number who would be valuable members. There are Dick Bumstead, and
William Chamberlain, and many others."

At the sound of Dick Bumstead's name John Haynes looked askance at
Frank, but for the moment the thought of Dick's agency in the affair
of the pig-pen had escaped his recollection, and he looked quite
unconscious of any indirect reference to it.

"Will you make a motion to that effect?"

"Yes, if necessary."

"Is the motion seconded?"

"Second it," said Moses Rogers.

"I will appoint Wilbur Summerfield and Moses Rogers on that committee,"
said the chairman.

"I move that the meeting adjourn ipse dixit," said Sam Davis, bringing
out the latter phrase with considerable emphasis.

A roar of laughter followed which shook the schoolhouse to the very
rafters, and then a deafening clamor of applause. The proposer sat down
in confusion.

"What are you laughing at?" he burst forth indignantly.

"Mr. Chairman," said Henry Tufts, struggling with his laughter, "I
second the gentleman's motion, all except the Latin."

The motion was carried in spite of the manner in which it was worded,
and the boys formed little groups, and began eagerly to discuss the plan
which had been proposed. Frank had reason to feel satisfied with the
success of his suggestion. Several of the boys came up to him and
expressed their pleasure that he had brought the matter before them.

"I say, Frank," said Robert Ingalls, "We'll have a bully company."

"Yes," said Wilbur Summerfield, "if John Haynes belongs to it. He's a
bully, and no mistake."

"What's that you are saying about me?" blustered John Haynes, who caught
a little of what was said.

"Listeners never hear anything good of themselves," answered Wilbur.

"Say that again, Wilbur Summerfield," said John menacingly.

"Certainly, if it will do you any good. I said that you were a bully,
John Haynes; and there's not a boy here that doesn't know it to be
true."

"Take care!" said John, turning white with passion.

"While I'm about it, there's something more I want to say," continued
Wilbur undauntedly. "Yesterday you knocked my little brother off
his sled and sent him home crying. If you do it again, you will have
somebody else to deal with."

John trembled with anger. It would have done him good to "pitch into"
Wilbur, but the latter looked him in the face so calmly and resolutely
that discretion seemed to him the better part of valor, and with an oath
he turned away.

"I