The Banner Boy Scouts Page 10

  CHAPTER X

  AN UNEXPECTED OFFER

  Paul and his chum managed to break away finally, and walk toward the homeof the latter. Jack had his arm through that of the other, and it seemedas though he felt happier over the recent exploit than the one who hadoccupied the centre of the stage.

  "My heart seemed to be up in my mouth just when you made that grab forthe bit. I believe I would have fallen in a fit if you had gone under,Paul," said Jack, with a big sigh, as he pressed the arm he held.

  "Well, I was a little worried myself that something might upset me justthen. But luck favored me, you know. I'm more than glad, because it wouldhave given my mother a bad shock if I'd been trampled on. But please dropthat subject, old fellow," said Paul, making a wry face.

  "I will, since you ask it; but they won't forget it in the town for along time. Such things happen only once a year or more around dull oldStanhope. To-night we meet to see how many have the money earned for thesuits; and I'm glad to say I can cover my needs. You're doubly suppliednow, with this windfall."

  "Yes, and I wish I could help some other fellow out; but I'm afraid thatwould be against the rules of the game. Here we are at your house, andbless me if Carlo hasn't carried that basket of provisions straight backto the kitchen door. Say, he _is_ a trump, sure enough, Jack."

  "Oh! that's dead easy for Carlo. Why, we often put a nickel in thebasket, and send him down to the bakery for a loaf of bread," laughed theother.

  "And does he always get it?" asked Paul, looking suddenly interested.

  "I don't believe he's failed for six months. Of course Mr. Crusty knowswhat we want, and wraps the loaf up so as to keep the dust off. Why, thatain't the best of his tricks, by a long shot. I taught him when he washungry to go--"

  "Excuse me, won't you, Jack; there comes father, and I do believe he'sheading home long before his usual time. Perhaps he's afraid mother mayhear that something has happened to me, and would be anxious. I'd betterjump in with him, don't you think? Another time I'll hear all about thewonderful stunts of Carlo."

  And so speaking Paul ran out to join his father in the buggy.

  Jack looked after him, and sighed heavily. It was not that he felt aparticle jealous of the recent exploit which his chum had engineered sosuccessfully; for envy was not one of his failings. But he did wish thathis mind was as free from anxiety and suspicion as that of Paul Morrison.

  For the mystery of those disappearing coins hung about his neck like amillstone, nor could he ever know peace again until in some way it wereexplained.

  What happened at the Morrison home when the doctor told the story of hisboy's heroism no one ever knew; for Paul was not the one to betray familysecrets.

  But Jack, who understood what an affectionate mother his chum had, couldeasily imagine how she wrapped her arms about the boy, and pressed himagain and again to her bosom, thanking Heaven that the child she hadwatched grow from babyhood until he was now almost as tall as his father,should show signs of proving himself a worthy successor to the "goodDoctor," as every one knew him.

  That night the boys had the darkness to contend with when they startedfor the place of meeting, though the late moon might show her smilingface before the time came for them to return home.

  There were just twenty-two who reported at roll call that evening ateight, and one need only glance around at the faces of the boys, bothlarge and small, to be positive that the enthusiasm, instead of dyingout, was increasing by leaps and bounds.

  When the meeting had been called to order, the one subject thatinterested those gathered was the question of obtaining their uniformsand other outfit.

  A warm discussion arose shortly when Jack asked for informationconcerning the right of any scout to assist a fellow member who might bebehind in earning the necessary amount.

  Some believed one way, while others seemed to look at it in anotherlight, and not a few were, as Jack said, "on the fence."

  "Listen, fellows, and I'll tell you what I gathered from studying thebooks on the Boy Scout movement loaned me by the minister. Here aretwenty or more of us, and we need just so much money for an outfit. Somecan show much more than they need, others fall short, although they mayhave worked even harder. Is that plain?" and Jack looked around at theeager faces as he put the question.

  "It certainly is," remarked Paul, smiling; "some are born rich, othersearn riches, and once in a while some lucky chap has the money stuckright in his hand. I'm one of the last class. But go on, Jack; for I knowyou've got a bright idea that may help us out of this hole."

  "The answer is easy, fellows. We must make a common fund. Then everymember can put in all he wants, so long as it has been honestly earned.See my plan?"

  "Sure, and it goes. That's the answer to the problem. Let's try it outand see how near we can come to the amount needed," said Jud Elderkin,briskly; starting to pass around slips of paper and a pencil.

  "Put down what you can hand over to the general fund, each fellow; andremember it means cash, to be delivered to-morrow, and not credit," heannounced.

  There was the utmost eagerness to carry out the idea, and before fiveminutes had passed every boy had written his name on a slip of paper,together with the full amount which he could contribute to the generalfund.

  "I appoint Jud and Bobolink a committee to canvass the vote, and count upthe amount subscribed," said Paul, as chairman of the meeting.

  It did not take very long, though the two boys were seen to go over theirfigures several times in order to make sure there could be no error.

  "Look at the grins on their faces! Don't that tell the story, fellows!Hurrah!" shouted Nuthin'.

