ll
that was possible of those various accomplishments.

There was a great difference in the boys of the town.

Few who were of the proper age but who belonged to one or the other of
the troops; and people were beginning to notice how much more manly they
carried themselves, and how anxious they seemed now to get credit marks
at home.

Parents upon meeting never failed to talk about this wonderful change,
and express hopes that it would last.

"The best thing that ever happened, barring none, I think," was what the
old minister declared, at a meeting of the Women's Club; "and it deserves
to be encouraged. Why, you ladies should take advantage of this wave of
reform, to get these lads interested in keeping the streets of the town
clean. Give me fifty willing workers among the boys, and I warrant you
there will never be a stray piece of paper blowing around. They'll
provide receptacles for trash, and see that everybody uses them."

And so it went around, and everybody seemed delighted at the innovation.
Only a few skeptical old fogies shook their heads, and declared that it
was too good to last, and that they about expected to see the boys of
Stanhope transplanted to the heavens in a body presently, since their
wings must be sprouting.

About this time it came to the ears of Paul that the banner which the
peace-loving Quaker, Mr. Westervelt, had offered for the most proficient
troop of scouts along the Bushkill, had been placed on exhibition in the
window of a jewelry store over in the manufacturing town of Manchester.

He and Jack wheeled over that very day to inspect the coveted trophy.
When they saw what a beauty it was, their hearts thrilled with new
aspirations.

"Worth fighting hard for, eh, Paul?" observed Jack.

"I should say, yes," replied the other, delight written in big letters on
his face, pressed so close to the glass; "and I reckon it would do our
fellows lots of good just to run down here to look at that dandy banner.
I must tell them all about it, and have them see it for themselves."

"A bully good idea. You know how to get a fellow to put his best licks
into any job he undertakes," declared his chum, admiringly.

"Humbug!" scornfully replied Paul; "why, it's as easy as falling off a
log. Don't you feel more like straining every nerve in the effort to win
that prize, after seeing how handsome it is? Well, I just try to believe
every fellow is more or less like I am. That's the whole secret. Ye