Mrs. Wood whispered to Miss Laura that
this boy was the president of the band, and the young man with the pale
face and curly hair who sat in front of him was Mr. Maxwell, the
artist's son, who had formed this Band of Mercy.
The lad who presided had a ringing, pleasant voice. He said they would
begin their meeting by singing a hymn. There was an organ near the
platform, and a young girl played on it, while all the other boys and
girls stood up, and sang very sweetly and clearly.
After they had sung the hymn, the president asked for the report of
their last meeting.
A little girl, blushing and hanging her head, came forward, and read
what was written on a paper that she held in her hand.
The president made some remarks after she had finished, and then every
one had to vote. It was just like a meeting of grown people, and I was
surprised to see how good those children were. They did not frolic nor
laugh, but all seemed sober and listened attentively.
After the voting was over, the president called upon John Turner to give
a recitation. This was the boy whom we saw on the way there. He walked
up to the platform, made a bow, and said that he had learned two stories
for his recitation, out of the paper, "Dumb Animals.
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