. Little helpers . ? Johnny thought a minute, and then said, — Only thirty, papa, since the mumps broke loose — we hadover forty before that. Ill call around to-morrow, just before the exercises areover, said Mr. Leslie, and ask permission to address the meet-ing. By a curious coincidence, a plan for jollifying the Fourthwas seething in my brain before you spoke, and I think a triflingalteration will make it fit the case to a nicety. Johnny fell upon his fathers neck with smothering affection,and went to bed with a light and easy heart; if papa under-took the business, all would go right. And
. Little helpers . ? Johnny thought a minute, and then said, — Only thirty, papa, since the mumps broke loose — we hadover forty before that. Ill call around to-morrow, just before the exercises areover, said Mr. Leslie, and ask permission to address the meet-ing. By a curious coincidence, a plan for jollifying the Fourthwas seething in my brain before you spoke, and I think a triflingalteration will make it fit the case to a nicety. Johnny fell upon his fathers neck with smothering affection,and went to bed with a light and easy heart; if papa under-took the business, all would go right. And he didnt ask me a single question, except about howmany of us there were! said Johnny to himself, proudly, What a first-class boy he must have been himself ! Mr. Leslie was on very good terms with the principal ofJohnnys school, and had no difficulty in obtaining leave toaddress the meeting. His address was an invitation to attendan all-day picnic, on the Fourth of July, and included teachers LITTLE HELPERS. 67. as well as scholars. Two hay-wagons, half filled with hay, wereto be the vehicles, and a brass band was to be in attendance. The refreshments, Mr. Lesliestated, would be simple, butabundant, nobody need feel called upon to bring any-thing, but anybody whochose to bring fruit, andcould bring it from home,would have the thanks ofthe community. It is not usual, con-cluded Mr. Leslie, to im-pose conditions in giving an invitation, but I must ask a promisefrom all of you, as we are to start at seven, sharp, on our collect-ing tour, not to leave your homes that morning until you arecalled for. We shall have a long drive to take, and I wish tohave it over before the heat of the day begins. Will all theboys who agree to grant me this favor raise their right hands ?Most of the right hands flew up as if their owners had noth-ing to do with it; there was a very short pause, and then theremainder followed. Johnny drew a long breath of intenserelief. He knew that, although some
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