"We--we have come," exclaimed Aunt Stanshy, "to see if we couldn't have a
temperance meeting! You know we need it."

"O, I see; and the boys?"

"The boys," said Sid, proudly, "think you could rely on them to--to--pull
an oar."

He felt it might be prudent not to propose to do the whole of the rowing,
and offer the town a meeting managed wholly by the "Up-the-Ladder Club,"
but modestly--to--pull an oar.

"Splendid!" said the teacher, her enthusiasm charming the boys. "Among us
all, I guess we can manage it."

"I don't know as I can do any thing except to get people out," said Aunt
Stanshy, fearful that she might be called upon to speak in the meeting.

"Let us go and see Mr. Walton," suggested Miss Barry.

"It would be the very thing," declared Aunt Stanshy.

Very soon Aunt Stanshy, Miss Barry, Sid, and Charlie started for the
minister's. On the way, Juggie and Tony were secured as new members of the
column, and thus augmented, this eager temperance band appeared at Mr.
Walton's door. Ushered into the study, Miss Barry told her errand.

"We need a temperance meeting very much, and we will have it at St.
John's, and I want you boys--the club, Miss Barry--to do the most of the
singing," said Mr. Walton.