING COVENANTS.................................................................................25

                  (a)      General..............................................................................25

                  (b)      Litigation Support...................................................................25

                  (c)      Transition...........................................................................25

                  (d)      Access to Information and Cooperation................................................25

                  (e)      Noncompete; Nonsolicitation..........................................................26

                  (f)      Employee Matters.....................................................................27

                  (g)      Insurance Proceeds...................................................................28


                                     ii


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7.       CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE......................................................................28

                  (a)      Conditions to Obligation of the Buyer................................................28

                  (b)      Conditions to Obligation of the Seller...............................................29

8.       REMEDIES FOR BREACHES OF THIS AGREEMENT................................................................30

                  (a)      Survival of Representations and Warranties...........................................30

                  (b)      Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of the Buyer..................................30

                  (c)      Indemnification Provisions for Benefit of the Seller.................................31

                  (d)      Matters Involving Third Parties......................................................31

                  (e)      Exclusive Remedies...................................................................32

9.       TAX MATTERS............................................................................................32

                  (a)      Scope of Tax Indemnity Provisions....................................................32

                  (b)      Allocation of Liability for Taxes....................................................32

                  (c)      Proration of Taxes...................................................................33

                  (d)      Refunds of Taxes; Amended Returns; Carryovers........................................33

                  (e)      Preparation and Filing of Tax Returns................................................34

                  (f)      Tax Controversies; Assistance and Cooperation........................................35

                  (g)      Termination of Tax Allocation Agreements.............................................37

                  (h)      Indemnification for Post-Closing Transactions........................................37

                  (i)      Post-Closing Transactions Not in the Ordinary Course.................................37

                  (j)      Survival.............................................................................37

                  (k)      Conflicts............................................................................38

                  (l)      Section 338(h)(10) Election..........................................................38

10.      TERMINATION............................................................................................38

                  (a)      Termination of Agreement.............................................................38

                  (b)      Effect of Termination................................................................39

11.      MISCELLANEOUS..........................................................................................39

                  (a)      Press Releases and Public Announcements..............................................39

                  (b)      No Third-Party Beneficiaries.........................................................39

                  (c)      Entire Agreement.....................................................................39

                  (d)      Succession and Assignment............................................................39

                                     iii


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                  (e)      Counterparts.........................................................................40

                  (f)      Headings.............................................................................40

                  (g)      Notices..............................................................................40

                  (h)      Governing Law........................................................................41

                  (i)      Amendments and Waivers...............................................................41

                  (j)      Severability.........................................................................41

                  (k)      Expenses.............................................................................41

                  (l)      Construction.........................................................................41

                  (m)      Specific Performance.................................................................41

                  (n)      Arbitration..........................................................................41

                  (o)      Exchange and Termination Agreement...................................................42
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                          STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                          ------------------------

         THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as
of December 12, 2001, between NiSource Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Seller"), and The Laclede Group, Inc., a Missouri corporation (the
"Buyer"). The Buyer and the Seller are herein referred to individually as
"Party" and collectively as the "Parties."

         The Seller owns all of the issued and outstanding stock of SM&P
Utility Resources, Inc., an Indiana corporation ("SM&P"). This Agreement
contemplates a transaction in which the Buyer will purchase from the Seller,
and the Seller will sell to the Buyer, all of the outstanding capital stock
of SM&P for the consideration described in Section 2(b).

         Now, therefore, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
promises herein made, and in consideration of the representations,
warranties and covenants herein contained, the Parties agree as follows.

1.       DEFINITIONS.
         -----------

         "ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES" means all actions, suits, proceedings,
          --------------------
hearings, investigations, charges, complaints, claims, demands, injunctions,
judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, damages, dues, penalties, fines, costs,
reasonable amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, obligations, taxes,
liens, losses, expenses and fees, including court costs and reasonable
attorneys' fees and expenses, as adjusted for tax benefits and insurance
coverage.

         "AFFILIATE" of a Person means another Person that controls, is
          ---------
controlled by, or is under common control with such first Person.

         "AFFILIATED GROUP" means any affiliated group within the meaning of
          ----------------
Code Section 1504.

         "APPLICABLE TAX LAW" means any law of any nation, state, region,
          ------------------
province, locality, municipality or other jurisdiction relating to Taxes,
including regulations and other official pronouncements of any governmental
entity or political subdivision of such jurisdiction charged with
interpreting such laws.

         "BUYER" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
          -----
Agreement.

         "BUYER BENEFIT PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan maintained or
          ------------------
contributed to by the Buyer.

         "BUYER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES" has the meaning set forth in Section
          -------------------------
8(b)(i).

         "CLAIM DEDUCTIBLE" means $25,000.
          ----------------

         "CLOSING" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
          -------

         "CLOSING DATE" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
          ------------


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         "CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
          ----

         "CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(d).
          -------------------------

         "CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION" has the meaning set forth in
          ------------------------
Section 6(e)(iii).

         "CUT-OFF CREDIT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c)(i).
          --------------

         "DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE" means the disclosure schedule attached as
          -------------------
Annex I to this Agreement.

         "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" means any Employee Pension Benefit Plan,
          ---------------------
any Employee Welfare Benefit Plan and any other executive compensation plan,
executive security plan, bonus plan, incentive compensation plan, deferred
compensation plan or agreement, employment agreement, consulting agreement,
change in control agreement, golden or tin parachute arrangement, employee
pension, retirement, profit sharing or savings plan, employee stock
purchase, stock option or stock award plan, group life insurance, health,
hospitalization, dental and disability plan, severance plan, tuition
assistance program, personnel policy (including but not limited to holiday
pay, moving expense reimbursement, sick leave, vacation pay or benefit
arrangement) or any other fringe benefit arrangement.

         "EMPLOYEE PENSION BENEFIT PLAN" has the meaning set forth in ERISA
          -----------------------------
Section 3(2).

         "EMPLOYEE WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN" has the meaning set forth in ERISA
          -----------------------------
Section 3(1).

         "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(i).
          ------------------

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
          -----
as amended.

         "ERISA AFFILIATE" means any entity that is a member of a controlled
          ---------------
group of corporations, a group of corporations or entities under common
control, or an affiliated service group, of which SM&P is a member, within
the meaning of Code Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o).

         "EXCHANGE AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(w).
          ------------------

         "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles
          ----
as promulgated from time to time.

         "HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES" means any substance defined or listed as a
          --------------------
hazardous substance, waste or material under the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act or any comparable state or other
Environmental Law that is applicable and includes petroleum oil and its
fractions and petroleum-derived products.

         "INDEMNIFIED PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).
          -----------------

         "INDEMNIFYING PARTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).
          ------------------

                                     2


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         "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means:
          ---------------------

                  (i)      all registered and unregistered trademarks, service
         marks and applications;

                  (ii)     all patents, patent applications, and inventions
         and discoveries that may be patentable;

                  (iii)    all copyrights; and

                  (iv)     all know-how, trade secrets, confidential
         information, customer lists, software, internet domain names,
         technical information, data and process technology.

         "INTERCOMPANY ACCOUNT" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(c).
          --------------------

         "KNOWLEDGE" means, with respect to the Seller, actual knowledge of
          ---------
the following representatives of the Seller and SM&P after reasonable
inquiry or investigation: Bill J. Bates, Penelope S. Conway, Sherry H.
Gavito, Craig A. Harrell, Ryan Hyman, Erick R. Johnson, Debra J. Lehmann,
James A. Muhl, Dennis C. Norman, Timothy M. Seelig and Jon Winters.

         "LEASED REAL PROPERTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(p).
          --------------------

         "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse effect on the
          -----------------------
business, operations, properties, financial condition, assets or liabilities
(including contingent liabilities) of SM&P, other than effects resulting
from conditions generally affecting the industries in which SM&P operates,
from any change in law or GAAP or from the transactions contemplated by or
otherwise permitted by this Agreement.

         "MATERIAL AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(g).
          ------------------

         "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" has the meaning set forth in ERISA Section 3(37).
          ------------------

         "NISOURCE TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT" has the meaning set forth in
          ---------------------------------
Section 4(l).

         "NONCOMPETE PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in Section 6(e)(i).
          -----------------

         "ORDINARY COURSE OF BUSINESS" means the ordinary course of SM&P's
          ---------------------------
business consistent with prior custom and practice (including with respect
to quantity and frequency).

         "OWNED REAL PROPERTY" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(p).
          -------------------

         "PARTY" or "PARTIES" has the meaning set forth in the first
          -----      -------
paragraph of this Agreement.

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
          ----

         "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means Security Interests and
          ----------------------

                  (i)      mechanic's and materialmen's liens and liens for
         ad valorem taxes and assessments that are not yet delinquent or, if
         delinquent, that are being contested in good

                                     3


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         faith in the Ordinary Course of Business and for which adequate
         reserves are recorded on SM&P's consolidated balance sheet in
         accordance with GAAP;

                  (ii)     easements, rights-of-way, servitudes, permits,
         surface leases and other rights in respect of real property that do
         not materially interfere with the use of the property in the manner
         in which SM&P or UTI has historically used the property;

                  (iii)    rights reserved to or vested in any government,
         statutory, municipal or public authority to control or regulate the
         assets of SM&P, and all applicable laws, rules and orders of any
         governmental authorities; and

                  (iv)     all other liens, charges, encumbrances, defects or
         irregularities that individually or in the aggregate are not such as
         to materially interfere with the operation, value or use of the
         property or asset affected.

         "PERSON" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a
          ------
limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a
joint venture, an unincorporated organization or a governmental entity (or
any department, agency or political subdivision thereof).

         "POST-CLOSING PERIOD" means, with respect to SM&P, any Tax Period
          -------------------
commencing after the Closing Date and the portion of any Straddle Period
commencing after the Closing Date.

         "POST CUT-OFF COLLECTIONS" has the meaning set forth in
          ------------------------
Section 2(c)(ii).

         "POST CUT-OFF EXPENDITURES" has the meaning set forth in
          -------------------------
Section 2(c)(ii).

         "POST CUT-OFF PERIOD" has the meaning set forth in
          -------------------
Section 2(c)(ii).

         "PRE-CLOSING PERIOD" means, with respect to SM&P, any Tax Period
          ------------------
ending on or before the Closing Date and the portion of any Straddle Period
ending on the Closing Date.

         "PURCHASE PRICE" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b).
          --------------

         "SECTION 338(h)(10) ELECTION" has the meaning set forth in
          ---------------------------
Section 9(l).

         "SECURITY INTEREST" means any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance,
          -----------------
charge or other security interest, other than (a) mechanics', materialmen's
and similar liens, (b) liens for Taxes not yet due and payable or for Taxes
that the taxpayer is contesting in good faith through appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves are recorded on SM&P's
consolidated balance sheet in accordance with GAAP, (c) purchase money liens
and liens securing rental payments under capital lease arrangements, and (d)
other liens arising in the Ordinary Course of Business and not incurred in
connection with the borrowing of money.

         "SELLER" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
          ------
Agreement.

         "SELLER INDEMNIFIED PARTIES" has the meaning set forth in
          --------------------------
Section 8(c).

         "SM&P" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of this
          ----
Agreement.


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         "SM&P BENEFIT PLANS" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(r).
          ------------------

         "SM&P FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" has the meaning set forth in Section 4(d).
          -------------------------

         "SM&P SHARE" means any share of the common stock, $1.00 par value,
          ----------
of SM&P.

         "STRADDLE PERIOD" means, with respect to SM&P, any Tax Period that
          ---------------
begins before and ends after the Closing Date.

         "TAX" OR "TAXES" means any net income, gross income, gross
          --------------
receipts, license, payroll, employment, excise, severance, stamp,
occupation, windfall profits, environmental, ad valorem, customs duty,
utility, production, capital stock, franchise, profits, withholding, social
security (or similar), unemployment, disability, real property, personal
property, sales, use, transfer, registration, value added, estimated or
other tax of any kind whatsoever, including any interest, penalty or
additions thereto, imposed by any taxing authority (domestic or foreign),
whether disputed or not, including any liability for taxes pursuant to
Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6 (or similar provision of state, local
or foreign law).

         "TAX AUTHORITY" means, with respect to any Tax, the governmental
          -------------
entity or political subdivision thereof that imposes such Tax, and the
agency (if any) charged with the collection of such Taxes for such entity or
subdivision, including any governmental or quasi-governmental entity or
agency that imposes, or is charged with collecting, social security or
similar charges or premiums.

         "TAX BENEFIT" means the present value of any refund, credit or
          -----------
reduction in otherwise required Tax payments including any interest payable
thereon, which present value shall be computed as of the Closing Date or the
first date on which the right to the refund, credit or other Tax reduction
arises or otherwise becomes available to be utilized, whichever is later,
(i) using the combined federal, state and local income Tax rate applicable
to the highest level of income with respect to such Tax under the Applicable
Tax Law on such date, and (ii) using the applicable rate on such date
imposed on corporate deficiencies paid within 30 days of a notice of
proposed deficiency under the Code or other Applicable Tax Law. Any Tax
Benefit shall be computed net of any related Tax cost (which shall be
computed in the same manner in which Tax Benefits are otherwise computed
pursuant to this definition).

         "TAX LOSSES" has the meaning set forth in Section 9(b).
          ----------

         "TAX PERIOD" means, with respect to any Tax, the period for which
          ----------
the Tax is reported as provided under Applicable Tax Law.

         "TAX RETURN" means any return, including any information return,
          ----------
declaration, report, claim for refund, statement, schedule, notice, form or
other document or information, filed, or required to be filed, in connection
with the calculation, determination, assessment or collection or otherwise
relating to any Tax.

         "THIRD-PARTY CLAIM" has the meaning set forth in Section 8(d).
          -----------------

                                     5


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         "TITLE IV PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan that is a defined
          -------------
benefit plan (as defined in ERISA Section 3(35)) and is subject to Title IV
of ERISA.

         "TREASURY REGULATIONS" means the U.S. federal income tax regulations,
          --------------------
as amended.

         "UTI" means UGTI, a California corporation doing business as
          ---
Underground Technology, Inc.

         "UTI BUSINESS" means the business acquired by SM&P from UTI on
          ------------
October 20, 2001 pursuant to the Exchange Agreement.

2.       PURCHASE AND SALE OF SM&P SHARES.
         --------------------------------

         (a)      BASIC TRANSACTION. On and subject to the terms and
                  -----------------
conditions of this Agreement, the Buyer agrees to purchase from the Seller,
and the Seller agrees to sell to the Buyer, all of the issued and
outstanding SM&P Shares for the Purchase Price.

