When the meeting was over, Miss Barner exonerated Jimmy
by saying it was icing for a cake he had smelled, and
the drooping spirits of the Band were somewhat revived
by her promise that next Monday would surely be Taffy
Day.
On the last Monday of each month the Band of Hope had a
programme instead of the regular lesson. Before the
programme was given the children were allowed to tell
stories or ask questions relating to temperance. The
Hogan twins were always full of communications, and on
this particular Monday it looked as if they would swamp
the meeting.
William Henry Hogan (commonly known as Squirt) told to
a dot how many pairs of shoes and bags of flour a man
could buy by denying himself cigars for ten years. During
William Henry's recital, John James Hogan, the other
twin, showed unmistakable signs of impatience. He stood
up and waved his hand so violently that he seemed to be
in danger of throwing that useful member away forever.
Mrs. White gave him permission to speak as soon as his
brother had finished, and John James announced with a
burst of importance:
"Please, teacher, my pa came home last night full as a
billy-goat."
Miss Barner put her hand hastily over her eyes. Mrs.
White gasped, and the Band of Hope held its breath.
Then Mrs. White hurriedly announced that Master James
Watson would recite, and Jimmy went forward with great
outward composure and recited:
As I was going to the lake
I met a little rattlesnake;
I fed him with some jelly-cake,
Which made his little--
But Mrs.
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