American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Sunday schools -- United States -- Periodicals
The committee came together,—two doubting boys and one true girl,—full
of faith and purpose to stand by the society. The boys had settled the
matter in their minds to let the society die as things then stood;
that further effort would but result in failure, and make them a
laughing-stock,—to be laughed at was not for a moment to be thought
of,—unless there should be some most favorable turn of affairs.
Thus the conference opened, two to one against the life of the P. S. P.
S., as the society was sometimes called.
“I’m glad you’ve come,” began our little heroine to the two, after they
were seated and the moment had come for business. “These have been
pretty dark days for me; I’ve been on the point of crying nearly all
the time.”
“So have we,” came from the boys, “but what’s the use crying for spilt
milk! The society’s as good as dead. Every one we’ve met says so, and
now all that’s left for us is just to bury it respectably, and try
something else. Guess you’ve come to that conclusion, too, haven’t you?”
“No; not I,” was the firm answer. “Our society began with one member
and here we have three to build it up on again. I’m sure three are more
than one.”
“Don’t know how you make three. You can’t count upon us. We see no
chance now, and are ready to vote to end the P. S. P. S.”
“I am not ready.”
“But we are two to your one, and you know majorities rule.”
“And you, who have stood by the society so long, are surely not going
to desert it when it needs you most?”
“Nothing left to desert. You see, Jennie, the thing is gone up.”
And Jennie’s answer was a look of pain. There was silence, then a sigh
and audible sob heard in the next room, where were Jennie’s father and
Uncle John. Uncle John had come from a distant town for a visit of
some weeks. He was a lover of the boys and girls, and when he knew the
object of the meeting of the committee was to discuss the life or death
of the Poplar Street Pansy Society, and that Jennie’s heart was bound
up in that society, he immediately set himself, without telling any
one, to devise ways and means to come to Jennie’s rescue.
So he had caught every word from the little committee folks in the
next room, and when the crisis came and poor Jennie was about to be
out-voted, he spoke out:
“Jennie?”
“That’s my Uncle John. I wonder if he’s heard all we’ve said,” and
Jennie’s voice was in a whisper, and quickly her handkerchief stole to
her eye to brush away the tears that had been starting. He spoke again:
“Jennie?”
“Sir?”
“Cannot I counsel with your committee?”
“O, yes, Uncle John, do, do!” and with the words the door flew open,
and Uncle John was introduced to the two boys.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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