         (b)      PURCHASE PRICE. The Buyer agrees to pay to the Seller at the
                  --------------
Closing an amount equal to the sum of (i) $36,400,000 plus (ii) an amount
equal to (A) the aggregate amount spent by the Seller or SM&P from October
20, 2001 through January 8, 2002 for capital expenditures and one time
expenses with respect to the UTI Business, which the Seller has previously
identified to the Buyer in writing (approximately $121,000 of which were
incurred prior to October 20, 2001), up to a maximum of $1,400,000, plus
(B) the aggregate amount spent by the Seller or SM&P from October 20, 2001
through January 8, 2002 for working capital with respect to the UTI
Business, up to a maximum of $5,000,000, minus (C) the aggregate amount
collected by SM&P through January 8, 2002 with respect to the UTI Business,
minus (iii) the aggregate amount of accounts receivable collected by SM&P
prior to December 31, 2001 for work performed by SM&P on or after November
1, 2001 (excluding work performed with respect to the UTI Business). At the
Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the Buyer a schedule showing in
reasonable detail all expenditures and receipts by SM&P through January 8,
2002 with respect to the UTI Business. Additionally, the Buyer agrees to pay
to the Seller a sum equal to the aggregate amount of capital expenditures
made by SM&P after the date of this Agreement with respect to projects that
the Buyer approves in writing (no such projects being currently contemplated
by the Seller or SM&P). All of the foregoing, plus or minus any adjustment
made pursuant to Section 2(c), shall be collectively referred to as the
"Purchase Price" and shall be paid by wire transfer of immediately available
funds to an account or accounts designated by the Seller.

         (c)      PURCHASE PRICE ADJUSTMENT.
                  -------------------------

                  (i)      At the Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the
         Buyer a schedule showing in reasonable detail (A) all cash
         collections by SM&P (except with respect to the UTI Business)
         during the period from January 1, 2002 through the close of
         business on January 8, 2002, (B) all cash disbursements by SM&P
         (except with respect to the UTI Business) during the period from
         January 1, 2002 through the close of business on January 8, 2002
         and (C) all amounts charged to SM&P for services performed by the
         Seller or its Affiliates in accordance with Section 5(c)(ii)
         during the period from January 1, 2002 through the close of
         business on January 8, 2002, to the extent such


                                     6


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         amounts are not included in the cash disbursements described in
         clause (B) of this Section 2(c)(i). The Seller shall also provide
         such additional information as the Buyer may reasonably request in
         support of such schedule. The net amount, if any, owing to SM&P as
         of the close of business on January 8, 2002 in the account
         reflecting intercompany payables and receivables between SM&P, on
         the one hand, and the Seller and its Affiliates (other than SM&P),
         on the other hand, as a result of such cash collections, cash
         disbursements and charges is referred to as the "Cut-off Credit."

                  (ii)     At the Closing, the Seller shall deliver to the
         Buyer a schedule showing in reasonable detail (A) all cash
         collections by SM&P (including with respect to the UTI Business)
         during the period from January 9, 2002 through the close of
         business on the day before the Closing Date (the "Post Cut-off
         Period"), (B) all cash disbursements by SM&P (including with
         respect to the UTI Business) during the Post Cut-off Period and
         (C) all amounts charged to SM&P for services performed by the
         Seller or its Affiliates in accordance with Section 5(c)(ii)
         during the Post Cut-off Period, to the extent such amounts are not
         included in the cash disbursements described in clause (B) of this
         Section 2(c)(ii). The Seller shall also provide such additional
         information as the Buyer may reasonably request in support of such
         schedule. The amount described in clause (A) of this Section
         2(c)(ii) is referred to as the "Post Cut-off Collections", and the
         sum of the amounts described in clauses (B) and (C) of this
         Section 2(c)(ii) is referred to as the "Post Cut-off
         Expenditures."

                  (iii)    If (A) the sum of the Cut-off Credit plus the Post
         Cut-off Collections is less than (B) the Post Cut-off
         Expenditures, then an amount equal to the difference between the
         amounts described in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section 2(c)(iii)
         shall be added to the Purchase Price and paid to the Seller at the
         Closing. If the amount described in clause (A) of this Section
         2(c)(iii) is more than the amount described in clause (B) of this
         Section 2(c)(iii), then an amount equal to the difference between
         the amounts described in clauses (A) and (B) of this Section
         2(c)(iii) shall be deducted from the Purchase Price payable to the
         Seller at the Closing.

         (d)      THE CLOSING. The closing of the transactions contemplated
                  -----------
by this Agreement (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of
Thompson Coburn LLP, One Firstar Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri 63101,
commencing at 9:00 a.m. local time on January 23, 2002 or, if later, the
fifth business day after all conditions to the obligations of the Parties to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby (other than the conditions
with respect to actions the Parties will take at the Closing itself) are
satisfied or waived, or such other date as the Buyer and the Seller may
mutually determine (the "Closing Date").

         (e)      DELIVERIES AT THE CLOSING. At the Closing, (i) the Seller
                  -------------------------
will deliver to the Buyer the various certificates, instruments and
documents referred to in Section 7(a), (ii) the Buyer will deliver to the
Seller the various certificates, instruments and documents referred to in
Section 7(b), (iii) the Seller will deliver to the Buyer stock certificates
representing all of the SM&P Shares endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly
executed assignment documents, and (iv) the Buyer will deliver to the Seller
the Purchase Price.

                                     7


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3.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES CONCERNING THE TRANSACTION.
         ---------------------------------------------------------

         (a)      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER. The Seller
                  --------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows:

                  (i)      ORGANIZATION OF THE SELLER. The Seller is a
                           --------------------------
         corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing
         under the laws of the State of Delaware.

                  (ii)     AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. The Seller has full
                           ----------------------------
         power and authority (including full corporate power and authority) to
         execute and deliver this Agreement and has all requisite power and
         authority to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement
         constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Seller,
         enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, subject to the
         effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or
         similar laws affecting creditor's rights generally and to general
         principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is
         considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). The Seller is not
         required to give any notice to, make any filing with or obtain any
         authorization, consent or approval from any government or governmental
         agency to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
         except for notices, filings, authorizations, consents or approvals
         that, if not made or obtained, would not adversely affect the Seller's
         ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (iii)    NONCONTRAVENTION. Neither the execution and the
                           ----------------
         delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby will (A) violate any
         constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment,
         order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction of any
         government, governmental agency or court to which the Seller is
         subject or any provision of its charter or bylaws or (B) conflict
         with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in
         the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate,
         terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice under, any
         agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument or other
         arrangement to which the Seller is a party or by which it is bound
         or to which any of its assets is subject, except for such
         violations, defaults, breaches or other occurrences that,
         individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material
         adverse effect on the Seller and will not adversely affect the
         Seller's ability to consummate the transactions contemplated by
         this Agreement.

                  (iv)     BROKERS' FEES. The Seller has no liability or
                           -------------
         obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or
         agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement, other than obligations to Credit Suisse First Boston
         Corporation for which the Seller is solely responsible.

                  (v)      SM&P SHARES. The Seller holds of record and owns
                           -----------
         beneficially 100 SM&P Shares, which represent all of the issued
         and outstanding capital stock of SM&P, free and clear of any
         restrictions on transfer (other than restrictions under federal
         and state securities laws), taxes, Security Interests, options,
         warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments, equities,
         claims and demands. The Seller is not a party to any option,
         warrant, purchase right or other contract or commitment that could
         require the


                                     8


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         Seller to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any capital stock
         of SM&P (other than this Agreement). The Seller is not a party to
         any voting trust, proxy or other agreement or understanding with
         respect to the voting of any capital stock of SM&P. Upon
         consummation of the Closing, the Buyer will receive good and
         marketable title to the SM&P Shares, which SM&P Shares will
         represent all of the issued and outstanding securities of SM&P and
         which will be free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and other
         third-party claims arising due to actions by the Seller.

         (b)      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER. The Buyer
                  -------------------------------------------
represents and warrants to the Seller as follows:

                  (i)      ORGANIZATION OF THE BUYER. The Buyer is a
                           -------------------------
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Missouri.

                  (ii)     AUTHORIZATION OF TRANSACTION. The Buyer has full
                           ----------------------------
         power and authority (including full corporate power and authority)
         to execute and deliver this Agreement and has all requisite power
         and authority to perform its obligations hereunder. This Agreement
         constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the Buyer,
         enforceable in accordance with its terms and conditions, subject
         to the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
         moratorium or similar laws affecting creditor's rights generally
         and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
         enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).
         The Buyer is not required to give any notice to, make any filing
         with or obtain any authorization, consent or approval from any
         government or governmental agency to consummate the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement, except for (A) notification to the
         Missouri Public Service Commission, which the Buyer undertakes to
         make on a timely basis, and (B) notices, filings, authorizations,
         consents or approvals that, if not made or obtained, would not
         adversely affect the Buyer's ability to consummate the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (iii)    NONCONTRAVENTION. Neither the execution and the
                           ----------------
         delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the
         transactions contemplated hereby will (A) violate any
         constitution, statute, regulation, rule, injunction, judgment,
         order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction of any
         government, governmental agency or court to which the Buyer is
         subject or any provision of its charter or bylaws or (B) conflict
         with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under, result in
         the acceleration of, create in any party the right to accelerate,
         terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice under, any
         agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument or other
         arrangement to which the Buyer is a party or by which it is bound
         or to which any of its assets is subject, except for such
         violations, defaults, breaches or other occurrences that,
         individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material
         adverse effect on the Buyer and will not materially adversely
         affect the Buyer's ability to consummate the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (iv)     BROKERS' FEES. The Buyer has no liability or
                           -------------
         obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder or
         agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement for which the Seller could become liable or obligated.


                                     9


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (v)      INVESTMENT. The Buyer is acquiring the SM&P Shares
                           ----------
         solely for its own account for investment purposes and not with a
         view to any distribution thereof within the meaning of the
         Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                  (vi)     FINANCING. The Buyer has sufficient cash, available
                           ---------
         lines of credit or other sources of funds to enable it to make
         payment of the Purchase Price and all other fees and expenses
         required to be paid by it in accordance with this Agreement.

                  (vii)    NO IMPLIED WARRANTIES. The Buyer is generally
                           ---------------------
         experienced and knowledgeable with respect to the industries in
         which SM&P operates and is aware of the risks in those industries.
         The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that neither the Seller nor any
         of its Affiliates nor any Person acting on behalf of any of them
         is making any representation or warranty with respect to SM&P or
         the transactions contemplated by this Agreement except as
         expressly set forth in Section 3(a), Section 4 or the certificates
         delivered pursuant to Sections 7(a)(iv) and (v). In particular,
         neither the Seller nor any of its Affiliates nor any Person acting
         on behalf of any of them makes any representation or warranty with
         respect to (A) any financial projection or forecast relating to
         SM&P or its business; provided, however, that the Seller
         represents and warrants that any such financial projection or
         forecast provided to the Buyer has been made in good faith and is
         based on reasonable assumptions, or (B) except as expressly set
         forth in Section 3(a), Section 4 or the certificates delivered
         pursuant to Sections 7(a)(iv) and (v), any other information
         provided by or on behalf of the Seller with respect to SM&P and
         its business. In entering into this Agreement, the Buyer
         acknowledges and affirms that it has relied and will rely solely
         on the terms of this Agreement and upon its independent analysis,
         evaluation and investigation of, and judgment with respect to, the
         business, economic, legal, tax or other consequences of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including its own
         estimate and appraisal of the extent and value of and the risks
         associated with the industries in which SM&P operates.

4.       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER CONCERNING SM&P.
         ------------------------------------------------------------

         The Seller represents and warrants to the Buyer as follows:

         (a)      ORGANIZATION, QUALIFICATION AND CORPORATE POWER. SM&P (i) is
                  -----------------------------------------------
a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State
of Indiana, (ii) is duly authorized to conduct business and is in good
standing under the laws of each jurisdiction where such qualification is
required, except where the lack of such qualification would not have a
Material Adverse Effect and (iii) has full power and authority to carry on
the businesses in which it is engaged and to own and use the properties
owned and used by it.

         (b)      CAPITALIZATION. The entire authorized capital stock of SM&P
                  --------------
consists of 1,000 SM&P Shares, of which 100 SM&P Shares are issued and
outstanding. All of the issued and outstanding SM&P Shares have been duly
authorized, are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are held
beneficially and of record by the Seller. There are no outstanding or
authorized options, warrants, purchase rights, subscription rights,
conversion rights, exchange rights or other contracts or commitments that
could require SM&P to issue, sell or otherwise

                                     10


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

cause to become outstanding any of its capital stock. There are no
outstanding or authorized stock appreciation, phantom stock, profit
participation or similar rights with respect to SM&P. SM&P owns 100% of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of Colcom, Inc., a Texas
corporation which currently has no active business operations. Except with
respect to Colcom, Inc., SM&P does not own or hold any shares of stock or
any other security or interest in any other Person or any rights to acquire
any such stock or any other interest.

         (c)      NONCONTRAVENTION. Neither the execution and the delivery
                  ----------------
of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby will (i) violate any constitution, statute, regulation, rule,
injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge or other restriction of
any government, governmental agency or court to which SM&P or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their respective property is subject or any provision
of the charter or bylaws of SM&P or (ii) except as set forth in Section 4(c)
of the Disclosure Schedule, conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute
a default under, result in the acceleration of, create in any party the
right to accelerate, terminate, modify or cancel, or require any notice
under, any agreement, contract, lease, license, instrument or other
arrangement to which SM&P is a party or by which it is bound or to which any
of its assets is subject (or result in the imposition of any Security
Interest upon any of its assets), except where the violation, conflict,
breach, default, acceleration, termination, modification, cancellation,
failure to give notice or Security Interest would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. To the Seller's Knowledge, except as set forth in Section
4(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, SM&P is not required to give any notice to,
make any filing with or obtain any authorization, consent or approval from
any government or governmental agency or other third party in order for the
Parties to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement,
except where the failure to give notice, to file or to obtain any
authorization, consent or approval would not have a Material Adverse Effect
or materially adversely affect the ability of the Parties to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         (d)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
                  --------------------

                  (i)      Attached hereto as Exhibit A are unaudited balance
         sheets and income statements of SM&P as of December 31, 1999 and
         December 31, 2000 and for the fiscal years then ended and the
         unaudited balance sheet and income statement of SM&P as of October
         31, 2001 and for the ten month period then ended (such financial
         statements, together with the financial statements provided in
         accordance with Section 5(h), are referred to collectively as the
         "SM&P Financial Statements"). The SM&P Financial Statements
         attached hereto fairly present (and the SM&P Financial Statements
         provided in accordance with Section 5(h) will fairly present) in
         all material respects the financial position and the results of
         operations of SM&P in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.
         The SM&P Financial Statements as of October 31, 2001 reflect (and
         the SM&P Financial Statements provided in accordance with Section
         5(h) will reflect) the results of operations of the UTI Business
         since the date of acquisition.

