The plan was popular with the boys of the club. When the subject was
proposed to Aunt Stanshy, she made the comment:

"Some sense in the idea. The boys will learn something."

"And then," said Miss Barry, "when Christmas comes, you can give a
Christmas entertainment, and ask an admission fee, and, won't you give the
money to the missions of our Church? That will be putting another round in
the ladder, and the 'Up-the-Ladder Club' will go higher still. I want you
to help other people all you can. I'll tell you what to do, and be with
you."

The boys agreed to their teacher's plan. Sid was specially enthusiastic.
Will Somers said he would help. Aunt Stanshy had promised to open the
rooms of her house, and one December night, when the sky was like the dark
face of an Oriental beauty, hung all over with golden jewelry, the White
Shields and their friends met at Aunt Stanshy's. How happy were the club
boys to find there a banner sent by Mr. Walton. He wrote that Tim Tyler
was coming to Sunday-school, and that they had previously secured four
scholars, and Tim should be counted the fifth. Happy knights to earn that
banner!

About eight Sid came into the front room dressed in a brown, broad-skirted
coat, also wearing small clothes, silver knee-buckles, and buckled shoes.
He took off his cocked hat, made a low bow, and holding out a diminutive
newspaper, yellow with age, began:

"I am a printer. I had the honor of printing the 'New Hampshire Gazette,'
which was started in Portsmouth in 1756, and is still published in that