,illustration3 ,bolax1 ,imp or ,angel ,which8 ,illustration3 ,,je ,,suis ,,moi1 ,,le ,g,n,,rale ,,boome4 ,i ,,am ,,the ,,great ,,general ,,boome4 ,from ,fun in ,dormitory4 page #aff4 ,,bolax ,,imp ,,or ,,angel--,,which8 ,,by ,,mrs4 ,,josephine ,,culpeper ,illustration ,,john ,,murphy ,,company4 ,baltimore3 ,new ,york3 #bjj ,w4 ,lombard ,street4 #gj ,fifth ,avenue4 #aijg4 ,copyright #aijg1 by ,mrs4 ,josephine ,culpeper ,,printed ,,by ,,john ,,murphy ,,company ,bolax3 ,imp or ,angel--,which8 ,being favorably criticised by priests of literary ability1 is hereby recommended most heartily by me to all ,catholics4 ,as a study in child-life and as a rational object lesson in the religious and moral training of children1 ,mrs4 ,culpeper's book should become popular and the jolly little ,bolax be made welcome in many households4 ,faithfully yours in ,xt1 ,illustration3 ,signature ,dedicated to my best beloved pupils1 especially the children of the ,late ,dr4 ,william ,v4 ,keating1 and those of ,joseph ,r4 ,carpenter1 by their old governess4 ,,contents4 ,,page4 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,amy',s ,,company1 #a ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,wonderful ,,ride1 #i ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,party1 #ai ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,pleasant ,,controversy1 #bi ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,picnic1 #ch ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,,talk ,,about ,,our ,,boys1 #eb ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,fight1 #fa ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,coal ,,man1 #gh ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,amy',s ,,trip ,,to ,,the ,,seashore1 #hi ,,chapter ,x4 ,,christmas ,,and ,,little ,,christmas1 ,,or ,,king',s ,,day1 #ajj ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,practising1 #aaf ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,first ,,communion1 #acj ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,unforseen ,,events1 #adf ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,bolax ,,goes ,,to ,,college1 #aeg ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,letter ,,from ,a ,,friend1 #agd ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,bolax ,,leaves ,,college ,,for ,,vacation1 #aif ,,only ,a ,,boy4 ,only a boy with his noise and fun1 ,the veriest mystery under the sun2 ,as brimful of mischief and wit and glee ,as ever a human frame can be1 ,and as hard to manage as--ah6 ah1 me6 ',tis hard to tell1 ,yet we love him well4 ,only a boy1 with his fearful tread1 ,who cannot be driven1 but must be led2 ,who troubles the neighbors' dogs and cats1 ,and tears more clothes1 and spoils more hats1 ,loses more tops and kites and bats ,than would stock a store1 ,for a year or more4 ,only a boy1 with his wild1 strange ways1 ,with his idle hours on busy days2 ,with his queer remarks and his odd replies1 ,sometimes foolish and sometimes wise1 ,often brilliant for one of his size1 ,as a meteor hurl'd1 ,from the pleasant world4 ,only a boy1 who will be a man ,if ,nature goes on with her first great plan-- ,if water1 or fire1 or some fatal snare ,conspire not to rob us of this our heir1 ,our blessing1 our trouble1 our rest1 our care1 ,our torment1 our joy1 ,our only boy4 --,anonymous4 ,,bolax ,,imp ,,or ,,angel--,,which8 ,,chapter ,i4 ,,amy',s ,,company ,come children1 said ,mrs4 ,allen1 ,mamma wants to take you for a nice walk4 ,oh1 please1 dear ,mamma1 wait awhile6 ,bolax and ,i have company6 ,this from little ,amy1 ,bo's sister4 ,mrs4 ,allen looked around the room1 and saw several chairs placed before the fire2 but seeing no visitors1 was about to sit in the large arm chair4 ,oh1 dear ,mamma1 said ,amy1 please do not take that chair6 ,that's for poor old ,st4 ,joseph2 he will be here presently4 ,turning toward the chair nearest the fire1 the child bowed down to the floor1 saying3 ,little ,jesus ,i love you6 ,when will ,st4 ,joseph be here8 ,then bowing before the next chair3 ,blessed ,mother1 are you comfortable8 ,here is a footstool4 ,mrs4 ,allen went into the hall1 and was about to close the door1 when ,bolax called out3 ,oh1 ,ma dear1 please don't shut the door4 ,here comes ,st4 ,joseph and five beautiful angels4 ,mrs4 ,allen was rather startled at the positive manner in which this was said1 and unconsciously stepped aside1 as if really to make way for the celestial visitors4 ,then leaving the children to amuse themselves1 she listened to them from an adjoining room4 ,this is what she heard3 ,amy--,dear ,st4 ,joseph please sit down2 blessed angels1 ,i am sorry that ,i haven't enough chairs1 but you can rest on your beautiful wings4 ,bolax--,little ,jesus1 ,i'm so glad you've come4 ,mamma says you are very powerful1 even if you are so little4 ,i want to ask you lots of things4 ,do you see these round pieces of tin8 ,well1 won't you please change them all into dollars1 so we can have money for the poor1 and sister ,amy won't be crying in the street when she has no money to give all the blind and the lame people we meet4 ,and dear ,jesus1 let me whisper--,i want a gun4 ,amy--,dear ,blessed ,mother please make poor ,miss ,ogden well4 ,i heard her tell my ,mamma she was afraid to die2 and she is very sick4 ,she has such a sad face1 and she looks mis'able4 ,bolax--,sister1 won't you ask lots of things for me8 ,i'm afraid to ask 'cause ,i was naughty this morning4 ,i dyed pussy's hair with ,papa's red ink4 ,amy--,no1 ,i won't ask any more favors2 ,mamma says we must be thankful for all we get1 so let us sing a hymn of thanks4 ,here ,papa came upstairs calling for his babies4 ,mrs4 ,allen not wishing to disturb the children1 beckoned him into her room1 hoping he would listen to the innocent prattle of his little ones4 ,all unconscious of being observed1 the children continued to entertain their heavenly guests4 ,mr4 ,allen not being a ,catholic1 was more shocked than edified at what he thought the hallucination of the children1 and spoke rather sternly to his wife4 ,all this nonsense comes from your constant talk on subjects beyond the comprehension of children4 ,amy is an emotional child2 she will become a dreamer1 a spiritualist2 it will affect her nervous system and you will have yourself to blame4 ,as for ,bolax1 ,i have no fear for him4 ,he'll never be too pious4 ,i'm willing to---- ,here they were startled by a most unearthly yell1 and ,master ,bo rushed into the room1 saying that ,amy would not let him play with her4 ,why won't she8 asked ,papa4 ,oh1 because ,i upset ,st4 ,joseph2 ,i wanted to take the chairs for a train of cars4 ,papa broke into a fit of laughter1 and said3 ,bo1 ,bo1 you're the funniest youngster ,i ever heard of4 ,poor ,little ,amy came into the room1 looking as if ready to cry1 telling her mother she would never again have that boy when her company came4 ,just think1 dear ,ma1 ,bo said he liked monkeys better than angels4 ,the serious face of the little girl caused her mother to wonder if the child really saw the holy spirits4 ,mrs4 ,allen consoled her little daughter1 telling her ,bo would be more thoughtful and better behaved when he should be a few years older4 ,come now1 said she1 we will go to see poor little ,tommie ,hoden4 ,i am sure from the appearance of the boy1 the family must be in very great distress4 ,it was a beautiful day4 ,the hyacinths were in bloom1 and there were daffodils1 tulips1 and forget-me-nots1 almost ready to open2 the cherry trees were white with blossoms1 and the apple trees covered with buds4 ,the glad beautiful spring had fully come with its lovely treasures and everything seemed delighting in the sweet air and sunshine4 ,miss ,beldon1 a neighbor1 was digging her flower-beds1 and asked where they were going4 ,i want to visit that poor little fellow1 ,tommy ,hoden1 who comes here so often1 said ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,you're not going to ,hoden's1 cried ,miss ,beldon2 why the father is an awful man6 ,so much the more need of helping him1 and that poor neglected boy of his1 answered ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,can you tell me exactly where they live8 ,yes1 in a horrid old hut1 near ,duff ,mills4 ,you can't miss it1 for it is the meanest of all those tumble-down shanties4 ,i do wish you wouldn't go1 it won't do any good4 ,our ,lord will take care of that1 said ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,i am only going to do the part of the work ,he assigns me1 and take food to the hungry4 ,well1 said ,miss ,beldon1 ,i wouldn't go for fifty dollars4 ,the man is never sober1 and he won't like to be interfered with4 ,i shouldn't wonder if he would shoot at you4 ,mrs4 ,allen laughed1 and said anything so tragic was not likely to happen1 and then went to get a basket of food to take to ,tommy ,hoden4 ,they set forth on their walk1 ,bo holding fast to his mother's hand while ,amy loitered on the way1 gathering wild flowers4 ,do you really1 truly think ,tom's father would shoot at us8 asked ,bo4 ,no1 indeed1 dear4 ,i hope you are not afraid4 ,well--no--dear ,ma1 not very afraid2 and the little fellow drew a deep sigh2 only ,i--,i--hope he won't shoot you1 dear ,ma4 ,well ,i am afraid6 said ,amy1 in a somewhat shamefaced manner4 ,please1 ,ma dear1 let me go back and ,i will kneel before our ,blessed ,lady's picture and pray for the poor man all the time you are away4 ,that is very sweet of you1 dear4 ,now ,bo1 perhaps you had better return with ,amy4 ,i can go alone4 ,no2 no2 ,i won't go back4 ,i want to take care of my own dear ,mamma4 ,i'm not a bit afraid now4 ,well1 dear1 said ,mrs4 ,allen1 ,i will tell you what ,i want to do for ,tom and his father4 ,i will try to get ,tom to go to school every day and to catechism class on ,sundays4 ,i think that would make a better boy of him4 ,then ,i hope to persuade his father to sign the temperance pledge and go to work4 ,bolax understood what his mother meant by this1 for ,mrs4 ,allen made a constant companion of the child2 and although only five1 she taught him to recite a piece on ,temperance4 ,the walk to the mills was very pleasant1 with the exception of about half a mile of the distance1 just as the road turned off from the village2 here were a number of wretched old buildings1 occupied by very poor and1 for the most part1 very wicked people4 ,somewhat removed from the others stood a hovel more dilapidated1 if possible1 than the rest4 ,towards this ,mrs4 ,allen1 still holding ,bolax by the hand1 bent her steps1 and gently rapped at the door4 ,no one answered1 but something that sounded like the growl of a beast proceeded from within4 ,after repeating the rap twice or three times1 she pushed the door wider open and walked in4 ,the room upon which it opened was small and low1 and lighted by a single window1 over which hung a thick network of spider webs2 the dingy walls were festooned in like manner2 the clay floor was so filthy1 that1 for a moment1 ,mrs4 ,allen shrunk from stepping upon it4 ,in a corner of the wretched room sat ,tom's father1 smoking an old pipe4 ,he was a rough1 bad-looking man with shaggy hair hanging over his face and bleared eyes that glared at his visitors with no gentle expression4 ,what do you want8 he growled4 ,your little boy sometimes comes to our place1 answered ,mrs4 ,allen1 so ,i thought ,i would come to see him1 and bring him some cakes2 children are so fond of sweets4 ,very kind of you1 ,i'm sure1 ma'am1 though ,i don't know why you should take the trouble1 and the glare of his eyes softened a little2 you're the first woman that's crossed that ere threshold since ,molly was carried out4 ,i ha'n't got no chair4 ,oh1 never mind4 ,i did not come to make a long call1 said ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,the lady looked around the wretched room in vain1 for a shelf or table on which to deposit the contents of her basket4 ,at last she saw a closet1 and while placing the articles of food in it1 talked to old ,hoden as if he had been the most respectable man in the county4 ,is ,tom at home1 ,mr4 ,hoden8 ,what d'ye want of him8 ,i never know where he is4 ,i heard you ought to be a ,catholic1 continued ,mrs4 ,allen1 and ,i thought you would not object to ,tom's coming to my catechism class on ,sunday4 ,he ain't got no clothes fit to go2 besides ,i reckon it wouldn't do no good to send him1 for he ain't never seen the inside of a church4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,hoden1 couldn't you come yourself8 ,it is me1 ma'am8 ,i haven't been near a church or priest for twenty-five years4 ,poor ,molly tried to make me go1 but she gave it up as a bad job4 ,you may try your hand on ,tom for all ,i care4 ,i am much obliged to you for giving me leave to try1 said ,mrs4 ,allen1 smiling2 ,i should not have asked ,tom to come without your permission1 ,mr4 ,hoden4 ,good-bye1 sir4 ,the poor wretch seemed dazed1 and did not reply to the lady's polite leave-taking4 ,after she was gone1 he said to himself ,i wonder what that one is up to4 ,i never heard such smooth talk in my life4 ,well it do make me feel good to be spoke to like ,i were a gentleman4 ,i'd give a good bit to know who sent her here1 and why she come4 ,ah1 poor soul1 it was the charity of ,jesus ,christ that prompted the lady to go to you2 and many a fervent prayer she and her children will say for your conversion4 ,mamma1 said ,bolax1 on the way home1 that man is not so dreadful bad4 ,why do you think that1 dear8 ,because ,i saw a picture of the ,sacred ,heart pasted on the wall inside the closet2 it is all over grease and flyspecks1 but you know you told me ,jesus gave a blessing to any house that had a picture of ,his ,sacred ,heart in it4 ,,chapter ,,ii4 ,,the ,,wonderful ,,ride4 ,hurrah6 ,hurrah6 shouted ,bolax1 ,amy where are you8 ',want to tell you something fine4 ,amy was watering her flower-bed1 and did not pay much attention to the little brother who was always having something fine to tell4 ,what is it now1 ,bo dear8 ,oh something real splendid this time4 ,please tell me then1 said ,amy getting a little impatient4 ,you'll be so glad1 ,amy4 ,mamma and auntie say they are going to have a party on the #bast because it is your birthday and ,st4 ,aloysius' birthday4 ,did they8 really truly6 exclaimed ,amy2 and the staid little lady danced up and down the porch wild with delight at the prospect of a really truly party4 ,just then ,aunt ,lucy came up the steps laden with roses1 for it was ,june1 the month of the beautiful queen of flowers4 ,mrs4 ,allen took particular pains to cultivate with her own hands1 all varieties of red roses1 from deep crimson to the brilliant ,jacqueminot1 so that she could always have a bouquet to send to the ,church every ,sunday and ,friday1 during the month of the ,sacred ,heart1 besides keeping her own little altar well supplied4 ,oh1 ,auntie1 dear6 said ,amy1 ,i'm so happy6 ,bo says ,i'm to have a party4 ,well1 yes1 darling2 you know you will be seven on the #bast1 so ,mamma and ,i want to make you happy because you have always tried to be a good obedient little girl4 ,thank you1 thank you1 auntie1 and ,amy gave ,aunt ,lucy a big hug and kiss4 ,may ,i carry the roses to the ,oratory auntie1 dear8 ,yes1 ,child1 but ,i must go too1 for ,i forgot to light the lamp before the picture of the ,sacred ,heart1 and it should never be extinguished during this month4 ,while arranging the altar ,amy began with her usual string of questions1 which were always listened to1 and answered1 for ,mrs4 ,allen and her sister never allowed themselves to be too busy to talk to children4 ,auntie1 why do we burn lamps before statues and holy pictures8 ,mollie ,lane asked me that question when she was in here yesterday1 and ,i did not know how to explain1 then she laughed and said it was so funny to have artificial light in the day time4 ,my dear1 we burn lamps and candles on the altar for several reasons1 which it would take too long to tell you just now2 when you are older1 ,i will give you a little book called ,sacramentals1 which explains all about the lights on our altars1 the use of holy water1 blessed palm1 the crucifix1 etc4 ,for the present it suffices to tell any one who questions you that the lamp in our ,oratory is kept burning as a mark of respect towards the ,sacred ,heart of ,jesus1 and besides it is a pretty ornament4 ,what a bower of loveliness1 peace and rest was the little hall-room which ,mrs4 ,allen set apart as a ,holy of ,holies for her household4 ,a subdued light glimmered through the latticed windows1 which also admitted the soft summer air that wafted the fragrance of flowers over the family1 as they knelt at their devotion4 ,there was time to pray in that house1 and although its head was not a ,catholic1 he approved of his family living up to all they professed2 in fact he was proud of the little tabernacle in his house1 and frequently1 when he had visitors1 invited them upstairs to see the ,oratory4 ,while ,aunt ,lucy and ,amy were occupied1 ,bolax went out to the stable hoping ,pat1 the hired man1 would talk to him2 but ,pat had gone to the village on an errand1 then ,bo came back to the house and called for his ,mamma4 ,as mother did not respond immediately he screamed as loud as he could3 ,ma1 dear6 ,ma1 dear6 ,mrs4 ,allen opened her door and asked why he spoke in such a disagreeable tone of voice4 ,well1 ,i have no one to play with1 he whined4 ,i want sister1 can't she come down8 ,now dearie be a good little man1 don't whine1 go and amuse yourself2 ,amy is at her lessons with ,aunt ,lucy1 and ,i am writing to ,papa4 ,i should like to be able to tell him you were a good boy4 ,where is ,papa now8 asked ,bo4 ,away off in ,kansas1 dear4 ,there1 do not disturb me and ,i will be with you presently4 ,thus left to himself ,bo went to his never-failing source of amusement--swinging on the gate4 ,while enjoying himself1 he heard the rumble of wagon-wheels1 and jumped down to see what was coming4 ,it happened to be the milk boy1 ,pete ,hopkins--,hello1 ,pete6 said ,bo4 ,hello yourself1 said ,pete4 ,give me a ride1 begged ,bo4 ,i don't mind1 said the good-natured fellow and jumping out of his cart1 lifted the child to the seat beside him4 ,bolax had often been allowed to ride to the end of the road with ,pete1 because ,mrs4 ,allen knew him to be a respectable boy4 ,when he came to the usual getting-off place1 ,pete forgot somehow to put the child down1 and1 of course1 ,bo couldn't think1 he was too much interested in a story ,pete was telling about his pet goose1 that always followed one of the cows1 and came to him to have her head scratched4 ,pete did not realize how far he was taking the boy1 until the horse stopped before his own door4 ,great ,scot6 exclaimed he1 ,i'll ketch it1 youngster4 ,i didn't mean to carry you all this way4 ,but as you are here1 ,i'll show you the calves and my pet goose4 ,saying this1 ,pete lifted ,bo out of the cart4 ,the child clapped his hands and shouted with delight as he caught sight of a flock of sheep feeding in the meadow next to the barn1 then ,pete called ,nancy1 the pet goose1 and ,bo laughed at her queer way of waddling from side to side after her master1 and gabbling as if trying to talk to him4 ,i want to see your colt now1 said ,bo1 ,pete asked him to wait a minute while he went into the stable to make sure the colt was tied securely1 for the animal was quite unbroken1 and children were not to be trusted near him4 ,bo waited a hundred hours1 which was always his manner of computing time1 when in anticipation of pleasure2 then spying a nice white pig in a field nearby1 rubbing her back against the fence1 he made a dash towards her1 put one leg through the rails just across piggie's back4 ,up jumped the pig with the boy astride1 whether by accident or design1 no one could tell4 ,bo was delighted at the unexpected pleasure of a real piggie-back ride1 and laughed and shouted in his glee4 ,pete having fastened the door of the colt's stall1 and made sure he could be safely approached1 went out of the stable to call ,bolax1 but by this time master harum scarum was off on his prancing steed4 ,for a moment1 ,pete stood amazed not knowing what to make of the strange sight1 then finding his voice1 called out lustily ,hi6 ,hi6 little fellow1 stop6 you'll be killed6 ,at the same time he could scarcely keep his feet for laughing4 ,two farmhands tried to head off the animal1 but ,bo had caught hold of her ears to keep himself balanced1 and the tighter he held on the wilder ran poor piggie4 ,pete's mother came rushing out1 and seeing the dangerous position of the child began scolding1 her harsh voice striking terror into the heart of unlucky ,pete4 ,you big stupid4 ,how come you to let that baby do such a fool trick8 ,don't stand there gaping4 ,head off the wild critter or she'll get out on the road4 ,but the warning came too late1 for at that moment down the lane flew the frightened animal1 ,bolax boldly clinging to its back4 ,mrs4 ,hopkins1 her hair all flying1 rushed after him making the echoes ring with her screams4 ,pete bewildered1 did not know which way to run2 the two hired men and several neighbors joined in the chase4 ,finally piggie plunged into a little creek by the roadside and ,bo was dismounted4 ,he got a thorough ducking and a few bruises1 but received no serious injury4 ,mrs4 ,hopkins carried