The Washington herald., 1911-08-20
CONTINUED FROM PAGE TWO


II don't want you to do it with a grimace.
You must remember you willingly took him
and his friends in as members at the outset,
and you are in duty bound to treat them re-
spectively as long they are with u.s.
We didn't know how mean they were
capable of being.
Excuse me, boys, but do not think it
has been from any intentional enmity on
Matts part, but from hiS overweeninp conf
dcnce in himself and ambition to get ahead,
l am sure IT will be for the ultimate good OF
the club to show him favor this time"
You are generally right, Jay, and no
doubt you are now. And though we had
firmly intended to re-elect you, we will try
Matt one term
Il am certain, you will not, regret it in
the end, if you do for time.
Fifteen minutes later Captain Noble rap
the meeting, the election of officers was de-
clared the business, and the first one to be
balloted for was the captain.
q With less than common hustle the votes
were handed in, and, amid prolonged 81.
lence, the members listened to statement of
the ballot
Though he had been puzzled to know
what the. silence of the canvass of Jay, and
his friends meant, Matt Thorn was wholly
unprepared for the declaration that he had
received all but three of the votes, and that
he was elected captain OF the Bonnie Blues.
At last, and most unexpectedly, his ambi-
were so great that when he was escorted to
the chair and listened to the retiring officer s
speech, he could not say a word.
That was the proudest and happiest mo.
ment of Mats life, and, as soon as he found
himself able to do so from his eXuberance OF
spirits, he resumed the order of business,
and Ralph, Conroy was reelected secretary
of the club.
Burt Allison was then chosen coxswain of
the junior team, as those belonging to the
second boat were called, which completed
the election.
by this time Matt had found that there
was considerable difference between looking
on and seeing chairman conduct the order
OF business, or in being the person In that
arduous position. But, in spite OF his mis-
takes, he continued as best he could, until
finally the secretary offered communication
which had been received.
1T was given to me by a boy from the
Pinery this afternoon, and | must acknowl-
edge came near forgetting 1t. l assure
you, though it is written on a scrap of wrap
ping paper, it is document of great impor-
tance."
Ralph spoke with solemnty and the drop
ping of pin might have been heard in any
part of the hall while he read:
THE PINERY. July IA.
Captain Jay Noble.
Dear Sir:-According to the vote Of our
new boat club. the Pine Pumes. / wish to
challenge your club, the Bonnie Blues, to a
boat race on Sunny River time and ar
rangements to be settled by committees ap-
pointed by, our clubs. Hoping you, will ac.
cept this challenge in the same good faith it
Is offered, | await YOUR reply.
"Very respectfully yours,
"ABE YORK,
Captain of the Pine Plumes.
'~To the Bonnie Blues, of Armadale.'
Even when the secretary had finished the
paper the silence continued, as If the men,
bcrs of the challenged club were unable to
believe what they had heard
Jay Noble had received an nkling of it
through Miss Mackay, who, he knew, had
helped draft the challenge, and he was on
his feet soon as he thought proper, say
"Mr. Chairman it seems we haven't con-
Guered all of our rivals yet and to show
them that we are as fearless and confident as
ever, move that the challenge from the Pine
Plumes be accepted"
Second the notion" cried Harry Brown.
A look that the beholdcrs were unable ~to
translate. but which his words defined as irr
tense disgust and objection, passed over the
features of Captain Thorn, and he exclaimed,
angrily, regardless OF the duty and dignity
of his Office:
you can't mean it, jay! The Bonnie
Blues are above considering for a moment
such a proposition from such a source"
Jay showed his surprise at this interference,
but he said calmly:
Begging, your pardon, Mr.. Chairman, it
comes in perfectly legitimate way. and as
far as | can see, is well worded. l do not
see how we can honestly ignore it,
Il don't see how we can honestly enter
tain it," snapped the chairman. 81 call it
piece of imposition. To think that set of
hcathens should have the audacity to send
such a message down hereto us! We can
see now plainly enough what that long
us"
Looks of amazcment came over the coun-
tenances of many, while all turned to see
now Jay would take this offensive speech.
at tins nncallcd for outburst on the part of
Matt. He said:
~" have 1t from reliable source that Abe
YORK has regularly form d u boat club, and
ne mas hCWn out OF a tree a hnnt that we