Some of the launches had taken part in other races, so that they had records. According to the judgment of the committee such were placed under a handicap, and three had stations assigned to them below the railroad bridge. This was done in order that all might have a common goal, and add to the interest of the conclusion of the race.
"Why, I thought the boats started even, and some were given a time allowance?" remarked Professor Grasier, who was organist and choir master in the largest church in town, and also conducted the singing school during the winter, which always gave a delightful concert in the spring.
"I believe that is the usual rule; but this committee had views of its own. It seems that quite a little flotilla of boats intend starting—seven, some one said, and four of them belonging here," replied his neighbor.
"Yes, and strange to say, every one of those boats belong to a young fellow of established bad tendencies. It's an accident I suppose, but I couldn't help noticing it. There's Leffert Seller, always in the lead when mischief is done; William Klemm; Asa Barnes, and Watkins Kline. H'm! rather a doubtful honor if any one out of that set wins the cup," remarked the music-master, frowning.
"You do not appear to fancy them very much, sir?" remarked the other; "you see I am a newcomer to Columbia, arriving only a few months back, and hence I do not happen to be posted concerning the boys here."
"Oh! for that matter all towns of this size are pretty much alike. There are many clever and bright young chaps, and a few whose minds seem to be devoted exclusively toward what they term having fun, which means pranks. Now, I can sympathize with the average lad in such things, for I was once a boy myself, and concerned in many such; but a line must be drawn sharply between innocent fun and malicious destruction of property."
He waved his hand as he spoke toward the boathouse with its half charred side, a mute witness as to the truth of his words.
"Do you really think then that some of our boys could have been guilty of that criminal thing?" asked the other, in dismay.
"Well, I hardly go that far; and yet from the way things are pointing it will not be long before they reach that goal. Some one did it, and that shows what a reckless spirit may be loose in the community. I've had some unpleasant experiences with this wanton spirit that is at large, and can never forgive the humiliation it caused me."
"Well, sir; I believe that I can also testify to something in that line, although I am a stranger here, and have certainly done nothing to provoke a feeling of hostility among the fun-loving boys," and the other shrugged his shoulders as he thus expressed himself.