The Boat Club Part 23

but the poor fellow choked up, and could say no more.

His heart was full, and the great tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Never mind it, Tony; here is the record-book," said Fred Harper, taking it from the library case.

Tony wiped away his tears, and seated himself at the foot of the table, where a small desk had been placed for the use of the clerk.

"Mr. Chairman," said Charles Hardy.

Frank nodded to him to indicate that he had the floor.

"I move that a committee of three be appointed to draft and report a const.i.tution for the club."

"Second the motion," added Sam Harper.

The motion prevailed. Charles Hardy, Tony Weston, and Fred Harper were nominated "at large," and chosen to serve on this committee. Leaving the hall, they retired to the boat-room for deliberation; but the const.i.tution had already been prepared by Frank and Charles, with the a.s.sistance of Captain Sedley. To make the business look more important and dignified, Charles insisted on remaining out a few moments, during which time they talked over the matter with Uncle Ben.

When they returned, the const.i.tution was duly reported, and adopted article by article.

Perhaps my young readers would not readily appreciate the moral of my story without reading this important doc.u.ment; therefore I add, in full, the

CONSt.i.tUTION.

ARTICLE I.

This a.s.sociation shall be called the Zephyr Boat Club.

ARTICLE II.

The objects of the a.s.sociation shall be the instruction and amus.e.m.e.nt of the members, and the acquiring of good morals, good manners, and good habits in general.

ARTICLE III.

The officers of the club shall consist of a c.o.xswain, as president, and a clerk.

ARTICLE IV.

It shall be the duty of the c.o.xswain to command the boat, to preside at the meetings of the club, and to exercise a general supervision over its affairs. He shall hold his office for two weeks.

ARTICLE V.

The clerk shall keep a record of the meetings, and of all business pertaining to the club, and shall hold his office for four weeks.

ARTICLE VI.

No member of this club shall use profane language at any time. No member shall neglect his school, or his duties at home. No member shall use vulgar or indecent language. No member shall provoke a quarrel with another person, but shall do all he can to prevent fighting and unkindly feelings one towards another. No member shall use tobacco, or ardent spirits as a beverage, in any form. All members shall obey the c.o.xswain while in the boat. Any member offending against either of the requirements of this article shall be liable to suspension, and if incorrigible, to expulsion from the club.

ARTICLE VII.

In order the more perfectly to carry out the beneficent and reformatory purposes of the founder of the club, to whose bounty we are indebted for the opportunities of instruction and amus.e.m.e.nt the a.s.sociation affords us, we appoint him our Director. All violations of Article VI., and all violations of the spirit of our organization set forth in Article II., whether in word or in deed, shall be reported to our Director, and the delinquent shall be subject to such penalty as he shall determine.

ARTICLE VIII.

The hall and library shall be open every Wednesday and Sat.u.r.day afternoon, at such other times as the Director or c.o.xswain may order, and every evening except Sunday till nine o'clock.

ARTICLE IX.

This const.i.tution may be altered or amended by a vote of two-thirds of the members.

This const.i.tution was transferred to the record book, and duly signed.

Some other business was transacted, and the meeting adjourned.

"Put on your uniforms," said Frank, as he rose from his chair, "and we will make our first appearance."

"At twelve o'clock there will be a collation ready for you on Centre Island, to which you are all invited," said Captain Sedley.

"Hurrah!" shouted Charles Hardy, as he rushed into the boat-room.

CHAPTER XIII

THE THUNDERBOLT

The appearance of the Zephyr Club in uniform was unique and pleasing, and each of the members was "every inch a sailor." Uncle Ben was delighted with the change; "they looked so much more s.h.i.+pshape than in their sh.o.r.e togs."

"Come, Uncle Ben, we are all ready," said Frank.

"I arn't goin' with you this time."

"You must go without him to-day, Frank," added Captain Sedley. "Uncle Ben must take the things over to the island for the collation."

"Are we to go alone?"

"Certainly."

"Hurrah!" cried Charles, who always used this word to express his gratification.

"But, boys, you must preserve good discipline. According to the const.i.tution you must all obey the c.o.xswain. And, Frank, be very careful; don't get aground on the rocks at the north sh.o.r.e, and if you go down the river, don't go too near the dam."

"I will not, father," replied Frank, who was fully impressed by the responsibility of his position as commander of the Zephyr. "Take your places in the boat. Tony, number them."

The doors which gave egress from the boat-house to the lake were thrown open by Uncle Ben.

"Now, back her steady," continued Frank, standing up in the stern-sheets. "Don't let her rub, Tony. Steady; one hard push; now she goes;" and the Zephyr shot out into the lake.

"The flags, Frank," said Charles.