                  (ii)     Without limiting the generality of the foregoing
         clause (i):

                           (A)      Section 4(d)(ii)(A) of the Disclosure
                  Schedule sets forth, for each of calendar year 1999, calendar
                  year 2000 and the ten month period ended October 31, 2001,
                  the total billings and any write-offs or reductions from
                  billed

                                     11


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  accounts receivable for: (1) the customers listed on
                  Section 4(n)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule and (2) any
                  customer not listed in Section 4(n)(i) of the Disclosure
                  Schedule whose billed account receivable was reduced in any
                  period by more than 5% of the total amount billed during such
                  period, excluding, in each case, customers of the UTI
                  Business. To the Seller's Knowledge, no reductions or
                  write-offs of amounts billed or expected to be billed by SM&P
                  are contemplated in character or relative amount which differ
                  from SM&P's historical practice as reflected by Section
                  4(d)(ii)(A) of the Disclosure Schedule.

                           (B)      Section 4(d)(ii)(B) of the Disclosure
                  Schedule sets forth a listing of claims, with estimates of
                  loss for such claims, pending against SM&P as of October 31,
                  2001, as included in the database used by it to determine
                  "Cable cut charges" and "Accrued cable damage" in SM&P's
                  regularly prepared income statements and balance sheets,
                  respectively. To the Seller's Knowledge, such listing
                  includes all claims of which SM&P is presently aware (subject
                  to customary delays in notification from SM&P's field crews),
                  and the estimates of loss were determined in good faith and
                  in a manner consistent with the manner in which SM&P has
                  prepared the SM&P Financial Statements attached as Exhibit A.

                           (C)       Except (1) as reflected in charges or
                  accruals to be recorded by SM&P prior to or at the Closing
                  and (2) to the extent it would not have a Material Adverse
                  Effect, to Seller's Knowledge the computer equipment leased
                  or owned by SM&P as reflected in its books and records is
                  actually in the possession of SM&P employees, and there is no
                  deficiency in the character or amount of equipment actually
                  used in SM&P's business, which is reasonably likely to result
                  in cost or expense to SM&P in order to maintain its
                  operations at their current level.

         (e)      TITLE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY. SM&P has marketable title to
                  --------------------------
the personal property that it purports to own, including all personal property
reflected on the unaudited balance sheet as of October 31, 2001 included in
the SM&P Financial Statements, and holds such personal property free of
Security Interests, except Permitted Encumbrances and except where the failure
to have such title or to hold such personal property, individually or in the
aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect. Section 4(e) of the
Disclosure Schedule lists (i) all bank accounts, safe deposits and all
similar personal property of SM&P and authorized signatories with respect
thereto, (ii) all trucks, trailers and other vehicles of SM&P and (iii) all
computer equipment of SM&P.

         (f)      LEGAL COMPLIANCE. To the Seller's Knowledge, SM&P is in
                  ----------------
compliance with all applicable laws (including rules, regulations, codes, plans,
injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings and charges thereunder) of
federal, state, local and foreign governments (and all agencies thereof)
except for such failures to comply that, individually or in the aggregate,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect. To the Seller's Knowledge, SM&P
has all permits, licenses, certificates of authority, orders and approvals
of, and has made all filings, applications and regulations with, federal,
state, local or foreign government or regulatory bodies that are currently
required to permit it to carry on its business as presently conducted, the
absence of which, individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material
Adverse Effect.

                                     12


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         (g)      CONTRACTS. Section 4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule lists all
                  ---------
written contracts and other written agreements to which SM&P is a party, the
performance of which will involve consideration in excess of $500,000 per
year or $2 million in the aggregate (the "Material Agreements"). The Seller
has made available to the Buyer a correct and complete copy of each contract
or agreement listed in Section 4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule. Except as
set forth in Section 4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) each Material
Agreement is in full force and effect and is valid and enforceable in
accordance with its terms; (ii) SM&P is, and at all times since January 1,
2001 (or, in the case of Material Agreements relating to the UTI Business,
since October 20, 2001) has been, in full compliance with all applicable
terms and requirements of each Material Agreement under which SM&P has or
had any obligation or liability or by which SM&P or any of the assets owned
or used by SM&P is or was bound; (iii) to the Seller's Knowledge, each other
Person that has or had any obligation or liability under any Material
Agreement under which SM&P has or had any rights is, and at all times since
January 1, 2001 (or, in the case of Material Agreements relating to the UTI
Business, since October 20, 2001) has been, in material compliance with all
applicable terms and requirements of such Material Agreement; (iv) no event
has occurred or circumstance exists that (with or without notice or lapse of
time) may contravene, conflict with, or result in a violation nor breach of,
or give SM&P or other Person the right to declare a default or exercise any
remedy under, or to accelerate the maturity or performance of, or to cancel,
terminate, or modify, any Material Agreement; (v) to the Seller's Knowledge,
SM&P has not given to or received from any other Person, at any time since
January 1, 2001 (or, in the case of Material Agreements relating to the UTI
Business, since October 20, 2001), any notice or other communication
(whether oral or written) regarding any violation or breach of, or default
under, any Material Agreement; and (vi) there are no renegotiations of,
attempts to renegotiate, or outstanding rights to renegotiate any material
amounts paid or payable to SM&P under current or completed Material
Agreements with any Person, and no such Person has made written demand to
SM&P for such renegotiation.

         (h)      LITIGATION. Section 4(h) of the Disclosure Schedule sets
                  ----------
forth each instance in which SM&P is, or to the Seller's Knowledge any basis
by which SM&P is reasonably likely to be, (i) subject to any outstanding
injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling or charge, (ii) a party to any
action, suit, proceeding, hearing or investigation of, in or before any court
or quasi-judicial or administrative agency of any federal, state, local or
foreign jurisdiction, or (iii) to the Seller's Knowledge, threatened to be
made a party to any such proceeding, except in each case where the
injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, charge, action, suit,
proceeding, hearing or investigation would not have a Material Adverse
Effect.

         (i)      ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
                  ---------------------

                  (i)      SM&P is in substantial compliance with all
         applicable federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, rules
         and regulations relating to protection of public health or
         the environment, including the Comprehensive Environmental
         Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as
         amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq., the Solid Waste
         Disposal Act, including the Resource Conservation and
         Recovery Act of 1976, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et
         seq., the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401, et seq., as
         amended; the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C.
         Section 1251, et seq., as amended; the Oil Pollution Act of
         1990, 33 U.S.C. Section 2701, and the Occupational Health and
         Safety Act, 29 USC Section 651, et seq. (collectively,


                                     13


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         "Environmental Laws"), and SM&P has not used or disposed of
         Hazardous Substances except in compliance with Environmental
         Laws and except for such matters that resulted in a claim or
         action that has been resolved, and except for matters that
         individually or in the aggregate do not have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  (ii)     SM&P has obtained and is in substantial compliance
         with all permits, licenses, franchises, authorities, consents and
         approvals as are necessary under applicable Environmental Laws for
         operating its assets and business as presently conducted, and all such
         permits, licenses, franchises, authorities, consents and approvals
         remain in full force and effect, except for such matters that,
         individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
         Effect.

                  (iii)    There are no pending or, to the Seller's Knowledge,
         threatened claims, demands, actions, administrative proceedings,
         lawsuits, notices of violation, notices of potential liability or
         investigations (nor, to the Seller's Knowledge, is there any basis
         by which SM&P is reasonably likely to become subject thereto) (i)
         against SM&P under any Environmental Laws or (ii) arising from any
         activities of SM&P not in compliance with any Environmental Laws
         except for claims, demands, actions, administrative proceedings,
         lawsuits or investigations that are listed in Section 4(i) of the
         Disclosure Schedule, and except for such matters that, individually
         or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (iv)     None of the real property currently owned or
         operated or, to the Seller's Knowledge, previously owned or operated
         by SM&P is (a) listed on the National Priorities List or any state
         or federal list of sites requiring environmental investigation or
         remedial action or (b) the subject of any regulatory action that is
         reasonably anticipated by the Seller to lead to claims against SM&P
         under any Environmental Law.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Seller makes no
representation in this Agreement regarding any compliance or failure to
comply with, or any actual or contingent liability under, any Environmental
Law, except as set forth in this Section 4(i).

         (j)      INSURANCE. SM&P maintains insurance coverages, in such
                  ---------
amounts and covering such risks and with such limitations, deductibles and
retentions, as are customary for similarly situated businesses. Section 4(j)
of the Disclosure Schedule lists and briefly describes each insurance policy
maintained by SM&P with respect to its properties, assets and business,
together with a claims history for the past five years and an indication of
whether such policy provides coverage on an "occurrence" or "claims made"
basis. Except as set forth on Section 4(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, all
of such insurance policies are in full force and effect, SM&P is not in
default with respect to its obligations under any such insurance policy, and
SM&P has not been denied insurance coverage. Except as set forth in Section
4(j) of the Disclosure Schedule, SM&P has no self-insurance or co-insurance
programs, and the reserves set forth on the latest balance sheet of SM&P
provided to the Buyer are adequate to cover all anticipated liabilities with
respect to self-insurance or co-insurance programs.

         (k)      EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. SM&P is in substantial compliance with
                  ------------------
all federal, state, local or foreign laws, ordinances, rules and regulations
respecting employment and employment

                                     14


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

practices, terms and conditions of employment and wages and hours, and has
not and is not engaged in any unfair labor practice, except for such matters
that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a Material Adverse
Effect. No unfair labor practice complaint against SM&P is pending before
the National Labor Relations Board. There is no labor strike, jurisdictional
dispute, material slowdown or stoppage pending or, to the Seller's
Knowledge, threatened against or involving SM&P, nor has there been any such
strike, jurisdictional dispute, slowdown or stoppage during the past two
years. There are no representation proceedings involving SM&P pending or, to
the Seller's Knowledge, threatened with the National Labor Relations Board,
and no labor union or group of SM&P employees has made a demand for
recognition which is currently pending.

         (l)      TAXES.
                  -----

                  (i)      TAX RETURNS FILED AND TAXES PAID. Except as set
                           --------------------------------
         forth in Section 4(l) of the Disclosure Schedule, (A) SM&P has duly
         filed or caused to be filed, on or before the due date thereof (taking
         into account timely extensions), with the appropriate taxing
         authorities, all state Tax Returns that it is required to file; (B)
         each such material state Tax Return (including any amendment thereto)
         is true, correct, and complete in all material respects; (C) all state
         Taxes of SM&P due with respect to, or shown or required to be shown to
         be due on, each such Tax Return (or amendment) or subsequent assessment
         with regard thereto, have been timely paid, or, an adequate reserve has
         been established therefor on the books and records of SM&P; and (D)
         there are no extensions of time to file any material Tax Return that
         are pending.

                  (ii)     TAX RESERVES AND TAX LIABILITIES. Except as set
                           ---------------------------------
         forth in Section 4(l) of the Disclosure Schedule, (A) the amount
         of liability for unpaid Taxes for all periods ending on or before
         the date of the Closing Balance Sheet (as defined in Section 2(c))
         does not, in the aggregate, exceed the amount of the current
         liability reserve for Taxes (excluding accruals for deferred
         Taxes) as reflected on the books and records of SM&P on the
         Closing Date; (B) the amount of SM&P's liability for unpaid Taxes
         for all periods ending on or before the Closing Date shall not, in
         the aggregate, exceed the amount of the current liability reserve
         for Taxes (excluding accruals for deferred Taxes) as reflected on
         the books and records of SM&P on the Closing Date; (C) no Taxes of
         SM&P in excess of such current liability reserve for Taxes
         (excluding accruals for deferred Taxes) will be due or payable
         with respect to any taxable periods or portions of periods ending
         on or before the Closing Date; (D) SM&P has collected or withheld
         all Taxes that it is required to collect or withhold; and (E)
         there are no liens on any of SM&P's assets that have arisen in
         connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Taxes
         except any lien for Taxes that are being contested in good faith
         or is for property Taxes that are not yet delinquent. As set
         forth, SM&P is a party to a tax allocation agreement, a copy of
         which has been delivered to the Buyer (the "NiSource Tax
         Allocation Agreement"). For purposes of this Section 4(l) and
         Section 9(b), the term "Taxes" includes amounts payable to
         NiSource under the NiSource Tax Allocation Agreement for any
         Pre-Closing Period.

                  (iii)    AUDIT HISTORY AND OTHER PROCEEDINGS. Except as set
                         -------------------------------------
         forth in Section 4(l) of the Disclosure Schedule, (A) there are no
         pending audits, investigations, claims,


                                     15


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         suits or other proceedings for or relating to any material
         liability of SM&P in respect of Taxes; (B) SM&P is not delinquent
         in the payment of any Taxes; (C) no material deficiencies for
         Taxes of SM&P have been claimed, proposed or assessed by any
         taxing or other governmental authority; (D) there are no matters
         under discussion between SM&P and a governmental authority which
         could result in any additional amount of Taxes; (E) no extension
         of a statute of limitations (whether arising by reason of a
         waiver, claim for refund, or otherwise) relating to Taxes or Tax
         Returns of SM&P is in effect; and (F) there are no pending
         requests for rulings or determinations in respect of Taxes of SM&P
         pending with any governmental authority. Seller shall prepare any
         consolidated or combined Tax Return for which SM&P or the Buyer
         shall be liable to make payments to Seller pursuant to Section
         9(g) on a basis consistent with prior practice and in a manner
         which, unless otherwise agreed to by the Buyer, will result in the
         payment of the least amount of Taxes for SM&P and the least amount
         under Section 9(g), provided that no position shall be required to
         be taken on any such Tax Return for which there is not
         "substantial authority" within the meaning of the Code.

