A group of boys was assembled in an open field tothe west of the public schoolhouse in the town ofCrawford. Most of them held hats in their hands,while two, stationed sixty feet distant from eachother, were ``having catch.''

　　Tom Pinkerton, son of Deacon Pinkerton, had justreturned from Brooklyn, and while there had witnesseda match game between two professional clubs.

　　On his return he proposed that the boys of Crawfordshould establish a club, to be known as theExcelsior Club of Crawford, to play among themselves,and on suitable occasions to challenge clubs belongingto other villages. This proposal was receivedwith instant approval.

　　``I move that Tom Pinkerton address the meeting,''

　　said one boy.

　　``Second the motion,'' said another.

　　As there was no chairman, James Briggs wasappointed to that position, and put the motion, whichwas unanimously carried.

　　Tom Pinkerton, in his own estimation a personageof considerable importance, came forward in aconsequential manner, and commenced as follows:

　　``Mr. Chairman and boys. You all know whathas brought us together. We want to start a clubfor playing baseball, like the big clubs they have inBrooklyn and New York.''

　　``How shall we do it?'' asked Henry Scott.

　　``We must first appoint a captain of the club, whowill have power to assign the members to their differentpositions. Of course you will want one thatunderstands about these matters.''

　　``He means himself,'' whispered Henry Scott, tohis next neighbor; and here he was right.

　　``Is that all?'' asked Sam Pomeroy.

　　``No; as there will be some expenses, there must bea treasurer¹ to receive and take care of the funds, andwe shall need a secretary to keep the records of theclub, and write and answer challenges.''

　　``Boys,'' said the chairman, ``you have heard TomPinkerton's remarks. Those who are in favor oforganizing a club on this plan will please signify itin the usual way.''

　　All the boys raised their hands, and it was declareda vote.

　　``You will bring in your votes for captain,'' saidthe chairman.

　　Tom Pinkerton drew a little apart with a consciouslook, as he supposed, of course, that no one but himselfwould be thought of as leader.

　　Slips of paper were passed around, and the boysbegan to prepare their ballots². They were broughtto the chairman in a hat, and he forthwith took themout and began to count them.

　　``Boys,'' he announced, amid a universal stillness,``there is one vote for Sam Pomeroy, one for EugeneMorton, and the rest are for Frank Fowler, who iselected.''

点击收听单词发音  

1 treasurer
n.司库，财务主管
参考例句：
Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mrs.Jones as treasurer.琼斯夫人继史密斯先生任会计。 The treasurer was arrested for trying to manipulate the company's financial records.财务主管由于试图窜改公司财政帐目而被拘留。

2 ballots
n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )
参考例句：
They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》 The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 spoke
n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说
参考例句：
They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。 The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 qualified
adj.合格的，有资格的，胜任的，有限制的
参考例句：
He is qualified as a complete man of letters.他有资格当真正的文学家。 We must note that we still lack qualified specialists.我们必须看到我们还缺乏有资质的专家。

5 misgivings
n.疑虑，担忧，害怕；疑虑，担心，恐惧( misgiving的名词复数 )；疑惧
参考例句：
I had grave misgivings about making the trip. 对于这次旅行我有过极大的顾虑。 Don't be overtaken by misgivings and fear. Just go full stream ahead! 不要瞻前顾后， 畏首畏尾。甩开膀子干吧！ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

6 promptly
adv.及时地，敏捷地
参考例句：
He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。 She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

7 arrears
n.到期未付之债，拖欠的款项；待做的工作
参考例句：
The payments on that car loan are in arrears by three months.购车贷款的偿付被拖欠了三个月。 They are urgent for payment of arrears of wages.他们催讨拖欠的工钱。