`` I 'd do my best for you . I made a hand for a fellow once , and that got me my place , you know , '' answered Ralph , who thought little of such mechanical trifles , and longed to be painting portraits or modelling busts , being an artist as well as an inventor . Here Gus , Ed , and several other boys came in , and the conversation became general . Grif , Chick , and Brickbat were three young gentlemen whose own respectable names were usually ignored , and they cheerfully answered to these nicknames . As the clock struck seven , Frank , who ruled the club with a rod of iron when Chairman , took his place behind the study table . Seats stood about it , and a large , shabby book lay before Gus , who was Secretary , and kept the records with a lavish expenditure of ink , to judge by the blots . The members took their seats , and nearly all tilted back their chairs and put their hands in their pockets , to keep them out of mischief ; for , as every one knows , it is impossible for two lads to be near each other and refrain from tickling or pinching . Frank gave three raps with an old croquet-mallet set on a short handle , and with much dignity opened the meeting . `` Gentlemen , the business of the club will be attended to , and then we will discuss the question , ` Shall girls go to our colleges ? ' The Secretary will now read the report of the last meeting . '' Clearing his throat , Gus read the following brief and elegant report : -- `` Club met , December 18th , at the house of G. Burton , Esq. . Subject : ` Is summer or winter best fun ? ' A lively pow-wow . About evenly divided . J. Flint fined five cents for disrespect to the Chair . A collection of forty cents taken up to pay for breaking a pane of glass during a free fight of the members on the door-step . E. Devlin was chosen Secretary for the coming year , and a new book contributed by the Chairman . '' `` That 's all . '' `` Is there any other business before the meeting ? '' asked Frank , as the reader closed the old book with a slam and shoved the new one across the table .
XXXXX rose , and glancing about him with an appealing look , said , as if sure his proposition would not be well received , `` I wish to propose the name of a new member .
Brickbat Chick Devlin Ed Esq. Frank Grif Ralph door-step trifles