the child into the house1 and having changed his clothes made ,pete hitch up the buggy1 for1 as she said3 ,i'll take the little imp to his mother1 and tell her never to let him show his nose on my place again4 ,as for you1 ,pete ,hopkins1 if ever ,i ketch you bringing any child on these premises1 you'll be sore for a month4 ,when ,mrs4 ,allen had written her letter she called ,bolax1 not finding him on the lawn1 she went into the kitchen1 supposing ,hetty1 the cook1 was entertaining him1 for she often had the children in roars of laughter1 with her funny stories about ,brer ,rabbit and the ,pickaninys down ,souf4 ,but ,hetty hadn't laid an eye on dat boy since breakfus4 ,mrs4 ,allen waited a while longer1 then became quite uneasy4 ,going to the gate she looked up and down the road4 ,miss ,beldon saw her and asked if she was looking for ,bolax4 ,yes1 said ,mrs4 ,allen1 he has been missing for two hours and ,i am very much worried about him4 ,well1 ,i saw him get into a wagon right at your gate1 said ,miss ,beldon4 ,poor ,mrs4 ,allen began to think of ,charlie ,ross1 and every other kidnapping story she had ever heard of4 ,aunt ,lucy and ,amy shared her anxiety4 ,pat went into the woods to look for him and ,hetty took the road to the village1 thinking he might be found in that direction4 ,mrs4 ,allen went to her refuge in all trouble1 the ,oratory4 ,there she knelt and implored the ,blessed ,virgin and ,st4 ,joseph to help her find her darling boy2 she felt sure the ,divine ,mother would sympathize with her1 in remembrance of the anxiety she had suffered when the ,holy ,child was lost for three days4 ,it was nearly noon when ,mrs4 ,hopkins' buggy stopped at the gate4 ,miss ,beldon and ,aunt ,lucy were overjoyed on seeing the child1 ,amy ran down the path to meet him1 calling back to ,mamma that ,bolax had been found4 ,mrs4 ,allen1 being a very nervous person became hysterical on hearing the good news4 ,aunt ,lucy took the boy in her arms1 and the usually happy little face assumed a grave expression when he saw his mother seated on the piazza with her handkerchief to her eyes4 ,mrs4 ,hopkins told the whole story of the wild ride and begged the ladies never to trust children with her ,pete1 for she said3 ,i must tell you he ain't got the sense of a kitten and he is no more use than a last year's bird's nest with the bottom knocked out4 ,when ,bo saw the state his mother was in1 he realized how naughty he had been to leave home without permission4 ,dear ,ma1 said he1 ,i'm so sorry1 ,i didn't mean to stay away4 ,pete took me by mistake1 and ,i didn't know ,i was staying so long4 ,mrs4 ,allen said not a word of reproof to the child1 but taking his hand1 led him quietly upstairs to the ,oratory1 and left him4 ,bo felt his mother's silence more keenly than if she had given him a long lecture4 ,calling her sister1 ,mrs4 ,allen said3 ,lucy go to that child1 he is in the ,oratory4 ,when he comes out1 put him to bed4 ,i must keep away from him while ,i am so excited and nervous2 ,i will wait until ,i shall have become calm1 to reprimand him4 ,aunt ,lucy went to the door to peep in at ,bo2 this is the prayer she heard him say3 ,dear little ,jesus and ,holy ,mother1 ,i'm sorry ,i frightened my darling mamma4 ,i didn't know ,i was away such a long time1 but it was such fun1 dear ,jesus1 you would laugh yourself if you had seen me on that pig4 ,aunt ,lucy ran away from the door1 trying to smother her laughter1 and going to her sister's room told what she had heard4 ,now1 sister1 she begged1 do forgive our boy this time1 there is no guile in the little soul1 and the way he speaks to ,our ,lord is so sweet1 ,i cannot have the heart to scold him4 ,that is all very well1 ,lucy1 but ,i fear if ,i trusted him to you always1 he would be a very spoiled child4 ,here a little voice was heard begging mamma to come and see how sorry her boy was4 ,mrs4 ,allen let the little delinquent off with a mild reproof1 and two hours in bed1 which he needed as a rest after his wonderful exertions of the morning4 ,little ,amy begged ,mamma to allow her to remain with ,brother and offered to tell him a story1 but he preferred having her recite a new piece she had just learned4 ,,corinne',s ,,musicale4 ,,by ,,margaret ,,sidney4 ,inside of me says ,i am naughty1 ,but truly1 ,i know ,i am not2 ,for if ,brother ,joe could see me ,right in this very spot1 ,he'd let me do just as ,i'm doing1 ,i'm very sure2 that is1 perhaps-- ,oh1 dear6 however1 do big folks ,hold this thing straight in their laps8 ,it slips1 an' it slips an it slips1 ,you naughty old ,banjo1 oh1 dear6 ,is he coming8 then what will he do ,to find me sitting up here6 ,ho1 ho1 'twas a mouse--how silly ,and frightened ,i've actually been2 ,for he'd say3 ,if you hold it quite still ,you may take it1 ,i'm willing1 ,corinne6 ,i know1 so now ,i'll begin it2 ,how does he go tumty tum ting1 ,and make such beautiful tunes1 ,too lovely for anything8 ,i ain't a bit afraid they may hear1 ,the house people 'way off below-- ,me playing in ,brother ,joe's room4 ,still ,i'd better be careful1 you know4 ,if they didn't say 'twas amusing4 ,i sh'd think 'twas stupid to play1 ,to tug at such tiresome strings ,an' make them come over this way2 ,but it must be delightful1 ,i'll pull ,a very fine tune at first2 ,now1 tumty-tum twang6 ,it sounds as if something had burst6 ,that string must a truly been cracked4 ,don't you s'pose8 or moth-eaten p'raps2 ,tisn't pleasant to practice ,i'm sure1 ,but forlorn1 when anything flaps ,so ,i guess ,i've finished2 hark6 hark6 ,he really is coming--oh1 my6 ,now1 ,banjo1 ,i know ,mamma wants me1 ,an' so ,i must bid you good-bye4 ,wasn't she a naughty girl1 said ,bo1 ,i wouldn't do that4 ,i never touch ,aunt ,lucy's banjo--only sometimes--but ,i don't break it4 ,illustration ,,chapter ,,iii4 ,,the ,,party4 ,great preparations were made for ,amy's seventh birthday4 ,uncle ,dick1 who was an electrician1 sent a number of portable electric lamps to help in the decorations4 ,aunt ,lucy proposed having tableaux and pieces for the evening entertainment1 as a welcome home to ,papa ,allen1 who was expected soon to return from his ,western trip4 ,amy wanted everything arranged in sevens1 as she expressed it4 ,so she invited seven girls and seven boys and seven grown up people4 ,there were to be seven kinds of candy and cakes1 etc41 and ,mamma and ,aunt ,lucy worked with all their hearts to make ,amy's seventh birthday a never-to-be-forgotten pleasure4 ,it was agreed that every eatable which was set on the table for the children1 should be made at home1 so ,miss ,sweetwood1 who was an expert in candy making1 came to spend a week1 and devoted her time to the manufacture of all manner of dainty bonbons4 ,aunt ,lucy and ,hetty took charge of the cooking1 and the birthday cake came from their hands a most beautiful1 as well as delicious1 confection4 ,there were seven sugar ornaments made like sconces to hold the candles1 the one in the centre resembling a white lily1 was for a blessed candle2 ,mrs4 ,allen always managed to smuggle a pious thought into every act connected with the children4 ,two days before the party1 ,papa ,allen arrived1 bringing a present for ,amy1 which was received with wildest shouts of delight from both children1 but was not so welcome to the grown-up members of the family1 viz4--,a goat4 ,hetty came to bid a welcome home with the rest of the family1 but held up her hands when she saw the new arrival and exclaimed4 ,fo' de land's sake6 ,massa ,allen1 you done brought a match for ,bolax now1 for sure4 ,early on the morning of the twenty-first1 before anyone else in the house thought of stirring1 ,bo's eyes were wide open4 ,a robin perched on a bough of an apple tree just outside the window1 was singing his merriest1 the sun was shining straight into the room and upon ,bo's crib4 ,guess that sun woke me up1 said he1 watching with delight the bright beams as they glanced and shimmered about the walls and over the carpet4 ,when it gets to ,mamma's bed it will wake her up too4 ,oh6 ,i'm so tired waiting4 ,then jumping out of his crib1 he ran over to ,amy's bed1 and sang out4 ,one1 two1 three1 four1 five1 six1 seven4 ,hurrah6 for your birthday1 sister4 ,amy rubbed her eyes1 and having made the sign of the cross1 for she never forgot to give her first thought to ,god1 was ready to join ,bolax in hurrahing for the anticipated pleasures of the day4 ,first of all1 the goat was remembered1 and scarcely waiting to dress1 both children ran to play with the new pet4 ,for a short time ,bo allowed ,amy to enjoy her present1 but soon he began to tease1 and would not let her lead the goat where she pleased4 ,it's my own pet6 cried she1 ,papa brought it to me4 ,well1 said ,bo1 you might let me have a lend of it4 ,yes1 but you take such a long lend1 and you are so cruel1 and ,amy tried to pull the goat away1 but ,bo held on1 screaming and getting into a temper4 ,papa heard the noise and called out to know the cause of the disturbance4 ,papa1 said the gentle little girl1 ,i am willing to let ,bo have ,nanny for a long time1 but he won't give me a chance to play with her at all1 and he's tormenting the poor thing1 making ,don bark at her1 just to see her try to butt4 ,aunt ,lucy ran out to settle the dispute4 ,just then the breakfast bell rang and ,nanny was left in peace4 ,after breakfast ,mamma recommended the children not to tire themselves1 as the party would begin at four o'clock in the afternoon1 and they must be ready to receive their little friends and help to amuse them4 ,but nothing would induce ,bo to give up playing with the goat1 at dinner time he was still taking one more lend of her4 ,gentle ,amy1 who generally gave up to her little brother1 could not help feeling sorry for the unfortunate animal1 and begged to have it sent to the stable4 ,bo1 dear1 said ,aunt ,lucy1 do let poor ,nanny rest a while1 you have not given her time to eat today4 ,why ,auntie she's had lots to eat4 ,i gave her two of my handkerchiefs1 and one of ,amy's1 and she ate them up1 but she seems not to like colored handkerchiefs1 for ,i gave her one of ,hetty's1 and she just took a bite1 then spit it out4 ,hetty happened to come to the pump just as ,bo was showing the handkerchief1 and she fairly screamed when she saw it4 ,for de land's sake6 you ,bolax4 ,look what you been a doin'4 ,here's my best ,bandanna half chewed up by dat goat4 ,well1 ,hetty1 you told me goats like to eat clothes1 and ,i thought your bandanna would taste good to ,nanny1 because it is so pretty1 but she didn't like it4 ,oh1 you just shut up1 you bad boy3 you is made up of mischief2 you' bones is full of it4 ,clar to goodness1 ,i never was so put upon1 no time1 no whars4 ,bo was very much surprised at ,hetty's outburst of anger and looked quite frightened1 he offered to give her all the pennies in his bank to buy a new bandanna1 but she would not be pacified1 and still continued to scold4 ,hetty1 dear1 said the little culprit1 please don't speak so hard1 it hurts my heart4 ,but angry ,hetty continued with3 ,you certainly is one of dem4 ,massa ,bo1 you'se done so much mischief dis here day1 and it's ,miss ,amy's birthday too2 if ,i was you ,i'd go to de ,oritey and pray de good ,lord to hold you in1 if ,he kin1 just for de rest of dis day4 ,i'se afraid you g'wine to spile all de fun dis arternoon by some of your fool tricks4 ,bo seeing ,hetty was determined to remain angry1 ran off to escape further scolding4 ,when he was gone ,aunt ,lucy told ,hetty she must blame herself for the loss of her handkerchief1 as she had told the child about the calves and goats feeding on such things4 ,you see1 ,hetty1 as yet ,bo does not know what an untruth means1 and cannot distinguish between joke and earnest1 he firmly believes all that grown up people tell him1 and ,i have no doubt1 thought that he was giving a dainty morsel to the goat1 when he offered her your best bandanna4 ,oh you6 ,miss ,lucy1 you always takes up for dat boy4 ,yes1 and there's some one else1 'takes up' for him1 sometimes1 and her name is ,hetty4 ,at three o'clock ,mamma and ,aunt ,lucy dressed the children4 ,amy was as usual in blue and white1 for she had been consecrated to the ,blessed ,virgin1 from the time she was a baby4 ,her dress for the occasion was very beautiful1 trimmed with soft laces1 a present from her ,godmother1 and she looked like a little princess1 with her long golden curls and dark eyes4 ,bo wore his black velvet kilt1 with a large lace collar1 and the sweet little face1 peeping out from beneath his crown of curls1 might have been taken for something angelic1 if one did not get a glimpse of his mischievous gray eye4 ,promptly at four1 the children trooped in2 ,amy did the honors in a most charming manner1 and ,bo amused the boys by showing them his numerous pets4 ,games of all kinds were played1 and judging from the laughter and noise1 ,amy's guests were having what is called a good time4 ,never was there a more glorious twenty-first of ,june2 the sky was so blue and bright1 not the least bit of a cloud was to be seen1 the air was balmy and entirely free from dampness1 so the table for the children was set under the trees on the lawn4 ,a snowy white cloth was spread and places arranged for fourteen4 ,before each cover was a pretty box containing candied fruit1 to each box was attached a card with these words in gilt letters3 ,from ,amy to her friends2 this was to be carried home as a souvenir4 ,in the centre of the table the birthday cake stood on a bank of red and white roses4 ,these bouquets of flowers were placed between pyramids of ice cream and mounds of toothsome dainties4 ,delicious white and red and pink raspberries were served on plates resembling green leaves4 ,as the clock struck six1 the children were called to take their places at the table1 but just as they were seated1 who should walk up the garden path1 but ,father ,leonard1 the dearest friend of the family4 ,mr4 and ,mrs4 ,allen hastened to greet him3 ,well1 well1 said he1 what is all this8 ,amy ran to welcome her favorite and told him it was her birthday party4 ,now my little daughter1 said the good father4 ,i feel very much slighted at not receiving an invitation4 ,oh6 replied the little lady1 please do not be offended1 but come sit at the head of the table and ask blessing on my feast4 ,this the good father did most joyfully1 and when the youngsters were seated1 every one showed his appreciation of the good things by the dispatch with which the platters were cleared4 ,aunt ,lucy's famous drop cakes disappeared in such numbers1 that some of the ,mammas began to fear they would have to nurse cases of indigestion4 ,at length the time came to cut the birthday cake4 ,the seven candles upon it had remained lighted during the repast and ,mr4 ,allen put them out before dividing it2 he was just going to extinguish the last one1 when ,master ,bo jumped on the table1 regardless of all propriety1 and cried out1 ,oh1 ,papa1 let me blow out the middle candle1 that is a blessed one and ,i want to breathe the holy smoke4 ,there was a hearty laugh at this and ,father ,leonard enjoyed the joke more than any one4 ,when he could manage to speak after the hilarity had subsided he asked3 ,bo1 why did you want to breathe the holy smoke8 ,because1 answered the boy1 ,hetty says the mischief spirit is in me1 and ,i wanted to smoke it out4 ,again there was an outburst of laughter1 although only the older folks understood the wit of ,bo's remark4 ,after supper the children prepared for the entertainment4 ,those who were to speak or sing went with ,aunty ,lucy and ,miss ,may to have some last finishing touches put to their toilet1 and make sure they remembered their pieces4 ,the end of the piazza had been arranged as a stage4 ,three large ,japanese screens formed a back ground and an arch of white climbing roses and honey suckles served instead of a drop curtain4 ,groups of electric lamps had been placed so as to have the light fall directly on the little actors4 ,chairs and benches for the audience were arranged on the lawn just opposite the arch4 ,at half past eight o'clock1 it was sufficiently dark to bring out the illumination on the piazza1 so the show began4 ,the first scene represented ,amy seated on a chair1 which was draped with gilt paper1 festooned with flowers and resembled a veritable golden throne4 ,from behind the scene came seven children carrying flowers and singing3 ,we come1 we come from hill and dell ,to welcome her we love so well4 ,we come on wings of silver light1 ,for 'tis our ,amy's festal night4 ,we bring her from our fairy bowers ,tiny buds and opening flowers1 ,in mystic language they all shall tell ,we love our darling ,amy well4 ,then one of the little girls placed a crown of ,lilies of the ,valley on the little queen's head1 and the other children laid their flowers at her feet4 ,this was a total surprise to ,amy1 for the children had been told not to let her know they were learning the song2 her sweet face was a study while she received the homage of her little friends1 but she was equal to the occasion1 and rising from her seat made a profound bow and said1 ,thank you6 ,oh6 ,i thank you so much4 ,after this came a violin solo by ,adolph ,lane1 which was extremely well rendered4 ,edith ,scot and her brother danced the ,sailors' ,hornpipe dressed in fancy costume4 ,bolax and his chum1 ,robbie ,thornton1 spoke ,whitcomb ,riley's ,when the ,world ,busts ,through4 ,suggested by an earthquake4 ,where's a boy a-goin'2 ,an' what's he goin' to do1 ,and how's he goin' to do it ,when the world busts through8 ,ma says she can't tell ,what we're comin' to6 ,an' ,pop says1 ,he's jest skeered ,clean-plum through4 ,second ,boy4 ,suppose we'd be a playin' ,out in the street1 ,an' the ground 'nd split up ',bout forty feet6 ,ma says1 ,she jest knows ,we 'ud tumble in2 ,an' ,pop's says1 ,bet you1 ,den you wouldn't grin4 ,first ,boy4 ,s'pose we'd jest be pretendin' ,like we had a show1 ,down in the stable ,where we mustn't go-- ,ma says1 the earthquake ,might make it fall2 ,an' ,pop says1 more'n like ,swaller barn an' all4 ,landy6 ef we wuz ,runin' away from school1 ,down in the shady woods ,where it's all so cool6 ,ma says a big tree ,might squash our head2 ,an' ,pop says1 chop 'em out ,both killed-dead4 ,both ,boys4 ,but where is a boy a-goin'1 ,an' what's he goin' to do1 ,an' how's he going' to do it1 ,er the world bust through4 ,the little fellows recited this with scared faces and such comical gravity as to keep every one laughing4 ,amy came next with ,songs of ,seven1 by ,jean ,ingelow4 ,there's no dew left on the daisies and clover1 ,there's no rain left in ,heaven1 ,i've said my ,seven times over and over1 ,seven times one are seven4 ,i am old1 so old1 ,i can write a letter1 ,my birthday lessons are done2 ,the lambs play always1 they know no better2 ,they are only one times one4 ,oh1 moon6 in the night ,i've seen you sailing ,and shining so round and low1 ,you were bright2 ah1 bright6 but your light is ,failing1 you are nothing now but a bow4 ,you moon1 have you done something wrong in ,heaven ,that ,god has hidden your face8 ,i hope if you have1 you will soon be forgiven1 ,and shine again in your place4 ,oh1 velvet bee1 you're a dusty fellow2 ,you've powdered your wings with gold2 ,oh1 brave ,marsh--marigold rich and yellow ,give me your money to hold4 ,and show me your nest with the young ones in it2 ,i will not steal them away6 ,i am old1 you may trust me1 ,linnet1 ,linnet1 ,i am seven years old today4 ,this was beautifully rendered and such a very appropriate selection for a seventh birthday4 ,the entertainment ended1 every one prepared to go home1 one and all expressing their delight and declaring it was the most enjoyable birthday party they had ever witnessed4 ,,chapter ,,iv4 ,,pleasant ,,controversy4 ,mr4 ,allen sat on the porch smoking1 when ,mr4 ,steck1 the ,lutheran minister1 opened the gate and walked in4 ,mr4 ,allen greeted him cordially and invited him to be seated4 ,the day was warm1 but there was always a breeze on the corner of that porch1 where the odor of the honeysuckle and climbing roses1 which gave shade1 made it a most inviting spot to rest4 ,have a segar1 ,mr4 ,steck4 ,thank you1 ,mr4 ,allen1 ,i am glad to see you at home on a week day1 it is so seldom you take a holiday4 ,holidays are not for men with a family to support2 you may thank your stars1 you are a bachelor4 ,that sounds as though you think ,i have a great share of leisure time4 ,well1 ,i acknowledge my duties in this village are not very onerous1 still ,i find enough to do4 ,by the way1 ,i have just been to see ,miss ,ogden4 ,it is wonderful how the poor girl clings to life4 ,as ,i left her house1 ,i met ,amy and ,bolax1 the dear children asked so kindly after the dying girl1 but ,bo--now don't be offended ,mr4 ,allen1 ,i have always taken a great interest in that boy having known him from a baby2 he is wonderfully bright1 makes such witty remarks1 and does such tormenting mischief at times1 interrupted ,mr4 ,allen4 ,well1 continued ,mr4 ,steck1 ,when ,i told the children how ill ,miss ,ogden was1 ,bo gave me this medal of ,st4 ,benedict1 telling me to put it on the poor girl's neck1 and she would be sure to get well4 ,i asked who told him that8 ,then ,amy looked at me so earnestly and said3 ',oh1 ,saint ,benedict can cure anybody4 ,you know he was a great doctor when he was on earth1 and he was so good our ,lord gave him power to cure people who wear his medal4' ',yes1 and he cured ,nannie1' said ,bo1 'see ,i have the medal on her yet2' and lifting a daisy chain he showed me the medal on the goat's neck4 ,ha6 ha6 ha6 laughed ,mr4 ,allen1 that's so like ,bolax1 he is a mixture of imp and angel4 ,now my friend1 continued ,mr4 ,steck1 allow me to ask you1 who have been brought up an ,episcopalian1 if you approve of such superstitions8 ,i did not suppose that educated ,romanists entered into ridiculous practices of this sort2 putting faith in--well1 ,i might as well say it3 ,idols6 --,hold on1 ,mr4 ,steck1 ,i am not versed in the theology of the ,catholic ,church1 and do not try to account for a great many little customs such as my little ones spoke about1 but ,i'll venture to assert they do not injure the souls or bodies of those who believe in them4 ,my wife never bothers me about her religion1 never enters into controversy1 although ,i have a notion1 that on the sly1 she is praying me into it4 ,and from what you say1 remarked ,mr4 ,steck1 ,i think her prayers are being heard4 ,i don't object to the ,catholic religion2 ,i think many of its doctrines are good and sound1 but it would be more edifying to the general run of ,christians1 if there were not so many superstitious practices allowed4 ,come1 now ,mr4 ,steck do not condemn what you do not understand4 ,i travel a great deal as you know1 and often attend churches of different denominations2 but whenever ,i try to get an explanation of their various beliefs1 one and all answer me somewhat in this manner3 ',well1 ,i don't believe thus and so2' ',i don't approve of this or that doctrine1' etc4 ,i never can get any of them to say right out what they do believe4 ,one point only do they all agree upon and that is1 condemnation of the ,roman ,catholic ,church4 ,opening a memorandum book1 ,mr4 ,allen took out a paper saying1 here is a hymn which ,i heard sung in a ,campbellite ,sunday ,school3 ,come to me my little ,children1 ,sing and raise your voices high2 ,sing of ,jesus1 not of ,mary1 ,nor other popish patron saints2 ,they can neither save nor help us1 ,nor attend to our ,complaints2 ,tell your little popish neighbors ,how to ,jesus they may go ,if they wish to get to ,heaven1 ,they must worship ,him alone4 ,very poor verse1 but ,i copied it from one of the ,hymn ,books4 ,now1 what can be gained by teaching children such absurdities8 ,if you were intimately acquainted with ,catholic little ones1 you would find they bring ,jesus into their daily lives more than do those who are taught to ridicule them4 ,oh1 said ,mr4 ,steck1 ,i admit there are many ignorant preachers out ,west1 who think they honor ,god by abusing the ,catholic religion1 but you never hear me or ,mr4 ,patton make use of an uncharitable word in connection with any one religion4 ,mr4 ,steck let me tell you that even the children of illiterate parents1 who are practical ,catholics1 you will find able to answer questions about their religion1 and keep ,jesus in their thoughts4 ,just to give you an example3 yesterday my wife went over to ,miss ,scrips and found her tying up a rosebush in the garden1 the cook's little boy1 about seven years old1 held the branch for her1 while doing this1 he uttered a cry of pain1 tears came into his eyes1 but checking himself1 he said3 ,oh1 if one thorn hurts so much how dreadful ,he must have suffered with ,his head all covered with thorns4 ,poor ,jesus6 ,indeed1 said ,mr4 ,steck1 that was extraordinary4 ,he must be an exceptional boy4 ,such a child will die young1 or be a great preacher some day4 ,well1 ,i just tell this one instance1 replied ,mr4 ,allen1 to let you see the impression made on the heart of ,catholic children by constantly keeping before them incidents in the life of ,christ4 ,papa6 ,papa6 was heard in the distance4 ,mr4 ,allen got up saying3 ,that sounds like ,bolax4 ,going to the gate he saw a crowd of youngsters following ,bo1 who was vainly trying to catch the goat4 ,nan was tearing down the road with ,roy1 ,buz and ,don his pet dogs1 in full chase after her4 ,it was too funny to see ,nan turn on the dogs1 stand on hind legs and with a loud ,ma-a-a6 start off again4 ,i wish ,i were a few years younger1 said ,mr4 ,steck1 ,i'd join in the chase4 ,mr4 ,allen tried to head ,nan off1 ,bo kept yelling--,papa make the dogs stop barking1 it frightens poor ,nan4 ,in going to the rescue1 ,mr4 ,allen left the garden gate open1 ,nannie rushed in tearing over the flower beds1 to the great dismay of the onlookers1 especially ,hetty who had come out to see what the row was about1 grumbling to herself3 ,if yo' flower beds is spiled1 youse got yu' own self to blame1 ,mr4 ,allen1 it ain't no sense in havin' so many live creters round de place no how4 ,pat came on the scene laughing in his good-natured way and catching the goat led her off to the stable4 ,don't whip poor ,nannie1 cried ,bolax1 it wasn't her fault1 it was the dogs that made her run through the flowers1 but1 oh--,pat don't whip them neither2 it was the boys who sicked them on ,nan4 ,i'll not bate any of them shure1 said ,pat1 ,master ,bo1 it's yourself is the tender-hearted spalpeen after all4 ,mr4 ,steck patted the boy1 who looked ready to cry and consoled him by promising him a ride on horse-back4 ,good-bye1 my little man4 ,good-bye ,mr4 ,steck1 said ,mr4 ,allen1 come again whenever you want to see a circus4 ,papa did not say much about the wreck of his flower beds1 seeing the distress of his little boy4 ,hetty took him into the kitchen to comfort him and put on a clean blouse4 ,mamma1 ,aunt ,lucy and ,amy had been out all the afternoon1 so ,bolax tried to amuse himself4 ,looking out of the window1 he saw ,buz1 ,roy and ,don hunting something in the strawberry patch4 ,off he started to see what they were after4 ,to his surprise1 all three dogs were eating the nice big strawberries2 he chased them out1 and going through the fence went into the woods followed by the three rascals4 ,bo gathered all sorts of plunder1 as ,hetty called his treasures4 ,when ,aunt ,lucy came home1 he called to her saying he had such a beautiful horrible bug to show her4 ,i know you'll like him1 he's a tremendous big fellow1 ,i put him in your soap dish to save him for you4 ,on opening the soap dish1 however1 the beautiful horrible bug was nowhere to be seen1 although ,aunt ,lucy looked carefully in every corner and crevice for she did not fancy sleeping in a room with such company4 ,to pacify ,bolax for the loss of his treasure ,aunt ,lucy told him about a stag-beetle her uncle had as a pet4 ,uncle would put a drop of brandy and water in a spoon1 and ,mr4 ,beetle would sip a little1 and then dance about1 sometimes he would get quite frolicsome1 and behave in such a funny way1 staggering round1 going one-sided1 try to fly and at last give it up and go into a sound sleep4 ,when he awoke he would make a buzzing noise1 stretch out a leg or two1 then fly as well as ever4 ,uncle kept him six months2 ,i don't know how he happened to die1 but one morning he was stiff--we were all so sorry4 ,bolax listened1 seeming quite interested1 but when his aunt stopped speaking he began to whine3 ,but ,i want my beautiful horrible bug1 ,i just do want him4 ,papa go upstairs and look for him1 ,i had such trouble catching him in the woods4 ,he has a red saddle under his black wings1 and big horns1 and stiff legs and red eyes4 ,please find him1 ,papa2 ,i want to make a pet of him4 ,here ,mamma came up on the porch1 and hearing about her boy going into the woods alone1 was inclined to scold1 as she had strictly forbidden the children to venture into lonely places without some one to watch over them4 ,bolax1 then said1 ,adolph ,layne had been with him4 ,well1 said ,mamma1 ,i'm glad to know that--no doubt1 we will find your 'beautiful horrible bug' in the morning4 ,it cannot get away as the windows are all screened4 ,he may have the room to himself and ,aunt ,lucy can sleep in the spare room4 ,amy spied a ,lady bug on the climbing rosebush1 she caught it and gave it to her little brother to comfort him for his loss4 ,papa told the children never to harm a ,lady bug because they are very useful insects4 ,in fact1 said he1 ,i would like to have them on all my vines and bushes1 for they always feed on the plant lice1 which infest our choicest flowers4 ,indeed1 ,i never could think of a ,lady bug as a mere insect4 ,oh6 said ,amy1 why can't we call her ,lady bird4 ,she has strong little wings1 and really seems like a tiny bird4 ,well1 continued ,papa1 when ,i was very small1 ,i often caught the dear little things1 and firmly believed they understood when ,i said3 ',lady bug fly away home4' ,when one flew from my hand1 ,i followed1 watched her going home and found where she laid her eggs4 ,she always selects a rosebush or honeysuckle or a hop vine1 because they are more likely than others to have plant lice upon them4 ,lady bug's eggs are a bright yellow1 small1 flat and oval2 when they are hatched out1 the babies find their food all ready for them4 ,at first1 when just out of the egg1 is the time the young ones eat millions of plant lice2 after a few weeks good feeding1 they get fat1 and round1 and casting off their first skin appear in their shining beauty coats4 ,thank you1 ,papa1 dear1 said ,amy1 ,i always did love ',lady birds1' but now ,i shall love them more than ever4 ,papa1 may ,i ask you1 do you know anything about snakes8 ,snakes6 cried ,mamma and ,aunt ,lucy4 ,yes1 ,mamma dear1 the poor things everybody hates them1 and no one says a good word about them4 ,ow6 ow6 help6 for de ,lord's sake6 ,it was ,hetty's voice coming from the cellar4 ,all rushed to the rescue1 thinking the poor soul might have fallen4 ,on opening the cellar door1 ,hetty was seen tumbling up the stairs1 her eyes starting out of her head1 scarcely able to articulate4 ,oh1 ,miss ,allen1 de debble is arter me4 ,he down dere1 ,i done seed him plain4 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,i'm done frustrated to death6 ,all tried to pacify the frightened creature1 but it was no use4 ,i'se done gone dis time4 ,my heart's pumpin' out of me6 ,mr4 ,allen went to see what could have given ,hetty such a shock1 when he too1 gave a very undignified yell1 as he caught sight of a big black snake4 ,bolax ran to him1 calling out1 ,why ,papa1 what is the matter1 what made you screech8 ,don't come down here1 called ,mr4 ,allen1 ,lucy bring the poker4 ,oh1 what on earth is it1 brother8 ,a snake6 ,i don't wonder ,hetty is scared to death4 ,oh1 ,papa1 dear1 called ,bolax4 ,don't kill him4 ,tommy ,hoden gave him to me to put in the cellar to catch mice4 ,i thought ,hetty would be glad1 but she is such a scare cat4 ,mrs4 ,allen told her sister to give ,hetty some valerniate of ammonia to quiet her nerves1 and let her rest for the evening2 we will attend to dinner2 stay with her until she is soothed4 ,bolax1 come upstairs4 ,what are we to do with you8 ,positively you must stop handling reptiles and insects2 you will be poisoned some day4 ,the little fellow listened to all his mother had to say1 but seemed surprised that every one found fault when he expected to be praised4 ,ma1 dear1 said he1 ,i didn't mean to frighten anyone4 ,i'm not afraid of snakes1 and ,tommy ,hoden is a good boy now1 since you have him in ,catechism class1 and he wanted that snake for himself1 but he spared it just to please ,hetty4 ,well1 dear1 ,i believe you would not willingly give pain to ,hetty1 but you are nearly six years old and it is time you should have some thought about you1 say your prayers and go to bed4 ,bo's prayer3 ,dear ,jesus1 ,bless ,hetty and don't let her be such a scare cat4 ,holy ,mother of ,jesus1 bless me and don't let me be doing wrong things when ,i mean to do right things2 help all the poor and the sick1 and all the people in the world and don't let anyone be cruel to animals4 ,bless every one in the whole world1 ,amen4 ,oh1 ,i forgot1 bless ,mamma and ,papa and ,sister and ,auntie1 but you know ,i always have them in my heart4 ,amen4 ,,chapter ,v4 ,,the ,,picnic4 ,the feast of the ,assumption4 ,what a glorious day6 ,clear and bright1 more like ,june than ,august4 ,mrs4 ,allen and ,amy went to early ,mass4 ,after breakfast ,aunt ,lucy proposed taking ,bolax to high ,mass1 as the music was to be unusually fine4 ,st4 ,james' choir from the city volunteered their services4 ,mr4 ,van ,horn sent out a fine organ to replace the squeaky1 little melodeon1 for it was the first anniversary of the dedication of the little country church1 and all wanted to have an especially fine service4 ,bo promised to be better than good while in ,church4 ,there was a very large congregation1 the country people coming for miles around to hear the music and assist at the grand high ,mass4 ,when ,aunt ,lucy and her charge entered the ,church every seat seemed to be taken4 ,mrs4 ,allen's pew was filled with strangers1 so dear old ,madame ,harte beckoned her to come into her pew4 ,from the beginning of the service1 ,bo was in an ecstasy of delight1 except for an occasional tapping of his feet when the music was very inspiriting1 he sat motionless4 ,not to impose on the child's patience too long1 ,madame ,harte offered to take him out during the sermon4 ,oh1 dear ,hartie1 is it all over8 said ,bo4 ,no pet1 but the priest is going to give a sermon1 and you would be so tired4 ,no1 ,i wouldn't1 what is a sermon8 said ,bo4 ,oh1 a very long talk1 dear2 come out with me1 whispered ,madame1 and ,i will bring you back when the music begins again4 ,will the priest tell stories8 asked ,bo1 when he got outside4 ,i like long talks when the talk is stories4 ,come dear1 let us sit under that tree over there and ,i will tell you a true story4 ,oh1 thank you1 ,hartie dear4 ,once long ago1 our dear ,lord died and-- ,rose again and went up into ,heaven1 said ,bo all in one breath4 ,mamma tells me that every day at my prayers4 ,well1 continued ,mrs4 ,harte1 after ,jesus went up to ,heaven ,his holy ,mother was very lonely1 so she prayed and prayed to ,jesus to take her up to ,heaven1 that she might be with ,him forever4 ,well1 one beautiful day1 just like this1 ,jesus called a company of angels and sent them down to the earth to bring ,his blessed ,mother up to ,him4 ,did the ,angels march out of ,heaven like soldiers8 asked ,bo4 ,yes1 dear2 they put on their brightest robes1 and beautiful clouds of crimson and gold surrounded them1 and then they carried the holy ,mother up1 up1 until they came to the golden throne where ,jesus sat1 ready to welcome her2 ,he placed her beside ,him and there she remains happy forever4 ,when the organ began the grand music of the ,credo1 ,bo made a dash for the door1 and could scarcely be persuaded to enter the ,church quietly4 ,after he was seated1 he listened intently and was apparently very much interested in the ,altar boys4 ,at length came the ,agnus ,dei1 which ends1 as all have heard1 with ,dona nobis pacem4 ,the music score called for a repetition of the word ,pacem1 somewhat in this manner1 ,dona ,pacem1 ,pacem1 the basso calling out ,pacem6 ,pacem6 ,with startling suddenness1 ,bo exclaimed3 ,why are they singing about a ,possum8 ,aunt ,lucy caught him by the hand and hurried him to the side door1 which was fortunately near2 those who were within hearing1 with difficulty controlled their laughter4 ,are you crying1 ,aunty8 said the funny youngster1 as he saw the flushed face of his aunt4 ,no1 ,bo1 dear2 ,i came out because you spoke so loud4 ,oh1 ,i forgot2 please forgive me2 let me go in again2 ,i'll be so good1 but ,aunty dear1 ,i didn't know they ever let possums into ,church4 ,mass was not over1 and as it was a holy day of obligation1 ,aunt ,lucy felt unwilling to leave until the last ,gospel4 ,on reflection1 however1 she thought it best not to give further distraction by returning to her seat4 ,on her way home1 she stopped to see a child1 who belonged to the ,catechism class1 hoping to find him able to join the rest of the children1 who were going to have their annual picnic4 ,the little fellow had hurt his foot1 but his mother said he was now able to walk nicely4 ,after ,mass1 ,miss ,devine and ,madame ,harte drove over to ,allen's to see about the proposed outing4 ,there they met the ladies ,keating1 all discussed ,bo's latest exploit and laughed heartily about the ,possum4 ,our class has increased so largely this year1 ,i fear we cannot have room for all the children on my grounds1 observed ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,suppose we make it a straw ride1 said ,miss ,keating4 ,we can give a substantial lunch1 with ice cream and cake for dessert1 and a bag of candy to take home4 ,oh1 grand6 grand6 said ,amy1 clapping her hands1 and ,ma1 dear1 ,i have two children ,i want to invite2 they don't come to the class because they live so far away2 ,i mean little ,johnny ,burke1 who is lame1 and ,dotty1 the blind child4 ,i love them because they are afflicted4 ,my darling1 you shall invite the poor little ones1 and ,i am glad to see you have such a compassionate heart4 ,suppose we hire ,johnson's big hay wagon1 said ,miss ,keating1 it will hold all the children and two grown folks to look after them4 ,that will be just the thing1 said ,miss ,devine1 my contribution shall be the ice cream and cake4 and mine1 said ,madame ,harte1 the candy4 ,i will help with the substantials and let the little things have more than enough for once in their lives1 this from ,miss ,keating1 whose whole time seemed to be taken up with helping the poor4 ,we can drive to ,silver ,lake woods1 she proposed1 that is just six miles away and will not be too long a ride4 ,after making all arrangements1 the ladies took leave of ,mrs4 ,allen1 promising to be on hand on ,thursday1 ,august #bjth4 ,the next day was ,sunday4 ,at ,catechism class ,mrs4 ,allen told the children of the proposed ride and picnic1 which should take place on the next ,thursday2 all expressed their delight and you may be sure1 thought of nothing else during the intervening days4 ,the next morning ,bolax was playing with his dogs on the lawn when ,tom ,hoden made his appearance2 he stood outside the gate1 looking wistfully at ,bo4 ,mrs4 ,allen called him in and gave him some breakfast4 ,did your father tell you of my visit8 said the lady4 ,tom answered in his surly manner3 ,yes1 the old man said you was to the house1 but ,i don't want to go to ,sunday ,school1 the fellows would call me 'rags1' and ,i ain't got no shoes4 ,that can be easily remedied1 said ,mrs4 ,allen1 come here tomorrow and see what ,i will have for you4 ,the poor boy's face brightened up1 and making an awkward attempt to thank the lady1 he ran out of the gate4 ,when ,tom presented himself next day1 ,pat was called upon to give him a bath and dress him in a good suit of clothes4 ,here he is1 ma'am1 said ,pat1 and ye'd hardly believe it's the same boy4 ,tom held up his head and seemed quite happy2 so true it is1 that be one ever so poor1 a clean1 respectable appearance makes one feel at ease with himself and on better terms with his fellows4 ,now ,tom1 ,i expect you to be here on next ,thursday morning at nine o'clock4 ,tom promised to come and thanked ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,the appointed day arrived4 ,long before the wagon came1 the children flocked into the garden4 ,pat was on the alert lest his flower beds should suffer4 ,miss ,keating and ,mrs4 ,allen made all be seated1 and to while away the time sang3 ,wait for the wagon1 wait for the wagon1 ,wait for the wagon and we'll all take a ride4 ,we are all good children2 our teachers say with pride4 ,so now to reward us1 they give us all a ride4 ,the children clapped for this2 then ,aunt ,lucy played on the piano which could be heard distinctly out on the lawn4 ,amy and ,aunt ,lucy sang3 ,come where flowers are flinging ,beauty o'er the meadows gay1 ,where glad birds are singing1 ,free from care the live long day4 ,come where skies are smiling1 ,where the merry fountains play1 ,come1 all care beguiling1 ,keep with ,nature ,holiday4 ,then away to the woods1 ,where wild flowers bloom1 ,where the breezes are laden ,with sweetest perfume4 ,with our feet light as fairies1 ,and hearts full of glee1 ,we will sing with the wild bird ,and roam with the bee1 ,oh1 come away1 away6 ,mary ,dowry called ,amy's attention to a charming little girl about six years old1 who smiled through the railing and looked wistfully at the children4 ,she was dressed in a pink frock1 which set off her soft dark eyes4 ,amy went towards her and she said1 ,good morning1 so sweetly4 ,i believe she wants to come with us1 said ,amy4 ,oh1 don't let her1 cried ,nellie ,day1 she's only a ,dago4 ,well1 ,i'll give her some candy1 said ,bolax1 ,i like nice ,dagos1 and going to his mother1 he told about the strange child4 ,mrs4 ,allen gave him a large bag of candy which he handed to the little girl4 ,on receiving it she said1 gracias1 gracias4 ,what is she saying grassy ice for8 said ,nellie ,day1 perhaps she wants ice cream4 ,no said ,aunt ,lucy she is saying ',thank you' in ,italian4 ,what pretty manners she has4 ,i think some of our ,american children might profit by her sweet ways4 ,i'm sure she has a nice mother1 said ,amy4 ,let us take her with us4 ,i would1 willingly dear1 