CHAPTER LIV
The Formation of the Club
Foundation Sunday came, and with it a respectable crowd at the House.There were some who had brought babies--which was unfortunate, butunavoidable--and there were one or two men too hilarious for goodmanners; but the crowd was, on the whole, good-natured and desirable.
Mike Shay was not there, although Jim had tried to get him; but Mike hada curious diffidence about appearing in public. All his power wasunderground, and all his methods behind the scenes. Squeaks was there tokeep an eye on things, and his little bleary, ferret eyes watched eachperson and detail with cunning, if not with discernment.
It was made perfectly clear that only members in good standing hadvotes.
"Vell, vot dot mean, dot good at stannin'? Don't ve vote settin' down?"demanded Skystein.
"It means members whose dues are fully paid, and who are not underindictment for serious breach of rules."
"I want to pay one year's dues for myself and Mr. Michael Shay," saidSqueaks; and he walked to the secretary and paid ten dollars. Thisindorsement by the boss produced immediate results.
"I'll take a year's membership," said a big, coarse, red-faced man. Andhe rolled up the aisle to deposit his five dollars, giving his name asBud Towler. Jim remembered him as the third person in the back room theday he met Michael Shay. He had not seen him since.
So many more came up now, mostly to pay a month's dues, which was theminimum, that Belle was worked hard and other business was stopped.
Then, when all who wished to pay and register had done so, the voice ofSqueaks was heard: "I have here a list of names that I want to proposefor charter membership," and he read off a list of twenty-five men, noneof them present. Bud Towler got up and seconded the lot; the Chair wasasked to put the names to immediate vote, as it was a charter meeting;all were carried, and Squeaks came forward and paid twenty-five dollarsdues for the lot to cover the next ten weeks, that is, to the end of ayear.
Belle whispered to Hopkins as Squeaks retired. The Chair nodded, roseand explained. "In drawing up our constitution, we deemed it best, inthe interests of democracy, to do all voting by ballot and to excludeall proxies."
"Dot's right, dot's all right!" shouted Skystein.
"Mr. Chairman, I protest," came the wire-like voice of Squeaks; thismeasure, would, naturally, mean the disfranchisement of every man whosebusiness happened to keep him away at election time. How much morereasonable it would be for him to empower some trusted friend torepresent him and his views, etc., etc.
On the matter of the ballot he was not so strong, but he did think "thatthe manly, straightforward way was for a voter to announce his vote andnot be ashamed of his principles. Of course, he was aware that there wasmuch to be said on the other side, but he was in favour of proxies andopen voting."
"So am I," shouted Towler. "We ain't got no right to rob a man of hisvote because he happens to be a night watchman."
"Ah, vat's de matter mit ye?" said Skystein. "Effery-body knows you an'Squeaks is in cahoots to run de hull push cart."
There was a good chance of a row; but Hopkins explained that voting bymail was a different thing from voting by proxy, and every member ingood standing would get the chance to vote by mail on important matters,when he could not be present.
No one could long have been in that meeting without realizing that itwas a veritable microcosm--a little world in which were all thestruggling, rival elements, the good and evil forces of the big world.Not a problem that was tormenting the country but was represented invital strength in that club group. It was full of lessons and graveresponsibilities.
They were now ready for the elections. Squeaks rose and said: "Since theowners of the lease are to nominate two of the four governors, it wouldclear things up if their nominations were made first and the clubelections afterward."
This at once confronted Hopkins with a problem. He had a free hand, buthe was puzzled, because while it was understood that he was to bepresident and Hartigan the active governor on the spot, they had notsecured a third man who, as governor, could be counted on for acontinued whole-souled support. It was Dr. Mary Mudd that let thedaylight into this problem by rising to say:
"Mr. Chairman, I understand we are free to elect a woman to the board ofgovernors as well as to any other office."
Hopkins had not thought of that, but the broad principle had beenestablished and he replied "Yes."
"Very good," said Dr. Mudd, "now there's a chance for common sense aswell as decency."
In a flash, Hopkins got the answer to his own problem. Belle Hartiganhad steadily been winning his appreciation. His admiration for herclear-headedness and business training was increased at each meeting. Heknew now pretty well how often her brain was behind Jim's actions. Inany event, the trial would be for only two and one-half months, whenelections were to take place for the new year. He bent toward her: "Willyou be one of the appointed governors for the rest of the year?"
"Yes."
Hopkins rose and announced that the owners of the lease appointed Mr.and Mrs. Hartigan as the two governors to represent them.
This was warmly applauded, especially by the women--led by Dr. Mudd.There followed some sharp electioneering and the members elected Squeaksand Skystein to represent them. Dr. Mudd, who had been nominated,demanded a recount of the votes, but the election was sustained. Thefour governors then met and within five minutes agreed on Hopkins forpresident. So the board was formed and for good or ill, the club waslaunched--in the slum, of the slum, and for the slum--but with a long,strong arm from the other world; an outside thing, but meant in kindlyhelp.
BOOK V
THE CALL OF THE MOUNTAIN
The Preacher of Cedar Mountain: A Tale of the Open Country Page 55