Page:Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.djvu/328

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists As soon as dinner was over Crass rose to make his statement as secretary. Thirty-seven men had paid in five shillings each; that made nine pounds five shillings. The committee had decided that the three boys, the painter's boy, the carpenter's boy, and the front shop boy, should be allowed to come half-price; that made it nine pounds twelve and six. In addition to paying the ordinary five shilling subscription, Mr Rushton had given one pound ten towards the expenses (loud cheers), and several other gentlemen had also given something towards it:—

Mr Sweater, of 'The Cave,' one pound (applause).

Mr Grinder, ten shillings in addition to the five shilling subscription (applause).

Mr Lettum, ten shillings as well as the five shilling subscription (applause).

Mr Didlum, ten shillings in addition to the five shillings (cheers).

Mr Toonarf, ten shillings as well as the five shilling subscription.

They had also written to some of the manufacturers who supplied the firm with materials, and asked them to give something. Some of 'em had sent half-a-crown, some five shillings, some hadn't answered at all, and two of 'em had written back to say that as things is cut so fine nowadays they didn't get hardly no profit on their stuff, so they couldn't afford to give nothing. But out of all the firms they wrote to they managed to get thirty-two and sixpence altogether, making a grand total of seventeen pounds.

As for the expenses, the dinner was two and six a head, and there was forty-five of them there, so that came to five pounds twelve and six. Then there was the hire of the brakes, also two and six a head, five pounds twelve and six, which left a surplus of five pound fifteen to be shared out (applause). This came to three shillings each for the thirty-seven men, and one and fourpence for each of the boys. (Loud and prolonged cheers).

Crass, Slyme and Bundy now walked round the tables distributing the share out, which was very welcome to everybody, especially those who had spent nearly all their money during the journey from Mugsborough, and when the ceremony was completed, Philpot moved a hearty vote of thanks to the committee for the manner in which they had carried out their 316