AN UNEXPECTED OFFER
Paul and his chum managed to break away finally, and walk toward the home
of the latter. Jack had his arm through that of the other, and it seemed
as though he felt happier over the recent exploit than the one who had
occupied the centre of the stage.
"My heart seemed to be up in my mouth just when you made that grab for
the 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 just
then. But luck favored me, you know. I'm more than glad, because it would
have given my mother a bad shock if I'd been trampled on. But please drop
that 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 a
long time. Such things happen only once a year or more around dull old
Stanhope. To-night we meet to see how many have the money earned for the
suits; and I'm glad to say I can cover my needs. You're doubly supplied
now, with this windfall."
"Yes, and I wish I could help some other fellow out; but I'm afraid that
would be against the rules of the game. Here we are at your house, and
bless me if Carlo hasn't carried that basket of provisions straight back
to 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 the
basket, and send him down to the bakery for a loaf of bread," laughed the
other.
"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 knows
what we want, and wraps the loaf up so as to keep the dust off. Why, that
ain't the best of his tricks, by a long shot. I taught him when he was
hungry to go--"
"Excuse me, won't you, Jack; there comes father, and I do believe he's
heading home long before his usual time. Perhaps he's afraid mother may
hear that something has happened to me, and would be anxious. I'd better
jump in with him, don't you think? Another time I'll hear all about the
wonderful 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 a
particle jealous of the recent exploit which his chum had engineered so
successfully; for envy was not one of his failings. But he did wish that
his 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 a
millstone, nor could he ever know peace again until in some way it were
explained.
What happened at the Morrison home when the doctor told the story of his
boy's heroism no one ever knew; for Paul was not the one to betray family
secrets.
But Jack, who understood what an affectionate mother his chum had, could
easily imagine how she wrapped her arms about the boy, and pressed him
again and again to her bosom, thanking Heaven that the child she had
watched grow from babyhood until he was now almost as tall as his father,
should show signs of proving himself a worthy successor to the "good
Doctor," as every one knew him.
That night the boys had the darkness to contend with when they started
for the place of meeting, though the late moon might show her smiling
face before the time came for them to return home.
There were just twenty-two who reported at roll call that evening at
eight, and one need only glance around at the faces of the boys, both
large and small, to be positive that the enthusiasm, instead of dying
out, was increasing by leaps and bounds.
When the meeting had been called to order, the one subject that
interested those gathered was the question of obtaining their uniforms
and other outfit.
A warm discussion arose shortly when Jack asked for information
concerning the right of any scout to assist a fellow member who might be
behind in earning the necessary amount.
Some believed one way, while others seemed to look at it in another
light, and not a few were, as Jack said, "on the fence."
"Listen, fellows, and I'll tell you what I gathered from studying the
books on the Boy Scout movement loaned me by the minister. Here are
twenty or more of us, and we need just so much money for an outfit. Some
can show much more than they need, others fall short, although they may
have worked even harder. Is that plain?" and Jack looked around at the
eager faces as he put the question.
"It certainly is," remarked Paul, smiling; "some are born rich, others
earn riches, and once in a while some lucky chap has the money stuck
right in his hand. I'm one of the last class. But go on, Jack; for I know
you'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 every
member 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 out
and 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; and
remember it means cash, to be delivered to-morrow, and not credit," he
announced.
There was the utmost eagerness to carry out the idea, and before five
minutes had passed every boy had written his name on a slip of paper,
together with the full amount which he could contribute to the general
fund.
"I appoint Jud and Bobolink a committee to canvass the vote, and count up
the amount subscribed," said Paul, as chairman of the meeting.
It did not take very long, though the two boys were seen to go over their
figures 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 the
actual 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 it
to 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 was
immediately 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's
just a corker at it. It keeps him from talking, you know," laughed Tom
Betts.
"Hello!" exclaimed Nuthin' suddenly; "look who's here, fellows!"
All eyes were immediately turned toward the door, and focussed upon the
figure that stood just within the barn, having entered while they were
boisterously 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 avoided
all boys as though he thought them a dangerous breed of animals which it
were safer to let severely alone.
When Paul saw the amused smile creeping over the rugged and seamed face
of the old farmer he understood that Peleg had really experienced a
wonderful change of heart, dating from that night when the new Boy Scouts
cleaned up his dooryard as an object lesson.
And now Peleg was coming slowly forward, looking a bit awkward; since he
had never been accustomed to facing an audience, and especially one
composed of boys.
They made way for him, so that presently he found himself completely
surrounded by an eager throng.
"Glad to see you, Mr. Growdy," said Paul, holding out his hand
impulsively; and to the surprise of the others it was eagerly seized upon
by the calloused fingers of the toiler in the fields; "these are the
friends I spoke to you about. And this is the Fox Patrol of the newly
organized Boy Scouts."
Peleg grinned, and acknowledged the introduction by ducking his touseled
head.
"Glad to meet ye, boys. I've be'n hearin' quite considerable 'bout what
ye was adoin' over here, an' I thort as how I'd jest drap in to see ye
all; sorter like returnin' yer call, so to speak!" he said, again
allowing a humorous look to appear upon his face.
And somehow the boys instantly concluded that when Peleg allowed the
lines of his severe face to relax, he was rather a jolly old chap after
all.
"Hurrah! Three cheers for Mr. Peleg Growdy!" exclaimed one of those who
felt 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 kinder
riled that a passel o' boys shud 'a' took me to task on account o' my
way 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 when
my dooryard was the puttiest around all Stanhope, with the flowers
abloomin', 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 I
never cared what things looked like; an' that's a fact, boys."
The old man seemed to swallow something that threatened to choke him; and
then, while the boys hung on his every word, and wondered how they had
ever come to misunderstand him as they had, he went on:
"But I kim to the conclusion, arter thet kind visit ye paid me, thet I
owed a duty to the community, and it warn't right for any citizen to let
his place look disgraceful. So arter this nobody ain't agoin' to be
ashamed to pass by the yard where Mandy 'tended the rose bushes, and her
tots played from morn to night. I jest drapped in here to thank ye right
hearty boys, for showin' me wot was wantin'. Arter this there ain't never
agoin' to be any trouble between me an' the boys o' Stanhope. They kin
count on old Peleg Growdy to contribute to every sport that goes to
cultivate the mind and body in the right direction!"
He seemed a vastly different man as he stood there and said this, for his
head was thrown back, his eyes flashed, and his face was almost friendly
in its expression, the old haggard look having for the time being
disappeared.
"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 was
coming; and it certainly did him good to realize how their odd little
scheme was turning out to be such a glorious success.
Every voice was hushed, and once more the throng waited for the farmer to
explain.
"I've been ahearin' a good lot about wot ye're all adoin' with this Boy
Scout business. Kinder got me interested, an' I borried some books o' the
dominie jest so I could understand wot 'twas all about. An' I want to say
I like the ijee fust rate. If I hed any boys o' my own," and his voice
faltered 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 leave
my money to when I go; and so I hope ye'll let me pay for fittin' this
here Fox Patrol out with uniforms! That's my ijee, boys, an' it'll give
me 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 for
Tom Butts or Joe Clausin to suggest three cheers. That old barn fairly
rocked with the volume of sound that burst forth, as every fellow swung
his hat in the air, and tried his best to give his feelings free rein.