ve in that."

"O, Tim's mother wouldn't allow that."

"But, you see, Tim had a fuss with Charlie Macomber, and imposed on him,"
exclaimed Sid.

"Charlie is willing, for he has said so," replied Miss Barry. "You are not
going to hold on to an old grudge. Your name is 'Up-the-Ladder Club,' and
not _down_ the ladder. You go down when you hold on to a grudge, boys."

"We won't go down!" cried Charlie.

"No, no!" said the boys.

The different members of the club signified their willingness. Will Somers
said he would assist.

One other person must be consulted, the older "honorary member" of the
club, Aunt Stanshy. Knowing her very just and positive opposition to
drinking habits, Miss Barry thought she might refer to old Tim's, and
throw out a sharp opinion that the uncle ought to help the boy, as he
lived in the family of the boy's mother. Charlie, too, thought his aunt
might object, but she did not. She only put on that look of sadness
Charlie had noticed when old Tim was in the neighborhood that rainy day,
and to Will's remark that old Tim ought to do more, she said, with a sigh,

"I suppose the boy is not responsible for other people's failings, and
they say his face is very white, and his hands are real thin, and he
behaves better than he did. Yes, I'll--help."

It was easy to decide when to hold this fair, but "where" was a difficult
problem.

"Take the barn chamber," said Sid.

"It's too cold," replied Will, "and this is to be quite a grand affair."

It was like Aunt Stanshy to offer her front room and sitting-room for
Tim's benefit, provided Will could spare his quarters, and spare he did.

"We will scatter some posters," said Will. "I will see that they are
printed."

"We can do it ourselves with pen and ink, and then people will think more
of it, you know. Besides, as we scatter them, we may have a chance to
solicit donations, as they call it," said Sid.

"Splendid!" replied Will.

"And we will call on the apothecary," shouted Charlie.

"Yes, but if it be candy, I must put an extra string round the package to
make sure that it all gets to the right place and is not troubled on the
way."

The members of the club who had met to "consult" were in excellent
spirits, especially when Will said, in reply to the governor's proposition
to ask friends to contribute refreshments, "I see you know how to do it.
Your experience at your fair fitted you to go right along with this thing
in splendid style."