Boat Club; or, The Bunkers of Rippleton

by Oliver Optic

  CHAPTER XXI

  THE CONCLUSION

  The first two weeks of the organization of the boat club passed away,and the members were assembled in Zephyr Hall to elect a coxswain.According to the constitution, Frank's term of office had expired.

  "Whom do you intend to vote for, Fred?" asked Charles Hardy, whoappeared to be very anxious about the election.

  "I don't know; I haven't decided yet," replied Fred Harper. "You knowwhat Captain Sedley said the other day about it."

  "Yes; but if I have got to vote, I want to get my mind made up. I don'tsee what harm there can be in talking about it a little."

  "He said he did not want any electioneering about theofficers--'log-rolling,' my father calls it."

  "Of course not," replied Charles demurely.

  "The best fellow ought to get the office," said Fred slyly.

  "Of course, but who is the best fellow? That's the question. We oughtto talk it over among ourselves a little," added Charles.

  "What good would that do?"

  "Each fellow would know whom the others were going to vote for."

  "That would not help him to ascertain who would make the bestcoxswain," Fred insisted.

  "But it would help towards making a choice."

  "There will be a choice fast enough."

  "I don't believe it. If there is no nomination, and no understandingabout the matter beforehand, every fellow will vote for a differentperson. You see if there are not a dozen different ones voted for,"protested Charles.

  "We can try it over again, then," said Fred.

  "I shall vote for you, and perhaps you will vote for me."

  "_Perhaps_ I shall."

  "And that is the way it will be all through the club."

  "Charley, what do you say to giving Frank a re-election?" said Fred,with sudden energy, while the mischief seemed to beam from his eyes.

  "Well, I don't know," replied Charles, looking intently at the floor.

  "Frank has made a good coxswain; there is no rubbing that out."

  "Very good," said Charles feebly.

  "If it hadn't been for him, Tim Bunker would have been drowned thattime."

  "Couldn't another fellow have done the same that he did?"

  "Yes, if he had had the presence of mind and the energy of characterwhich Frank has."

  "You could have done it, Fred," said Charles.

  "I don't know about that," replied Fred modestly.

  "You hauled him in with the boat-hook."

  "Yes, but I only did what Frank told me to do. Look at the Bunkers;they didn't even reach the spot till we had got him on board theZephyr."

  "I should not have been afraid but that I could have managed the boatas well as Frank did," replied Charles, more boldly.

  "I don't know but you could, Charley," answered Fred; "but I doubt it."

  "I am pretty sure I could."

  "Perhaps you will be elected the next coxswain, Charley," continuedFred; and there was a slight twinkle in his mischievous eye.

  "No! Oh, no! I'm sure _I_ don't want to be coxswain."

  "You don't!"

  "No; I never thought of such a thing."

  "Didn't?"

  "I'm sure I never did."

  "Then I will tell the fellows, so that they needn't throw their votesaway upon you," said Fred roguishly.

  "Well, as to that, of course I should serve if chosen. I want to dojust what the fellows want to have me do."

  "They don't want you to be coxswain if you don't wish to be, becausethere are enough of them who do desire the office."

  "Well, I don't exactly want it, but----"

  Charles suddenly paused.

  "But what, Charley?"

  "I want the club should have the best officer we can get."

  Fred laughed heartily.

  "I want the office, Charley; I should like it first-rate," continuedhe; "but I don't expect to get it, and am perfectly willing to abidethe decision of the club. Majority rules."

  "Order," said Frank, rapping on the table.

  The boys all took their chairs; and Frank stated the business of themeeting, which was to elect a coxswain for the next two weeks.

  "Our Director will be with us in a moment," continued he, "and hassomething to say before we proceed with the election."

  "Here he comes," said Fred.

  "Mr. Chairman, and members of the Zephyr Boat Club," began CaptainSedley, with a smile on his benevolent features, "you remember Icautioned you a week ago not to talk about this election. I presume youhave observed my request. I had strong reasons for doing so. In thefirst place, I do not wish to have any unpleasant feelings excited bythese elections; and, in the second place, I wish you to learn thefirst duty of a republican citizen--to cast an independent vote. Amongboys, as among men, there is often one who wields an influence overothers--an influence which is not always directed by truth and justice.One, by his mental power or social position, controls others. Theyfollow his example without always inquiring whether it is good or bad.I want you to think for yourselves; to make up your minds, without anyassistance from others, in regard to the fitness of the person for whomyou vote. I desire each of you to deposit his ballot in the box,without communication with others--without telling them, or lettingthem know by any means, for whom you vote. Now the box is ready, andyou may separate to prepare your votes. The poll shall be kept open tenminutes."

  Some of the boys went out into the boat-room, and others out of doors.They were all very particular to comply to the letter with CaptainSedley's request. The ballot-box was kept closed, so that no one couldread the names on the votes, and only opened enough to admit the slipof paper.

