It ended in every fellow having his name taken down. A number knew of others not present who were deeply interested, and, of course, they were enjoined to act as missionaries, so as to lengthen the roster of the Boys’ Club.
“I’d be only too well pleased,” said Mr. Holwell, after all these details had been settled, “if every boy of a suitable age in and around Cliffwood belonged to this new association, because I feel sure it is bound to afford you all some of the happiest evenings of your lives. We intend to do everything within reason to make this a pleasant home for our boys, and in return only ask them to deal candidly with us. We put you on your honor to stand by the rules, and ask nothing beyond that.”
The meeting broke up by nine o’clock, for some of the boys were young, and their parents would not care to have them out later than this. Dick and Leslie walked homeward together, for they did not live far away from one another. Dan had been compelled to hurry off, as there was company at his house, with something of a “feast” so dear to the heart of the average boy, which he did not care to miss.
“Well, what do you think of the prospects of the new organization?” asked Leslie, as he and Dick walked along, arm in arm.
“Bully!” exclaimed the other, with just such enthusiasm as one of his nature would be expected to display. “Twenty-six names on the roll call already, and more coming. It’s already a big success, and Mr. Holwell looks as proud as if he’d won a prize.”
“He’s a fine man, Dick, a splendid man!” declared Leslie. “I always felt that he was the best friend the boys of this town ever had. But say, I was never so tickled in all my life as when he grabbed Nat by the scruff of his coat, and yanked him along to the door. Why, Nat, big bully as he is, was like a pullet in the grip of Mr. Holwell.”
“And did you see how the minister’s eyes flashed when he was taking Nat across the floor?” burst out Dick, with a chuckle of glee. “I guess just for that minute he must have forgotten all about his calling, and was just plain Tom Holwell again, left tackle of the Princeton football squad of years ago. Wow! it was rich, let me tell you.”
Leslie seemed to be just as much amused as his chum, for he too laughed heartily as they tramped along. The minister had made a new place for himself that night, strange to say, in the hearts of numerous boys.
“And don’t forget,” continued Dick, “that Harry Bartlett was right in the same class with Mr. Holwell. The way he jumped on Dit and yanked him out of his seat was good for sore eyes. Why, I picked up Dit’s siren from the floor, where he dropped it in his big scare. Guess they didn’t think that gun was loaded, and when it went off with a bang, they got a shock all right!”
“How about that prize of twenty-five dollars to be offered for the best original black-face farce, Dick; think of having a look-in there?” asked Leslie, who happened to know that the other occasionally indulged in concocting stories, and, indeed, had always been considered the best composition writer in the Cliffwood schools.