                  (iv)     MISCELLANEOUS. Except as set forth in Section 4(l)
                           -------------
         of the Disclosure Schedule, (A) SM&P does not own any real
         property in the State of New York or any other jurisdiction in
         which a Tax is imposed upon the transfer of securities of an
         issuer having an interest in real property; (B) SM&P is not a
         party or subject to any joint venture, partnership, or other
         arrangement or contract that is treated as a partnership for
         federal income tax purposes; (C) SM&P has not made any payments,
         is not obligated to make any payments, nor is a party to any
         agreement that could obligate it to make any payments that will
         not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code; (D) SM&P has not
         been a United States real property holding corporation within the
         meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code during the applicable
         periods specified in Section 897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code; (E)
         SM&P has not violated any of the COBRA continuation coverage
         requirements set forth in Section 4980B of the Code; (F) SM&P has
         disclosed on its federal income Tax Return all positions taken
         therein that could give rise to substantial understatement of
         federal income Taxes within the meaning of Section 6662 of the
         Code; (G) SM&P has not agreed to and is not required to make any
         adjustment under Section 481(a) of the Code by reason of a change
         in accounting method which affects any taxable year beginning
         after December 31, 1997; (H) SM&P has no application pending with
         any taxing authority requesting permission for any changes in
         accounting methods that affects any taxable year beginning after
         December 31, 1997; (I) no property owned by SM&P (1) is property
         required to be treated as being owned by another person pursuant
         to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue
         Code of 1954, as amended, and in effect immediately prior to the
         enactment of the Tax Reform Act in 1986, (2) constitutes
         "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of Section 168(h)(1)
         of the Code; and (3) is tax-exempt bond financed property within
         the meaning of Section 168(f) of the Code; and (J) SM&P is not a
         foreign person within the meaning of Section 1445 of the Code.
         Section 4(l) of the Disclosure Schedule contains an accurate list
         of all states, counties, cities and other taxing jurisdictions
         (whether foreign or domestic) to which any Tax is properly payable
         by SM&P; provided, however, that SM&P does not currently have an
         accurate list of the taxing jurisdictions with respect to the UTI
         Business. The transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
         subject to the withholding provisions of Section


                                     16


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         3406 of the Code, or of subchapter A of Chapter 3 of the Code, or
         of any similar provision of state, local or foreign Tax law.

         (m)      EVENTS AFTER OCTOBER 31, 2001. Except as set forth in
                  -----------------------------
Section 4(m) of the Disclosure Schedule, since October 31, 2001, there have
not been any changes in the assets, conditions or affairs, financial or
otherwise, of SM&P that, individually or in the aggregate, would have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         (n)      CUSTOMERS. Section 4(n)(i) of the Disclosure Schedule sets
                  ---------
forth the names of SM&P's ten largest customers based on revenues for the 12
months ended October 31, 2001 (including, with respect to contracts relating
to the UTI Business, all revenues during such period, whether recognized by
SM&P or UTI). Except as set forth in Section 4(n)(ii) of the Disclosure
Schedule, SM&P has not received notice that any such customer intends to
cease or materially reduce its business with SM&P or to terminate any
agreement with SM&P where such action would have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (o)      CONDITION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY. The Seller makes no and
                  ------------------------------
disclaims any representation or warranty, whether express or implied and
whether by common law, statute or otherwise, as to (i) the quality,
condition or operability of any personal property or equipment, (ii) its
merchantability, (iii) its fitness for any particular purpose or (iv) its
conformity to models or samples of materials, and all personal property and
equipment is delivered "AS IS, WHERE IS" in the condition in which the same
exists.

         (p)      REAL PROPERTY.
                  -------------

                  (i)      Section 4(p) of the Disclosure Schedule accurately
         lists all real property that SM&P owns (the "Owned Real Property") and
         every lease or similar agreement under which SM&P is lessee of, or
         holds or operates, any real property owned by any third Person (the
         "Leased Real Property"). The Seller has made available to the Buyer
         true and complete copies of all deeds, leases and other instruments by
         which SM&P acquired or leases any real property and any title policies
         in SM&P's possession with respect to such Owned Real Property.

                  (ii)     SM&P has good and marketable title to the Owned
         Real Property, free and clear of any Security Interest, except for
         Permitted Encumbrances. Except as set forth in Section 4(p) of the
         Disclosure Schedule, there are no leases, subleases, licenses,
         concessions or other agreements granting to any party or parties
         the right of use or occupancy of any portion of the Owned Real
         Property. There are no outstanding options or rights of first
         refusal to purchase any of the Owned Real Property or any portion
         thereof or interest therein.

                  (iii)    SM&P has a valid leasehold interest in, and the
         right to quiet enjoyment of, all Leased Real Property for the full
         term of each applicable lease or similar agreement (and any
         renewal option related thereto), and the leasehold or other
         interest of SM&P in such Leased Real Property is not subject or
         subordinate to any Security Interest granted by SM&P.


                                     17


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         (q)      TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Section 4(q) of the
                  ----------------------------
Disclosure Schedule lists all (i) oral or written contracts and agreements
between SM&P and the Seller and Affiliates of the Seller and (ii) all
services provided by the Seller and Affiliates of the Seller to SM&P not
otherwise covered by such oral or written contracts and agreements.

         (r)      EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
                  -----------------

                  (i)      Section 4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule sets forth
         a true and complete list of all Employee Benefit Plans maintained or
         contributed to by SM&P or the Seller during the past three years
         for the benefit of or with respect to any current or former
         employees, officers or directors of SM&P (the "SM&P Benefit
         Plans").

                  (ii)     Each of the SM&P Benefit Plans has been administered
         in substantial compliance with its terms and with ERISA, the Code and
         all other applicable statutes and regulations. SM&P has performed and
         complied in all material respects with all of its obligations under
         or with respect to each of the SM&P Benefit Plans.

                  (iii)    SM&P does not currently maintain or contribute to,
         and at no time in the past has it maintained or contributed to, a
         Multiemployer Plan, a Title IV Plan, a plan subject to Section 302
         of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, or an Employee Stock Ownership
         Plan as  defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.

                  (iv)     Each SM&P Benefit Plan, which is an Employee Pension
         Benefit Plan, and which is intended to be qualified under Section
         401(a) of the Code, is the subject of a favorable Internal Revenue
         Service determination letter, has been operated substantially in
         accordance with its terms and is in substantial compliance with Section
         401(a)(4) of the Code. There is no pending or, to the Seller's
         Knowledge, threatened litigation relating to any SM&P Benefit Plan
         (other than routine claims for benefits), and there is no
         proceeding that is pending or, to the Seller's Knowledge,
         threatened by any governmental agency with respect to any SM&P
         Benefit Plan.

                  (v)      Neither SM&P nor any of its respective employees
         or directors nor, to the Seller's Knowledge, any fiduciary of any
         SM&P Benefit Plan or any other person has engaged in any
         transaction, including the execution and delivery of this
         Agreement, and other agreements, instruments and documents for
         which execution and delivery by SM&P is contemplated herein, in
         violation of Section 406(a) or (b) of ERISA, or which is a
         prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 4975(c)(1) of the
         Code), or which could subject SM&P to any tax or penalty imposed
         by Chapter 43 of subtitle D of the Code or Sections 502(c), (i) or
         (1) of ERISA in an amount that would be material.

                  (vi)     With respect to any employee benefit plan, within
         the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is not listed in
         Section 4(r) of the Disclosure Schedule but which is sponsored,
         maintained or contributed to, or has been sponsored, maintained or
         contributed to within six years prior to the Closing Date, by any
         ERISA Affiliate, (A) no withdrawal liability, within the meaning
         of Section 4201 of ERISA, has been incurred, which withdrawal
         liability has not been satisfied in full, (B) no liability to the
         PBGC has been incurred by any ERISA Affiliate, which liability has
         not been satisfied in full, (C)


                                     18


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         the PBGC has not instituted any proceedings to terminate such
         plan, (D) no accumulated funding deficiency, whether or not
         waived, within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412
         of the Code has been incurred, and (E) all contributions
         (including installments) to such plan required by Section 302 of
         ERISA and Section 412 of the Code have been timely made.

                  (vii)    Except as provided in Section 4(r) of the Disclosure
         Schedule, there are no plans, arrangements or agreements to which
         SM&P is a party or by which it is bound and under which as a
         result of any particular transaction or transactions (including
         but not limited to the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement) any director, officer, employee or other agent of SM&P,
         or any other party claiming through such a Person, shall or may
         acquire rights with respect to any SM&P Benefit Plan (including
         the creation, increase or extension of new or existing rights),
         become entitled to a distribution or payment with respect to SM&P
         at a date earlier than if such transaction had not occurred
         (except in accordance with Section 401(k)(10) of the Code), or
         otherwise receive or become vested in rights and benefits with
         respect to any SM&P Benefit Plan. Without limitation of the
         foregoing, except as set forth in Section 4(r) of the Disclosure
         Schedule, SM&P is not a party to any agreement with any director,
         officer, employee or agent of SM&P pursuant to which any such
         Person will be entitled to any payment by SM&P upon termination of
         employment following consummation of the transactions contemplated
         by this Agreement.

                  (viii)   Complete and correct copies of all current
         documents, including all amendments thereto, with respect to each
         Employee Benefit Plan have been delivered to the Buyer.

                  (ix)     Except to the extent required under a severance
         pay plan or under ERISA Section 601, et seq. and Code Section
         4980B or applicable state coverage continuation laws, no Employee
         Benefit Plan provides health or welfare benefits for any retired
         or former employee or is obligated to provide health or welfare
         benefits to any active employee following such employee's
         retirement or other termination of service.

                  (x)      SM&P has complied with the provisions of ERISA
         Section 601, et seq. and Code Section 4980B.

         (s)      SUFFICIENCY OF ASSETS. Except as set forth in Section 4(s)
                  ---------------------
of the Disclosure Schedule, the rights, properties and assets owned by or
leased or licensed to SM&P include all rights, properties and other assets
necessary to permit SM&P to conduct its business in all material respects
in the same manner as currently conducted.

         (t)      ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. Except as set forth in Section 4(t) of
                  -------------------
the Disclosure Schedule, all accounts receivable of SM&P that are reflected
on the consolidated balance sheet of SM&P as of October 31, 2001, included
in the SM&P Financial Statements attached as Exhibit A, and the accounting
records of SM&P as of the Closing Date represent or will represent valid
obligations arising from sales actually made or services actually performed
in the Ordinary Course of Business. SM&P's allowance for uncollectible
accounts receivable is adequate and calculated consistent with past
practice. SM&P's allowance for uncollectible

                                     19


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

accounts receivable as of the Closing Date will not represent a greater
percentage of the accounts receivable as of the Closing Date than the
allowance reflected in the balance sheet as of October 31, 2001 represented
of the accounts receivable reflected therein and will not represent a
material adverse change in the composition of such accounts receivable in
terms of aging. Section 4(t) of the Disclosure Schedule contains a complete
and accurate list of all accounts receivable greater than $250,000 as of
October 31, 2001 and sets forth the aging of such accounts receivable.

         (u)      EMPLOYEES.
                  ---------

                  (i)      Section 4(u) to the Disclosure Schedule contains
         a complete and accurate list of the following information for each
         employee of SM&P, including each employee on leave of absence or
         layoff status: job title; current compensation paid or payable and
         any change in compensation since January 1, 2001 or date of hire,
         if later; vacation accrued; and service credited for purposes of
         vesting and eligibility to participate under any severance pay,
         insurance, medical, welfare, vacation, profit-sharing or other
         employee benefit plan maintained by SM&P or the Seller and
         available to SM&P employees. Except as set forth in Section 4(u)
         of the Disclosure Schedule, SM&P maintains no plans or obligation
         to pay pension benefits or provide retiree medical or other
         retiree insurance benefits to any of its current or retired
         employees.

                  (ii)     No employee of SM&P is a party to, or is otherwise
         bound by, any agreement or arrangement, including any
         confidentiality, noncompetition or proprietary rights agreement,
         between such employee or director and any other Person that in any
         way adversely affects or will affect (A) the performance of his
         duties as an employee of SM&P, or (B) the ability of SM&P to
         conduct its business. Except as set forth in Section 4(u) of the
         Disclosure Schedule, no officer or other key employee of SM&P
         intends to terminate his employment with SM&P.

         (v)      INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. Section 4(v) of the Disclosure
                  ---------------------
Schedule sets forth all of the Intellectual Property owned or used by SM&P.
Except as set forth in Section 4(v) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) SM&P
owns and possesses without restriction as to use, all right, title and
interest in and to the Proprietary Rights necessary for the operation of
SM&P's business as currently conducted; (ii) SM&P has not received any
notices of invalidity, infringement or misappropriation from any third party
with respect to any such Intellectual Property; (iii) SM&P has not
interfered with, infringed upon, misappropriated or otherwise come into
conflict with any Intellectual Property of any third parties; and (iv) to
the Seller's Knowledge, no third party has interfered with, infringed upon,
misappropriated or otherwise come into conflict with any Intellectual
Property of SM&P.

         (w)      COMPLETION OF UTI EXCHANGE TRANSACTION. The transactions
                  --------------------------------------
contemplated by the Exchange and Termination Agreement dated as of August
15, 2001 (the "Exchange Agreement"), by and among UTI, the Seller, SM&P and
the other parties named therein, have been completed in accordance with the
terms of the Exchange Agreement, without modification.

         (x)      UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Except as set forth in
                  -----------------------
Section 4(x) of the Disclosure Schedule, SM&P and its subsidiaries have no
liabilities or obligations of any nature (whether known or unknown and
whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise), except for (i)


                                     20


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

liabilities or obligations reflected or reserved against in the consolidated
balance sheet of SM&P as of October 31, 2001, included in the SM&P Financial
Statements attached as Exhibit A, (ii) current liabilities incurred in the
Ordinary Course of Business since October 31, 2001, (iii) obligations under
leases, contracts and other agreements (which agreements are set forth in
Section 4(g) of the Disclosure Schedule to the extent they constitute
Material Agreements) and (iv) such other liabilities and obligations that
are not in the aggregate material to SM&P.

5.       PRE-CLOSING COVENANTS.
         ---------------------

         The Parties agree as follows with respect to the period between the
execution of this Agreement and the Closing.

         (a)      GENERAL. Each of the Parties will use its reasonable efforts
                  -------
to take all action and to do all things necessary, proper or advisable to
consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (including satisfaction, but not waiver, of the Closing conditions
set forth in Section 7).

