The Pony Rider Boys in the Rockies | Page 5

club if I couldn't talk,"
laughed Ned. "I propose Mr. Stacy Brown, otherwise known as
'Chunky, ' for temporary chairman. Chunky is fat, and can appear very
dignified when he wants to, even if he doesn't feel that way."
"That's the idea," agreed Walter.
"Now, all in favor of Mr. Chunky Brown for presiding officer of the
first meeting of the Pony Rider Boys manifest it by saying 'Aye.'"
Ned and Walter voted in the affirmative.
"All opposed, say 'Nay.'"
"Nay!" voted Chunky in a loud voice.
"The Ayes have it. Mr. Stacy Chunky Brown has been duly chosen
temporary chairman of the Pony Rider Boys. Mr. Chairman, will you
please take the chair and call this meeting to order?" invited Ned Rector,
escorting Stacy to a chair which had been placed at one end of the tent
for the purpose of receiving him.
Chunky sank into the seat, gazing helplessly about him.

"Well?" urged Ned.
"Do something," laughed Walter.
"Yes, but what shall I do?"
"Call the meeting to order, of course. What do you think we elected
you for? Not to sit up there and look pretty. Call it to order."
"I do."
"Help!" pleaded Ned Rector, weakly. "See here, that's not the way to do
it. Is this the first time you have presided at a meeting?"
Chunky, by a nod, informed them that it was.
"Humph!" grunted Ned witheringly. "Then say after me, 'I now call the
meeting of the Pony Rider Boys to order. What is your pleasure,
gentlemen?'"
The chairman haltingly repeated the words.
"Now, that's the way to do it," approved Ned. "I shouldn't be surprised
to see you President of the United States some day. I now move, Mr.
Chairman, that Tad Butler be made an honorary member of the club, as
well as riding master and manager of the live stock."
"Second the motion," added Walter quickly.
The motion was carried with much enthusiasm. Then the club voted to
make Chunky Brown its permanent presiding officer, and this in spite
of the winner's vigorous objections. Walter was made treasurer because,
as Ned expressed it, Walter's father was a bank president. Ned Rector
was chosen secretary.
"I now move," proposed Ned Rector, "that this club direct its secretary
to write to the uncle of its president, pointing out to him the advisability
of providing a pony for said president to ride; said president being so
heavy as to make walking to the meetings of this club a burden to

himself and to the club members who have to wait for him."
This motion was adopted with a shout of laughter.
After having directed the secretary, at his own suggestion, to notify Tad
Butler of his election, the club adjourned to meet on the following
morning for field practice. In other words, the club's two ponies, with
Walter Perkins and Ned Rector upon them, were to be taken out for
exercise about the village and in nearby roads.
The next day being Saturday, Tad Butler found himself too busy to
devote much time to brooding over his troubles. As a matter of fact, the
boy was little given to this sort of thing; he was too much a man. His
was a wholesome, confident nature, and the same indomitable courage
and determination that had enabled him to stand next to the head of his
class in the high school filled him with a resolution to possess a pony of
his own. Nor did he permit the receipt of a letter that morning,
informing him of his honorary election to the Pony Riders Club, to cast
him down, even though, for want of a pony, he could not enter into full
membership.
Instead, with flashing eyes, his clean-cut jaw set more firmly than usual,
Tad went about his duties of the day cheerfully, his active mind
running over this and that plan through which he might possibly gratify
his longings.
Late that same afternoon, on his way driving out to deliver a package of
goods to a summer residence just outside the town, he came upon
Walter and Ned, returning on their ponies from a short jaunt into the
country.
The two boys hailed him joyously.
Tad grinned and waved his hand.
"Hello! Aren't you going to stop to tali with a fellow?" called Ned, as
the riders came abreast of the grocery horse and pulled up.

Tad shook his head.
"Oh, come on; hold up a minute."
"Can't. I'm on business, you know," answered the boy, smiling
pleasantly. "I am working all day to-day for Mr. Langdon, and I mustn't
stop. I have a lot of goods to deliver before night."
"Then what do you say to our riding out and back with him, Walt?"
suggested Ned.
"All right. I guess we shall have plenty of