be best to organize now. It will be easier to get them
to join a band already started than it will be to get them stirred up to
begin," was Almira's opinion.

Then she wished to know what they would do about her. She wanted to
belong, but then she was not a child.

"Do you know of any band, Marty, that has both children and young
ladies?" she asked.

"No," replied Marty. "In our church the young ladies have a band
themselves."

"But this isn't a church band; it's a neighborhood band," Ruth
interposed; "and as we haven't many folks up here, I think it will be
well not to divide our forces, but to include all in one organization.
Of course Almira must belong. I think, though, before organizing we had
better see and invite some of the other neighbors. Effie, couldn't you
and Maria go over to McKay's and see what they think of it?"

Effie, a gentle girl of thirteen, just as pretty and blue-eyed as her
sister, thought she could.

Joe Pratt said he knew a boy he thought might come.

"How about the Smiths, Evaline? Do you think any of them would be
interested?" Ruth inquired.

"Sophy might," Evaline replied rather doubtfully.

"Well, you see her, wont you? They are not far from you."

It was finally resolved that as everybody was so busy through the week
during this harvesting season, a meeting should be held the next Sunday
afternoon. The place chosen was a grove which was just half way between
Mr. Stokes' and Mr. Campbell's. If, however, the day was not suitable
for an out-door meeting, they were to assemble in Mr. Stokes' barn, a
fine, new affair, much handsomer than his house, and occupying a
commanding situation from which there was a beautiful view.

When everything was settled the children ran off to play, and Almira
helped Ruth and her mother to get supper.

The next Sunday was a lovely day, not too warm, and the meeting in the
grove was a decided success. Altogether there were fourteen present,
though two were visitors, Marty and one of Capt. Smith's summer
boarders, who came with Sophy. Ruth had a nice little programme made
out, and after the exercises they organized. Ruth was elected president,
Almira, for the present, secretary, and Hugh Campbell, treasurer. They
decided as long as the weather remained pleasant to meet every Sunday
afternoon. In winter, of course, they could not get together so
frequently.

They had already had, and continued to have, many discussions about ways
of earning their mi