said ,aunt ,lucy1 but her people would think her lost1 and we do not know where to send them word4 ,great was the jubilation of the children1 and not a little surprise among the ladies when the wagon appeared festooned with bunting1 the driver carrying a flag1 and the horses' heads decked in like manner4 ,it was so kind of ,mr4 ,johnson to give the decorations4 ,miss ,keating and ,aunt ,lucy seated themselves and the children in the straw2 then as the old song says3 ,snap went the whip1 'round went the wheels1 ,were ever folks more glad4 ,old and young joined in the fun and made the welkin ring with their mirth4 ,hetty and ,pat put the lunch baskets and ice cream into the dayton1 and with ,miss ,devine1 ,madame ,harte and ,mrs4 ,allen in the large carry-all followed the procession to ,silver ,lake woods4 ,the road strolled leisurely out of the village and then1 abruptly left it behind1 and curved about a hillside4 ,silver ,lake woods sat on a hill slope studded with pine trees2 at the foot of the hill could be seen a most beautiful piece of water glistening in the sunshine4 ,this was the lake4 ,life of the forest seemed to enter into the veins of the children and they ran and capered like wild deer4 ,the horses were unharnessed so that they might rest4 ,pat and ,mr4 ,johnson's man put up swings and hammocks4 ,the ,misses ,keating and ,aunt ,lucy set the children to play games2 ,hare and ,hounds suited the boys and they raced to hearts' content4 ,the ,lake was guarded by ,miss ,devine's coachman1 ,john1 so that no venturesome lad would put himself in danger4 ,the girls were easily made happy with quiet games1 swings and hammocks4 ,to the children1 of course1 the lunch was the principal feature1 so the ladies spread an immense white cloth on the grass1 around which all sat1 and were served to as many chicken and ham sandwiches as they could eat4 ,tin cups of delicious milk and lots of sweet buns followed4 ,then came the ice cream and cake2 by the time this was disposed of1 it became evident the children could hold no more1 so ,madame ,harte's candy was reserved for the homeward trip4 ,the men were not forgotten1 and were well supplied with a substantial dinner of cold roast beef1 pickles1 bread and butter1 a dozen of lemons and a pound of sugar to make lemonade4 ,for1 as ,hetty1 said1 dem dere fellows ain't goin' to care for soft vittles2 dey wants sumpin' dat will keep dem from gettin' hollow inside4 ,after the feast ,pat and the other men gathered everything up1 and packed all into the dayton1 then ,pat started for home4 ,the ladies were rather fatigued after their exertions in amusing and waiting on the children1 so they rested in the hammocks awhile4 ,as for the little ones1 nothing seemed to tire them1 they tore around as fresh and lively as if the day were just beginning4 ,at four o'clock ,mrs4 ,allen rang a bell to summon all to prepare for home4 ,when the wagon came all piled in1 laughing and shouting in their glee4 ,amy was most attentive to her little proteges1 waiting on them and attending to all their wants4 ,little ,dotty kept saying3 ,dear ,miss ,amy1 ,i love you2 ,i thank you1 and ,i'll always pray for you for giving me such a happy1 happy day4 ,bolax took little lame ,johnny under his care1 when the children were being placed in the wagon1 he called out to the driver1 be sure to seat ,johnny on a soft bunch of hay1 because his leg is not strong4 ,why did you say that8 said ,nellie ,day4 ,you ought to have said1 because his is lame4 ,no1 ,i just wouldn't say that1 said ,bo1 it might hurt ,johnny's heart2 my ,mamma says we must never let lame people know we see their lameness1 and never look at crooked-backed children1 because it makes then feel worse4 ,when the wagon was ready to start1 the driver offered to see all the children safely to their homes2 he said most of them lived near the quarry1 and he would take the pike road1 which passed within a few minutes' walk of it4 ,johnny and little ,dotty he promised to deliver into the hands of their mothers4 ,the ladies ,keating had ordered their carriage to call for them1 and ,miss ,devine's carry-all held the rest of the party1 including ,bo and ,amy4 ,this ended one happy day filled with love and kindness1 and sweet charity towards ,god's poor little ones4 ,,catechism ,,class4 ,on the ,sunday after the picnic1 the ,catechism class met4 ,all the pupils were eager to show their appreciation of the happy day their kind teachers had given them4 ,the subject of instruction was the ,ten ,commandments4 ,mrs4 ,allen made a few remarks in simple1 plain words1 showing the advantages of truth over falsehood2 dwelling particularly on the ,seventh and ,eighth ,commandments1 saying how happy one felt when his conscience told him1 he was entirely free from the mean habit of lying and taking little things which were the property of others4 ,after class was dismissed1 ,tom lingered on the piazza4 ,mrs4 ,allen went to him1 and asked him if he wanted to speak to her4 ,yes1 ma'am2 said the boy1 ,i once took a wheelbarrow out of your yard2 ,i am very sorry2 if you will trust me1 ,i'll work out the price of it on your place4 ,i could help ,pat if he'd let me4 ,i'm strong2 ,i'm twelve now4 ,mrs4 ,allen was touched with the evident sincerity of the boy1 and thanked ,god that the good seed was already bearing fruit4 ,taking the boy's hand1 she told him our ,lord would certainly forgive and bless him since he bravely acknowledged his fault4 ,you may come tomorrow and ,i will give you work and keep you here until ,i can get you a permanent situation4 ,tom thanked his kind benefactress1 promising to return the next day4 ,as he was passing out the gate ,bo hailed him4 ,you're a good boy now ,tom1 so ,i can walk with you a little way2 ,i am going to give you a pair of my darling white rats4 ,they're such cute little things2 they eat corn out of my mouth and run all over me4 ,thank you1 ,bo1 but ,i'd better don't take 'em1 our place is full of black rats and they'd be sure to eat up the white ones4 ,as ,tom was speaking1 he threw a stone at a bird that was hopping along the path4 ,stop that6 said ,bo1 you're getting bad again2 that's a robin4 ,robins are blessed birds1 because when our ,lord was nailed on the ,cross1 a robin flew near and tried to pull the thorns out of ,his dear head1 but robin was not strong1 so he only could pull one thorn out1 and the blood of poor ,jesus got on the bird's feathers so that is why robin's breast is red4 ,is that really so1 who told you8 ,my dear ,mamma told me1 and she knows everything in the world1 so it is true ,tom1 and if you want my ,mamma to love you1 you must be kind to animals and kind to birds especially to robins4 ,well1 little fellow1 ,i will try for your sake4 ,you see ,i never knowed about nothing1 so ,i done bad acts4 ,now since ,i go to ,catechism class ,i'll try to do good acts4 ,after leaving ,tom1 ,bolax loitered on the way home1 amusing himself with his dogs2 when he went into the house1 ,hetty called him4 ,where you done been such a long time1 boy8 ,oh1 ,i was only down the hill1 replied ,bo4 ,well1 here's me and sister a working while you'se playin'2 just you come1 let me wash you' hands and den you kin help us make dese here cookies4 ,amy was already busy rolling out dough and cutting cakes1 so ,bo was delighted to help4 ,hetty1 dear1 said he1 if ,i roll this dough into cannon balls will they bake nice8 ,cannon balls in my oven1 said ,hetty1 suppose they go on to bust1 what den8 ,oh1 they won't bust1 ,hetty dear4 ,so ,hetty put the cannon balls to bake with the pan full of cookies and when they were done1 she spread a nice white cloth on a little table near the window in the kitchen1 bringing out the crabapple jelly1 which the children always considered a treat4 ,then she put a bouquet in the center of the table and a pitcher of creamy milk4 ,this with the cookies and some peaches made a delightful lunch4 ,amy understood why ,hetty was particular to set the table so nicely and kept dancing 'round and talking nonsense4 ,mamma and ,aunt ,lucy had gone out for the day and she wanted to keep ,bo from noticing their absence4 ,after enjoying the feast and feeding their pets1 their friend1 ,adele1 came and took them out in her pretty pony cart4 ,it was five in the afternoon when the children returned4 ,as soon as ,bolax entered the house1 he began his usual refrain3 ,ma1 dear4 ,as he received no answer1 he suddenly remembered he had not seen his mother all day4 ,why ,hetty1 said he1 is ,mamma not at home8 ,no1 honey1 said ,hetty1 she's been in town2 she'll be home soon now1 and she g'wan to give you a nice present when ,i tell her what a good boy you done been4 ,come now eat yon' supper1 so you' ,ma will find you in bed when she comes home4 ,bo and ,amy sat at the little table where they had had lunch4 ,hetty gave them a nice supper and allowed them each to have a doggie beside them1 with a plate to eat from4 ,after supper they went upstairs to prepare for bed4 ,buz and ,roy followed4 ,amy took ,bo into the ,oratory to say night prayer4 ,bo began very piously ,our ,father1 but just here ,buz bit his foot4 ,stop that1 ,buz1 don't you see ,i'm saying my prayers4 ,our ,father1 who art in ,heaven4 ,buz won't behave4 ,bo called out laughing1 at the same time4 ,hetty1 said ,amy1 you had better come up here1 ,bo's just giggling instead of saying his prayers4 ,i comin' up2 you dogs git out of dis here ,oritey2 it ain't no place for laughin'4 ,now you better don't be a mockin' of de ,lord1 ,bo4 ,i tell you somethin' might come arter you some night4 ,but ,bo couldn't stop1 he was so full of merriment4 ,well1 ,i was saying my prayers with a humble and contrite heart when ,roy came and thumped me in the back4 ,yes1 replied ,amy1 and you just let him2 you had better stop your nonsense4 ,hetty tried all her arts to get ,bo to bed1 at last she said3 ,well1 you always wasn't a religion child1 anyway4 ,i remember one time when you was three years old1 you' mother was a dressin' you up in a lovely coat and hat with white plume1 she was buttoning of the coat and you kept wigglin'1 then she told you to try to be a good boy1 else you' angel wouldn't love you4 ,you said3 ',where is my angel4' ',right behind you1' says you' ,ma2 then you pushed up against the wall and rubbed you back so hard4 ,i was settin' dere and tried to make you stop4 ,your ,ma1 she say3 ',what you doin' you bad boy1' and you answer ',squashing the angel6' ,you' ,ma couldn't help smilin' and ,i jest fall down on de floor with laughin1' ,we was so taken by surprise4 ,well1 ,hetty1 said ,amy1 that's the reason ,bolax is bad1 because people laugh at him4 ,oh1 ,i wouldn't say that now1 said ,bo1 ,i'm near six1 and ,i do love my angel2 the laughing is all gone now2 ,i can say my prayers4 ,so ,bo said his prayers respectfully and went to bed4 ,a little after midnight1 he ran into his mother's room4 ,oh1 ,mamma1 dear1 did you hear it8 ,oh1 it is awful1 and ,i did say my prayers4 ,out in the entry ,hetty was heard saying3 ,for de ,lord sake6 ,oh1 ,miss ,allen1 dere it is again4 ,mrs4 ,allen and the whole household heard a most unearthly shriek1 but immediately remembered it was the new fire alarm4 ,after quieting the little boy and making ,hetty understand what it was1 ,mrs4 ,allen looked out of the window1 and saw that a large house on the top of a high hill was ablaze2 as it was only a frame building it was soon destroyed1 for the firemen could not reach it4 ,after the disturbance was over and all were going back to bed1 ,bo put his arm around his mother's neck1 and said3 ,i guess ,i had better stay with you ,mamma1 dear2 you might get afraid again4 ,,chapter ,,vi4 ,a ,,talk ,,about ,,our ,,boys4 ,mrs4 ,carpenter1 who was ,president of the ,christian ,mothers' ,society1 delivered a most entertaining lecture on ,our ,boys4 ,a subject in which every mother is always deeply interested4 ,,our ,,boys4 ,it is an acknowledged fact that many a boy who has had the advantage of good training at home and at school1 fails to avail himself of his opportunities and grows up careless in dress and language1 and1 while not absolutely vicious yet1 looking leniently upon much that his parents and friends regard as reprehensible4 ,among the various causes that lead to such physical1 mental and moral laxity1 none is more potent than companionship with dirty1 idle or immoral boys4 ,many a lad spends hours with comrades whom he despises1 at first1 then excuses1 and finally associates with on terms of close intimacy4 ,we all desire that our sons should keep good company1 and we cannot and should not deprive them of outdoor companionship with boys of their own age4 ,what we most desire is that they themselves should choose their comrades among honest1 studious1 manly boys1 and avoid the society of the mean1 idle and vicious2 yet at the same time they should treat all with the courtesy due from one human being to another4 ,we can scarcely understand the character of our boy's companions by his own description of them2 since like the rest of humanity our boys regard their favorites with eyes that see only their good qualities1 forgetting the coarse language1 the vulgar jest1 the cruel trick1 the truant playing3 ,he is such a jolly fellow1 plays such a good game4 ,although we may notice occasionally that our boy is coarse in speech or manifests an unusual spirit of rebellion at school regulations still we do not often associate these effects with such a good fellow always ready for fun4 ,but if we occasionally saw this good fellow then indeed the cause would not be far to seek4 ,our boy himself would feel ashamed of his acquaintance1 if he saw him in the home circle2 he would suddenly discover that his friend was not ashamed that his hands were dirty1 that he talked to mother with his hat on4 ,these boys of ours are apt to be very chivalrous about mother1 and then they learn not to care about companions of whom they are ashamed4 ,i once heard a mother say to her son1 ,harry1 ,i wonder at you to be seen on the street with that ,murray boy4 ,why he is dressed like a beggar4 ,now1 ,i too1 had seen ,harry and the ,murray boy1 and while the boy's clothes were old1 they were whole and clean too1 and ,i knew him to be an upright manly lad1 more so indeed than ,harry was ever likely to be with such training4 ,provided a boy is truthful1 clean and careful in his language we should not let the pecuniary circumstances of his family enter into consideration2 for our desire is to build up a noble manhood in our boys1 and how despicable is that man who esteems his friends according to the length of their purses4 ,there is only one way of judging our boy's companions1 and that is by knowing them ourselves4 ,this we can do by encouraging him to invite his friends to visit him not always formally1 but now and then1 as it may happen4 ,we can pleasantly welcome them1 but let us be careful not to entertain them too much1 for there is nothing a boy hates more than to have a fuss made over him4 ,an occasional taffy pulling is not an expensive luxury and a little hot water removes all traces from the kitchen1 to which it should be limited4 ,some time when it is convenient1 let us tell our boy to invite some of his friends to spend the evening1 and use the best china and the preserves and cake he likes the best4 ,do not say1 ,it is only those boys4 ,let him feel that his guests are well treated1 and he will be the more anxious to have friends worthy of the treatment they receive4 ,i think that the clownish behavior of boys arises from the only-a-boy treatment they experience2 feeling slighted they instinctively resent it1 by being as disagreeable as possible4 ,nor is it necessary that one's house should be turned into a barn for boys to carouse in4 ,on the contrary1 our boy should always tell mother when he wishes to invite a friend1 or1 if he knows that his friends are coming2 not as a rigid rule1 but as a courtesy due a lady in her own house2 no matter whether the home consists of one room or twenty1 the mother is always the hostess1 and she can train her son into a well-bred man1 or allow him1 even though well educated to grow up a boor4 ,many men owe their success in life to their observance of the minor courtesies in which they were trained by a good mother4 ,these habits and that of correct speech should be insisted upon by every refined mother4 ,there is another1 and to me the most important point in the education of our boys1 ,i refer to their religious training4 ,merely sending them to a short service on ,sunday1 will never impress boys with the respect they should have for ,god1 and if they are not taught love and reverence for their ,heavenly ,father1 they will disregard the authority of their parents and in after life1 defy the laws of the land4 ,above all things see to your boy's religious training1 see that he does not associate with people who make flippant remarks about sacred things4 ,give a little time in the evening to conversations with your children4 ,as ,i speak1 one little mother comes to my mind1 she always made it a duty to sit with her boys and talk over the incidents of the day1 she inquired what new ideas they had received1 etc42 they laughed and chatted together1 ,ma dear had their entire confidence4 ,this mother warned her sons against vice1 showing them the horrid pitfalls of sin4 ,judicious advice coming from a loving mother will keep boys from sins1 the memory of which even when repented of1 would haunt them forever4 ,after ,mrs4 ,carpenter's address she introduced ,mrs4 ,blondell1 who gave her thoughts on the duties of mothers towards their children4 ,we often hear severe criticisms on the manners of young people of the present day and contrast them unfavorably with the manners of a generation ago4 ,no doubt much of this criticism is warranted4 ,the great mass of young people of today are lacking in deference1 courtesy and respect4 ,but the fathers and mothers who complain of these faults rarely question themselves if they are not wholly or in part to blame for the bad manners of their offspring4 ,i have known parents who sit at table or in the home circle1 and in the presence of their children freely criticise or comment on the conduct of their neighbors or friends1 permitting their children to tell all they have seen or heard in a neighbor's house4 ,such parents must not be disappointed if those children grow up with the habit of gossiping and commenting just as freely on themselves4 ,now there is no one thing more destructive of good manners than the gossiping and tale-bearing habit4 ,if urbanity were persistently taught and practiced in the home there would not be so much to learn1 and especially to unlearn with regard to intercourse with the world at large4 ,people would not then have two manners1 one to use in public and one in private4 ,there would be less self-consciousness and less affectation1 for these arise from trying to do a thing of which we are uncertain1 to assume a manner which we have imperfectly acquired4 ,sometimes one meets with children who seem to lack the idea of truth1 then it must be developed1 and great exactness is demanded of the mother in every statement4 ,in describing a garden with five trees1 say five1 not five or six or several4 ,go to extremes in accuracy of detail1 for the sake of giving the child the habit of telling only the exact truth4 ,if a promise has been made to such a child there is more than ordinary necessity for keeping it to the letter4 ,some time ago ,i heard of a gentleman who promised his little son that he should be present at the building of a stone wall1 while the boy was absent the wall was built4 ,coming home he was greatly disappointed4 ,papa you promised ,i should see it4 ,so ,i did my child4 ,and the father ordered the wall to be torn down and rebuilt4 ,being expostulated with regarding the expense and time which he could ill afford1 he replied3 ,i had rather spend many times the amount than have my son feel that ,i would be knowingly false to my word1 or that it mattered little if a promise was broken4 ,though truth and faithfulness might have been taught and the wall remained1 because all accidents of life are not under our control1 no one can doubt the impression made upon that boy's mind4 ,a mother speaking to me about two of her children said that they tell her most wonderful stories of school life and play time4 ,she hears them quietly and says3 ,that is very interesting2 now1 how much did you see and hear1 and how much do you think you saw and heard4 ,they stop1 think1 and sift out the actual from the imaginative1 sometimes correcting each other4 ,one day the little boy said3 ,i really thought1 ,mamma1 it was all so1 but ,i guess only this part was4 ,much license is commonly allowed in order to tell a good story1 and many a child thus unconsciously gains a light conception of the value of truth1 or they think their elders are privileged to use prevarications4 ,i will give an illustration of this4 ,one day a group of ladies seated on the porch of a hotel were entertaining each other1 among them was one notorious for her habit of exaggeration4 ,we were all listening to one of this lady's good stories when her eldest little girl1 a child of seven1 came towards us1 leading her small sister of four4 ,going up to her mother the child said in a most serious tone