         (b)      NOTICES AND CONSENTS. The Seller will cause SM&P to give
                  --------------------
any notices to third parties and will cause SM&P to use its reasonable
efforts to obtain any third-party consents that the Buyer reasonably may
request in connection with the matters referred to in Section 4(c). Each of
the Parties will make (and the Seller will cause SM&P to make) any filings
with, and use its reasonable efforts to obtain any authorizations, consents
and approvals of, governments and governmental agencies in connection with
the matters referred to in Section 3(a)(ii), Section 3(b)(ii) and Section
4(c).

         (c)      OPERATION OF BUSINESS. The Seller will not, without the
                  ---------------------
consent of the Buyer, cause or permit SM&P to engage in any practice, take
any action or enter into any transaction outside the Ordinary Course of
Business, except as described on Section 5(c) of the Disclosure Schedule.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as disclosed on
Section 5(c) of the Disclosure Schedule, the Seller will not, without the
consent of the Buyer, except as expressly contemplated by this Agreement,
cause or permit SM&P to do any of the following:

                  (i)      amend or otherwise change its charter or bylaws;

                  (ii)     declare, pay or become obligated for any dividend,
         distribution or other payment to the Seller or any of its Affiliates,
         other than (A) in the Ordinary Course of Business through December 31,
         2001 and (B) payments and obligations for services prior to the
         Closing of a type contemplated by the Transition Services Agreement
         referred to in Section 7(a)(viii);

                  (iii)    issue, sell, pledge, dispose of, grant, encumber
         or authorize the issuance, sale, pledge, disposition, grant or
         encumbrance of (A) any shares of capital stock of any class of
         SM&P or any options, warrants, convertible securities or other
         rights of any kind to acquire any shares of such capital stock or
         any other ownership interest (including any phantom interest) in
         SM&P or (B) any assets and properties to SM&P other than in the
         Ordinary Course of Business;


                                     21


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (iv)     (A) acquire (including by merger, consolidation
         or acquisition of stock or assets) any corporation, partnership or
         other business organization or any division thereof, (B) incur any
         indebtedness for borrowed money or issue any debt securities or
         assume, guarantee or endorse, or otherwise as an accommodation
         become responsible for, the obligations of any Person, or make any
         loans or advances, except borrowings in the Ordinary Course of
         Business pursuant to any existing credit agreements or pursuant to
         intercompany loan agreements with the Seller, or (C) enter into or
         amend any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with
         respect to any matter set forth in this paragraph (iv);

                  (v)      (A) increase the compensation payable to, or
         grant any severance or termination pay to, its officers,
         employees, directors or consultants, except pursuant to existing
         contractual arrangements or existing compensation plans and except
         for spot awards not to exceed $25,000 in the aggregate, (B) enter
         into any employment, consulting or severance agreement with any
         director, officer or other employee or consultant of SM&P, or (C)
         establish, adopt, enter into or amend any bonus, profit sharing,
         thrift, compensation, stock option, restricted stock, pension,
         retirement, deferred compensation, employment, termination,
         severance or other plan, agreement, trust, fund, policy or
         arrangement for the benefit of any director, officer, employee or
         consultant;

                  (vi)     change any accounting practice for GAAP or Tax
         purposes, unless required by a change in accounting rules or
         applicable law;

                  (vii)    amend in any material respect any Material
         Agreement, or terminate any Material Agreement before the
         expiration of the term thereof;

                  (viii)   pay, discharge or satisfy any liability or
         obligation (whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise) in
         excess of $50,000 individually, or $250,000 of related liabilities
         or obligations in the aggregate, other than the payment, discharge
         or satisfaction, in the Ordinary Course of Business, of
         liabilities or obligations shown or reflected on the SM&P
         Financial Statements or incurred in the Ordinary Course of
         Business (for this purpose, payments made under the NiSource Tax
         Allocation Agreement shall be deemed to be made in the Ordinary
         Course of Business);

                  (ix)     permit or suffer any assets (whether real, personal
         or mixed, tangible or intangible) to be subjected to any Security
         Interest, except in the Ordinary Course of Business;

                  (x)      permit the waste of any of its properties or assets,
         whether or not covered by insurance;

                  (xi)     subject to the provisions of Section 5(f), cancel,
         forgive or compromise any debt or obligation due to SM&P, except
         in the Ordinary Course of Business;

                  (xii)    dispose of any records related to its assets or
         business at any time earlier than it would have done consistent
         with past practices;


                                     22


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (xiii)   discourage or prevent those employees identified
         by the Seller as employees who are expected to continue their
         employment with SM&P after the Closing to not continue their
         employment with SM&P or the Buyer after the Closing;

                  (xiv)    induce or attempt to induce, or cause the Seller's
         Affiliates to induce or attempt to induce, any customer or other
         business relation of SM&P into any business relationship which
         might materially harm SM&P or the Buyer;

                  (xv)     transfer to any Person any attributes of ownership
         (including the right to receive payments) in respect of any
         split-dollar life insurance policy owned by SM&P; or

                  (xvi)    agree to do any of the foregoing, whether or not
         in writing.

         The Buyer shall designate a person who will be available at all
reasonable times to consult with the Seller and SM&P regarding actions for
which the Buyer's consent is required and endeavor to promptly respond to
all reasonable requests of the Seller and SM&P for consents required by this
Section. The Seller agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to
encourage those employees listed in Section 7(a)(ix) of the Disclosure
Schedule to continue their employment with SM&P after the Closing. The
Seller's obligations hereunder shall terminate at Closing.

         (d)      FULL ACCESS. The Seller will permit, and will cause SM&P to
                  -----------
permit, representatives of the Buyer to have full access at all reasonable
times, and in a manner so as not to interfere with the normal business
operations of SM&P, to all premises, properties, personnel, books, records
(including tax records and audit work papers), contracts and documents of or
pertaining to SM&P. Any information obtained by the Buyer and its employees,
representatives, consultants, attorneys, agents, lenders and other advisors
under this Section 5(d) shall be subject to the confidentiality and use
restrictions contained in that certain letter agreement between the Buyer
and SM&P dated April 25, 2001 (the "Confidentiality Agreement"). Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Seller shall regularly inform,
advise and consult with the Buyer with regard to the management and
operations of SM&P, including marketing, execution and performance of
Material Agreements, capital expenditures, management review, integration of
the UTI Business and overall business strategy.

         (e)      NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENTS.
                  ----------------------

                  (i)      Each Party will give prompt written notice to the
         other of any material adverse development causing a breach of any of
         its own representations and warranties in Section 3 or 4. Subject to
         Section 5(e)(ii), no disclosure by any Party pursuant to this
         Section 5(e), however, shall be deemed to amend or supplement the
         Disclosure Schedule or to prevent or cure any misrepresentation or
         breach of warranty.

                  (ii)     If the Seller notifies the Buyer that an item was
         omitted from the Disclosure Schedule, and Buyer concurs, in its sole
         discretion, that the omission did not prejudice the Buyer (and only
         in such event), such omitted item shall be added to the Disclosure
         Schedule and will be deemed to have qualified the representations
         and warranties in Section 3 or 4 and to have cured any
         misrepresentations or breach of


                                     23


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         warranty that might otherwise have existed hereunder by reason of
         the omission of such item from the Disclosure Schedule.

         (f)      INTERCOMPANY OBLIGATIONS. As of the close of business on
                  ------------------------
December 31, 2001 and again as of the close of business on January 8, 2002,
the Seller shall convert to equity all intercompany loans to SM&P from the
Seller or any of its Affiliates. In addition, on each such date all
intercompany payables owing from SM&P to the Seller or its any of its
Affiliates shall be offset against intercompany receivables owing to SM&P
from the Seller or any of its Affiliates (excluding receivables owed
pursuant to a customer contract pursuant to which SM&P is providing services
to the Seller or the Seller's Affiliates, which shall remain outstanding and
be payable in accordance with SM&P's customary accounts receivable payment
practices). Upon such conversion and offset, any remaining balance owed to
the Seller or any of its Affiliates shall be contributed to the equity that
the Seller holds in SM&P.

         (g)      PARENT GUARANTIES. Each of the Parties will use its
                  -----------------
reasonable efforts to obtain the termination and release of any existing
guaranties of SM&P's obligations by the Seller or any of its subsidiaries,
including in the case of the Buyer agreeing to replace such guaranties with
a guarantee from the Buyer or an Affiliate of the Buyer or other reasonable
credit support.

         (h)      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. Seller will provide to the Buyer
                  --------------------
monthly unaudited interim income statements and balance sheets for the
months after October 31, 2001 prior to the Closing, which shall be prepared
in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with the SM&P
Financial Statements attached as Exhibit A. No election has been or will be
made pursuant to Sections 108 and 1017 of the Code to reduce the tax basis
or any other tax attribute of SM&P.

         (i)      EXCLUSIVITY. Until this Agreement is terminated by its terms,
                  -----------
the Seller shall not (nor shall the Seller cause or permit any Person acting
on behalf of the Seller, SM&P or the Seller's Affiliates to), (i) solicit,
initiate or encourage the submission of any proposal or offer from any
Person (including any of them) relating to any (A) liquidation, dissolution
or recapitalization of, (B) merger or consolidation with or into, (C)
acquisition or purchase of assets (other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business) of or any equity interest in or (D) similar transaction or
business combination involving SM&P or (ii) participate in any discussions
or negotiations regarding, furnish any information with respect to, assist
or participate in, or facilitate in any other manner any effort or attempt
by any other Person to do or seek any of the foregoing. The Seller agrees
that it will discontinue immediately (and will cause SM&P or any Person
acting on behalf of the Seller, SM&P, or the Seller's Affiliates to
discontinue immediately) any negotiations or discussion with respect to any
of the foregoing. Until this Agreement is terminated by its terms, the
Seller shall notify the Buyer immediately if any Person makes any proposal,
offer, inquiry or contact with respect to any of the foregoing.

         (j)      PROVISION OF WORKING CAPITAL. The Seller agrees to provide
                  ----------------------------
SM&P working capital sufficient for SM&P (including the UTI Business) to
operate in the Ordinary Course of Business and otherwise to comply with
Seller's obligations under this Agreement.


                                     24


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         (k)      TRANSITION OF UTI BILLING. The Seller shall use its best
                  -------------------------
efforts, and will cause SM&P to use its best efforts, to complete SM&P's
assumption of all billing functions with respect to the UTI Business no
later than January 15, 2002.

         (l)      NEW LEASE AGREEMENT. To the extent any of the vehicles or
                  -------------------
equipment used by SM&P are leased under an agreement under which the Seller
or one of its Affiliates (other than SM&P) is the lessee, the Seller shall
cause SM&P to enter into a new lease agreement with the lessor having
substantially the same terms and conditions as the existing lease and shall
use its best efforts to cause the lessor to transfer such vehicles or
equipment to such new lease effective no later than the Closing.

6.       POST-CLOSING COVENANTS.
         ----------------------

         The Parties agree as follows with respect to the period following
the Closing.

         (a)      GENERAL. In case at any time after the Closing any further
                  -------
action is necessary to carry out the purposes of this Agreement, each of the
Parties will take such further action (including the execution and delivery
of such further instruments and documents) as any other Party reasonably may
request, all at the sole cost and expense of the requesting Party (unless
the requesting Party is entitled to indemnification therefor under Section 8).

         (b)      LITIGATION SUPPORT. In the event and for so long as any
                  ------------------
Party actively is contesting or defending against any third-party action,
suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim or demand
in connection with (i) any transaction contemplated under this Agreement or
(ii) any fact, situation, circumstance, status, condition, activity,
practice, plan, occurrence, event, incident, action, failure to act or
transaction on or before the Closing Date involving SM&P, each of the other
Parties shall cooperate with it and its counsel in the defense or contest,
make available their personnel and provide such testimony and access to
their books and records as shall be reasonably necessary in connection with
the defense or contest and without interfering with such other Party's
ability to conduct its business, all at the sole cost and expense of the
contesting or defending Party (unless the contesting or defending Party is
entitled to indemnification therefor under Section 8).

         (c)      TRANSITION. The Seller and its Affiliates will not take
                  ----------
any action that is designed or intended to have the effect of discouraging
any lessor, licensor, customer, supplier, employee or other business
associate of SM&P (other than the Seller and its Affiliates) from
maintaining the same business relationships with SM&P after the Closing as
it maintained with SM&P before the Closing.

         (d) ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COOPERATION. After the Closing and
             -------------------------------------
subject to the execution of such confidentiality agreements as may be
reasonably requested by the Buyer, the Buyer shall afford to the Seller and
its representatives and advisors such access during normal business hours
with reasonable notice to the books, records and personnel of SM&P and to
such other information, and shall furnish such cooperation relating to SM&P,
as the Seller shall reasonably request for financial reporting and
accounting matters, the preparation and filing of any Tax applications or
returns, the defense of Tax claims and related purposes. The Buyer shall
cause SM&P to preserve all Tax and accounting records of SM&P for a period
of seven years


                                     25


<PAGE>

following the Closing. In addition, the Seller shall afford the Buyer, and
its respective representatives and advisors, similar access to any books,
records and files retained by the Seller relating to the business of SM&P,
and the Seller shall retain such records for seven years.

         (e)      NONCOMPETE; NONSOLICITATION.
                  ---------------------------

                  (i)      In consideration of the mutual covenants provided
         for herein to the Seller at the Closing, during the period
         beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the second anniversary
         of the Closing Date (the "Noncompete Period"), neither the Seller
         nor any of the Seller's Affiliates shall engage, and the Seller
         shall cause its Affiliates not to engage (whether as an owner,
         operator, manager, employee, officer, director, consultant,
         advisor, representative or otherwise), directly or indirectly
         (other than through the ownership of less than 1% of the
         outstanding equity of a publicly-traded entity) in the business of
         locating and marking utility lines for third parties in any
         geographic area in which SM&P conducts its business as of the
         Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall
         preclude (A) the Seller or any of its Affiliates from acquiring
         any entity that operates a division, subsidiary or business unit
         that is engaged in the utility line locating and marking business
         if the revenues of such division, subsidiary or business unit for
         the most recently completed fiscal year (regardless of when such
         division, subsidiary or business unit was acquired by the entity
         to be acquired by the Seller) account for less than 15% of the
         total revenues of the acquired entity for such fiscal year, or (B)
         any entity that acquires the Seller from engaging in any business.
         For purposes of the foregoing clause (B), a transaction shall be
         deemed to involve an acquisition of the Seller if the Persons who
         beneficially owned a majority of the Seller's voting stock
         immediately prior to the transaction beneficially own less than a
         majority of the voting stock of the continuing or surviving entity
         immediately following the transaction. The Parties agree that the
         covenant set forth in this Section is reasonable with respect to
         its duration, geographical area and scope. If the final judgment
         of a court of competent jurisdiction declares that any term or
         provision of this Section is invalid or unenforceable, the Parties
         agree that the court making the determination of invalidity or
         unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope,
         duration or geographical area, to delete specific words or
         phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or
         provision with a term or provision that is valid and enforceable
         and that comes closest to expressing the intention of the invalid
         or unenforceable term or provision, and this Section shall be
         enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the time within
         which the judgment may be appealed.

