THE PLOT AGAINST FLETCHER.
The intimacy between Harry and Oscar Vincent continued, and, as
during the former term, the latter volunteered to continue giving
French lessons to our hero. These were now partly of a
conversational character, and, as Harry was thoroughly in earnest, it
was not long before he was able to speak quite creditably.
About the first of November, Fitzgerald Fletcher left the Prescott
Academy, and returned to his home in Boston. It was not because he
had finished his education, but because he felt that he was not
appreciated by his fellow-students. He had been ambitious to be
elected to an official position in the Clionian Society, but his
aspirations were not gratified. He might have accepted this
disappointment, and borne it as well as he could, had it not been
aggravated by the elevation of Harry Walton to the presidency. To be
only a common member, while a boy so far his social inferior was
President, was more than Fitzgerald could stand. He was so incensed
that upon the announcement of the vote he immediately rose to a point
of order.
"Mr. President," he said warmly, "I must protest against this
election. Walton is not a member of the Prescott Academy, and it is
unconstitutional to elect him President."
"Will the gentleman point out the constitutional clause which has
been violated by Walton's election?" said Oscar Vincent.
"Mr. President," said Fletcher, "this Society was founded by students
of the Prescott Academy; and the offices should be confined to the
members of the school."
Harry Walton rose and said: "Mr. President, my election has been a
great surprise to myself. I had no idea that any one had thought of
me for the position. I feel highly complimented by your kindness,
and deeply grateful for it; but there is something in what Mr.
Fletcher says. You have kindly allowed me to share in the benefits
of the Society, and that satisfies me. I think it will be well for
you to make another choice as President."
"I will put it to vote," said the presiding officer. "Those who are
ready to accept Mr. Walton's resignation will signify it in the usual
way."
Fletcher raised his hand, but he was alone.
"Those who are opposed," said the President.
Every other hand except Harry's was now raised.
"Mr. Walton, your resignation is not accepted," said the presiding
officer. "I call upon you to assume the duties of your new position."
Harry rose, and, modestly advanced to the chair. "I have already
thanked you, gentlemen," he said, "for the honor you have conferred
upon me in selecting me as your presiding officer. I have only to
add that I will discharge its duties to the best of my ability."
All applauded except Fletcher. He sat with an unpleasant scowl upon
his face, and waited for the result of the balloting for
Vice-President and Secretary. Had he been elected to either
position, the Clionian would probably have retained his illustrious
name upon its roll. But as these honors were conferred upon other
members, he formed the heroic resolution no longer to remain a member.
"Mr. President," he said, when the last vote was announced, "I desire
to terminate my connection with this Society."
"I hope Mr. Fletcher will reconsider his determination," said Harry
from the chair.
"I would like to inquire the gentleman's reasons," said Tom Carver.
"I don't like the way in which the Society is managed," said
Fletcher. "I predict that it will soon disband."
"I don't see any signs of it," said Oscar. "If the gentleman is
really sincere, he should not desert the Clionian in the hour of
danger."
"I insist upon my resignation," said Fletcher.
"I move that it be accepted," said Tom Carver.
"Second the motion," said the boy who sat next him.
The resignation was unanimously accepted. Fletcher ought to have
felt gratified at the prompt granting of his request, but he was not.
He had intended to strike dismay into the Society by his proposal to
withdraw, but there was no consternation visible. Apparently they
were willing to let him go.
He rose from his seat mortified and wrathful.
"Gentlemen," he said, "you have complied with my request, and I am
deeply grateful. I no longer consider it an honor to belong to the
Clionian. I trust your new President may succeed as well in his new
office as he has in the capacity of a printer's devil."
Fletcher was unable to proceed, being interrupted by a storm of
hisses, in the midst of which he hurriedly made his exit.
"He wanted to be President himself--that's what's the matter," said
Tom Carver in a whisper to his neighbor. "But he couldn't blame us
for not wanting to have him."
Other members of the Society came to the same conclusion, and it was
generally said that Fletcher had done himself no good by his
undignified resentment. His parting taunt levelled at Harry was
regarded as mean and ungenerous, and only strengthened the sentiment
in favor of our hero who bore his honors modestly. In fact Tom
Carver, who was fond of fun, conceived a project for mortifying
Fletcher, and readily obtained the co-operation of his classmates.
It must be premised that Fitz was vain of his reading and
declamation. He had a secret suspicion that, if he should choose to
devote his talents to the stage, he would make a second Booth. This
self-conceit of his made it the more easy to play off the following
joke upon him.
A fortnight later, the young ladies of the village proposed to hold a
Fair to raise funds for some public object. At the head of the
committee of arrangements was a sister of the doctor's wife, named
Pauline Clinton. This will explain the following letter which,
Fletcher received the succeeding day:--
"FITZGERALD FLETCHER, ESQ.--Dear Sir: Understanding that you are a
superior reader, we should be glad of your assistance in lending
_eclat_ to the Fair which we propose to hold on the evening of the
29th. Will you be kind enough to occupy twenty minutes by reading
such selections as in your opinion will be of popular interest? It
is desirable that you should let me know as soon as possible what
pieces you have selected, that they may be printed on the programme.
"Yours respectfully,
"PAULINE CLINTON,
"(for the Committee)."
This note reached Fletcher at a time when he was still smarting from
his disappointment in obtaining promotion from the Clionian Society.
He read it with a flushed and triumphant face. He never thought of
questioning its genuineness. Was it not true that he was a superior
reader? What more natural than that he should be invited to give
_eclat_ to the Fair by the exercise of his talents! He felt it to be
a deserved compliment. It was a greater honor to be solicited to
give a public reading than to be elected President of the Clionian
Society.
"They won't laugh at me now," thought Fletcher.
He immediately started for Oscar's room to make known his new honors.
"How are you, Fitz?" said Oscar, who was in the secret, and guessed
the errand on which he came.
"Very well, thank you, Oscar," answered Fletcher, in a stately
manner.
"Anything new with you?" asked Oscar, carelessly.
"Not much," said Fletcher. "There's a note I just received.
"Whew!" exclaimed Oscar, in affected astonishment. "Are you going to
accept?"
"I suppose I ought to oblige them," said Fletcher. "It won't be much
trouble to me, you know."
"To be sure; it's in a good cause. But how did they hear of your
reading?"
"Oh, there are no secrets in a small village like this," said
Fletcher.
"It's certainly a great compliment. Has anybody else been invited to
read?"
"I think not," said Fletcher, proudly. "They rely upon me."
"Couldn't you get a chance for me? It would be quite an honor, and I
should like it for the sake of the family."
"I shouldn't feel at liberty to interfere with their arrangements,"
said Fletcher, who didn't wish to share the glory with any one.
"Besides, you don't read well enough."
"Well, I suppose I must give it up," said Oscar, in a tone of
resignation. "By the way, what have you decided to read?"
"I haven't quite made up my mind," said Fletcher, in a tone of
importance. "I have only just received the invitation, you know."
"Haven't you answered it yet?"
"No; but I shall as soon as I go home. Good-night, Oscar."
"Good-night, Fitz."
"How mad Fitz will be when he finds he has been sold!" said Oscar to
himself. "But he deserves it for treating Harry so meanly."