UP-THE-LADDER CLUB.




CHAPTER I.

MAKING A CLUB.


There was a clattering of feet on the stairs leading to the chamber of
Aunt Stanshy's barn. First there popped up one head and a pair of curious
eyes. Then there popped up a second head and two more eyes. Then there
popped up a third head and two more eyes.

"Jolly! Don't she beat all?"

It was Sid Waters who said this.

"It's de best barn in de lane," said Juggie Jones, a little colored boy,
his dark eyes lighting up with true interest.

"Well, I think it is a pretty good barn," rejoined Charlie Macomber, with
apparent unconcern. At the same time a secret pride was dwelling in his
bosom, that suddenly made his jacket too tight for him. If Seamont, in
which the barn was located, was one of the best of towns in the opinion of
its inhabitants, this particular barn, in Charlie's estimate, was one of
the best structures of that sort in the place. Below, on the first floor,