Part 1 (2/2)
The b.u.t.terfly was launched in the month of April. The liberality of George Weston had provided for her a boat-house, similar to that of the Zephyr, and, like that, furnished with a club room and library, and all the means for promoting the objects of the organization.
And now, with my old friends refreshed in memory by this review of the first season, and my new ones put in possession of all that is necessary to a proper understanding of the situation of the boat club, we are ready to proceed with our story.
CHAPTER II.
THE NEW MEMBER.
”Order!” said Frank Sedley, as he seated himself in the arm-chair, at the head of the table in the club room.
At a meeting the preceding week, Frank had again been chosen c.o.xswain of the club for the first official term. This had been done, not only in compliment to the n.o.ble boy to whose father the members were indebted for the privileges they enjoyed, but in antic.i.p.ation of an exciting time on the lake, in a proposed race with the b.u.t.terfly. Frank was acknowledged to be the most skilful boatman among them, and under his direction they expected to accomplish all that they and the Zephyr could possibly attain. They had already learned that mere muscle was not all that was required to insure their success. Skill, forethought, and the ability to take advantage of favoring circ.u.mstances, were discovered to be even more desirable than great power.
”Order!” repeated Frank, rapping smartly on the table.
The members suspended their conversation, and all eyes were fixed upon the president. The affairs of the club, in connection with the b.u.t.terfly, had been freely discussed for several weeks, and everything had been arranged for the opening of the ”summer campaign,” as Charles Hardy rather facetiously called it.
”There are two questions to be submitted for the action of the club at this meeting,” continued Frank, with more than his usual gravity. ”They are questions of momentous consequence, and I have felt the need of counsel from our director; but my father declines giving me any advice, and says he prefers that we should discuss the questions independently; though, as you all know, if our final action is wrong, he will--he will--”
”Veto it,” added Fred Harper.
”Yes, he will not permit us to do a wrong, though he wants us to think for ourselves, and do the best we can.”
”Precisely so; he wants--” Charles Hardy begun.
”Order!” said Frank, with gentle firmness. ”The first question is this: Tim Bunker, who has recently been discharged from the house of correction, has applied to be admitted as a member of the club, in place of Tony Weston, resigned. Shall he be admitted?”
”Mr. President, I move that he be not admitted,” said Charles.
”Is the motion seconded?”
There was no response. The members all felt that it was a very delicate matter, and that it required careful deliberation.
”The motion is not seconded, and, of course, cannot be entertained,”
continued the president.
”I move that he be admitted,” said Fred Harper.
”Second the motion,” added William Bright.
Charles Hardy felt a little nettled, and his first impulse was, to rise and express his astonishment, as Squire Flutter had done in the ”March meeting,” at the motion of his friend on the other side of the table: but the impulsive youth had learned quite recently that a second thought is oftentimes much better than a first, and he reserved the expression of his surprise till a later stage of the debate.
As no one seemed disposed to open the discussion, Frank requested Fred Harper to take the chair, while he temporarily a.s.sumed the position of one of the disputants.
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