y.
For the first position Tom Pinkerton received a majority of the votes.
Though not popular, it was felt that some office was due him.

For secretary, Ike Stanton, who excelled in penmanship, was elected, and
thus all the offices were filled.

The boys now crowded around Frank Fowler, with petitions for such places
as they desired.

"I hope you will give me a little time before I decide about positions,
boys," Frank said; "I want to consider a little."

"All right! Take till next week," said one and another, "and let us have
a scrub game this afternoon."

The boys were in the middle of the sixth inning, when some one called
out to Frank Fowler: "Frank, your sister is running across the field. I
think she wants you."

Frank dropped his bat and hastened to meet his sister.

"What's the matter, Gracie?" he asked in alarm.

"Oh, Frank!" she exclaimed, bursting into tears. "Mother's been bleeding
at the lungs, and she looks so white. I'm afraid she's very sick."

"Boys," said Frank, turning to his companions, "I must go home at once.
You can get some one to take my place, my mother is very sick."

When Frank reached the little brown cottage which he called home, he
found his mother in an exhausted state reclining on the bed.

"How do you feel, mother?" asked our hero, anxiously.

"Quite weak, Frank," she answered in a low voice. "I have had a severe
attack."

"Let me go for the doctor, mother."

"I don't think it will be necessary, Frank. The attack is over, and I
need no medicines, only time to bring back my strength."

But three days passed, and Mrs. Fowler's nervous prostration continued.
She had attacks previously from which she rallied sooner, and her
present weakness induced serious misgivings as to whether she would
ever recover. Frank thought that her eyes followed him with more than
ordinary anxiety, and after convincing himself that this was the case,
he drew near his mother's bedside, and inquired:

"Mother, isn't there something you want me to do?"

"Nothing, I believe, Frank."

"I thought you looked at me as if you wanted to say something." "There
is something I must say to you before I die."

"Before you die, mother!" echoed Frank, in a startled voice.

"Yes. Frank, I am beginning to think that this is my last sickness."

"But, mother, you have been so before, and got up again."

"There must always be a last time, Frank; and my strength is too far
reduced to rally again, I fear."