of voice3 ,mamma1 ,elsie told a lie4 ,you said it was naughty for little girls to tell lies2 they must wait until they are big ladies2 musn't they8 ,the laugh that followed was joined in by the mother1 who seemed quite unconscious of the reproof contained in the innocent speech of her little child4 ,another point to which ,i would call your attention is showing partiality2 sometimes severely reproving a fault in one child1 which you would pass over in a favorite4 ,children feel this keenly while childhood lasts1 and sometimes resent it when they grow up4 ,i have here a little piece which ,i am sure will appeal to you4 ,the lady who wrote it evidently understands child-nature4 ,,soliloquy ,,by ,,miss ,,ethel ,m4 ,,kelly4 ,now ,i lay me down to sleep-- ,don't want to sleep2 ,i want to think1 ,i didn't mean to spill that ink2 ,i only meant to softly creep ,under the desk and be a bear-- ',taint 'bout the spanking that ,i care4 ',f she'd only let me 'splain an' tell ,just how it was an accident1 ,an' that ,i never truly meant ,an' never saw it till it fell4 ,i feel a whole lot worse nor her2 ,i'm sorry2 an' ,i said ,i were4 ,i s'pose if ,i'd just cried a lot1 ,an' choked all up like sister does1 ,an' acted sadder than ,i wuz1 ,an' sobbed about the naughty spot4 ,she'd said1 ,he shan't be whipped1 he shan't4 ,an kissed me--but1 somehow ,i can't4 ,but ,i don't think it's fair a bit ,that when she talks an' talks at you1 ,an' you wait patiently till she's through1 ,an' start to tell your side of it1 ,she says1 ,now that'll do my son2 ,i've heard enough1 'fore you've begun4 ,if ,i should die before ,i wake-- ,maybe ,i ain't got any soul2 ,maybe there's only just a hole ,where't ought to be--there's such an ache ,down there somewhere6 ,she seemed to think ,that ,i just loved to spill that ink4 ,dear ,christian mothers1 permit me1 a very1 very old member of your society1 to offer this advice4 ,be on the alert always to give good example to your children4 ,remember you are teaching them spiritual truths or errors from the day of their birth4 ,you cannot help it1 if you would4 ,your daily conduct tells its own story influencing for or against your beliefs4 ,if you are a consistent ,christian1 your life before your child is teaching him to believe in the ,christ whose example you follow4 ,if you are not practicing what you profess no amount of teaching will bring your children to respect your beliefs4 ,let us take for our model dear ,mater ,admirabilis1 and as near as possible imitate that divine ,mother1 making for ourselves a charmed existence by blotting out as far as possible the disagreeables of life2 they will come1 but they will only grow larger when we remember them1 and constant thought of acts of meanness makes us more familiar with them4 ,obliterate every unworthy thought from your heart and soul1 then your children will retain only sweet memories of their mother4 ,,chapter ,,vii4 ,,the ,,fight4 ,what's all the noise about down there8 asked ,aunt ,lucy4 ,dem youngsters is fighten over de puppies1 better come down here1 ,miss ,lucy4 ,bo was screaming1 ,amy scolding1 and ,jess barking and whining4 ,aunt ,lucy hurried down stairs to see what could cause such a commotion4 ,when she made her appearance at the head of the cellar stairs ,amy was pulling at her brother1 and ,bo1 doubled up1 was holding one of the puppies in a tight embrace at the risk of ending its existence4 ,stop1 immediately6 commanded their aunt4 ,children1 ,i am ashamed of you4 ,well1 that bad boy is tormenting the poor dog4 ,put the puppy down1 ,bo4 ,here1 ,aunty1 you stoop down with it1 ,jess will jump in my face if ,i go near her nest4 ,i only wanted to love the little thing1 and ,jess would not have made such a fuss if ,amy didn't put her up to it4 ,i have a good mind to deprive you both of your ride this afternoon as a punishment for your silly conduct4 ,go upstairs and let me hear no more quarreling4 ,after ,aunt ,lucy and ,amy had gone1 ,bo went into the kitchen to get ,hetty's sympathy1 she was always willing to listen to her boy1 although she was provoked sometimes by his mischievous tricks4 ,hetty1 dear1 don't you think ,amy is an antiquated monkey8 ,oh1 honey1 don't call sister names4 ,yes1 ,i will2 ',monkey' is too good for her1 ,i wish ,i knew of the horriblest animal ever was1 ,i'd call ,amy after it4 ,now be a good boy1 don't fight no more1 and-- ,yes1 ,i will fight2 sister is so wicked2 she's just a ,mannypochia cobra4 ,oh1 law6 ,massa ,bo1 that's a awful name4 ,what kind of a animal is it8 ,well1 it's something like a big snake1 only fifty times bigger1 and it hisses and cracks your bones and-- ,what you gwan do when you go to confession2 you got to tell the names you call1 and you ain't gwan to 'member dat big word4 ,oh1 ,i'll remember2 ,i'll just say ',father1 my sister was so dreadful1 she most broke my bones1 so ,i called her the name of a snake that breaks bones4' ,hetty laughed1 and asked ,bo if he was most ready for his first confessin1 telling him he better don't have too many bad things to tell on other people2 ,father gwan to tell you3 ',say child you come to tell you' own sins2 ,i don't want to hear what you' sister done did4' ,but1 insisted ,bo1 the priest will listen when ,i tell him how ,amy fights over the puppies4 ,better don't1 'cause if you do1 ,father gwan give you two penances1 one for your sins1 and another for ,amy's sins4 ,,bolax',s ,,first ,,confession4 ,bolax having passed his ninth birthday1 his mother thought it time he should make his first confession4 ,although well instructed and prepared for the great event1 he had a dread of going to confession4 ,it was ,september #hth1 the ,nativity of the ,blessed ,virgin2 ,mrs4 ,allen called her boy and told him she had decided on taking him to see a ,jesuit priest4 ,bolax was delighted with the trip to town1 but when he got near the church he wanted to run away4 ,oh ,mamma1 dear1 cried he1 ,i'll go some other time4 ,notwithstanding his resistance1 his mother compelled him to enter the church4 ,as soon as the child caught sight of the imposing interior1 with its ,altars1 statues and pictures1 he seemed suddenly overcome with awe1 his whole manner changed1 and dropping on his knees1 he whispered3 ,oh1 ,mamma1 this is a very holy place6 ,oh1 ,i can feel ,god right near me6 ,one of the ,fathers came down the aisle and entered the confessional2 ,bolax followed him without any compulsion1 and seemed thoroughly impressed with the sanctity of the act he was about to perform4 ,there happened to be no other penitents1 so the good ,father came out of the box and spoke to the boy4 ,so this is your first confession1 said he4 ,well1 my child1 ,god bless you1 and keep your soul ever as pure as it is today4 ,then turning to the mother1 he spoke about the boy1 saying3 ,i am greatly interested in my little penitent1 and ,i want him to write to me every two weeks1 giving me a report of his conduct4 ,bolax promised to write4 ,after thanking the priest for his kind interest1 and helping her boy with his ,thanksgiving1 ,mrs4 ,allen left the church4 ,bolax skipped down the steps1 and ,i fear the good people who were at their devotions1 must have been very much startled at the loud ,cock-a-doodel-do given by ,bo1 as he reached the pavement4 ,for goodness sake stop6 cried his mother4 ,can't you behave8 ,no1 ,mamma2 ,i'm too happy4 ,i feel as if ,i could fly4 ,confession isn't a bit hard2 ,i'd like to go every day4 ,,bolax',s ,,first ,,letter4 ,dear ,rev4 ,father3 ,ever since ,i went to confession1 everybody says ,i'm worse4 ,i let my dog out of the cellar1 and he most chewed up my sister's dog4 ,roy1 is my dog's name2 ,trix1 is my sister's dog4 ,roy caught on to ,trix1 and such howling and yelping never was heard4 ,sister was so afraid1 she hid inside the wardrobe1 and every minute she would put out her head and yell3 ,oh1 my poor ,trix6 ,mamma and the cook tried to separate the dogs4 ,mamma caught hold of ,roy's tail1 and ,hetty caught on to ,trix's tail1 and both pulled1 but still the dogs wouldn't stop fighting4 ,then ,i got a stick to whack them1 and ,i broke ,mamma's glasses by accident4 ,at last ,hetty threw a bucket of water on them2 that stopped the fight4 ,hetty says she's 'done flustered to death4' ,sister says ,i'm the awfulest boy in the world4 ,i haven't done anything bad today1 yet4 ,your little friend1 ,,bolax4 ,,the ,,rev4 ,,father',s ,,answer4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,xavier ,,college4 ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,even though everyone should say that you have been worse than you had been before making your confession1 ,i know that our ,lord will excuse you because you acknowledge your faults4 ,you see1 all expected you would be better after confession1 and they are much disappointed1 because they have not yet seen any improvement4 ,what a scrape you got into1 by letting your dog out of the cellar1 and how cruel it was to have poor ,trix chewed up4 ,you were shocked1 ,i am sure1 when you found you had hit your mother4 ,now1 how did all this come about8 ,just because you did not ask permission to let your dog out of the cellar4 ,if you had acted under obedience1 you would have avoided all the trouble4 ,now1 this is the lesson to take from your fault4 ,do not act without permission1 and always obey promptly and cheerfully1 then you will be happy2 your parents will be happy and ,our ,dear ,lord will bless you4 ,hoping to see you soon1 my dear little boy1 ,i am your friend in ,christ1 ,,aloysius ,,rocofort1 ,s4 ,j4 ,,second ,,letter4 ,dear ,rev4 ,father3 ,since my third confession1 everyone says ,i am showing improvement4 ,papa says it is your letters that make me good4 ,mamma says it is the grace of ,god given through confession4 ,hetty says1 ,i do believe dat boy done got religion for sure4 ,everybody believes in my conversion1 excepting ,sister ,amy2 she says the badness couldn't go so sudden2 it is still there4 ,trix's ear is sore yet2 that is the reason she is cross4 ,indeed1 ,father1 ,i feel good4 ,i obey better2 ,i have only to be called three times in the morning1 and ,i don't forget things when ,i am sent on errands1 and ,i even study without growling4 ,dear ,father1 would you like a pair of white rats8 ,they are lovely pets and run all over me2 they eat corn off the top of my head and nibble my ears4 ,if you want them1 ,i will put them in a wire cage and carry them into town the next time ,i go to see you4 ,your loving little friend1 ,,bolax ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,xavier ,,college4 ,my ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,how rejoiced ,i am to learn by your last report that you are giving satisfaction to ,mamma and ,papa1 and learning to obey2 the greatest of all virtues obedience1 preserves us from falling into other sins4 ,sister will come round soon1 just let her see you are in earnest1 and surprise her by persevering in your good resolutions4 ,i thank you for the kind offer to give me your pets1 but ,i fear the good brother who has charge of my room would object to rats--white or black--so ,i must decline your present with many thanks1 dear child4 ,come to see me next ,wednesday1 ,i will be home from #b to #f ,p4 ,m4 ,god bless you1 ,,aloysius ,,rocofort1 ,s4 ,j4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,st ,,francis ,,xavier ,,college4 ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,what a pity ,i was not at home when you called4 ,i wished to see you to find out how you had been doing since ,i last met you4 ,i hope you went to confession to one of the other priests that day4 ,after ,holy ,communion1 which you are too young to receive as yet1 there is no better means to aid you in doing right than a complete and humble declaration of all that you have done amiss4 ,it is a good thing to say your prayers in the morning1 even though you have to be reminded by your mother4 ,i wish you had interest enough yourself to say them without being reminded4 ,always your friend1 ,a4 ,,rocofort1 ,s4 ,j4 ,a ,,very ,,great ,,loss4 ,aunt ,lucy1 said ,bolax one day4 ,i had a very important paper1 and ,i cannot find it4 ,i took such pains to write it because it was to go to ,father ,rocofort4 ,did you see it8 ,you would know it was important because it was written without blots4 ,indeed1 child1 ,i did not see it1 ask ,hetty2 she cleaned your room this morning4 ,hetty1 ,hetty1 called ,bo1 did you see a long narrow strip of paper about a yard long1 with writing on it8 ,yes1 ,i done see a paper like dat2 it was on the floor of you' room when ,i go clean it1 and the puppy was a chewing of it4 ,i done took it and put it under a book on your desk4 ,oh ,hetty1 why1 oh1 why did you let puppy chew up my paper8 ,it had my sins on it4 ,for de ,lawd sake4 ,bolax6 you' sins6 ,den ,i guess de poor little dog done pizened by dis time4 ,i ain't seed him since he et up dem sins1 three hours ago4 ,i guess ,i'll find him lying dead somewheres4 ,hetty1 you stop making fun of me2 ,i'm in real earnest4 ,sins are things people only tell to the priest1 or to their mothers1 and ,i don't want mine to be blowing round for every one to see them4 ,after a great search1 the paper was found and ,bo inclosed it in a letter ready to send ,father ,rocofort4 ,when his mother read the contents1 she explained that he could not make a confession in that manner4 ,confession must be made on bended knees4 ,well1 then ,ma1 dear1 ,i can't go to town this week1 as ,i have such a cold4 ,i'm so sorry2 ,father will think ,i'm getting bad again4 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,xavier ,,college4 ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,your letter of last week has not come to hand1 so without waiting for it1 ,i feel ,i ought to tell you the second thought that came to my mind when ,i read the letter which did reach me4 ,you may remember you said these words3 ,i did not disobey this week1 because ,i was sick4 ,now my thought was just this3 ,from what this boy says it would appear that if he were in good health1 he would have disobeyed4 ,as disobedience is a sin2 a great evil because displeasing to ,god4 ,what a blessing it is to be sick1 if one is thereby prevented from doing anything that is offensive to ,god4 ,you are perhaps too young to know that all things that come from ,god are good in themselves1 since ,god1 who sends them1 is good4 ,did you ever think that sickness1 poverty1 hunger1 cold1 sorrow and suffering could be good8 ,perhaps not4 ,it is hard for a small boy to see that what he does not like1 can be good4 ,but if ,god likes a thing1 it must be good1 and if ,god dislikes a thing1 it must be bad4 ,please try to understand all this1 and you will become a good boy and a good man4 ,your friend in ,christ1 ,,aloysius ,,rocofort1 ,s4 ,j4 99 99 99 99 99 ,september #ast4 ,dear ,rev4 ,father3 ,i wish you would be so kind as to pray ,i may be sent to a ,catholic school1 there is none in our town for boys1 but maybe ,i could get to ,st4 ,thomas' ,college1 if they would only take me4 ,mamma and ,papa thank you so much for writing to me4 ,indeed it is kind1 and it must take up your time4 ,i shall always keep your letters2 ,i love them4 ,papa says it is wonderful that the ,president of a college would bother writing to a little boy4 ,your loving little friend1 ,b4 ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,st4 ,,francis ,,xavier ,,college4 ,my ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,having been very busy during the week1 ,i have not been able to make an earlier reply to your little biography of the week4 ,one or two thoughts that came to my mind as ,i read your words is1 ,i think1 worth putting on paper4 ,you seemed to think it remarkable that a man of my age1 education and busy life should trouble himself about a little boy4 ,now ,i thought you a strange little boy for that1 and for this reason4 ,you are a ,christian1 believing and knowing that ,christ died for you2 gave ,his heart's blood for your eternal happiness4 ,knowing this as ,i do1 and meditating on the life and work of ,christ1 and striving so hard to imitate him2 do you think it strange that ,i should take an interest in you1 when you allow me8 ,it would be indeed strange if ,i did not wish to see you grow up a good docile1 obedient1 kind and high-principled boy1 and a brave1 true1 upright1 high-souled man1 and do all in my power1 as far as you will allow to bring about such a result4 ,god wants that1 your parents hope it2 you yourself would like it1 if you could get it by wishing1 or if it did not cost you any trouble4 ,but it does cost trouble1 though it is worth a thousand troubles4 ,your friend in ,christ1 ,,aloysius ,,rocofort1 ,s4 ,j4 ,p4 ,s4--,i will indeed pray that you may be admitted into ,st4 ,thomas'1 although in your case1 with such a mother to guide you1 the public school might be tolerated4 ,,bolax ,,deserves ,a ,,whipping4 ,another unsatisfactory report1 exclaimed ,papa ,allen1 as he held an open letter in his hand4 ,this is the fourth since the opening of school in ,september1 and now it is only the first ,week of ,october4 ,spelling1 #cj2 ,arithmetic1 #bj4 ,professor too1 sends complaints of your music lesson2 then you have neglected your rabbits4 ,at this ,bo jumped up and ran out to the rabbit-hutch4 ,yelling with all his might for ,hetty3 ,oh1 my rabbits2 my rabbits are gone4 ,when did you feed them last1 asked his father1 who was looking out of a window4 ,bo thought a moment1 then remembered he had not seen them for several days4 ,but where have they gone1 ,hetty dear8 ,done turned into air2 what you spect dey gwan do when dey has nothing to eat but air4 ,then ,hetty laughed1 and ,bo went back to the dining room4 ,excuse me for leaving you1 ,papa1 ,i am so worried4 ,indeed1 indeed1 ,i didn't mean to forget my pets4 ,my son1 we allow you to have pets to teach you the lesson of responsibility1 which means to keep in mind any duty you have to perform4 ,you do not mean to be cruel1 but you are4 ,i have saved many of your pets from hunger and thirst2 now ,i shall do so no longer1 neither shall the servants4 ,your rabbits have been given to ,flossy ,day1 who will always attend to them1 because she is a thoughtful1 kind little girl4 ,on all points you are at fault--lessons1 music and pets2 all alike forgotten1 if there is no improvement1 you will be punished for your delinquencies4 ,unfortunately at the end of the next week1 the report was worse than ever1 and ,papa was shocked and expressed himself in very severe language4 ,bolax showed an unusual spirit of insubordination and temper on being reproved1 and his father whipped him4 ,the boy was heart-broken2 it was the first time a stroke had been laid upon him in his life4 ,his mother did not approve of corporal punishment1 but1 of course1 would not interfere in what her husband thought to be his duty4 ,poor ,bo felt degraded and went to hide4 ,his mother knocked at his bedroom door1 but he would not open it4 ,no one loves me any more6 sobbed the poor child4 ,if ,aunt ,lucy had been home ,i would not have been whipped4 ,amy went into the room and putting her arms around her brother's neck1 told him she would give him her pony ,ben ,bolt1 for his very own4 ,oh1 ,sister1 ,i thank you1 but nothing can take the pain out of my heart4 ,i know darling1 but ,papa is just as pained as you4 ,he said just now1 he had rather cut off his hand than hurt you1 but you know you would not listen to anything and kept going wild4 ,i tell you what ,i will do the next time you deserve a whipping2 ,i will stand and take it for you4 ,i wouldn't let you1 dear1 sweet ,sister2 no indeed1 but ,i'll never deserve one again4 ,good night and here's ,ma dear1 to kiss you4 ,in the morning ,hetty went up to ,bo's room to call him for breakfast2 his mother had let him sleep late because she was attending to her husband1 who had to take an early train for ,new ,york4 ,come down here honey1 ,hetty called again1 ,come see the nice fish ,i'se got for you4 ,bo went into the dining room and begged the kind creature to sit with him4 ,you're my best friend1 ,hetty1 dear4 ,indeed1 ,i'se your friend4 ,eat up de fish2 it's good1 and don't bother lookin' at it4 ,oh1 ,i'm just dissecting it4 ,what's dat8 ,seeing what's inside of it4 ,hetty1 dear1 do you know fishes have spinal cords8 ,cords6 land sakes6 where dey done keep dem8 ,oh1 up their backs1 of course4 ,here1 see this bone1 ,i break it and here is a string that makes the fish move4 ,oh1 ,massa ,bo1 where you done learn all dis8 ,i heard the ,a class saying their physiology1 and ,i asked ,mamma1 and she said we had just such a cord in our backbone4 ,here ,mamma came into the room4 ,law bless us1 ,miss ,allen dat chile ought never be whipped for learnin'4 ,he knows lots more now than some men4 ,mrs4 ,allen sat down and explained to the children the different parts of the fish4 ,this led to an interesting talk4 ,amy asked if shellfish were stupid1 because people often say3 ,as dumb as a clam4 ,not all dear1 there is the beautiful ,nautilus2 the little mariner and really our first navigator4 ,then the mother told of the sea nettle1 the razorfish1 the cuttlefish1 that throws a black fluid out of its body1 which darkens the water1 and when pursued by an enemy escapes by this means4 ,it is a very useful fish2 long ago the ,romans used that black fluid for ink4 ,bo was so interested1 he forgot his trouble1 and no one noticed it was past school time4 ,i'se just glad1 said ,hetty2 you children come play dat funny song about de ,hoo ,doo man1 and say dat piece what tells what de school bell talks when it rings4 ,really my son1 ,i am sorry you missed school this morning4 ,it will put another bad point on your next report4 ,ma1 dear1 ,i'm tired of that old school2 it's a girls' school1 anyhow4 ,i'm the only ,catholic there1 and every now and then some one says something ugly about my religion4 ,of course1 ,i have to fight boys that do it1 but ,i must bear it when girls tell me ,i adore idols4 ,if you send me to ,st4 ,thomas' ,i'll study hard4 ,,what ,,the ,,school ,,bell ,,says4 ,it is wonderful what unlike things ,the school bell says to boys when it rings4 ,for instance the sluggard who drags along ,on his way to school1 hears this sort of song3 ,oh1 suz hum6 ,why did ,i come8 ,study 'till four-- ,books are a bore6 ,oh1 how ,i wish ,i could run off and fish6 ,see6 there's the brook ,here's line and hook4 ,hurry up--eh8 ,what's that you say8 ,oh--hum--ho6 ,suppose ,i must go1 ,study 'till four1 ,books are a bore4 ,then the boy who loves to be faithful and true1 ,who does what his parents think best he should do1 ,comes bravely along with satchel and book1 ,the wind in his whistle1 the sun in his look4 ,and these are the thoughts that well up like a song1 ,as he hears the old bell with its faithful ding dong3 ,cling1 clang1 cling-- ,i'm so glad ,i could sing6 ,heaven so blue1 ,duty to do6 ,birds in the air1 ,everything fair1 ,even a boy ,finds study a joy6 ,when my work is done ,i'm ready for fun1 ,keener my play ,for tasks of the day1 ,cling clang1 cling4 ,i' so glad ,i can sing4 ,these are the songs which the two boys heard1 ,when the school bell was singing word for word4 ,which do you think was the truer song8 ,which do you hear as you're trudging along8 ,don't be a laggard--far better ,i say6 ,to work while you work1 and play when you play4 --,by ,j4 ,bucham4 ,why so serious ,amy1 said her mother2 you look as if you were deeply reflecting4 ,i have just been thinking of those wonders of the sea you tell about4 ,ma1 dear1 how much you do know2 you can tell something of every bird and beast and insect4 ,i wonder if ,i ever shall know as much8 ,my child1 you know much more of this delightful kind of study than ,i did at your age4 ,until you were four years old my information on such subjects was very limited4 ,and why did you study1 mother1 dear8 ,i had a strong incentive2 ,i studied because ,i loved you4 ,bolax pressed close to his mother's side4 ,oh1 ,ma1 dear6 ,i will study too because ,i love you4 ,when ,mr4 ,allen returned in the evening1 ,bo went to the gate to meet him1 and threw his arms around his father's neck1 asking to be forgiven and promising to be a good boy in the future4 ,mr4 ,allen clasped the dear child to his heart wondering if he had made a mistake in his manner of chastising a boy with such a loving disposition4 ,that night the good mother told of ,bo's desire to change schools4 ,that's just what ,i intended proposing2 ,i had a conversation with old ,mathews1 who has brought up seven sons4 ,he thinks from what ,i told him of our son1 a change would be just what he requires at present4 ,a few days after this1 ,mrs4 ,allen took ,bo up to the ,college and begged the ,president to admit him4 ,he is entirely below the age1 ,madame1 remarked the ,president1 we have no pupils under twelve years of age2 however1 he allowed himself to be persuaded and acceded to the lady's request on condition that the boy should have a special tutor1 which would cost an extra fee4 ,to this ,mrs4 ,allen gladly agreed1 as the child wanted three months of being ten years old and a private teacher was just what he needed4 ,bo was delighted to go up to ,st4 ,thomas'1 especially as it meant daily rides on the train4 ,,chapter ,,viii4 ,,the ,,coal ,,man4 ,whistling and with a roll of music under his arm1 ,bolax turned out of his way to go the woods4 ,it's ,saturday1 thought he1 and ,professor was pleased with my lesson1 so ,i'll just take a holiday4 ,as he was turning off the bridge he heard some one say3 ,well1 young man1 where are you bound for8 ,looking up he saw ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 the coal man4 ,where are you taking such a big load8 said ,bolax4 ,oh1 about three miles out on the ,white ,road4 ,that's the most beautiful road in the country2 please let me go with you4 ,you seem to know a great deal about roads4 ,oh1 yes2 ,i often take long rambles with ,papa when he is at home2 he is so fond of wild flowers4 ,so is ,mamma2 she calls the woods ',god's own garden1' and while there is a wild flower to be had1 from the arbutus and hepatica in early ,spring to the golden rod in the autumn1 we gather them for our little ,chapel4 ,my ,papa knows the name of every flower and shrub and tree that grows in the ,united ,states1 and never tires telling me about them4 ,well1 said ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 ,i'll let you come along with me if you can climb up2 you're a mighty knowing sort of little chap1 and ,i like to hear you talk4 ,the day was an ideal one4 ,a clear sky1 a bright ,october sun and a pleasant breeze all combined to make ,bolax enjoy his drive1 although one would suppose he felt anything but comfortable perched on the hard seat of a coal cart4 ,the road stretched out for nearly a mile1 white as its name indicated1 and as well cared for as if it were the driveway into a gentleman's private demesne4 ,on each side1 it was bordered by immense sycamore trees2 their beautiful branches meeting overhead1 and their smooth shining trunk resembling pillars in the aisle of some grand ,cathedral4 ,this1 said ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 reminds me of roads ,i saw in the ,north of ,france1 only there you would be sure to see an altar or a cross erected by the pious people1 many a time ,i saw men1 women and children kneeling before these shrines4 ,are you a ,catholic8 asked ,bolax4 ,indeed1 and ,i am1 thank ,god4 ,are you8 said ,mr4 ,o',donnel4 ,of course1 ,i am1 answered ,bolax1 with a rising inflection as though he felt injured at anyone questioning his religious belief4 ,can't you see in my face ,i'm a ,catholic2 you ought to hear me stand up for my religion4 ,i knocked the stuffing out of ,reddy ,smith last week for saying the priest walked pigeon-toed4 ,ha6 ,ha6 laughed ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 more power to you1 my little man1 always stand up for your faith and respect the priests2 there's nothing like keeping faithful to your religion2 it will be a great comfort to you all through life4 ,i remember what a comfort it was to me when ,i came near dying on the battlefield in ,south ,africa4 ,oh6 exclaimed ,bolax you don't mean to say you were in ,africa8 ,did you fight the ,boers8 ,i've heard so much about them1 and ,mamma and ,papa took sides with them1 and we all felt so sorry for the poor people4 ,and so did ,i and every ,irish soldier2 in fact1 ,i deserted the ,english ranks1 and with many others tried to help the brave ,boers4 ,they are good people4 ,i could tell you stories that would fill a book about them1 and they are religious according to what they know of religion4 ,after the disaster at ,colesburg1 the ,boers helped to bury the ,british dead2 they prayed and sang hymns over the graves1 and some of the leaders made impressive speeches1 expressing their horror of the war1 regretting the losses on both sides1 and making supplication to the ,heavenly ,father that the war would soon end4 ,oh1 it is fine ,catholics they would make1 but strange to say1 ,i never heard of a ,catholic missionary being among them4 ,when ,i'm a man1 said ,bolax1 striking his knees to emphasize his words1 ,i'll be a priest and go among those good people and teach them the true faith4 ,god bless your innocent heart4 ,i wonder if you'll remember your ride with the coal man when you are a priest2 your ,ma may scold when she knows of it4 ,my mother teaches me to respect all respectable people1 and ,i am sure you are very respectable1 because you are a good ,catholic4 ,thank you for an out and out little gentleman1 said ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 and ,god prosper you and your good mother4 ,here we are at our journey's end2 suppose you get down at the gate1 my little man1 and run up to the house and ask to have the cellar window opened for me2 it will save time4 ,here is the ticket2 you might get it signed4 ,this is ,carpenter ,mansion4 ,bolax ran off glad to oblige his friend and show his appreciation of the ride4 ,it happened that ,miss ,devine had called for ,amy1 after ,bolax left the house that morning and they were just now paying a visit to this family4 ,amy had never seen the beautiful place1 and was delighted to become acquainted with the young ladies1 and one little girl of her own age4 ,while they were entertaining their company the maid called ,mrs4 ,carpenter to say the key of the coal cellar was not to be found4 ,going into the kitchen1 the lady saw a handsome little boy with frowsy golden curls encircling his head like a wreath and a very smutty face1 who1 hat in hand presented the ticket to be signed and asked to have the cellar window opened2 after saying this the boy bowed4 ,mrs4 ,carpenter was quite astonished at such gentlemanly manners1 and smiling and patting the boy on the head she asked his name4 ,bolax1 said he1 with another bow4 ,what an odd name1 said ,mrs4 ,carpenter1 and going to the door1 she saw that the coal-man was of respectable appearance1 and apparently above his present occupation4 ,thinking to please him1 she complimented him on the good manners of his little boy4 ,yes1 ma'am1 said ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 he is a good sort of little chap1 every one likes him4 ,miss ,nellie1 one of the young ladies1 came into the kitchen to look after the caramels1 which were cooling on the window sill4 ,bolax stood at the door2 ,miss ,nellie offered him some candy1 but he excused himself1 saying3 ,thank you2 ,i like caramels1 but my hands are not fit to eat with4 ,oh1 indeed2 well since you are such a polite little boy1 ,i want you to have some candy4 ,ellen gave him a towel and soap and water4 ,bolax gladly made himself clean so as to enjoy the caramels4 ,miss ,nellie went back to the parlor and gave a description of the coal-man's son1 with such extraordinary good manners2 ,sam and ,charlie1 her brothers rushed out to get a look at the little chap and have some fun with him4 ,as soon as they sighted ,bolax with his face half washed1 his mouth all sticky2 they laughed and made his acquaintance immediately4 ,fine candy8 isn't it1 said ,sam4 ,you bet1 said ,bo1 haven't had any for a good while1 'cause ,i wouldn't practice4 ,miss ,devine heard ,bo's voice1 and listening for a moment said1 ,let me see that boy4 ,on going to the kitchen door she made an exclamation which brought all the ladies on the scene4 ,then she laughed heartily1 all caught the infection of her mirth1 although they did not exactly understand why she was so amused4 ,amy1 however1 soon enlightened them1 when1 with a severe frown1 she reproached ,bolax for his appearance4 ,why1 who is he8 asked ,mrs4 ,carpenter4 ,oh1 said ,miss ,devine still laughing1 he is my little friend ,bolax1 ,amy's brother4 ,don't be angry1 ,amy4 ,i can't help being angry6 ,it is too disgraceful2 just look at his clothes1 and the smear on his face4 ,bolax looked crest-fallen and took out his pocket handkerchief to wipe off the smear1 but only succeeded in adding two more black streaks1 for1 without his perceiving it1 the handkerchief was filled with coal dust4 ,sam and ,charley while bursting with laughter tried to console the boy1 inviting him to look at their ,pony4 ,bo forgot his sister's displeasure while with the boys1 and began to talk about his pets1 his school1 etc4 ,where do you to go school8 asked ,charlie4 ,i have just been up at ,st4 ,thomas' for two weeks2 they didn't want to take me because ,i'm not old enough1 but ,mamma begged the ,president1 so he admitted me4 ,do you like the fellows up there8 said ,sam4 ,yes1 pretty well1 but my ,mamma was mistaken when she said they were all gentlemen2 they don't bow and take off their hats when a priest speaks to them4 ,and yesterday ,father ,clement was playing marbles 'for keeps' with some boys1 and he picked up an agate1 and what do you think1 one of the boys snatched it and caught hold of ,father ,clement's arm1 and he wasn't struck dead6 ,struck dead6 exclaimed ,sam4 ,what do you mean8 ,why my ,mamma told me a priest was more holy than the ',ark of the ,covenant1' and once long ago1 two men were struck dead just for putting their hands on the ,ark4 ,so ,i thought for sure1 a boy that snatched a marble from a holy priest ought to be struck dead1 but he wasn't4 ,sam and ,charlie were inclined to laugh at this story1 but restrained themselves1 on seeing the awed expression on the little boy's face1 showing that he innocently believed disrespect towards a priest should be punished with death4 ,well1 said ,sam1 assuming a serious air1 perhaps our ,lord forgave the boy this time1 that in future he may learn to be more respectful4 ,the lawn of the ,college1 continued ,bolax is kept so smooth and green2 they have signs all around1 ',keep off the ,grass1' but the boys pay no attention and actually walk on the nice lawn1 when the poor ,brothers have such work to keep it nice4 ,i went behind a big fellow that was on the grass and ,i pushed him off1 and asked him if he didn't see the sign4 ,what did he say to you8 laughed the boys4 ,oh1 he called me a fusty kid1 and said1 ',i'd get my eye teeth cut after awhile1 if ,i stayed long enough at ,college4' ,but1 ,ma says ,i cut my eye teeth when ,i was two years old4 ,is that so8 ,let me see1 said ,sam1 opening ,bo's mouth4 ,yes1 ,i really believe you have4 ,are the priests kind to you8 ,you bet they are4 ,why there's one1 oh1 he is so beautiful1 but the poor dear is lame4 ,he stays in his room most of the time4 ,day before yesterday he asked me to come up to see him1 and he showed me pictures1 and told me a story of a soldier--and1 oh1 ,i just know he is an angel1 because he has a closet full of guns4 ,such a reason for being considered an angel struck the boys as so funny1 that they laughed outright4 ,sam patted the little fellow on the head1 and gave him a boy's greatest compliment3 ,you certainly are a jolly good fellow1 ,bolax4 ,by this time the coal had been deposited in the cellar1 so ,bolax wanted to go away4 ,oh1 come in1 said ,sam1 and say ,good-bye1 but first let me wipe your face2 there is just a speck of black on the end of your nose4 ,bo was very thankful to be made somewhat presentable and entered the parlor1 taking leave of the ladies in a most dignified manner1 which ill-assorted with his begrimed appearance4 ,you're not going to ride home on the coal cart8 said ,miss ,devine4 ,i'm not fit to get into your carriage1 said ,bo4 ,never mind1 come with me2 we'll excuse you this time4 ,but ,i must say 'good-bye' to ,mr4 ,o',donnel1 and get my roll of music2 it is on the seat of the cart and might get lost4 ,amy was ready to cry at ,bo's escapade1 but the young ladies and their brothers enjoyed the joke immensely4 ,as the carriage drove away the boys called out3 ,come again little coal-man2 you're a regular brick4 ,bolax was delighted to hear this and turning to ,amy1 said3 ,now1 ,miss ,stuck-,up1 the ,carpenters like me even if ,i do ride with the coal man1 and ,i know ,mamma will say it don't matter if my clothes are dirty1 so ,i keep my soul clean4 ,my darling little brother1 said ,amy1 throwing her arms around ,bo's neck1 forgive me if ,i have hurt your feelings4 ,your family knows how clean your soul is1 but strangers only judge by outward appearances4 ,dear ,amy1 said ,miss ,devine1 don't take things so to heart4 ,then in a lower voice1 for my part1 ,i would not give our little flutterbudget1 with his innocent mischief1 for all the daintily-dressed boys in the country4 ,when the carriage stopped at their gate1 the children bid au revoir to ,miss ,devine2 then she recommended ,amy not to say much about ,bo's adventure4 ,aunt ,lucy was standing on the porch4 ,bo did not wait to be questioned1 but began immediately to give an account of his day1 for he had been away since luncheon4 ,oh1 ,aunt ,lucy1 ,mr4 ,o',donnel is such a kind man6 he has a mouth like a frog1 and ,i always observe that men with mouths like frogs are kind to children4 ,indeed1 said ,aunt ,lucy laughing1 ,i never noticed that4 ,i have no doubt your friend1 ,mr4 ,o',donnel meant kindly in allowing you to ride with him1 but he did not think of the danger there was for a stumpy little fellow1 with short legs1 perched so high4 ,if the cart had lurched you might have fallen under the horses' feet and been killed4 ,so dear child1 never try that again4 ,well1 ,aunty1 ,i won't1 but may ,i talk to ,mr4 ,o',donnel8 his heart would be hurt if ,i passed him without speaking4 ,of course1 dear2 you may speak to the good man4 ,never willfully hurt the feelings of anyone4 ,january #ae1 winter began in dead earnest1 as the boys say1 although no one expected a blizzard1 but by #b ,p4,m4 the roads were impassable4 ,the wind blew a terrible gale--no one could venture out1 and the four day scholars were obliged to stay at the ,college all night4 ,the ,president telephoned to ,mrs4 ,allen1 not to worry2 that ,bo should be well cared for1 and could remain with him until the roads were cleared1 if it took a week4 ,mrs4 ,allen thanked the good priest and hoped her boy would give no trouble4 ,the novelty of going to bed in a dormitory pleased ,bolax1 and the ,prefect in charge gave him a night robe2 then tucked him in bed as deftly as if he had been a woman1 for the good man had a tender spot in his heart for all children4 ,everything being quiet--the gas was lowered and the ,prefect retired for the night4 ,suddenly ,bolax gave a scream1 two rats6 ,two rats1 two rats6 cried he4 ,in a second of time the whole dormitory was astir4 ,the ,prefect hearing the commotion rushed upstairs and was greeted with3 ,rats6 ,mr4 ,royal1 ,rats6 ,there were sixteen boys in the room2 so you can imagine how such an unusual chorus sounded4 ,rats6 said ,mr4 ,royal2 where did they come from8 ,there were two in a large trap in the lavatory1 said ,harry ,dunn1 but how did they escape8 ,did any of you touch that trap8 asked the ,prefect4 ,yes1 sir2 answered ,bo1 ,i did4 ,i felt sorry for the poor things2 ,i was just looking at them when the door of the trap opened somehow1 and out they jumped1 one struck my face as ,i leaned over4 ,my dear boy1 said ,mr4 ,royal1 you ought not to have gone near the trap1 suppose that rat had bitten you4 ,well now1 all that is to be done is to catch them4 ,a dozen voices expressed their owners' willingness to go on the hunt1 but ,mr4 ,royal preferred calling up one of the men4 ,in a few minutes1 ,alex1 the gardener1 came into the dormitory with ,happy ,hooligan and ,vixen1 two ,scotch terriers4 ,all the doors were shut1 and the hunt began2 the rats did not keep together1 but ran in different directions4 ,as ,alex would plunge under a bed1 broom in hand1 some one would scream out3 ,oh1 here he is1 up at this end4 ,the boys calling to the dogs1 set them wild1 so they did not know which way to run4 ,such laughter6 ,it appeared to be great fun for the youngsters1 just because it was silence hour4 ,at last the beasts were killed1 and order was once more restored4 ,mr4 ,royal requested strict silence4 ,i won't stay to watch you2 ,i know you will all obey1 so ,i trust to your honor4 ,and all did obey1 for they loved and respected ,mr4 ,royal1 who always appealed to their honor4 ,the next morning the whole college heard of ,bo's rats1 and had a good laugh at the description of the hunt4 ,bolax made great strides in his studies under the kind care of his tutor1 ,father ,anthony1 and his reports delighted his father and mother4 ,at ,easter he received a beautiful picture of the ,sacred ,heart1 as a prize for ,catechism4 ,,chapter ,,ix4 ,,amy',s ,,trip ,,to ,,the ,,seashore4 ,for seven long weeks ,amy had been under the doctor's care1 suffering from ,chorea2 she had grown thin and pale1 and her mother was beginning to worry over her condition4 ,what do you think1 ,lucy1 of sending ,amy to ,atlantic ,city8 she asked one day when they were consulting what had best be done for the child4 ,dear sister1 ,i feel sure the salt air is the best tonic for nervous trouble4 ,i will take ,amy down1 but you know it is impossible for me to stay away for any length of time1 as ,i have an important engagement for the summer4 ,well1 ,i shall write to the ,convent of the ,sacred ,heart1 begging them to receive our invalid for a few weeks4 ,mother ,evans1 who was ,mrs4 ,allen's particular friend1 answered the letter1 saying she would gladly care for the little girl1 and that she could be sent down as soon as convenient4 ,when ,amy heard of the proposed trip1 she was delighted1 then upon reflection1 expressed herself as being afraid to meet so many strange girls1 but when she saw a nice little trunk packed with every article of clothing1 suitable for a sojourn