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I've got you there； for you did all that for me； except this；〃 and Jack
threw his gown over a chair with a triumphant flourish as Frank
turned back to leave his room in the order which they had been
taught was one of the signs of a good bringing…up in boys as well
as girls。
〃Ready！ I'll trouble you for a cent； old man〃； and Jack held out his
hand； with a chuckle。
He got the money and a good clap beside； then they retired to the
shed to black their boots； after which Frank filled the woodboxes
and Jack split kindlings； till the daily allowance was ready。 Both
went at their lessons for half an hour； Jack scowling over his
algebra in the sofa corner； while Frank； with his elbows on and his
legs round the little stand which held his books； seemed to be
having a wrestling…match with Herodotus。
When the bell rang they were glad to drop the lessons and fall
upon their breakfast with the appetite of wolves； especially Jack；
who sequestered oatmeal and milk with such rapidity that one
would have thought he had a leathern bag hidden somewhere to
slip it into； like his famous namesake when he breakfasted with the
giant。
〃I declare I don't see what he does with it！ He really ought not to
'gobble' so； mother；〃 said Frank； who was eating with great
deliberation and propriety。
〃Never you mind； old quiddle。 I'm so hungry I could tuck away a
bushel；〃 answered Jack； emptying a glass of milk and holding out
his plate for more mush； regardless of his white moustache。
〃Temperance in all things is wise； in speech as well as eating and
drinkingremember that； boys；〃 said Mamma from behind the urn。
〃That reminds me！ We promised to do the 'Observer' this week；
and here it is Tuesday and I haven't done a thing： have you？〃 asked
Frank。
〃Never thought of it。 We must look up some bits at noon instead 0f
playing。 Dare say Jill has got some： she always saves all she finds
for me。〃
〃I have one or two good items； and can do any copying there may
be。 But I think if you undertake the paper you should give some
time and labor to make it good；〃 said Mamma； who was used to
this state of affairs； and often edited the little sheet read every
week at the Lodge。 The boys seldom missed going； but the busy
lady was often unable to be there； so helped with the paper as her
share of the labor。
〃Yes； we ought； but somehow we don't seem to get up much steam
about it lately。 If more people belonged； and we could have a
grand time now and then； it would be jolly〃； and Jack sighed
at the lack of interest felt by outsiders in the loyal little Lodge
which went on year after year kept up by the faithful few。
〃I remember when in this very town we used to have a Cold Water
Army； and in the summer turn out with processions； banners； and
bands of music to march about； and end with a picnic； songs； and
speeches in some grove or hall。 Nearly all the children belonged to
it； and the parents also； and we had fine times here twenty…five or
thirty years ago。〃
〃It didn't do much good； seems to me； for people still drink； and
we haven't a decent hotel in the place；〃 said Frank； as his mother
sat looking out of the window as if she saw again the pleasant sight
of old and young working together against the great enemy of
home peace and safety。
〃Oh yes； it did； my dear； for to this day many of those children are
true to their pledge。 One little girl was； I am sure； and now has two
big boys to fight for the reform she has upheld all her life。 The
town is better than it was in those days； and if we each do our part
faithfully； it will improve yet more。 Every boy and girl who joins is
one gained； perhaps； and your example is the best temperance
lecture you can give。 Hold fast； and don't mind if it isn't 'jolly'： it is
right； and that should be enough for us。〃
Mamma spoke warmly； for she heartily believed in young people's
guarding against this dangerous vice before it became a
temptation； and hoped her boys would never break the pledge they
had taken； for； young as they were； they were old enough to see its
worth； feel its wisdom； and pride themselves on the promise which
was fast growing into a principle。 Jack's face brightened as he
listened； and Frank said； with the steady look which made his face
manly；
〃It shall be。 Now I'll tell you what I was going to keep as a surprise
till to…night； for I wanted to have my secret as well as other folks。
Ed and I went up to see Bob； Sunday； and he said he'd join the
Lodge； if they'd have him。 I'm going to propose him to…night。〃
〃Good！ good！〃 cried Jack； joyfully； and Mrs。 Minot clapped her
hands； for every new member was rejoiced over by the good
people； who were not discouraged by ridicule； indifference； or
opposition。
〃We've got him now； for no one will object； and it is just the thing
for him。 He wants to belong somewhere； he says； and he'll enjoy
the fun； and the good things will help him； and we will look after
him； The Captain was so pleased； and you ought to have seen Ed's
face when Bob said； 'I'm ready； if you'll have me。〃
Frank's own face was beaming； and Jack forgot to 〃gobble；〃 he was
so interested in the new Convert； while Mamma said； as she threw
down her napkin and took up the newspaper；
〃We must not forget our 'Observer；' but have a good one tonight in
honor of the occasion。 There may be something here。 Come home
early at noon； and I'll help you get your paper ready。〃
〃I'll be here； but if you want Frank； you'd better tell him not to
dawdle over Annette's gate half an hour；〃 began Jack； who could
not resist teasing his dignified brother about one of the few foolish
things he was fond of doing。
〃Do you want your nose pulled？〃 demanded Frank； who never
would stand joking on that tender point from his brother。
〃No； I don't； and if I did； you couldn't do it〃； with which taunt he
was off and Frank after him； having made a futile dive at the
impertinent little nose which was turned up at him and his
sweetheart。
〃Boys； boys； not through the parlor！〃 implored Mamma； resigned
to skirmishes； but trembling for her piano legs as the four stout
boots pranced about the table and then went thundering down the
hail； through the kitchen where the fat cook cheered them on； and
Mary； the maid； tried to head off Frank as Jack rushed out into the
garden。 But the pursuer ducked under her arm and gave chase with
all speed。 Then there was a glorious race all over the place； for
both were good runners； and； being as full of spring vigor as frisky
calves； they did astonishing things in the way of leaping fences；
dodging round corners； and making good time down the wide
walks。
But Jack's leg was not quite strong yet； and he felt that his round
nose was in danger of a vengeful tweak as his breath began to give
out and Frank's long arms drew nearer and nearer to the threatened
feature。 Just when he was about to give up and meet his fate