  Before ten minutes had expired the members were all in their seats.There was a great deal of interest manifested in the result; and not alittle anxiety was visible in the expression of several faces--that ofCharles Hardy in particular.

  "Have you all voted?" said Frank. "I declare the poll closed."

  "I will count the votes," interposed Captain Sedley, "so as to give youall the benefit of the excitement."

  Taking the box in his hand, he went out into the boat-room.

  "Who do you think has got it?" whispered Charles to Fred Harper.

  "I have no idea; I only know whom I voted for."

  "Whom?" asked Charles.

  "What would you give to know?"

  "Yourself?"

  "Indeed I did not!" replied Fred indignantly.

  "There would be no harm in it if you did, would there?" inquiredCharles.

  "No harm? It would only amount to saying, 'I am the best fellow in theclub.'"

  "No, not that; it would only be saying that you wanted the office."

  "Rather more than that."

  "But you said you did want it."

  "I didn't vote for myself, anyhow. But here comes Captain Sedley.Hush!"

  "Here is the result, Frank," said the Director, handing him the ballotsand a little slip of paper on which he had written the names and numberof votes. "Read it."

  There was a breathless silence when Frank rose, and every memberexhibited the deepest interest in the proceedings.

  "Whole number of votes, thirteen," the coxswain read from the paper."Necessary for a choice, seven. Charles Hardy has one; Frederic Harperhas one; and Anthony Weston has eleven, and is elected coxswain of theclub for the ensuing two weeks."

  "Three cheers for Tony Weston!" shouted Fred Harper, rising. "One."

  The cheers were given with hearty good-will and emphasis.

  "Mr. Chairman," said Charles, "I move we make the vote unanimous."

  Charles had been reading the proceedings of a political nominatingconvention, where they make the nomination unanimous so as to show theunity of the party; and his ideas were rather confused.

  "Those in favor of Anthony Weston for coxswain the next two weeks say'Ay,'" continued Frank.

  "Ay!"

  "It is a unanimous vote. Tony, I am happy to vacate my chair for you,and I feel that it c
ould not be filled by a more worthy member," saidFrank, leaving his armchair.

  "But, Mr. Chairman, I am clerk. I am very much obliged to the club forthe honor," said Tony, blushing up to the eyes.

  "You are coxswain, Tony, and the clerkship is vacant," added CaptainSedley. "The members of the club, without consultation with each other,have elected you--the most convincing evidence they could possibly giveof the high esteem in which they hold you."

  After some persuasion, Tony took the chair, and Fred Harper was electedclerk. Frank took Tony's number, and the bow oar was appropriated tohim.

  The business being finished, the club proceeded to the boat-room, toprepare for their first excursion under the new coxswain. After themeeting adjourned, there was considerable inquiry for the member whohad voted for Charles Hardy; but he could not be found. Tony had votedfor Fred Harper, and the conclusion that Charles had voted for himselfwas irresistible.

  But Charles, in spite of his hypocritical character, was a well-meaningboy. His desire to appear well, and to be "first and foremost,"sometimes led him astray; and the discipline of the club finally workeda "great improvement in him." He was not elected coxswain that year;for, on the first of November, the Zephyr was laid up for the winter.Fred Harper was elected after Tony, who served his term with credit tohimself and to the discipline of the club.

  The Butterfly was not completed in season to be launched that year; butthe following spring a second club was formed, and Tony was the firstcoxswain. During the winter the Zephyrs met regularly at their hall formutual improvement. At the suggestion of Fred Harper, a debatingsociety was formed; and the members derived a great deal of pleasure,and obtained an excellent mental discipline, from their discussions.

  To add to the interest of their meetings, George Weston gave them anumber of familiar lectures on "California;" Captain Sedley on "Life onthe Ocean;" and Mr. Hyde, the schoolmaster, on "Natural Philosophy andChemistry." The boys declared they never enjoyed a winter so much; andcertainly they derived a great deal of useful information from thesepleasant meetings.

  Tim Bunker and Joe Braman were tried at the next session of thecourt,--the former for stealing, and the latter for receiving stolenproperty,--and sentenced to the House of Correction.

  George Weston's new house was completed before winter, and the familywere nicely settled before the first snow came. The widow Weston washappy all day long in the presence of her children, and never ceased tothank God for all the blessings with which her life had beencrowned,--the blessings of adversity as well as those of prosperity.

  The following spring the Butterfly was launched, the new cluborganized, and the sports of the season opened with a grand May-daypicnic and dance on Centre Island. But I have not space to tell myyoung readers how Mary Weston was made Queen of May, how the Zephyr andthe Butterfly raced up and down the lake, and how the latter got beatenon account of the inexperience of her crew. I have told my story; and Ileave the boat club, and all the characters, contented and happy in theenjoyment of the many blessings that were showered upon them.

  What occurred the next season, when the Butterfly took part in thesports on Wood Lake, is fully related in the sequel to "The Boat Club,"called "ALL ABOARD; OR, LIFE ON THE LAKE."