by the sea1 she was anxious to begin the journey4 ,when all was ready1 ,mr4 ,allen decided that they should take a very early train1 so as to arrive in a strange town in full time to be at their destination before dark4 ,bo heard the sound of wheels1 and looking out saw the pony chaise at the door1 ,amy gave her mother a fervent good-bye kiss1 then all got into the chaise4 ,bo sprang on the seat1 seized the reins1 and was soon driving quickly down the road4 ,they were not long in reaching the station4 ,amy was interested in watching the important business of procuring tickets and seeing her pretty trunk labeled2 she wondered if she would be as well equipped as the other girls in the convent1 but she need not have wondered1 as there are so many little girls and boys1 whose treasures bear ample evidence of ,mother's loving hands4 ,those little touches of motherhood1 hardly noticed by those whom they are so tenderly lavished upon1 seldom1 if ever valued until after those dear hands have been removed to another sphere1 whence1 perhaps1 they may be sometimes allowed to come1 unseen by mortal eye to bear the loved ones up1 whilst these may be longing wearily for that sweet ,touch of a vanished hand1 and the sound of a voice that is still4 ,it was a delightful place to visit1 that convent by the sea1 and many a pleasant hour ,amy spent watching the waves come in on the white sands and break over her bare feet4 ,sometimes she donned her bathing suit1 and paddled in the water with the other children1 one of the ,nuns always watching over them4 ,it seemed nothing short of a miracle how quickly the child recuperated4 ,at the end of six weeks she had so far recovered that her mother1 who had come to visit her1 thought to take her home1 but ,mother ,evans recommended a stay of sometime longer1 so it ended in a visit of twelve happy1 joyful weeks4 ,the kind ,nuns became very much attached to ,amy1 and she to them1 and dear ,mother ,evans began her preparation for ,first ,holy ,communion4 ,august was nearing its end when ,mrs4 ,allen paid another visit to ,atlantic ,city1 this time1 to bring her little girl home4 ,she took board in a cottage near the convent1 wishing to enjoy a few days of sea air4 ,one day when seated on the beach1 both mother and daughter silently watched the waves as they came in gentle ripples almost to their feet4 ,amy awoke from her reverie1 exclaiming3 ,oh1 it is so beautiful6 ,she had been reading of the early explorers of our country1 the self-sacrificing missionaries who crossed this same boundless ocean1 which now lay so calm before them4 ,amy went on musingly1 as if talking to herself1 such a softness had come into her voice--her eyes took a dreamy far-off look1 as though it were fresh in her mind--the story of the gallant ,de ,soto and his brave company of six hundred men1 the flower of ,spanish chivalry1 leaving the sunny slopes of his native ,estramadura1 sailing across these unknown seas1 and landing upon these western shores2 day after day pressing on through pathless wilds1 on towards the sunset1 in pursuit of that fabled ,el ,dorado in which they thoroughly believed4 ,and then that sad death upon the banks of the river which his eyes first of all ,europeans had beheld--the sorrowing band who resolved to hide his body in the waters--the little skiff1 in the gloom of the soft summer night1 pushing silently out from the shadowy shore1 with oars muffled and voices hushed1 for fear of the savage arrows hidden among the dark vines--the dull sound as they dropped the body in mid-river1 and the sweet1 sad music as the priest sang low the requiem of the departed chief--the first requiem that had ever sounded upon those solitary shores1 where the waves have for four hundred years chanted their long dirge over the man whose prowess first gave them to the world4 ,there was1 too1 the grand old ,ponce de ,leon1 who saw one ,easter morning1 a land rise out of the ,western ,sea--a land lovely in all its luxuriant vegetation of a ,southern spring1 with breath and beauty of flowers4 ,what better name could the romantic hidalgo devise than ,florida1 and where more fitly than here could he search for that wonderous fountain of perpetual youth8 ,ah1 brave old ,spanish ,cavalier4 ,did no soft wind wafted gently from afar over the flowery sunset land1 whisper to you that1 instead of youth and life perennial you should find1 under the magnolia shade--a grave8 ,a hundred wordless dreams went flitting through ,amy's mind4 ,i say wordless2 for who shall say how we think2 by what subtile art a thousand pictures pass swiftly on before one's fancy1 all so lovely and beyond the power of language--,i mean our language to describe4 ,for this reason it is1 ,i suppose1 that when a great poet speaks1 all the dumb world recognizes what he unfolds4 ,it is for us to feel1 for him to paint4 ,amy was a very serious girl for her twelve years1 constant association with her mother and aunt had given her a taste for books which some might think dull for one so young1 but she was always a dreamy child1 from the time she used to lie in her baby crib and watch the round moon plowing through the feathery clouds1 to this moment when she looks up at the blue sky spanning the boundless ocean4 ,when ,amy and her mother returned to the convent they found that dear ,mother ,evans had been called to ,new ,york4 ,mrs4 ,allen made a hasty preparation so as to return home on the same train1 happy in being able to avail herself of her dear friend's company on the journey4 ,amy bade good-bye to all the household1 thanking the ,nuns for their kindness during her sojourn amongst them4 ,,bo',s ,,summer ,,adventures4 ,bo too1 spent a pleasant summer1 he and several of his chums often went fishing1 or hunting for wild flowers and curious stones1 going into swampy places for specimens of plants1 and sometimes coming home1 as ,hetty said1 ,looking worse than ,italian tramps4 ,one day ,walter ,rhue and ,ned ,thornton came to spend the day1 ,bo begged ,hetty for a basket of luncheon1 and off they went to have a day of it in the woods4 ,it was the last week of ,august1 rather warm1 and after such a long tramp1 they wanted to find a cool place for their picnic4 ,they reached a brook1 which was usually so low that it could be crossed on some stepping stones4 ,but today it was much swollen1 owing to a heavy shower1 which had fallen the preceding night1 the water was three feet deep1 and rushed angrily over the stepping stones4 ,walter and ,ned took up poles1 and rolling up their pants1 were about to pick their way through the noisy current1 but ,bolax stopped them1 and said3 ,look here1 fellows1 ,i'll show you how to cross a brook4 ,you show me1 retorted ,ned1 ,i guess ,i can beat you at that business any time4 ,i guess you can't1 rejoined ,bo1 just wait a minute and see how ,i do it4 ,he then stepped upon an old log on the bank of the brook1 and grasping the drooping branches of a large tree1 which grew on the opposite side1 prepared to swing himself across4 ,he pulled the branch as far toward himself as possible1 and then leaped forward1 shouting in boastful tones3 ,this is the way to cross a---- ,alas6 ,for ,bo and his boasting4 ,the branch broke and his weight tore it from the tree1 so1 instead of swinging across1 he fell with a tremendous splash into the water4 ,walter and ,ned burst into a fit of laughter1 so uncontrollable1 that they almost fell from the stones on which they stood4 ,as soon as they could speak1 ,ned cried3 ,i say ,bo1 you had better take out a patent for your new way of crossing brooks4 ,but ,bo was not prepared to enjoy his friend's joke4 ,he was seated in the brook1 with the water almost up to his chin4 ,seeing him so still1 ,walter went to the edge of the water1 as near to him as possible and said3 ,bo you are rather in a wet place2 why don't you come out of it8 ,bo then scrambled out1 the water dripping from his clothes4 ,walter1 with all his fun1 was not without some thoughtfulness1 and fearing lest ,bolax's wetting might injure his health1 urged him to hurry home to change his clothes4 ,no1 ,i'll sit in the sun and dry myself1 replied ,bo in a surly tone4 ,ned tried to persuade him to run home1 but he got angry with both boys4 ,bolax1 you're a snapping turtle today1 and ,i'll leave you to recover your good temper4 ,i don't care2 you may both go to the moon1 if you like4 ,oh1 very well1 ,mr4 ,president1 of the ,patent ,brook ,crossing ,company1 said ,walter with a provoking laugh4 ,you shut up1 or ,i'll throw you in the brook4 ,bo did not usually show such temper1 but his ducking had given him a chill1 and made him nervous4 ,ned1 the peace-maker1 then remarked that it was silly for friends to quarrel4 ,let us make up and get you home1 ,bo1 or ,hetty will never give us another lunch for a picnic4 ,when ,master ,bo got home1 he tried to sneak up to his room1 but his mother caught him on the stairs1 such a sight as he was6 mud1 slime1 weeds clinging to his soaking clothes4 ,hetty raised her hands1 horrified at the condition of her favorite4 ,whar yous done ben8 you is getten' dreadful4 ,dat's de second big scrape yous been in since you' sister been away4 ,why1 ,hetty6 exclaimed ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,what else has ,bo been doing8 ,i hope you are not keeping things from your mother1 my son4 ,i fear something is very wrong with you4 ,did you get to confession last week8 ,mamma1 ,i was going1 but ,father ,clement was so cross to a fellow1 who did a couple of mortal sins1 and the fellow said he got pitched out of the box1 so ,i got afraid4 ,ma--,did the boy tell you what the sins were8 ,bo--,i asked him1 but he looked at me with such a face1 and called me a greeny4 ,ma--,oh1 you should not have asked him4 ,bo--,well1 ,i just wanted to know if his sins were like mine4 ,i couldn't dare to go to confession1 if he got put out for only two mortal sins1 ,i would catch it1 for ,i have committed such a pile of them4 ,ma--,merciful goodness1 child6 ,when did you commit the sins8 ,i was sure you told me all your thoughts and actions of each day4 ,bo--,i do pretty much1 ,ma1 dear1 but you see ,i have not been having many talks with you at night for a long time4 ,you let me say my prayers alone4 ,ma--,my darling1 ,i have been attending to poor1 sick ,papa1 but ,i am sorry if my negligence has caused you to be careless about your conscience4 ,do tell me what sins you have committed4 ,bo--,well1 you know that night ,i came home late8 ,i did not actually tell a lie1 but ,i twisted the truth4 ,ma1 dear1 if ,i tell you all about that day1 promise you won't get angry--,father ,clement says anger is a mortal sin4 ,ma--,never mind that1 ,i take care of my own conscience1 just tell me about that day4 ,bo--,well1 then1 ,i went up to ,st4 ,thomas' as you know1 after luncheon1 while waiting for the train to come home1 a freight car passed and slowed up4 ,i heard a fellow say1 ,hello1 ,i said ,hello1 too1 and when ,i looked up at him1 ,i saw he was a friend of mine4 ,ma--,a friend of yours6 ,bo--,yes1 ,ma1 dear1 ,i often see that fellow when ,i am waiting at the station2 his name is ,warner4 ,he let me on his train several times4 ,ma--,oh1 my son6 how could you be so disobedient6 ,getting on trains when you know ,i have strictly forbidden it4 ,bo--,i know it was an awful mortal sin1 and ,i came near being made to repent of it all my life4 ,one of the college boys had made me mad1 that was the reason ,i started for home4 ,when ,i got to the station1 ,warner was standing on his train1 he said3 ,hello6 are you the little kid that helped me stoke the fire last fall8 ,i said ,i wasn't a kid now2 ,i was ten years old4 ,that's so1 said he1 come to look at you1 you're round as a barrel1 but you ain't growed taller4 ,then ,i told him to shut up1 and he said3 ,oh1 don't get mad1 just step inside the caboose1 ,i'll give you a ride to ,dorton1 and you can walk back home4 ,i got into the caboose1 and ,warner laughed and talked1 and ,i never felt the time going until we came to a standstill and ,i found myself at ,lockfaren4 ,ma--,great goodness1 ,bolax1 it is a wonder you were not killed6 ,oh1 how could you be so wicked1 and who helped you home8 ,bo--,i never thought of the wickedness until ,i saw where ,i was4 ,warner laughed at me1 and said ,i was big and fat enough to walk home4 ,then ,i said to myself1 ha6 ha6 old fellow1 now you're in a fix4 ,i can never walk twenty miles4 ,lockfaren is only a flag station1 there was no light--not a house to be seen1 only the thick woods all around4 ,my heart stood still with fear4 ,when ,i found myself stranded in that lonely place1 ,i knelt down and made an act of contrition for all my sins1 then ,i begged our ,blessed ,lady and ,st4 ,joseph to help me4 ,i expected some wild beast would come out of the woods and kill me1 for wild cats have been seen in that neighborhood4 ,suddenly it came to my mind to pray to the ,angel ,guardian1 for the ,engineer on the next passenger train that would pass1 to make a stop4 ,oh1 how ,i prayed6 even more fervently than when ,i am sick1 and you know how wonderfully ,i can pray then4 ,well1 after a long wait in the pitch dark1 for it was cloudy1 and not even a star to be seen1 ,i heard the welcome sound of a whistle1 a bell rang1 and ,i knew a train was coming4 ,sure enough it did come and stopped4 ,the conductor and three men got out1 each with a lantern1 began examining the wheels2 ,i jumped on the car1 and when the conductor came in1 ,i walked up to him and told the whole story4 ,he listened and said3 ,well1 little man1 it seems we stopped in direct answer to your prayer4 ,just as we reached ,lockfaren1 the ,engineer warned me that the ,wheels were grating as if there was a ',hot box4' ,when we examined them1 nothing was wrong4 ,i thanked the ,conductor and told him my name and where he could see my father to get the fare1 but the kind man said he was only too glad to have rescued me4 ,i have a little boy of my own1 so my heart warms to all boys1 and ,i firmly believe kind ,providence watches over them2 in your case the stopping of the train seems almost a miracle in answer to your earnest prayer4 ,ma--,why did you not tell me all this before8 ,bo--,oh1 dear ,ma6 ,i did not want to worry you4 ,papa was sick and ,amy and ,aunt ,lucy away from home4 ,it's no use scolding me now1 it happened two months ago4 ,ma--,i know it happened two months ago1 but dear1 you should never hide anything from your mother4 ,that good conductor should have been seen by your father1 and thanked for his kindness1 if not substantially rewarded4 ,bo--,well1 here is his card2 ,i wish you or ,papa would write to him and pay my fare4 ,kiss me1 darling mother1 and forgive me1 and pray that ,i may never commit a mortal sin again4 ,,chapter ,x4 ,,christmas ,,and ,,little ,,christmas ,,or ,,king',s ,,day4 ,christmas ,eve had come and the children were at last asleep1 dreaming of the pleasures in store for them on the morrow4 ,mrs4 ,allen and her sister sat by the fire completing a handsome smoking robe for ,mr4 ,allen4 ,the clock struck twelve1 in soft1 silvery chimes as the robe was folded and tied on the tree4 ,miss ,lucy drew aside the curtain to look out upon the night4 ,the snow had ceased falling1 and now lay in feathery drifts on the silent village like a pure white veil1 tracing graceful patterns among the dark trees on the hill-side1 ,while the stars above had the brilliancy of extreme cold4 ,hark6 ,what was that8 said ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,surely not our bell at midnight8 ,let us call ,dick2 ,i'm afraid to open the door4 ,mr4 ,dick and ,hetty came running down and turned on the electric light4 ,to the astonishment of all1 on the porch stood a young woman with an infant in her arms4 ,mrs4 ,allen brought her in1 asking no questions1 for the poor creature was speechless with cold4 ,lucy took the baby1 it opened its eyes and smiled1 seeming very comfortable4 ,hetty gave the woman a hot drink1 and ,mrs4 ,allen took off her wet shoes and clothing1 and gave her a warm foot-bath1 then she was wrapped in a blanket and made to lie down on the sofa before the fire4 ,the poor soul was so exhausted she fell into a profound sleep4 ,the good people then began to realize what they were doing1 to ask themselves how the woman could have selected their house for a shelter4 ,oh1 let us thank our ,lord1 said ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,he has given us the privilege of harboring the harborless4 ,mrs4 ,allen1 remarked ,hetty1 dis is just like dat verse you done teached ,miss ,amy3 ',to shelter de ,holy wanderers on dat blessed ,christmas night4' ,don't you know1 at fust1 ,i thought it was the ,holy ,virgin and little ,jesus4 ,well1 ,i say it's for luck dat baby's come to dis house4 ,lucy1 said ,mrs4 ,allen1 you had better go to bed2 that you may be able to get up in the morning to take the children to ,mass4 ,it is absolutely necessary one of us should remain home to care for our unexpected guests4 ,at five o'clock in the morning1 ,pat came into the kitchen to say the sleigh was ready if the folks were going to early ,mass4 ,turn your back and shut you' eyes1 called out ,hetty4 ,pat1 supposing she had a ,christmas gift for him1 did as he was bid4 ,is you' eyes tight shut1 ,pat8 ,faith and they couldn't be tighter1 but hurry up1 the folks'll be wantin' the sleigh in a minute4 ,hetty took the sleeping babe and laid it in the old man's arms1 then told him to look4 ,pat stared in utter surprise1 his eyes and mouth wide open4 ,hetty stood laughing at his discomfiture1 when he could speak1 he exclaimed3 ,holy saints6 where did this come from8 ,de ,christ-child sent it twelve o'clock last night4 ,may the ,lord bless us1 said ,pat1 but it's a quare thing entirely yees are telling me4 ,here1 take the darlint2 ,i must be gettin' off or we'll be late for ,mass4 ,mrs4 ,allen called the children before five o'clock1 bidding them hurry downstairs1 as she had a surprise for them4 ,hetty carried the babe into the library and laid it on the table under the electric light1 its eyes were open1 but it lay perfectly still4 ,as the children caught sight of the little figure they were transfixed with astonishment4 ,amy made the sign of the cross2 for the moment she thought only of the ,infant ,jesus1 then examining closer1 she saw it was a real live baby4 ,of course1 said she1 ,i might have known the ,infant ,jesus would not come to us1 we are not holy enough4 ,bolax kissed the little thing1 saying ,isn't it a dear6 ,mamma1 are you going to keep it8 ,come1 now1 called ,aunt ,lucy1 we must not be late for ,mass2 when we get home we will hear all about the wonderful baby4 ,on the way to church1 ,aunty explained how it came that the poor mother was in the house1 and no doubt would be able to tell why she sought shelter under their roof4 ,well1 exclaimed ,pat1 may ,god bless yees all for the most warm-hearted family ,i ever met4 ,none of yees will ever be in want of a roof to cover you1 for surely the dear ,infant ,jesus will not forget your many great acts of ,charity4 ,at seven o'clock ,hetty took some breakfast up to the woman1 and brought her baby to be nursed4 ,she seemed greatly refreshed and said she was able to get up4 ,don't you stir1 honey1 said ,hetty1 unless you is real able1 if you is1 ,mrs4 ,allen wants to see you in de library4 ,having dressed herself and attended to her baby's wants1 ,hetty took her downstairs4 ,mrs4 ,allen asked the woman's name and questioned as to the reason for selecting this house in which to take refuge4 ,indeed1 ma'am1 ,i'll tell you how it was1 but first let me thank you2 sure it's no wonder the station-man spoke so highly of your charity4 ,say nothing about that2 ,i only wish ,i had it in my power to do more4 ,well1 continued the woman1 my name is ,mary ,ryan4 ,my husband was killed a month ago2 he fell off a scaffolding while painting a house4 ,i stayed with his people after his death1 but they soon let me see ,i wasn't welcome1 so ,i went to an intelligence office to look for a place4 ,the man made me pay him a dollar1 then he gave me the address of a ,mrs4 ,clarkson out here near the station4 ,he said they especially wanted a woman with a child because such are willing to stay in the country4 ,i paid my fare out and got here at three o'clock1 it was daylight then1 and ,i hunted high and low for ,mrs4 ,clarkson1 but no one had ever heard of such a person4 ,i didn't know where to go1 so ,i remained in the station as it was snowing hard4 ,the watchman was so kind4 ,he gave me a sandwich and asked me if ,i had nowhere to stop for the night4 ,i told him just how it was with me4 ,he said3 ',a friend of mine just happens to be outside with his sleigh and ,i'll tell him to take you where you'll be well treated4' ,i didn't know but what it was a lodging house he was taking me to2 when he came to your gate he just put me on the boardwalk and told me to go up to the door4 ,well1 ,mary1 you are welcome1 poor child2 we will do what we can for you4 ,have you a valise8 ,yes1 ma'am2 the man at the station has care of it4 ,i will send our man for it as soon as the sleigh comes back4 ,oh1 ,god bless you ma'am6 ,don't say any more1 dear2 your name is ,mary2 you and your child were in need of shelter1 like the divine ,mother ,mary4 ,i consider it a privilege to be allowed to