  And when the amount was declared it was found that it far exceeded theactual sum needed to purchase uniforms for the entire twenty-two scouts,including hats and leggings.

  "Don't forget that I've just got to have a bugle, fellows. What use is itto be elected bugler if you can't bugle?" exclaimed Bobolink.

  "And m-m-me for a d-d-d-d-d-drum!" echoed Bluff, excitedly; when he wasimmediately pounced upon as usual, and pounded several times on the back.

  "Yes, do get Bluff something he can beat. I've heard him drum, and he'sjust a corker at it. It keeps him from talking, you know," laughed TomBetts.

  "Hello!" exclaimed Nuthin' suddenly; "look who's here, fellows!"

  All eyes were immediately turned toward the door, and focussed upon thefigure that stood just within the barn, having entered while they wereboisterously exchanging these compliments.

  "Why, it's Mr. Growdy!" said Paul.

  "Old Peleg!" echoed Bobolink, in a hushed tone.

  One and all stared at the crusty old farmer, who for years had avoidedall boys as though he thought them a dangerous breed of animals which itwere safer to let severely alone.

  When Paul saw the amused smile creeping over the rugged and seamed faceof the old farmer he understood that Peleg had really experienced awonderful change of heart, dating from that night when the new Boy Scoutscleaned up his dooryard as an object lesson.

  And now Peleg was coming slowly forward, looking a bit awkward; since hehad never been accustomed to facing an audience, and especially onecomposed of boys.

  They made way for him, so that presently he found himself completelysurrounded by an eager throng.

  "Glad to see you, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, holding out his handimpulsively; and to the surprise of the others it was eagerly seized uponby the calloused fingers of the toiler in the fields; "these are thefriends I spoke to you about. And this is the Fox Patrol of the newlyorganized Boy Scouts."

  Peleg grinned, and acknowledged the introduction by ducking his touseledhead.

  "Glad to meet ye, boys. I've be'n hearin' quite considerable 'bout whatye was adoin' over here, an' I thort as how I'd jest drap in to see yeall; sorter like returnin' yer call, so to speak!" he said, againallowing a humorous look to appear upon his face.

  And somehow the boys instantly concluded that when Peleg allowed thelines of his severe face to relax
, he was rather a jolly old chap afterall.

  "Hurrah! Three cheers for Mr. Peleg Growdy!" exclaimed one of those whofelt relieved to think that his coming meant no trouble after all.

  But the farmer raised his hand.

  "Jest wait till I has my little say, boys. Now, at fust I was kinderriled that a passel o' boys shud 'a' took me to task on account o' myway o' lettin' things run loose like at my place. But I gotter thinkin'her over, and by hokey if it didn't jest come home to me. Times was whenmy dooryard was the puttiest around all Stanhope, with the flowersabloomin', an' every scrap tidied up; but in them happy days Mandy an'the kids was there, ye see; an' sense they was took it 'peared like Inever cared what things looked like; an' that's a fact, boys."

  The old man seemed to swallow something that threatened to choke him; andthen, while the boys hung on his every word, and wondered how they hadever come to misunderstand him as they had, he went on:

  "But I kim to the conclusion, arter thet kind visit ye paid me, thet Iowed a duty to the community, and it warn't right for any citizen to lethis place look disgraceful. So arter this nobody ain't agoin' to beashamed to pass by the yard where Mandy 'tended the rose bushes, and hertots played from morn to night. I jest drapped in here to thank ye righthearty boys, for showin' me wot was wantin'. Arter this there ain't neveragoin' to be any trouble between me an' the boys o' Stanhope. They kincount on old Peleg Growdy to contribute to every sport that goes tocultivate the mind and body in the right direction!"

  He seemed a vastly different man as he stood there and said this, for hishead was thrown back, his eyes flashed, and his face was almost friendlyin its expression, the old haggard look having for the time beingdisappeared.

  "Again I say, three cheers for Mr. Growdy!" called Joe Clausin.

  "Wait a bit, fellers. I got somethin' more to say," pleaded the old man,once again lifting his hand to still the rising tumult.

  Paul smiled, for he could give a pretty shrewd guess as to what wascoming; and it certainly did him good to realize how their odd littlescheme was turning out to be such a glorious success.

  Every voice was hushed, and once more the throng waited for the farmer toexplain.

  "I've been ahearin' a good lot about wot ye're all adoin' with this BoyScout business. Kinder got me interested, an' I borried some books o' thedominie jest so I could understand wot 'twas all about. An' I want to sayI like the ijee fust rate. If I hed any boys o' my own," and his voicefaltered right there, "I'd sure encourage 'em to jine in with ye. Seein'as I ain't, an' on account o' the good turn ye done me t'other night,boys, I'm goin' to ask a favor o' ye. I ain't got nary a kid to leavemy money to when I go; and so I hope ye'll let me pay for fittin' thishere Fox Patrol out with uniforms! That's my ijee, boys, an' it'll giveme great joy if so be ye take me up!"

  They looked at each other for a minute, speechless with astonishment.

  Then being real boys they found their voices with a rush. No need now forTom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairlyrocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swunghis hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein.