CHAPTER IX.

THE CUPOLA.


Aunt Stanshy was reading one day the list of prohibitions posted up
against the post in the barn chamber.

"Charlie," she said "I like what is said here, that no cross words and no
bad words must be spoken here; but what does it mean when it says _no one_
but the 'treasury' must climb the ladder and go up into the cupola? Does
that apply to honorary members? and did you think that I might want to go
there?"

Charlie's mouth opened into a crack from ear to ear. "Why--why, the money
is up in the cupola!"

"The money is up there in the cupola? Yes, I knew that; you told me that
before. What holds your money?"

"A tin dipper."

"Well, now, if you don't look out, somebody will steal your money. You may
be assured that honorary members won't trouble it."

"Ho!" shouted Charlie. "There goes a man and a hand organ and a monkey."

The dignity of the club was not sufficient to restrain Charlie and several
others from an almost headlong rush for the out-door attraction, and they
quickly surrounded the organ-grinder. He owned a remarkable monkey, the