                  (ii)     The Seller agrees  that, during the Noncompete
         Period, the Seller (A) shall not, and shall cause its Affiliates
         not to, directly or indirectly, contact, approach or solicit
         (other than through advertising in a newspaper or other
         publication not directed primarily to employees of SM&P) for the
         purpose of offering employment to or hiring (whether as an
         employee, consultant, agent, independent contractor or otherwise)
         any person employed by SM&P at any time within two years prior to
         the Closing Date or during the Noncompete Period, without the
         prior written consent of the Buyer, which shall not be
         unreasonably withheld or delayed, and (B) shall not induce or
         attempt to induce, and shall cause its Affiliates not to induce or
         attempt to induce, any customer or other business relation of SM&P
         to terminate its business relationship with SM&P or to materially
         reduce its business with SM&P. The term "indirectly" as used in
         this Section is intended


                                     26


<PAGE>

         to mean any acts authorized or directed by or on behalf of the
         Seller or any Person controlled by the Seller.

                  (iii)    The Seller shall, and shall cause its Affiliates
         to, treat and hold as confidential any information concerning the
         business and affairs of SM&P that is not already generally
         available to the public (the "Confidential Information"). In the
         event that the Seller or any of its Affiliates is requested or
         required (by oral question or request for information or documents
         in any legal proceeding, interrogatory, subpoena, civil
         investigative demand, or similar process) to disclose any
         Confidential Information, the Seller shall, or shall cause such
         Affiliate, to notify the Buyer promptly of the request or
         requirement so that the Buyer may seek an appropriate protective
         order or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section. If,
         in the absence of a protective order or the receipt of a waiver
         hereunder, the Seller or any of its Affiliates is, on the advice
         of counsel, compelled to disclose any Confidential Information to
         any tribunal or else stand liable for contempt, the Seller or such
         Affiliate may disclose the Confidential Information to the
         tribunal; provided that the Seller shall, or shall cause such
         disclosing Affiliate, to use its best efforts to obtain, at the
         request of the Buyer, an order or other assurance that
         confidential treatment shall be accorded to such portion of the
         Confidential Information required to be disclosed as the Buyer
         shall designate.

                  (iv)     The Seller shall not use or permit any of its
         Affiliates to use the "SM&P" or "SM&P Utility Resources, Inc."
         names or any names confusingly similar thereto in any manner
         anywhere in the world after Closing.

         (f)      EMPLOYEE MATTERS.
                  ----------------

                  (i)      CONTINUATION OF COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS. For a
                           -----------------------------------------
         period of two years after the Closing Date, the Buyer shall
         maintain, or shall cause SM&P to maintain, base salary, wages,
         compensation levels (including bonus and other incentive
         compensation) and Employee Benefit Plans for the benefit of the
         employees and former employees of SM&P, which, in the aggregate,
         are at least equal or equivalent to the base salary, wages,
         compensation levels and SM&P Benefit Plans provided to the
         employees and former employees of SM&P on the date of this
         Agreement (which SM&P Benefit Plans are set forth in Section 4(r)
         of the Disclosure Schedule), other than the NiSource Inc. Employee
         Stock Purchase Plan and subject to promotions, demotions and
         layoffs in the Ordinary Course of Business.

                  (ii)     SERVICE CREDIT. The Buyer shall provide, or shall
                           --------------
         cause SM&P to provide, each employee or former employee of SM&P
         with credit for all service with SM&P (as reflected in Section 4(u)
         of the Disclosure Schedule) for purposes of determining
         eligibility to participate, vesting or qualification or
         eligibility for any benefit or privilege (including vacation)
         based on length of service under any Buyer Benefit Plan (but
         excluding determining benefit accruals under any Buyer Benefit
         Plan that is a defined benefit plan as defined in Section 3(35) of
         ERISA) or retiree medical plan.

                  (iii)    WELFARE BENEFIT PLAN OBLIGATIONS. With respect to
                           --------------------------------
         any Buyer Employee Welfare Benefit Plan covering any employee or
         former employee (and covered spouse or


                                     27


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         dependant) of SM&P after the Closing Date, the Buyer shall (i)
         waive all limitations as to preexisting conditions, exclusions and
         waiting periods, and (ii) provide each such employee or former
         employee (and any covered spouse or dependant) with credit for any
         co-payments and deductibles paid prior to the Closing Date in
         satisfying any applicable deductible or out-of-pocket requirements
         under any Buyer Benefit Plan in which such employee or former
         employee is eligible to participate after the Closing Date.

                  (iv)     SEVERANCE POLICY. For a period of two years after
                           ----------------
         the Closing Date, the Buyer shall provide, or shall cause SM&P to
         provide, for the benefit of the employees of SM&P severance
         benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
         NiSource Inc. Severance Policy as amended and restated effective
         November 27, 2001, a copy of which has been delivered to the
         Buyer. During such two year period, the Buyer shall not materially
         amend or terminate, and shall cause SM&P not to amend or
         terminate, such policy in any manner adverse to the employees or
         former employees of SM&P.

         (g)      INSURANCE PROCEEDS. The Seller shall use commercially
                  ------------------
reasonable efforts to obtain for the benefit of SM&P and the Buyer the proceeds
of any insurance policies maintained by the Seller or its Affiliates that
provide coverage for SM&P's business for periods prior to the Closing.

7.       CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION TO CLOSE.
         ---------------------------------

         (a)      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE BUYER. The obligation of
                  -------------------------------------
the Buyer to consummate the transactions to be performed by it in
connection with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following
conditions:

                  (i)      the representations and warranties set forth in
         Section 3(a) and Section 4 above shall be true and correct in all
         material respects at and as of the Closing Date as though made at
         and as of the Closing Date, except for such changes as may result
         from the conduct of the business of SM&P in accordance with this
         Agreement before the Closing; provided, however, that if any such
         representation or warranty is already qualified by materiality,
         for purposes of determining whether this condition has been
         satisfied, such representation or warranty as so qualified shall
         be true and correct in all respects;

                  (ii)     the Seller shall have performed and complied
         with all of its covenants hereunder in all material respects
         through the Closing;

                  (iii)    there shall not be any injunction, judgment,
         order, decree, ruling or charge in effect preventing consummation
         of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (iv)     the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer a
         certificate to the effect that each of the conditions specified in
         the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) is satisfied;

                  (v)      the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer the
         certificate called for by Section 9(b);


                                     28


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (vi)     the Buyer shall have received all the stock
         records, corporate books and records of SM&P and the resignations
         of officers and directors of SM&P;

                  (vii)    the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer an
         opinion of the Seller's legal counsel dated as of the Closing Date
         as to the matters set forth as Exhibit B to this Agreement;

                  (viii)   the Parties shall have executed a Transition
         Services Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit C;

                  (ix)     the Buyer shall have made arrangements with the
         key employees of SM&P listed in Section 7(a)(ix) of the Disclosure
         Schedule to continue their employment after the Closing;

                  (x)      except as provided in Section 9, the provisions
         of the NiSource Tax Allocation Agreement and the Intercompany
         Lending Agreement between the Seller and its subsidiaries, insofar
         at each relates to SM&P, shall have been terminated;

                  (xi)     the Seller shall have delivered to the Buyer
         certified copies of the resolutions of the Seller's Board of
         Directors approving the transactions contemplated by this
         Agreement;

                  (xii)    the Seller shall have obtained the consents set
         forth in Section 7(a)(xii) of the Disclosure Schedule in form and
         substance reasonably acceptable to the Buyer;

                  (xiii)   the Buyer shall have had an opportunity to contact
         customers of SM&P listed in Section 7(a)(xiii) of the Disclosure
         Schedule and shall not have advised the Seller that the Buyer
         received any indication that any customer or customers intend to
         terminate or materially reduce its or their business with SM&P
         where such action would have a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (xiv)    SM&P shall have entered into the new lease
         agreement referred to in Section 5(l); and

                  (xv)     the Buyer shall have received such other documents
         as the Buyer may reasonably request for the purpose of
         facilitating the consummation or performance of any of the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

The Buyer may waive any condition specified in this Section 7(a) if it
executes a writing so stating at or before the Closing.

         (b)      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATION OF THE SELLER. The obligation of
                  --------------------------------------
the Seller to consummate the transactions to be performed by it in connection
with the Closing is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions:

                  (i)      the representations and warranties set forth in
         Section 3(b) above shall be true and correct in all material
         respects at and as of the Closing Date as though made at and as of
         the Closing Date; provided, however, that if any such
         representation or


                                     29


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         warranty is already qualified by materiality, for purposes of
         determining whether this condition has been satisfied, such
         representation or warranty as so qualified shall be true and
         correct in all respects;

                  (ii)     the Buyer shall have performed and complied with
         all of its covenants hereunder in all material respects through
         the Closing;

                  (iii)    there shall not be any injunction, judgment,
         order, decree, ruling, or charge in effect preventing consummation
         of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                  (iv)     the Buyer shall have delivered to the Seller a
         certificate to the effect that each of the conditions specified in
         the foregoing clauses (i) through (iii) is satisfied;

                  (v)      the Seller shall have obtained the consents set
         forth on Section 7(a)(xii) of the Disclosure Schedule in form and
         substance reasonably acceptable to the Seller; and

                  (vi)     all guaranties of SM&P's obligations by the Seller
         or any of its subsidiaries that are set forth in Section 7(b)(vi)
         of the Disclosure Schedule shall have been terminated and
         released, and neither the Seller nor any of its subsidiaries shall
         have any obligations for the vehicles subject to the new lease
         agreement referred to in Section 5(l).

The Seller may waive any condition specified in this Section 7(b) if it
executes a writing so stating at or before the Closing.

8.       REMEDIES FOR BREACHES OF THIS AGREEMENT.
         ---------------------------------------

         (a)      SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All of the
                  ------------------------------------------
representations and warranties of the Seller contained in Section 3(a) shall
survive the Closing indefinitely. All of the representations and warranties
of the Buyer contained in Section 3(b) shall survive the Closing
indefinitely. Except as provided in Section 9(a), all of the representations
and warranties of the Seller contained in Section 4 shall survive the
Closing and continue in full force and effect for a period of 18 months
thereafter, whereupon they shall terminate.

         (b)      INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR BENEFIT OF THE BUYER.
                  ---------------------------------------------------

                  (i)      Subject to the limitations in Section 8(b)(ii),
         the Seller agrees to indemnify the Buyer, SM&P and any of their
         respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees and agents
         (collectively, the "Buyer Indemnified Parties") from and against
         any Adverse Consequences any Buyer Indemnified Party suffers as a
         result of the breach of any of the Seller's representations,
         warranties and covenants contained herein, provided that (A) such
         Adverse Consequences exceed the Claim Deductible, and (B) in the
         case of breaches of representations and warranties contained in
         Section 4, the Buyer makes a written claim for indemnification
         against the Seller pursuant to Section 11(g) within the applicable
         survival period.


                                     30


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (ii)     The Seller shall have no obligation under
         Section 8(b) to indemnify the Buyer Indemnified Parties from and
         against any Adverse Consequences arising from or relating to the
         breach of any representation, warranty or covenant until the
         aggregate of the Adverse Consequences for all claims (including
         the Claim Deductible for each individual claim for which Adverse
         Consequences exceed the Claim Deductible) exceeds $500,000. After
         the aggregate of the Adverse Consequences for all claims under
         Section 8(b) (including the Claim Deductible for each individual
         claim for which Adverse Consequences exceed the Claim Deductible)
         exceeds $500,000, the Seller shall indemnify the Buyer Indemnified
         Parties for all Adverse Consequences in excess of $500,000, up to
         a maximum aggregate indemnity of $8.0 million.

         (c)      INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS FOR BENEFIT OF THE SELLER. The
                  ----------------------------------------------------
Buyer agrees to indemnify the Seller and any of its respective Affiliates,
directors, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the "Seller
Indemnified Parties") from and against the entirety of any Adverse
Consequences the Seller suffers as a result of the breach of any of the
Buyer's representations, warranties and covenants contained herein.

         (d)      MATTERS INVOLVING THIRD PARTIES.
                  -------------------------------

                  (i)      If any third party notifies any Party (the
         "Indemnified Party") with respect to any matter (a "Third-Party
         Claim") which may give rise to a claim for indemnification against
         any other Party (the "Indemnifying Party") under this Section 8,
         the Indemnified Party shall promptly (and in any event within five
         business days after receiving notice of the Third-Party Claim)
         notify each Indemnifying Party thereof in writing; provided,
         however, that no delay on the part of an Indemnified Party in
         notifying the Indemnifying Party shall relieve the Indemnifying
         Party of any of its obligations hereunder unless and then solely
         to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is irrevocably
         prejudiced by such delay. The notice shall include a description
         of the Third-Party Claim and copies of all documents relating to
         the claim.

                  (ii)     Any Indemnifying Party will have the right to
         assume and thereafter conduct the defense of the Third-Party Claim
         with counsel of its choice reasonably satisfactory to the
         Indemnified Party; provided that the Indemnifying Party will not
         consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement
         with respect to the Third-Party Claim without the prior written
         consent of the Indemnified Party (not to be withheld unreasonably)
         unless the judgment or proposed settlement fully releases such
         Indemnified Party and involves only the payment of money damages
         that are covered in full by the indemnity and does not impose an
         injunction or other equitable relief upon the Indemnified Party
         and is subject to confidentiality provisions acceptable to the
         Indemnified Party (which approval will not be unreasonably
         withheld by the Indemnified Party).

                  (iii)    Unless and until an Indemnifying Party assumes the
         defense of the Third-Party Claim as provided in Section 8(d)(ii),
         the Indemnified Party may defend against the Third-Party Claim in
         any manner it reasonably may deem appropriate.


                                     31


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (iv)     In no event will the Indemnified Party consent
         to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement with
         respect to the Third-Party Claim without the prior written consent
         of each Indemnifying Party, which consent shall not be
         unreasonably withheld.

