"Local Number One," interrupted Billy Dutton, the donkey-man, who had had some trades'-union experience.
"Band of 'Ope, Local Number One," continued Mr. Bob, receiving the suggestion in an accommodating spirit. "And it is with great pleasure I propose the name of _h_our first president, Miss Daisy Kirke, of Apiang."
Then, my stars, wasn't there a cheer! Daisy hung her head, nestled closer to Mr. Bob, and felt all the joy of good works promptly bearing fruit.
"I don't see no reason," went on Mr. Bob, "why a false modesty, that 'as been my _h_unfailing 'andicap through life, should prevent me from nominating myself as your _h_esteemed vice president. I do not wish to seem a-soaring too 'igh, or reaching out for honors that belong to _h_abler 'eads nor mine; but I'll take the sense of the meeting in a kindly spirit, and will abide peaceable by a show of 'ands!"
When the applause had subsided, Billy Dutton sprang up, and wanted to know "what about a recording seckitary?"
"I don't see no 'arm in the honorable genelman _h_assuming the job 'isself," said Mr. Bob, "if 'e thinks 'e's sufficient of a speller, and won't run the band into 'orrible extravagances for 'igh-priced wines and luxuries. The assessments of this band is going to be low, and the diet plain. Who says Brother Dutton ain't the man for the place? Is it you, Mr. Riley, I see raising your fist agin him? Oh, only to ax a question. Well, one thing at a time, Brother Riley. Does the meeting _h_endorse Mr. Willum Dutton for recording seckitary?"
The meeting did, vociferously and with cheers. Daisy ran and got her slate for the recording seckitary, who thereupon (after first inscribing the names of the office bearers in a shaky print) began to draw a wonderful picture of a pirate ship.
"Afore listening to the plans of our valued president," said Mr. Bob, "I propose myself to _h_offer up a few general remarks on 'Ope! Me and 'Ope is old friends, genelmen. We set sail together from the port of London, 'Ope and I, when I was a bright-faced boy that 'igh! We've bunked in together, fair weather and foul, coming on this thirty year. We 'ave set in our time, me and 'Ope, on the bottom of a capsized schooner, ore laden out of Mazatlan, with our tongues 'anging out like the tails of some vallyble new kind of a black dorg. 'Ope and I took the Chainy coast once on a chicken coop. 'Ope and I, when we 'ad the dollars, blew them in right royal. 'Ope and I, when we 'adn't none, tightened our belts and cheered each other _h_up. Looking back over all them years, I want to stand _h_up and testify right 'ere to the best friend of the sailorman, bar none, and p'r'aps the _h_only one he ever truly 'ad--and that's 'Ope, God bless her!"