by Oliver Optic
CHAPTER XI.
BETTER TO GIVE THAN RECEIVE.
"All aboard!" shouted Tony, as soon as he had declared the vote: and theboys hurried into the boat to be in readiness to join the Zephyr, whichwas already upon the lake.
Tony's spirits were unusually buoyant. The sympathy and co-operation ofthe club in regard to Little Paul's father was in the highest degreegrateful to his feelings. Perhaps his companions did not so cheerfullyresign the project of the fleet; perhaps they had acted upon the impulseof the moment; but they were all to experience the benefit of doing agood deed, and sacrificing their own gratification for the happiness ofothers. Tony felt better for the sacrifice they had made, and probablythe rest of them shared his feelings. He was satisfied that they did notfully realize what they had done, and with the determination to take afit opportunity to talk over the matter with them, he took his place inthe boat.
The Zephyrs were laying on their oars, waiting for the Butterfly whenshe backed out of the boat house.
"You are late, Tony, which is rather odd for you," said Frank.
"We had a little business to attend to, which detained us," repliedTony; "and while we are here we may as well tell you about it. We havevoted our money away."
"For the fleet?"
"No; we have given that up."
"Indeed! Given it up?" exclaimed Frank, not a little surprised at thisdeclaration.
"Fact, Frank!"
"Something new has turned up, then?"
"Let us lash boats to keep us from drifting apart, and I will tell youall about it."
The two boats were fastened together fore and aft, and Tony proceeded totell the story of Little Paul's father. He spoke loud enough for all theZephyrs to hear him, and as his heart warmed towards Mr. Munroe in hismisfortunes, his eyes dilated, and his gestures were as apt andenergetic as though he had been an orator all his lifetime.
"I see what you have done with your money," said Frank, as the speakerpaused at the close of the narrative. "It was like you, Tony--noble andgenerous!"
"We gave all our money for the relief of Mr. Munroe; but I didn't evensuggest the thing to the fellows. Henry Brown made the motion, and itwas a unanimous vote."
"Bravo, Butterflies!"
"Have you given up the fleet?" asked Tim Bunker, whose face was the onlyone which did not glow with satisfaction.
"Yes."
"There is more fun in helping a poor man out of trouble than in workinga fleet," added Henry Brown.
"So I say," put in Dick Chester.
"Humph!" grunted Tim.
"But, Tony, you said the note was five hundred dollars--didn't you?"asked Frank.
"I did."
"And you have only four hundred?"
"That's all;" and Tony's eyes rekindled with delight at the anticipationof what the Zephyrs would do.
"You hear that, fellows."
"Would a motion be in order now?" asked Charles Hardy.
"Hold your tongue, you fool!" said Tim Bunker, in a low tone. "We canget another boat with our money, and you shall be coxswain of it."
Charles looked at him.
"A motion would be in order; at least we can _make_ it in order,"replied Frank.
But Charles hesitated. The tempting offer of Tim, the absurdity of whichhe did not stop to consider, conquered his first impulse.
"I move you we appropriate one hundred dollars to put with theButterfly's money for Mr. Munroe," said William Blight, and Charles hadlost the honor of making the motion.
"Second the motion," added Fred Harper.
Those in favor of giving our money to Mr. Munroe will signify it."
"Vote against it," said Tim, and Charles accepted the suggestion.
"Ten; it is a vote, though not unanimous," continued Frank, as he cast areproachful glance at his friend who had voted against the proposition.
He was not surprised to see Tim Bunker vote against it; but thatCharles should receive the advice of such a counselor, and such advice,too, was calculated to alarm him. His friend had but little firmness,and was perhaps more likely to be led away by bad influence than anyother member of the club. He was sorry to see Tim exhibiting his doggeddisposition, but more sorry to see Charles so much under his control.
"Hurrah!" shouted Tony, when the vote was declared. "Let us send up toMr. Munroe, and tell him what we have done, and get little Paul. Theywon't want him now."
"But, Tony, you forget that our doings must be approved by ourdirectors," said Frank.
"I'll risk them."
"It would be better to have everything right before we promise Mr.Munroe."
"So it would. Is your father at home?"
"I believe so."
"George is, and it won't take five minutes to obtain his consent. Let gothe fasts forward," said Tony, as he cast off the line astern.
"We will go ashore and try to find my father," added Frank."Ready--pull!"
Away dashed the Zephyr towards her boat house, while the Butterfly cameabout so that Tony could leap on shore.
Of course both Captain Sedley and George Weston were surprised at thesudden action of the clubs; but the deed was too noble, too honorable totheir kind hearts to want their sanction, and it was readily given. Inless than half an hour the boats were pulling towards a convenientlanding-place near Mr. Munroe's house.
The poor man was confounded when the committee of two from each clubwaited upon him and stated their business. His eyes filled with tears,and he and Little Paul wept together.
But Mr. Munroe could not think of taking the money at first. He declaredthat he would suffer anything rather than deprive the boys of thegratification which their money would purchase.
"We are a little selfish about it, sir," said Tony. "We want to keepPaul among us."
"That's the idea," added Henry Brown, who was his colleague on thecommittee.
"I can't take your money, boys," replied Mr. Munroe, firmly.
"You will oblige us very much by taking it. My brother and CaptainSedley both know what we are about. I am sure we shall feel happier inletting you have this money than we should be made by anything it willbuy. It was a unanimous vote in our club."
"Noble little fellows!" exclaimed Mr. Munroe, with a fresh burst oftears, as he grasped the hand of Tony.
The matter was argued for some time longer, and finally compromised byMr. Munroe's agreeing to accept the money as a loan.
The notes were drawn up and signed by the poor man, whose heart wasfilled to overflowing with gratitude at this unexpected relief.
"Now you will let Paul come with us--won't you, Mr. Munroe?" asked Tony.
"Certainly; and I shall never cease to thank God that he has found suchnoble and true friends," replied the poor man; and as they took theirleave, he warmly pressed the hands of each member of the committee.
"Cheer up, Paul; don't be downhearted. It is all right now," said Tony.
"I can't be lively," replied Little Paul, whose sadness cast a shadeupon the enjoyment of the others.
"Why not, Paul?"
"I feel so sad; and your goodness to my poor father overcomes me."
"Never mind that, Paul; cheer up, and we will have a glorious time."
But Little Paul's feelings were too strong and deep to be easilysubdued. His pride seemed to be wounded by the events of the day, andwhen they reached Center Island, he told Tony how badly he felt abouthis father being the recipient of their charity, as he called it.
"Charity, Paul!" exclaimed the noble little fellow. "Look here;" and hepulled the note he had received from Mr. Munroe out of his pocket. "Doyou 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 havedone, and finally so far succeeded in convincing Paul, that his facebrightened with a cheerful smile, and he joined with hearty zest in thepreparations for the May-day picnic.
A long spruce pole, which had been prepared for the occasion by UncleBen, was towed to the island by the Zephyr, and erected in a convenientplace. The brushwood in the grove was cleared from the ground, the largestones were rolled out of the way, and were used in constructing a pierfor convenience in landing. When their labors were concluded it wasnearly dark, and the boats pulled for home, each member of the clubsanticipating a glorious time on the approaching holiday, for such thecommittee had decided the First of May should be.