         (e)      EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. Except as provided in Section 9, the
                  ------------------
rights, remedies and obligations of the Parties under this Section 8 shall be
the exclusive rights, remedies and obligations of the Parties for any breach or
default in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

9.       TAX MATTERS.
         -----------

         (a)      SCOPE OF TAX INDEMNITY PROVISIONS. In the case of any
                  ---------------------------------
indemnity claim for Taxes for a Pre-Closing Period, the indemnity
obligations of the Seller, and the rights of the Buyer with respect to
indemnification, shall be governed by this Section and not by Section 8
hereof (regardless of whether the Taxes for which indemnity is being claimed
result from a breach of a representation in Section 4(l) hereof). The
indemnity obligations of the Seller under this Section shall survive the
Closing until 30 days after the expiration of the statute of limitations to
which the Tax liabilities relate.

         (b)      ALLOCATION OF LIABILITY FOR TAXES. The Seller shall be
                  ---------------------------------
liable for, and shall indemnify, defend and hold the Buyer and its
Affiliates, including SM&P, harmless from and against, (i) any and all Taxes
together with any costs, expenses, losses or damages, including reasonable
expenses of investigation and attorneys' and accountants' fees and expenses,
arising out of or incident to the determination, assessment or collection of
such Taxes (collectively, "Tax Losses") imposed on or with respect to SM&P,
or its respective assets, operations or activities for any Pre-Closing
Period (including, but not limited to, Taxes resulting by reason of the
several liability of SM&P pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-6
or any analogous state, local or foreign law by reason SM&P of having been a
member of any consolidated, combined or unitary group on or prior to the
Closing Date) and (ii) any Tax Losses resulting from the breach of the
Seller's representations and warranties set forth in Section 4(l) or
covenants set forth in this Section 9, but only to the extent that such
Taxes have not been accrued and reflected by a reserve for current Taxes
(excluding any accrual for deferred Taxes) on the books and records of SM&P
as of the Closing Date. The Seller shall deliver to the Buyer, pursuant to
Section 7(a)(v), at the Closing a certificate setting forth the reserve for
current Taxes (excluding any accrual for deferred Taxes), as of the Closing
Date, on the books and records of SM&P. For purposes of this Article 9, the
phrase "reserve for Taxes" includes Taxes which are directly payable by SM&P
and Taxes which represent amounts (whether computed pursuant to the NiSource
Tax Allocation Agreement or otherwise) owing to an Affiliate of SM&P with
respect to Taxes paid by such Affiliate with respect to the activities,
business or operations of SM&P. The Buyer shall be liable for, and shall
indemnify, defend and hold the Seller harmless from and against, any and all
Taxes imposed on or with respect to SM&P, or its operations, ownership,
assets or activities for any Post-Closing Period.


                                     32


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         (c)      PRORATION OF TAXES.
                  ------------------

                  (i)      METHOD OF PRORATION. Tax items shall be apportioned
                           -------------------
         between Pre-Closing and Post-Closing Periods based on a closing of
         the books and records of the relevant entity or entities as of the
         Closing Date (provided that (i) any Tax item incurred by reason of
         the transactions occurring on or before the Closing Date as
         contemplated by this Agreement, including any Tax item resulting
         from a prior intercompany transaction that has been deferred and
         that will be taxed as a result of the changes in ownership
         contemplated by this Agreement, shall be treated as occurring in a
         Pre-Closing Period and (ii) depreciation, amortization and
         depletion for any Straddle Period shall be apportioned on a daily
         pro rata basis). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
         preceding sentence, the parties agree that for U.S. federal income
         Tax purposes, Tax items for any Straddle Period shall be
         apportioned between Pre-Closing Periods and Post-Closing Periods
         in accordance with U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.1502-76(b),
         which regulation shall be reasonably interpreted by the parties in
         a manner intended to achieve the method of apportionment described
         in the preceding sentence. Notwithstanding anything to the
         contrary herein, any franchise Tax paid or payable with respect to
         SM&P shall be allocated to the taxable period during which the
         income, operations, assets or capital comprising the base of such
         Tax is measured, regardless of whether the right to do business
         for another taxable period is obtained by the payment of such
         franchise Tax.

                  (ii)     NO CONTRARY ELECTIONS. The Seller and the Buyer
                           ---------------------
         will not exercise any option or election (including any election
         to ratably allocate a Tax year's items under Treasury Regulation
         Section 1.1502-76(b)(2)(ii)) to allocate Tax items in a manner
         inconsistent with Section 9(c)(i) hereof.

         (d)      REFUNDS OF TAXES; AMENDED RETURNS; CARRYOVERS.
                  ---------------------------------------------

                  (i)      REFUNDS. Subject to Section 9(d)(iii) hereof, if
                           -------
         the Buyer receives a Tax refund with respect to Taxes arising in a
         Pre-Closing Period, the Buyer shall pay, within 90 days following
         the receipt of such Tax refund, the amount of such Tax refund to
         the Seller. If the Seller receives a Tax refund with respect to
         Taxes arising in any Post-Closing Tax Period, within 90 days
         following the receipt of such Tax refund, the Seller will pay the
         amount of such Tax refund to the Buyer.

                  (ii)     AMENDED TAX RETURNS.
                           -------------------

                           (A)      Subject to Section 9(d)(iii) hereof, any
                  amended Tax Return or claim for Tax refund for any
                  Pre-Closing Period other than a Straddle Period shall be
                  filed, or caused to be filed, only by the Seller. The Seller
                  shall not, without the prior written consent of the Buyer,
                  make or cause to be made any such filing, to the extent such
                  filing, if accepted, reasonably might change the Tax
                  liability of the Buyer for any Tax Period.

                           (B)      An amended Tax Return or claim for Tax
                  refund for any Straddle Period shall be filed by the party
                  responsible for filing the original Tax Return


                                     33


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  hereunder if either the Buyer or the Seller so request,
                  except that such filing shall not be done without consent
                  (which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the
                  Buyer (if request is made by the Seller) or of the Seller (if
                  request is made by the Buyer).

                           (C)      Any amended Tax Return or claim for Tax
                  refund for any Post-Closing Period other than a Straddle
                  Period shall be filed, or caused to be filed, only by the
                  Buyer, who shall not be obligated to make (or cause to be
                  made) such filing. The Buyer shall not, without the prior
                  written consent of the Seller (which consent shall not be
                  unreasonably withheld or delayed) file, or cause to be filed,
                  any amended Tax Return or claim for Tax refund for any
                  Post-Closing Period to the extent that such filing, if
                  accepted, reasonably might change the Tax liability of the
                  Seller for any Pre-Closing Period.

                  (iii)    CARRYBACKS. If any Tax loss or credit with respect
                           ----------
         to SM&P arising in a Post-Closing Period may be carried back and
         included in any Tax Return filed or caused to be filed by the
         Seller with respect to SM&P for any Pre-Closing Period, the Buyer
         may elect (at its expense) to carry back such Tax items (subject
         to Seller's consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
         withheld or delayed), but only if SM&P cannot elect to waive the
         carryback. In such case, the Seller shall pay to the Buyer an
         amount equal to the Tax Benefit resulting from such carryback of
         Tax loss or credit, provided that the Seller shall not be required
         to file any carryback claim unless the Buyer so requests in
         writing and agrees to pay the reasonable expenses related to the
         claim for refund.

         (e)      PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS.
                  -------------------------------------

                  (i)      SELLER'S RESPONSIBILITIES. The Seller shall have
                           -------------------------
         the right and obligation to timely prepare and file, and cause to
         be timely prepared and filed, when due, any Tax Return that is
         required to include the operations, ownership, assets or
         activities of SM&P for Tax Periods ending on or before the Closing
         Date and for Tax Periods beginning before and ending after the
         Closing Date for which a consolidated, combined or unitary Tax
         Return is filed that includes SM&P for the period prior to and
         including the Closing Date (other than a combined or unitary Tax
         Return with respect to which SM&P is the parent or reporting
         corporation). The Seller shall be responsible for reimbursing the
         Buyer for Taxes relating to taxable periods, or portion thereof,
         prior to the Closing Date, except to the extent accrued as a
         current liability on the books and records of SM&P on the Closing
         Date as a "reserve for Taxes" excluding deferred Taxes.

                  (ii)     BUYER'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. The Buyer
                           -----------------------------------
         shall have the right and obligation to timely prepare and file, or
         cause to be timely prepared and filed, when due, all Tax Returns
         that are required to include the operations, ownership, assets or
         activities of SM&P for any Tax Periods ending after the Closing
         Date (including all Straddle Period Tax Returns), except for
         consolidated, combined or unitary Tax Returns described in
         Section 9(e)(i).


                                     34


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

                  (iii)    PREPARATION OF TAX RETURNS.
                           --------------------------

                           (A)      The Seller shall prepare and provide to
                  the Buyer such Tax information as is reasonably requested by
                  the Buyer with respect to the operations, ownership, assets
                  or activities of SM&P or for Pre-Closing Periods to the
                  extent such information is relevant to any Tax Return which
                  the Buyer has the right and obligation hereunder to file.

                           (B)      The Seller shall, on the one hand, or the
                  Buyer shall, on the other, with respect to any Tax Return
                  which such Party is responsible hereunder for preparing and
                  filing, or causing to be prepared and filed, make such Tax
                  Return and related work papers available for review by the
                  other Party and its advisors if the Tax Return (i) is with
                  respect to Taxes for which the other Party or a member of its
                  Affiliated Group may be liable hereunder, or (ii) claims Tax
                  Benefits which the other party or a member of its Affiliated
                  Group is entitled to receive hereunder. The filing Party
                  shall use its reasonable best efforts to make Tax Returns
                  available for review as required under this paragraph
                  sufficiently in advance of the due date for filing such Tax
                  Returns to provide the non-filing Party and its advisors with
                  a meaningful opportunity to analyze and comment on such Tax
                  Returns and have such Tax Returns modified before filing,
                  accepting the position of the filing party unless such
                  position is contrary to the provisions of Section 9(e)(iv)
                  hereof.

                  (iv)     CONSISTENCY OF ACCOUNTING METHOD. Any Tax Return
                           --------------------------------
         which includes or is based on the operations, ownership, assets or
         activities of SM&P for any Pre-Closing Period, and any Tax Return
         which includes or is based on the operations, ownership, assets or
         activities of SM&P for any Post-Closing Period to the extent the
         items reported on such Tax Return might reasonably increase any
         Tax liability of the Seller for any Pre-Closing Period or any
         Straddle Period shall be prepared in accordance with past Tax
         accounting practices as used with respect to the Tax Returns in
         question (unless such past practices are no longer permissible
         under the Applicable Tax Law), and to the extent any items are not
         covered by past practices (or in the event such past practices are
         no longer permissible under the Applicable Tax Law), in accordance
         with reasonable Tax accounting practices selected by the filing
         Party with respect to such Tax Return under this Agreement with
         the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) of the
         non-filing Party.

         (f)      TAX CONTROVERSIES; ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION.
                  ---------------------------------------------

                  (i)      NOTICE. In the event any Tax Authority informs the
                           ------
         Seller (or its Affiliates), on the one hand, or the Buyer or SM&P
         (or their Affiliates), on the other, of any notice of proposed
         audit, claim, assessment or other dispute concerning an amount of
         Taxes with respect to which the other Party may incur liability
         hereunder, the Party so informed shall promptly notify the other
         Party of such matter. Such notice shall contain factual
         information (to the extent known) describing any asserted Tax
         liability in reasonable detail and shall be accompanied by copies
         of any notice or other documents received from any Tax authority
         with respect to such matter. If an indemnified Party


                                     35


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         receives written notice of an asserted Tax liability with respect
         to a matter for which it is to be indemnified hereunder and such
         Party fails to provide the indemnifying Party prompt notice of
         such asserted Tax liability, then (A) if the indemnifying Party is
         precluded from contesting the asserted Tax liability in any forum
         as a result of the failure to give prompt notice, the indemnified
         Party shall have an obligation to indemnify the indemnifying Party
         for Taxes arising out of such asserted Tax liability, and (B) if
         the indemnifying Party is not precluded from contesting the
         asserted Tax liability in any forum, but such failure to provide
         prompt notice results in a monetary detriment to the indemnifying
         Party, then any amount which the indemnifying Party is otherwise
         required to pay the indemnified Party pursuant to this Agreement
         shall be reduced by the amount of such detriment.

                  (ii)     CONTROL RIGHTS. The Party who files the relevant
                           --------------
         Tax Return under this Section shall, at its expense, control any
         audits, disputes, administrative, judicial or other proceedings
         related to Taxes with respect to which either Party may incur
         liability hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, in the
         event an adverse determination may result in the non-filing Party
         having responsibility for any amount of Taxes under this Section,
         the non-filing Party shall be entitled to fully participate in
         that portion of the proceedings relating to the Taxes with respect
         to which it may incur liability hereunder. For purposes of this
         Section 9(f), the term "participation" shall include (A)
         participation in conferences, meetings or proceedings with any Tax
         Authority, the subject matter of which includes an item for which
         such Party may have liability hereunder, (B) participation in
         appearances before any court or tribunal, the subject matter of
         which includes an item for which a party may have liability
         hereunder, and (C) with respect to the matters described in the
         preceding clauses (A) and (B), participation in the submission and
         determination of the content of the documentation, protests,
         memorandum of fact and law, briefs and the conduct or oral
         arguments and presentations.

                  (iii)    CONSENT TO SETTLEMENT. SM&P, the Buyer and the
                           ---------------------
         Seller and their respective Affiliates shall not agree to settle
         any Tax liability or compromise any claim with respect to Taxes,
         which settlement or compromise may affect the liability for Tax
         hereunder (or right to Tax Benefit) of the other Party under this
         Section, without such other Party's consent (which consent shall
         not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

                  (iv)     ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION. The Seller, on the
                           --------------------------
         one hand, and the Buyer, on the other, shall cooperate (and cause
         their Affiliates to cooperate) with each other and with each
         other's agents, including accounting firms and legal counsel, in
         connection with Tax matters relating to SM&P, including (A)
         preparation and filing of Tax Returns, (B) determining the
         liability and amount of any Taxes due or the right to and amount
         of any refund of Taxes, (C) examinations of Tax Returns, and (D)
         any administrative or judicial proceeding in respect of Taxes
         assessed or proposed to be assessed. Such cooperation shall
         include each Party making all information and documents in its
         possession relating to SM&P available to the other party. The
         Parties shall retain all Tax Returns, schedules and work papers,
         and all material records and other documents relating thereto,
         until the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations
         (including, to the extent notified by any party, any extension
         thereof) of the Tax Period to which such Tax Returns and other
         documents and information relate. Each of the Parties shall also


                                     36


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         make available to the other Party, as reasonably requested and
         available, personnel (including officers, directors, employees and
         agents) responsible for preparing, maintaining, and interpreting
         information and documents relevant to Taxes, and personnel
         reasonably required as witnesses or for purposes of providing
         information or documents in connection with any administrative or
         judicial proceedings relating to Taxes.

