Part 19 (1/2)
”Charity, Paul!” exclaimed the n.o.ble little fellow. ”Look here;” and he pulled the note he had received from Mr. Munroe out of his pocket. ”Do you call this charity?”
”Perhaps he can never pay you; at least it will be a long time.”
”No matter; it is a fair trade. We lent him the money.”
And Tony argued the point with as much skill as a lawyer would have done, and finally so far succeeded in convincing Paul, that his face brightened with a cheerful smile, and he joined with hearty zest in the preparations for the May-day picnic.
A long spruce pole, which had been prepared for the occasion by Uncle Ben, was towed to the island by the Zephyr, and erected in a convenient place. The brushwood in the grove was cleared from the ground, the large stones were rolled out of the way, and were used in constructing a pier for convenience in landing. When their labors were concluded it was nearly dark, and the boats pulled for home, each member of the clubs antic.i.p.ating a glorious time on the approaching holiday, for such the committee had decided the First of May should be.
CHAPTER XII.
FIRST OF MAY.
May day came--warm, bright, and beautiful. At six o'clock in the morning the Zephyr and the b.u.t.terfly were manned, and the boys went over to the island to trim the May-pole with evergreen and flowers. The Sylph was degraded for the time into a ”freighting vessel,” and under command of Uncle Ben conveyed to the island chairs and settees for the use of the guests, tables for the feast, music stands for the band, and other articles required for the occasion.
About nine o'clock the guests began to arrive, and were conveyed to the island by the two club boats--the Sylph having gone down to Rippleton after the band. The Sedleys, the Westons, Mr. Hyde, the parents of all the members of the clubs who could attend, all the boys and girls of the school, and a few gentlemen and ladies from the village who had manifested a warm interest in the welfare of the two a.s.sociations, composed the party; and before ten they were all conveyed to the scene of the festival.
”Have you got them all, Frank?” asked Captain Sedley, as the c.o.xswain was ordering his crew ash.o.r.e.
”All but the Munroes, and the b.u.t.terflies are going for them by and by.”
”Tom is hoisting the signal,” added Captain Sedley, pointing to a blue flag on the sh.o.r.e, which the gardener had been directed to hoist when anyone wished to go to the Island.
”We will go, Frank,” said Tony; and away dashed the boat towards the main sh.o.r.e.
”Ah, my b.u.t.terflies,” said a voice, as they approached the landing.
”Mr. Walker!” exclaimed Tony. ”Ready--up! Now let us give him three cheers. I was afraid he would not come.”
The salute was given, and acknowledged by Mr. Walker.
”I am glad to see you again, my brave boy,” said the gentleman, as he grasped Tony's hand.
”I was afraid you would not deem our invitation worth accepting.”
”I would not have missed of coming for the world, my young friend. Here is Mrs. Walker; you know her.”
Tony shook hands with the lady, and she said a great many very pretty things to him, which made the gallant little hero blush like a rose in June, and stammer so that he could hardly make them understand him.
”Shall I help you into the boat, Mrs. Walker?” said Tony.
”You shall, my little gallant; though I shall not be so glad to get into it as I was the other day.”
The boat put off again, and Mr. and Mrs. Walker were filled with admiration of the excellent discipline of the rowers. They were warmly greeted by the party at the island, and l.u.s.tily cheered by the crew of the Zephyr, which was again manned for the purpose of giving their liberal friend this complimentary salute.
”Off again, my lads?” asked Mr. Walker, as the b.u.t.terflies prepared to go for the Munroe family.
Captain Sedley explained to him the nature of their present errand; and, of course, the warm-hearted gentleman found renewed occasion to applaud the n.o.bleness of Tony and his companions. He could hardly find terms sufficiently strong to express his sense of admiration, especially when he learned the sacrifice which they had made.