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

ion's B

Table of

ourth is to have a good t

e practical governor, "is to b

imed several vo

we fix it?"

o the bed-post,

our bed," said Sid, "and

tie their toes to one an

e plans, as they had been ineffectuall

, with the air of one who had made an important discovery.

feller to go to you

-why

holler under my

said

rs?" continued

said

under J

said

o under

aid Ch

under C

as a p

thy," sugg

oing out visiting,

appy thought came to Charlie. "Some one has got to sit up and wake th

always stood in one place, one particular corner in the rear of the entry. It is a wonder its voice did not show any sign of collapse, as it had called off the hours so many years. It would not have been strange if it had lost its patience. But uncomplainingly, even cheerily and without any sign of weakness, it told you what time it was. Charlie sometimes heard it in the night, and then it sounded like, "Cheer up! cheer up!" its pleasant voice halting on the "cheer," and then emphasizing the "up." It divided all its peals into two such notes, and when Charlie heard it strike one o'clock the effe

oom and wake me, Charli

," was the watchboy's

good-

d-ni

is some one firing off a gun! Wont I wake 'em with a blow on my horn!" Here he saw himself, as he visited house after house, arousing boy after boy. It would be like the falling of a

giants, and fairies," he said, "into the e

ough, and the trouble was

es the champion watchman was fast asleep! In an hour the clock struck again, and its voice seemed harsh, as if saying, "Young man, young man, wake up!" The notes had no startling effect on Charlie. Indeed, he heard them only as a very sweet, musical voice. The pistols and cannons going off in Water Street reached his ear as mild little pops. Things went on in this way till morning. About five Charlie dropped on the floor the book of Indians and dragons, that patiently had been resting in his lap all night. It roused him. He partially opened his eyes. Before him was an opened door that led into the parlor, and, sitting in his chair, he could see the parlor windows, whose curtains were up and whose panes were brightened by the light in th

up, Charlie!" was the

int this cheeky?"

-in you. Did your nap

round and wake me u

?" said

e?" sa

e?" sa

," replied Charl

. Three cheers for Charlie, our faithful watch

was declared by the president to have b

t banging away all night, and he got tired and came home about three, and said to me, 'You in bed now? I thought you were going to get up seve

aroused him several times, and finally he got into his clothes. Nobody, howeve

d, "three good ringers on your bugles for our hono

xious for its safety on "the glorious Fourth." The club separated into two ranks, and, as Aunt Stanshy passed along,

n she retreated to her home as quickly as p

reedom to crack torpedoes, freedom to buy pea-nuts, buns, ancient figs and dates and abominable cheap candy, freedom to make one's self as dirty, tired-and cross the next day-as possible! O, blessed liberty to boys who had patiently borne the yoke three hundred and sixty-four days, ever sin

spend a little time playing, a little time in bun-lunching, and t

ded with success, there was a successful time in eating, as far as th

he rights of one of our number have been interfered with. He has been fo

and lightning come after the black summer cloud. The person who had

e dinner-table, "I don't want you

s chin w

hy

setting fire to something.

chin now

s just changed, and it is coming in f

wont put

h with these words: "I learn that the Hon. Charles Pitt Macomber, who has been forbidden to fire off crackers, has some poetry, and I will ask him to read it I would only add that freemen must stand for their rights." Cheers were now given for "the poet of the day." Charlie stood up and read these lines, which were s

ORIOUS

COMBER, (n

he Glorious F

ckets mount

ckers are whi

jesty Grandeu

ave the whole

f crackers all

does would fall

ome down with a

are little

give two g

ake a noise w

ers, the ladie

it is too late to alter now, and we give it as preserved in our not

. Half a dozen logs were here floating. The keeper of the great seal had brought with him a hammer and a handful of nails, and se

he great seal," pompously announced Sid. "This will be the first race. I expected Tony a

journed. He and Tony had eaten too much green-tinted candy. The participants in the raft-race were preparing for the contest, Charlie having already

club the probability appeared to be, that others would speedily rise up and charge along the railroad track. Sid Waters, who had urged freemen to stand for their rights, was now turning on his heel. He headed for a fence that separated the railroad lot from the woods. It was evident that the first club race would be, not on the water, but the land, and that Sid Waters's legs would take an unexpected but active part in it. Other legs followed his, and this race of freemen for their

to Charlie, and seizing a pole left by one of the retreating c

lone," grow

how any one could be much more

ry that he could now say nothing. When Tim had repeatedly pushed Charlie's vessel back from the shore, Char

s pocket a dirty bo

nywhere is in that. If you will take

scarcely able to sputter out this defiance, "When

this young sailor, who don't know enough about sailin'

"I belong to Mr. Wa

aint is

gave Tim a look of co

n his pretty face

've got to look this way, sir. Bob, you get on that other raft an

innocent merchantman fleeing from two pirates make a harder exertion than d

them, and suddenly they gave way and the logs separated. Tim's legs separated with them till they could part no farther, and then he tried to spring from one log to the other. Alas for him, he put his foot in the wrong place, and that wrong place was the water! Down he went into as thorough a bath as ever a young rascal got i

hand, Bob,"

s way to the fence, climbing it and gaining the wood-lot. In the meantime, the other members of the club had halted

Billy, and then Sid,

in the army and he would call this the fly

rong," said Billy, "to

to run away from a

that had deserted Charlie, if that member could be found, as each one's mot

s to propose. "Charlie deserted!" he said. "Who's deser

fraid of it as something that might attract the enemy's attention, but he

ovement on the enemy,

that?" a

em as to go about them and ta

very agreeable mode. He boldly headed this movement. He intended to go off in a direction where no enemy would ever be met, but in his ignorance of the woods, he

re he is!"

ling, and fearful that

boys," sho

d, now taking long leaps forw

ious to have a hand in winning the laurels now com

Sid, "and also rescue Charlie, but-but-we might as

ou," and Charlie eagerly tol

said the president, "and go r

cousin's resoluteness; "I'm going home the way we

ng valiantly stormed the railroad fence and carried it-a remark

estness even brought dow

leted the bestowal of this reward, and then noticing the club, he shook his fist at them. He did not linger, but followed sullenly by Bob, passed down the other side of the embankment. The club did not find out whether this was an intended retreat, or simply the taking of a convenie

iant knights continued their triu

led though. The clouds thickened everywhere and the easterly wind that had been blowing all the afternoon, bringing occasional mist, now drove to land a blinding fog. Finally it began to rain, and yet gently, as if reluctant to spoil any festivities of the Fourth. Gathering up

s here," said the presid

"He left them in the house and it is locked, for his Aunt

rop that glancing through the branches smote him on the nose. Pin-wheels, candles, and the other attra

y to part with the Fourth, and yet secretl

ted. No one knew. "Good-bye, Charlie!" shouted one

. He had fallen asleep, so thoroughly tired was this patriotic young American, and the day for him was ending as it began-in a chair.

here the rain has been working round into the porch and it is coming on him! If y