                  (v)      PAYMENT. Promptly after the extent of the liability
                           -------
         of the indemnified Party with respect to an indemnified Tax claim
         shall be established by the final judgment or decree of a court or
         a final and binding settlement with a governmental authority
         having jurisdiction thereof, the indemnifying Party shall pay to
         the indemnified Party the amount of any Tax Losses the indemnified
         Party may become entitled to by reason of the provisions of this
         Section 9.

         (g)      TERMINATION OF TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENTS. As of the Closing
                  ----------------------------------------
Date, the Seller shall cause the NiSource Tax Allocation Agreement to be
extinguished and terminated with respect to SM&P. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, prior to the Closing Date, SM&P shall be entitled to make
payments to the Seller pursuant to the NiSource Tax Allocation Agreement
among the Affiliated Group which includes the Seller and SM&P, and after the
Closing, the Seller shall be entitled to receive from SM&P (and the Buyer
shall cause SM&P to make) payments for Taxes paid by the Seller on behalf of
SM&P pursuant to the NiSource Tax Allocation Agreement with respect to any
Pre-Closing Period, provided, however, that such payments made to the Seller
do not exceed SM&P's reserve for current Taxes (excluding any accrual for
deferred Taxes) as of the Closing Date, as certified pursuant to Section
9(b). Moreover, prior to the Closing Date, the Seller and SM&P shall be
entitled to forgive, without payment, any amounts owed by the Seller to SM&P
under the NiSource Tax Allocation Agreement relating to any Pre-Closing
Period. Any payments for Taxes pursuant to the NiSource Tax Allocation
Agreement shall in no event exceed the amount that would be due if SM&P had
filed a separate rather than a consolidated or combined Tax Return for such
Pre-Closing Period, based on the assumption that SM&P would be subject to
tax at the highest rate imposed on corporations under Code Section 11.
Notwithstanding any language in this Section 9(g) to the contrary, the
Seller shall be liable for, and shall pay, any income Taxes arising from or
related to the Section 338(h)(10) Election, and SM&P's reserve for current
Taxes shall not include any income Taxes arising from or related to the
Section 338(h)(10) Election.

         (h)      INDEMNIFICATION FOR POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS. The Buyer
                  ---------------------------------------------
agrees to indemnify the Seller for any additional Tax owed by the Seller
(including Tax owed by the Seller due to this indemnification payment)
resulting from any transaction not in the Ordinary Course of Business
occurring on the Closing Date after the Buyer's purchase of the SM&P Shares.

         (i)      POST-CLOSING TRANSACTIONS NOT IN THE ORDINARY COURSE. The
                  ----------------------------------------------------
Buyer and the Seller agree to report all transactions not in the Ordinary
Course of Business occurring on the Closing Date, after the Buyer's purchase
of the SM&P Shares, on the Buyer's federal income Tax Return to the extent
permitted by Treasury Regulation Section l.1502-76(b)(l)(ii)(B).

         (j)      SURVIVAL. Anything to the contrary in this Agreement
                  --------
notwithstanding, the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements,
rights and obligations of the Parties with


                                     37


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

respect to any Tax matter covered by this Agreement shall survive the
Closing and shall not terminate until 30 days after the expiration of the
statute of limitations (including extensions) applicable to such Tax matter.

         (k)      CONFLICTS. To the extent any provision of this Agreement
                  ---------
is inconsistent with the provisions of this Section 9, the provisions of
Section 9 shall control; provided, however, any amounts due or owing
pursuant to this Section 9 will not be considered in calculating limits on
the Seller's obligations under Section 8(b). Any payments pursuant to this
Section 9 will be considered an adjustment to the Purchase Price.

         (l)      SECTION 338(h)(10) ELECTION. At the Buyer's option, the
                  ---------------------------
Seller shall join with the Buyer in making an election under Section
338(h)(10) of the Code and any corresponding or similar provisions of state
or local law (collectively the "Section 338(h)(10) Election") with respect
to the purchase and sale of the SM&P Shares under this Agreement. The Seller
shall assist the Buyer in the preparation of Form 8023 and any accompanying
schedules required under Section 338(h)(10) of the Code and any
corresponding or similar provisions of state or local law, and the Seller
agrees that the Buyer may make any determination or election required or
permitted to be made in connection with the Section 338(h)(10) Election. The
Seller shall execute Form 8023 and any accompanying schedules and such other
documents or forms at the Closing or at such other time as the Buyer may
reasonably request or as required by the Code in order to effectuate the
Section 338(h)(10) Election. The Seller shall be liable for, and shall pay,
any income Taxes arising from or related to the Section 338(h)(10) Election.
Prior to the Closing or as soon thereafter as reasonably practicable (but in
no event more than 120 days after the Closing Date), the Buyer and the
Seller shall agree upon the allocation of the Purchase Price among the
assets of SM&P for purposes of preparing a properly completed Form 8023 and
any comparable form required under state or local law and shall set forth
such allocation on a statement. The Buyer and the Seller shall file all Tax
Returns in a manner consistent with such allocation statement and shall not
take any position inconsistent therewith in connection with any examination
of any such Tax Return, any refund claim or any judicial litigation
proceeding, unless there has been a final determination (within the meaning
of Code Section 1313(a)) which finally and conclusively establishes the
amount of any liability for Taxes.

10.      TERMINATION.
         -----------

         (a)      TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. The Parties may terminate this
                  ------------------------
Agreement as provided below:

                  (i)      The Buyer and the Seller may terminate this
         Agreement by mutual written consent at any time before the Closing;

                  (ii)     The Buyer may terminate this Agreement by giving
         written notice to the Seller at any time before the Closing (A) in
         the event the Seller has breached any representation, warranty or
         covenant contained in this Agreement and such breach has a
         Material Adverse Effect, the Buyer has notified the Seller of the
         breach, and the breach has continued without cure for a period of
         ten business days after the notice of breach; or (B) if the
         Closing shall not have occurred on or before February 28, 2002, by
         reason of the failure of any condition precedent under Section 7(a)
         (unless the failure results


                                     38


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         primarily from the Buyer itself breaching any representation,
         warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement); and

                  (iii)    The Seller may terminate this Agreement by giving
         written notice to the Buyer at any time before the Closing (A) in
         the event the Buyer has breached any representation, warranty or
         covenant contained in this Agreement and such breach has a
         Material Adverse Effect, the Seller has notified the Buyer of the
         breach, and the breach has continued without cure for a period of
         ten business days after the notice of breach; or (B) if the
         Closing shall not have occurred on or before February 28, 2002, by
         reason of the failure of any condition precedent under Section 7(b)
         (unless the failure results primarily from the Seller itself
         breaching any representation, warranty or covenant contained in
         this Agreement).

         (b)      EFFECT OF TERMINATION. If any Party terminates this Agreement
                  ---------------------
pursuant to Section 10(a), all rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder
shall terminate without any liability of any Party to any other Party (except
for any liability of any Party then in breach); provided that the
confidentiality provisions and limitations on use contained in the
Confidentiality Agreement and the provisions of Section 11 shall survive
termination.

11.      MISCELLANEOUS.
         -------------

         (a)      PRESS RELEASES AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS. No Party shall
                  ---------------------------------------
issue any press release or make any public announcement relating to the
subject matter of this Agreement before the Closing without the prior
written approval of the Buyer and the Seller; provided, however, that any
Party may make any public disclosure it believes in good faith is required
by applicable law or any listing or trading agreement concerning its
publicly traded securities (in which case the disclosing Party will use its
reasonable efforts to advise the other Party and review the contents of the
press release or public announcement with the other Party a reasonable time
before making the disclosure).

         (b)      NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement shall not
                  ----------------------------
confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the Parties and
their respective successors and permitted assigns.

         (c)      ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement (including the Exhibits
                  ----------------
and Schedules identified herein) and the Confidentiality Agreement
constitute the entire agreement among the Parties and supersede any prior
understandings, agreements or representations by or among the Parties,
written or oral, to the extent they relate to the subject matter hereof. The
Exhibits and Schedules identified in this Agreement are incorporated herein
by reference and made a part hereof.

         (d)      SUCCESSION AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement shall be binding
                  -------------------------
upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties named herein and their
respective successors and permitted assigns. No Party may assign either this
Agreement or any of its rights, interests or obligations hereunder without
the prior written approval of the other party.

                                     39


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         (e)      COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
                  ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

         (f)      HEADINGS. The section headings contained in this Agreement
                  --------
are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

         (g)      NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other
                  -------
communications hereunder will be in writing. Any notice, request, demand,
claim or other communication hereunder shall be deemed duly given if (and
then two business days after) it is sent by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and addressed to the intended
recipient as set forth below:

         If to the Seller:

                                    NiSource Inc.
                                    801 East 86th Avenue
                                    Merrillville, Indiana 46410
                                    Attention: Stephen P. Adik, Vice Chairman

         with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

                                    Schiff Hardin & Waite
                                    6600 Sears Tower
                                    Chicago, Illinois 60606
                                    Attention: Robert J. Minkus

         If to the Buyer:

                                    The Laclede Group, Inc.
                                    720 Olive Street
                                    St. Louis, Missouri 63101
                                    Attention: Douglas H. Yaeger, Chairman

         with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

                                    Thompson Coburn LLP
                                    One Firstar Plaza
                                    St. Louis, Missouri 63101
                                    Attention: Thomas A. Litz

Any Party may send any notice, request, demand, claim or other communication
hereunder to the intended recipient at the address set forth above using any
other means (including personal delivery, expedited courier, messenger
service, facsimile transmission, telex, ordinary mail or electronic mail),
but no such notice, request, demand, claim or other communication shall be
deemed to have been duly given unless and until it actually is received by
the intended recipient. Any Party may change the address to which notices,
requests, demands, claims and other


                                     40


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

communications hereunder are to be delivered by giving the other Party
notice in the manner herein set forth.

         (h)      GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
                  -------------
construed in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Indiana
without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule
(whether of the State of Indiana or any other jurisdiction) that would cause
the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of
Indiana.

         (i)      AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. No amendment of any provision of
                  ----------------------
this Agreement shall be valid unless the same shall be in writing and signed
by the Buyer and the Seller. No waiver by any Party of any default,
misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder, whether
intentional or not, shall be deemed to extend to any prior or subsequent
default, misrepresentation or breach of warranty or covenant hereunder or
affect in any way any rights arising by virtue of any prior or subsequent
such occurrence.

         (j)      SEVERABILITY. Any term or provision of this Agreement that
                  ------------
is invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions
hereof or the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision
in any other situation or in any other jurisdiction.

         (k)      EXPENSES. Each Party will bear its own costs and expenses
                  --------
(including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

         (l)      CONSTRUCTION. The Parties have participated jointly in the
                  ------------
negotiation and drafting of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or
question of intent or interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be
construed as if drafted jointly by the Parties, and no presumption or burden
of proof shall arise favoring or disfavoring any Party by virtue of the
authorship of any of the provisions of this Agreement. Any reference to any
federal, state, local or foreign statute or law shall be deemed also to
refer to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, unless the
context requires otherwise. The word "including" shall mean "including,
without limitation."

         (m)      SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The Seller acknowledges that SM&P's
                  --------------------
business is unique and recognizes and affirms that in the event of a breach
of this Agreement by the Seller, the Buyer would suffer irreparable harm and
money damages may be inadequate and the Buyer may have no adequate remedy at
law. Accordingly, the Seller agrees that the Buyer shall have the right, in
addition to any other rights and remedies existing in its favor, to enforce
its rights and Seller's obligations hereunder not only by an arbitration
proceeding or proceedings for damages but also by an action or actions for
specific performance, injunctive and/or other equitable relief, without
obligation to post a bond.

         (n)      ARBITRATION. Except as with respect to any equitable relief
                  -----------
sought under this Agreement, any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or the interpretation or breach hereof, shall be
submitted to binding arbitration conducted in Indianapolis, Indiana, by a
panel of three arbitrators in accordance with the then current Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association, unless otherwise
agreed. If the Parties are unable to agree on the selection of arbitrators
to resolve the dispute within 15


                                     41


<PAGE>
<PAGE>

days of either Party giving the other Party notice of its intent to invoke
this Section 11(n), then either Party may make a request of the American
Arbitration Association for a list of qualified potential arbitrators from
which the Parties shall select arbitrators in accordance with the Commercial
Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. If no arbitrators
are thus selected within 15 days after such list is submitted to the
Parties, either Party may request the American Arbitration Association to
select such arbitrators. All expenses and fees of the arbitrator and any
other expenses of the arbitration, as well as the attorney's fees and
expenses of each Party, shall be paid by the losing Party unless the
arbitrator in the award assesses such expense, or any part of such expenses,
against the other Party or allocates such expenses equally between the
Parties. The determination of such arbitrator shall be final and binding
upon the Parties and judgment may be entered thereupon in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. During the arbitration proceedings hereunder, the
Parties shall continue to perform their respective responsibilities under
this Agreement.

         (o)      EXCHANGE AND TERMINATION AGREEMENT. The Seller hereby agrees
                  ----------------------------------
that, as between it and SM&P, as "NiSource Parties" referred to in the
Exchange Agreement, SM&P shall have sole right to exercise the NiSource
Parties' rights under the Exchange Agreement, other than the rights under
Section 7.11 of the Exchange Agreement, which shall be exercised by the
Seller or NiSource Capital Markets, Inc. The Seller shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to cooperate with SM&P in connection with the exercise of
such rights and the Seller shall assign or immediately pay over to SM&P any
amounts received by the Seller after the Closing Date in respect of the
Exchange Agreement, other than amounts received pursuant to such Section 7.11.

         THIS CONTRACT CONTAINS A BINDING ARBITRATION PROVISION WHICH MAY BE
ENFORCED BY THE PARTIES.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Agreement
on the date first above written.

                           NISOURCE INC.



                           By:
                                ----------------------------------------------
                           Name:
                                ----------------------------------------------
                           Its:
                                ----------------------------------------------



                           THE LACLEDE GROUP, INC.



                           By:
                                ----------------------------------------------
                           Name:
                                ----------------------------------------------
                           Its:
                                ----------------------------------------------

                                     42