The Knights of the White Shield / Up-the-Ladder Club Series, Round One Play

ng a

Table of

barn. First there popped up one head and a pair of curious eyes. Then there popped u

on't she

Waters wh

ggie Jones, a little colored boy, his d

one of the best of towns in the opinion of its inhabitants, this particular barn, in Charlie's estimate, was one of the best structures of that sort in the place. Below, on the first floor, there was a chance of a stall for Brindle, now grazing in

ont window, whose big square shutter was generally open. This gave a boy a view of the lane and, if maliciously disposed, a chance to safely let drive an apple or a snow-ball at any "down-townie" that might rashly invade the neighborhood. There was also a window high up, at one end, well latticed with cobwebs. Then there was a closet, which was splendid for "Hy-spy," and-notice!-honor upon honor-there was a "cupelo," as Charlie called it, on top of the barn. Through the slats of the "cupelo," one could look upon the river

omach in view of the halibut, was powerfully affected, and again he cried ou

Jones. "Got nuff do

y hesitatingly. It was a long word and threatened

d. "O I will show you. We h

city so full of knowledge as Boston, Charlie and Juggi

right here," su

f," said the late

de boys?"

be popular after she has been started. And then, fellers," he said, in a quiet tone, "there's a b

lub movement saw also it would look better to defer all elections until others had joined, as it would give these a chance for

suggested Sid. "That would give us more

ws to a harried, breathless scramble on the stairs. Finally eight boys appeared, the future members of the club, save one or two later additions. There was Sid or Sidney Waters, aged eleven. He was the oldest boy present, and the brains really of the enterprise. He was a bit vain, rather selfish, and liked to have his own way, a very rare failing among boys. Still, he was a bright boy, and he h

d, like a brush fence, and his black eyes were very lively. He was one of the rogues of the club, and at school took more rattannings, as a mark of his teacher's affection, than any other boy. Juggie Jones-full name Jugurtha Bonaparte Jones-was a little colored fellow lately from the South, now living with his granny, a washer-woman, in a little yellow house at the head of the lane. He was always laughing and showing his white teeth. He was a great favorite with the boys. Wort and Juggie were of the same age as Charlie,-nine. Pip or Piper Peckham, aged eight, was a big-eyed, black-haired, little fellow with a peake

e we shall find o

o order," shouted Sid Waters, pom

ng obeyed

ter fill the offices firs

hand. All recovered in a short time, and several, including Pip Peckham, were about to sacrifice themselves for the common good, when Sid dexterously pr

mously, and the three were given, though it must be con

ave a governor

" inquired Sid, a slight sn

r in Massachusetts?" inqui

ye-ye

chusetts custom was plainl

s was made

now!" cal

Charlie was about to say "Yes," when the fruit hangi

piped a voice. It

fice ought to be given to experience," and

uired Billy. "W

ent. "Little boys must speak

y po

for its keeper. This happy solution of a difficult problem was at once accepted

eper of the great seal

led to say just what it did mean, "But," he affirmed, "I think we o

wn on the wharf, in a tank, a great one and a little one, and I gues

d. "That isn't it! If I could only think, bu

sident was the author of the most of

mes. "That's what they do to things in meetings,

hat, only I think

lose his chance for an office, and eagerly ass

the-hall?" said Sid, looking round on

s,

ne, you know, to look after the door and not

man of war, Jugurt

t nothing,"

s. "We ought to have a secretar

one of great honor and no duties. Every body had been pat into office except one, shy, silent, little olive-face, Tony. He was co

t an office for every member, and Tony was made assistant

e president. This was followed by a long discu

tar Club,"

omet" were successively rejected. "Let's ask teacher," chirped little Pip. The idea t

ggested Charlie. The club resolved that

h the money?" as

replied the ma

above rate it would take to accumulate money sufficient to buy a sword fo

tful Sid, "that the president

vernor next

asury next,"

, too, and I want

ause he's at de door, and might hab to

st," said t

said the

said the

rn chamber, and the members of that swor

ie the peace-maker, remembering the

l we get a real sword each one

happy in the thought that he could have a swor

down stairs as if a fire were after them, and then rushed along the lane, all heading for a cozy story-and-a-half house where "teacher" lived.

Jones, when the pastor invited Bertha to ente

nerable male gossip, who scolded every body and e

ing lasted. She compelled their respect and she won their hearts. They looked upon her as an older sister, and promptly confided to h

ing-room, boys. Gla

body to me," something was evidently on the minds o

atch his breath, "have-formed

rus coming from the eager fa

What shall I tell you

Sid, looking

ere do you hold

u go in from the street and go

There's a ladder there, so you can get up-up in

go up stairs and see the ladder. Call it 'Up-the-Ladder Club,' and then it will have

rers, with sparkling eyes, stretched upward their small arm

aid the president, with dignity.

and after it, came a sharp-feat

Bertha, what

my class, g

was fire," and, saying this, the old

a badge; something to wea

ave on?" Miss Bert

displaying his right leg, on whic

ownies," said the gove

-townies' will laugh

them. They certainly had not given a thought to any ridicule these old enemies might heap upon them. A sadden chi

t say I fancy the idea. I will tell you something th

glass again, and that chilled look i

to be worn on the left arm, make it of pasteboard, so it

rah. The mercury was

every thing good and fair, and that your beautiful white shield will

lowing this was

ys going ahead in every thing good; climbing up, not lazy o

pressively, "the Knight

d to have surrounded her, and, waving their swords enthusiastically, pledged her their support, so the Up-the-Ladder Club waved their caps around this their you

riggins, who chanced to meet this band of knights issuing

he barn. When they had all safely arrived in the cha

u look pale. Has any one put his sword

rk thought had overshadowed him and ch

t?" asked

lie, "ask Aunt Stanshy if

"Aunt Stanshy" was well known by the boys. All the sunshine

harlie that when he wanted to put colors on a flag-staff, he needn't go out of the house. That made Charlie mad. Aunt Stanshy had sharp, black eyes, and spectacles made them look all the sharper. As Charlie said, "Aunt Stanshy's eyes sometimes look as if they had snappin' crackers in 'em." Aunt Stanshy was really kind at heart and really loved Charlie, and he had all the comforts of home; but she would sometimes speak quick, and she was always sure to "speak her mind," be the rate of speech slow or quick. Simes Badger was a retired old salt and kept th

t we've got no place to stick it in! How would it do

brightened at t

onth, but ektheuth her," suggested P

ppy thought and acc

Stanshy was washing clothes when Charlie entered. With a drooping head and faltering tongue he told about the club and asked for the barn, having announced her honorary membership, and also the remission of the monthly due. Aunt Stanshy had

ful one of paste

well, s

y the store, and laughed till her sides ached. She was washing again when the granny of the "Senti

the big ribbon-ends of her cap flut

mber and sha'n't have to

wha

y pounded her clothes and roared, so tickled

er?" asked granny. "You don

and have got to wear a

, "I do b'lieve she's losin' her mind sure, a