share the comforts our ,lord has given me with any one in need4 ,go to ,hetty now1 she will take care of you4 ,i know of just a place that will suit you1 and in a few days when the roads are somewhat better1 ,i will take you there4 ,in the excitement about the baby1 the children forgot to look at their presents early in the day1 but after ,mass all were eager to see what old ,santa had brought them4 ,amy received several gifts she had been longing for4 ,bolax got what he prized more than anything1 viz3--a whole set of ,father ,finn's books4 ,the ,christmas dinner was indeed a mirthful one4 ,all the love gifts1 as ,mrs4 ,allen called those that were made expressly for each member of the family1 had been placed on the tree behind the ornaments4 ,mr4 ,allen entered into the spirit of the evening1 saying he would act the wizard's part1 and by means of long wand detached the various treasures from the tree and gave them to their owners1 whose names they bore4 ,great was the delight of the children1 when after a hard tussle to detach a large bundle1 down it came on ,mr4 ,allen's head4 ,it proved to be a beautiful smoking robe1 which had been made and embroidered by ,mrs4 ,allen1 ,lucy and little ,amy4 ,the good man was so charmed that he declared he would not use his wand again until he had full five minutes to admire it4 ,amy received a lovely pair of bed-room slippers1 the work of ,aunt ,lucy2 ,mrs4 ,allen1 a sofa cushion made by her sister in ,new ,york2 ,aunt ,lucy1 a blue silk waist1 embroidered in white roses4 ,uncle ,dick1 a smoking cap1 made by ,mrs4 ,allen2 ,bolax1 a pair of silk and woolen mitts1 knit by ,aunt ,lucy4 ,bo gave ,hetty a work box1 which he made with his tools1 and ,amy1 a needlebook1 on which she had embroidered1 ,hetty1 dear4 ,pat too1 received a little love gift1 but both faithful domestics had had a substantial present from the ,master4 ,mr4 ,allen put on his robe and cap to please the children1 strutting up and down the library floor1 saying he was sure he resembled a ,chinese ,mandarin in his gorgeous robe4 ,now let us end the day with some of your spirited ,yule-tide airs3 ,strike the ,harp and ,with ,glory ,lit the ,midnight ,air4 ,every one sang with hearty good will to the accompaniment of piano and violin4 ,that night when the family sought their pillows1 all felt that they had passed a very happy and holy ,christmas4 ,,january ,,sixth4 ,bolax ran into the library covered with snow1 his two dogs with him making a pretty mess on the rugs4 ,mamma called out3 ,look at the condition of your boots1 child4 ,hetty happened to be on hand with the broom4 ,dat's easy cleaned up1 said she4 ,bo don't think sometimes1 but his heart is in de right place after all1 which after all was known to refer to a spirit of fun and a tendency to mischief such as most lively boys possess4 ,does anyone remember that tomorrow is my birthday8 exclaimed ,bolax4 ,whew1 echoed ,uncle ,dick1 is that a fact8 ,what will be the number of your years tomorrow8 ,eleven4 ,hetty has made me a splendid cake1 but ,i'm not to have a party because ,papa is not well4 ,oh1 but you're going to have your chums1 observed ,amy4 ,yes1 our jolly seven will be here1 and ,hetty says that enormous cake must be eaten at one sitting4 ,you have made a mistake1 brother1 that very large cake is for the crippled children in ,st4 ,luke's ,hospital2 there are eighteen of them in the ward and we are to take it there ourselves and divide it4 ,that's so1 ,i had almost forgotten about the poor children4 ,we had better go there early in the morning and have the afternoon for our company4 ,children1 said ,uncle ,dick1 ,would you like to hear the story of the first time a cake was cut on ,king's ,day8 ,yes1 yes1 let us have it please1 exclaimed both at once4 ,,uncle ,,dick',s ,,story4 ,the three ,wise men1 ,balthazar1 ,melchior and ,gaspard1 were kings1 living in countries widely separated2 yet each one saw a wonderful brilliant star1 such as had never before appeared1 and a heavenly messenger told them to follow this star1 that it would lead them to a new-born king1 who was to be greater than all the rulers of the earth4 ,so the wise men or ,magi set out bearing gifts of gold1 frankincense and myrrh1 which they were to give to the wonderful child1 whose star they had seen in the ,east4 ,they had traveled such a long time and were tired sitting on their camels1 so they came to a halt near a dense forest4 ,it had been raining for several hours and now the sound of distant thunder and the fury of the wind warned them to seek shelter for the night4 ,their followers took refuge in a cave and refused to go a step further2 so the kings were compelled to continue their journey alone4 ,after walking for a long time almost famished with cold and wet to the skin1 they came to a little village and determined to ask hospitality at the first house they saw4 ,this house1 or ,i should say hut1 was situated at the entrance of the forest1 and belonged to a poor woodcutter named ,japhet4 ,the kings knocked very loudly1 ,japhet and his wife opened the door1 wondering who could want them at such a late hour4 ,our distinguished travelers begged a shelter from the storm and some food4 ,the woodcutter was startled when he saw such grand people1 and hesitated about letting them into his cabin1 big ,melchior1 however1 settled the question by pushing back the door1 then all entered4 ,now1 said ,gaspard1 do give us some supper and a place to rest1 we will pay well4 ,alas6 honored1 ,sirs1 answered ,japhet4 ,i have but one bed1 and as for supper1 we have nothing to offer but black bread and water4 ,but1 we will do the best we can to make you comfortable for the night4 ,so the tired out kings sat down and were glad enough to eat of the black bread1 and satisfy their thirst with water4 ,japhet then made a big fire and the kings having dried their clothes1 laid themselves upon the clean straw bed1 which the good wife had made for them4 ,when morning light shone through the chinks of the cabin wall1 the kings arose and prepared to continue their journey4 ,balthazar1 who was the most generous1 said3 ,my good people ,i want to give you something in return for your hospitality4 ,oh1 never mind1 said ,japhet4 ,the little we had1 we gave with a good heart1 but we did not expect anything in return4 ,at the same time the poor fellow held out his hand4 ,i have no money1 explained ,balthazar1 but ,i will leave you a souvenir1 which will be of infinitely more value4 ,saying this1 he searched in his pocket1 drew out a little flute1 and presented it to ,japhet1 who received it with a look of disappointment on his face4 ,you see1 continued ,balthazar1 if you make a wish while playing a tune1 it will be immediately granted4 ,take the flute2 do not abuse its gifts1 and above all never refuse a shelter or food to the poor wayfarer4 ,as soon as the three kings had left the hut1 ,japhet said to his wife3 ,well1 it seems to me1 such rich-looking people could have given us something better than a toy1 nevertheless ,i will try its power2 should not wonder though1 if those fine gentlemen were not mocking us when they gave such a fool's present4 ,oh1 try it just once1 said his wife4 ,japhet then played a lively tune1 at the same time wishing for a venison steak and some white bread4 ,great was the astonishment and delight of the poor people when they saw on their table all they had asked for4 ,when ,japhet was certain of the power of the flute he did not stop at necessities1 as you may well believe1 he asked for all sorts of things2 indeed he kept the flute going from morning until night4 ,he got new clothes for himself and his wife2 had the best of food to eat1 and1 as all he had to do was to wish for a thing to have it1 he became the richest man in the country4 ,he fluted for a magnificent palace1 which took the place of his poor cabin2 again he fluted and the palace was filled with fine furniture1 pictures1 statuary and luxuries of all descriptions4 ,when everything was complete he gave a grand dinner1 inviting all the rich people of the neighborhood4 ,every invitation was accepted1 for no one remembered the poor woodcutter1 who was now the mighty ,lord ,flutandget4 ,in the dining hall the table was set with the finest service of gold1 and cut glass reflected the light from hundreds of perfumed lamps4 ,a band of musicians sat behind a bower of exquisite flowers1 playing soft1 sweet tunes4 ,when all was ready1 the guests sat down to a feast1 the like of which had never been seen in the whole ,kingdom4 ,lord ,flutandget was in the height of his glory1 and looked as proud as if he owned the whole world4 ,his wife sat beside him1 feeling very ill at ease in her stiff silk1 and scarcely able to move her hands for the rings1 with which her fingers were laden4 ,so that the feast should not be disturbed1 the lackeys had been ordered to keep all intruders off the place4 ,besides this1 my ,lord ,flutandget had two fierce dogs chained on either side of the gate to keep off beggars4 ,the guests and their host gave themselves up to the full enjoyment of the feast4 ,all were loud in their praises of ,my ,lord and his ,lady1 complimenting them on their lavish entertainment1 wishing them long continuance of health1 prosperity1 etc4 ,well1 this very evening the three ,kings happened to be returning to their own country1 after having paid homage to the ,infant ,christ4 ,when they came near the village by the forest1 they saw a splendid castle where formerly stood the woodcutter's hut4 ,ah1 ha6 said ,gaspard to ,balthazar1 ,i should not be surprised if our old friend has not made bad use of your little flute4 ,i wonder if he has kept his promise1 and is kind to the poor1 now that he is so rich4 ,well1 let us try him1 said ,balthazar4 ,so disguising themselves as beggars1 they went to the gate of the castle1 asking for a little food4 ,the porter bade them begone1 but as they insisted on being allowed to enter1 the servants made such a clamor1 that ,lord ,flutandget put his head out of the window to see what was the trouble4 ,seeing the beggars1 he ordered the dogs to be set on them1 so the poor ,kings were obliged to fly in a very unkingly manner4 ,i told you so1 said ,gaspard1 whom one of the dogs had caught by the shins4 ,i'll fix him1 said the giant1 ,melchior4 ,i'll make him feel the vengeance of the three ,kings4 ,in the meantime the guests continued to feast4 ,dessert had just been served2 my ,lord ,flutandget held in his hand a broad silver knife1 with which he was about to cut an enormous cake1 each guest was to have had a slice to take home4 ,just then the noise of carriage wheels was heard2 my ,lord ,flutandget looked towards the window1 and seeing a grand carriage drawn by six white horses1 he supposed it was some of the high and mighty guests he had invited1 so he went himself to meet them4 ,the three ,kings entered in regal attire1 crowns on their heads and clothed in purple and precious stones4 ,flutandget recognized his guests of the hut1 but put on a bold front and begged them to take a seat at his table4 ,thank you1 said ,balthazar1 coldly4 ,we cannot eat with a man who oppresses the poor and sets the dogs on them4 ,i compliment you on the way you keep your promise1 said ,melchior1 the ,giant ,king1 and his voice sounded deep and severe4 ,ah1 you set your dogs on beggars1 said ,gaspard1 who still felt an ache in his shins4 ,you often play on your flute1 ,i see4 ,oh1 wait a while2 ,i'll give you a tune that you have not yet heard1 and taking from his pocket a little flute1 just like the one that had been given to ,japhet1 he blew a terrible blast which caused all the glasses on the table to split4 ,again he put the flute to his lips1 all the lights went out and the guests rushed from the castle1 trampling over each other in their haste to get away4 ,at the third sound of the flute1 the palace disappeared1 and the woodcutter found himself alone sitting on the ruins of his hut1 he and his wife clothed in rags4 ,oh1 what shall we do8 said the poor woman4 ,never mind1 said ,japhet1 ,i still have the flute4 ,but search as he would1 the talisman could not be found2 it had disappeared with the three ,kings4 ,ever since this happened1 it is customary to have a large cake on ,king's ,day1 ,january #f4 ,it is filled with small silver coins and a slice is given to visitors1 or to any poor person who comes to ask an alms4 ,i like that story1 said ,amy1 although it is not in the ,bible4 ,well1 dear1 you may imagine the ,kings met with many adventures on their long journey1 and the occurrences ,i relate might have happened as likely as those we read of in ',ben ,hur4' ,stories of this kind can do no possible harm1 and after reading them1 children's curiosity is excited1 they want to know more1 so they become interested in ,bible history4 ,this reminds me of a visit ,i paid to a lawyer in ,chicago1 and what happened to him for his lack of knowledge of ,bible stories4 ,a friend of mine1 who is a very successful lawyer1 in the course of conversation one day1 declared he believed the time had come when lawyers should know a few things besides law4 ,the ,bible1 for instance4 ,that is a very worthy thought1 said ,i4 ,i don't claim to be any better or worse than the next person1 went on the lawyer1 but ,i believe a good knowledge of the ,scriptures would benefit a man of my calling professionally4 ,and spiritually1 ,i suggested4 ,i dare say it would4 ,i had a case in one of those downtown justice shops4 ,it went to a jury trial1 and the bailiff hauled in half a dozen of those professional hoboes1 that are always hanging around such places1 on the chance of making a couple of dollars by sitting on a jury4 ,i put up two witnesses to prove my case1 and one repeated and corroborated the evidence of the other in every particular4 ,the lawyers on the other side argued that this exact agreement of my witnesses at every point made their testimony unreliable4 ,he said no two men could possibly give the same account of what they had seen1 not even men of sound and undoubted rectitude4 ,he said that even the ,bible proved this1 and then he told the story of ,jonah and the whale4 ,how did ,jonah come into the case8 ,i asked4 ,just this way1 my opponent said the ,bible contained two versions of the story1 one by ,st4 ,matthew1 and the other by ,st4 ,mark4 ,st4 ,matthew's account was that ,jonah made the entire voyage inside the whale1 while ,st4 ,mark declared that ,jonah came out occasionally and sat on the whale's back to get a breath of fresh air4 ,dear me1 said the presiding judge4 ,that version of the voyage of ,jonah sounds strange to me4 ,i suppose you can give chapter and verse for it4 ,if you can1 ,i wish you would4 ,he can do no such thing1 your ,honor1 said ,i4 ,there is no account in the ,bible that tells of ,jonah riding on the whale's back4 ,my opponent glanced from one to the other of us contemptuously1 and then looked significantly at the jury4 ,gentlemen of the jury1 he said solemnly4 ,i am not addressing my remarks to this ,honorable ,court1 nor to the learned gentleman on the opposite side of this case1 whose lamentable ignorance regarding one of the most familiar ,scriptural narrations1 ,i sincerely deplore4 ,in drawing a parallel between the suspiciously coinciding character of the evidence here given by two witnesses1 who apparently have compared notes with extreme care1 and the discrepancies shown in the statements of two great inspired writers1 ,i am directing my remarks to intelligent1 upright men1 who study their ,bibles1 and who have the great truths of ,scripture at their finger ends4 ,you should have seen how that bench of hoboes nodded complacently as that audacious lawyer insulted the ,court and me4 ,the upshot of the whole business was that ,i lost my case1 and all through not knowing what ,st4 ,matthew and ,st4 ,mark wrote about ,jonah4 ,i could scarcely keep from laughing while my friend was telling the story1 but at this point1 ,i broke out in a prolonged fit of merriment4 ,what amuses you so much8 said my friend4 ,when ,i could control myself sufficiently to speak1 ,i told him neither ,st4 ,matthew nor ,st4 ,mark ever wrote that story4 ,it was written thousands of years before they were born4 ,jonah and the whale story belongs to the ,old ,testament4 ,you don't say6 ,well1 ,i'll be switched6 exclaimed my friend4 ,my only consolation1 continued he1 is that the ,judge didn't know any more than ,i did4 ,that's a good story1 ,uncle ,dick1 but if your lawyer had a mother like mine when he was a boy1 he never would have made such a ridiculous mistake about ,jonah4 ,come1 children1 called ,aunt ,lucy1 it's past bed time4 ,good-night1 ,uncle4 ,good-night ,grandpa ,mischief4 ,,chapter ,,xi4 ,,practising4 ,ma--,bolax you are wasting your time1 don't stop1 you have not practised long enough4 ,bolax--,look at the clock1 ,ma1 dear4 ,it was bright sunlight when ,i began1 and now the shades of night are falling4 ,ma--,that's very poetical1 but you must continue practising4 ,bolax--,oh1 you are the provokingest mother ,i ever saw2 ,i'll not love you a bit after a while1 if you keep on making me practise4 ,ma--,go on with your lesson1 especially that piece for the concert4 ,bolax--,bang1 bang1 oh1 how ,i wish the man who invented pianos was dead4 ,ma--,well1 he is dead4 ,bolax--,then ,i wish all the professors were dead4 ,ma--,a great many of them are4 ,go on with your work4 ,bolax--,oh1 ,ma1 dear1 can't you let up on a fellow1 if you don't1 indeed1 indeed1 ,i'll be dead too6 ,ma--,that has no effect upon me1 ,bo1 ,i make you practise for your own good4 ,i take the trouble to sit here and worry over you1 when ,i might be upstairs resting4 ,bolax--,but ,ma1 dear1 how do other boys manage8 ,their mothers don't bother to make them learn music4 ,ma--,perhaps those boys don't need the urging you do4 ,by this time the patient mother began to show signs of nervousness1 and ,bo1 who really loved his ,ma dear began to play with a will1 but having the spirit of mischief strong in him1 put some funny words to the tune he was playing4 ,bolax--,oh1 twenty thousand rats and forty thousand cats1 they all screamed and yelled in sharps and flats6 ,suddenly turning round on the stool1 he said1 ,ma1 dear1 just let me tell you a dream ,i had1 while ,i'm resting my fingers4 ,ma--,well1 only for two minutes4 ,bolax--,last night you made me practise so much and old ,professor was so dreadful at lesson1 that ,i dreamed ,i went to the piano1 and all the keys turned to ,brownies1 they looked more like ,goblins1 and began to dance up and down1 they played jig music4 ,it was fine4 ,i gave them ,on the ,meadow and ,sounds from the ,forest1 and they played the two pieces right off4 ,ma--,now dear1 give just one-half hour more to your lesson and ,i'll let you have all day tomorrow free1 it's the beginning of the ,christmas holidays1 and the cold is so intense ,i shouldn't be surprised if the skating and sliding would be fine4 ,thus spurred on1 ,bo surprised himself1 and the half hour was more than passed when his mother called him to come upstairs1 but he was in the middle of a piece and waited to finish it4 ,bolax continued playing softly1 then called out--,ma1 dear6 ,i wonder if we will have an adventure this year like last ,christmas4 ,not very likely1 my dear2 fortunately there are not many placed in the position poor ,mary ,ryan was that night4 ,i have invited her to come to the ,sunday-school entertainment1 and her little ,joe is to represent the infant ,jesus in the tableaux of the crib4 ,oh1 that will be splendid4 ,hurrah6 shouted ,bo4 ,december #bc was a glorious winter day4 ,the sun shone brilliantly1 no wind1 and the thermometer low enough to keep the skating pond in good condition1 the ice and snow on the hills crisp and slippery for coasting4 ,all day long was heard the jingle of sleigh bells and the shouts of merry children enjoying themselves1 rang through the air4 ,elmer ,mullen1 who was a boy of sixteen1 had formed a great friendship for ,bo4 ,he was quite a good musician and seemed attracted towards the little boy because of his musical talent4 ,whenever there was any especial fun on hand1 ,elmer always called for ,bo to join him4 ,there were seven boys who always went together--,elmer ,mullen1 ,john ,montgomery1 ,joe ,davis1 ,tom ,nolan1 ,walter ,rhue and ,bolax4 ,elmer and ,john had been prospecting for a hill to make a toboggan slide4 ,they found one very high1 but rather steep1 it was about a mile from the village4 ,this was just what suited them for they wanted to keep away from the rough crowd4 ,on the very top of this hill was a small shanty built the previous summer by the men who had been cutting down trees4 ,say boys1 said ,elmer1 let us play we are the monks of ,st4 ,bernard4 ,but we haven't even one ,st4 ,bernard dog1 said ,john4 ,yes1 we have1 replied ,archie4 ,joe ,davis has a tremendous fellow1 he rolls in the snow1 and dug out a chicken that had been buried in a drift1 and brought it into the kitchen without hurting it4 ,let us have him by all means1 said ,elmer4 ,we will call the hut our monastery and pretend this hill is the top of ,mount ,blanc2 we'll send our dogs to find people who are lost in the snow4 ,i can bring our ,don1 said ,bolax4 ,he's most as big as a ,st4 ,bernard1 but where will we get people to rescue8 ,let me see1 reflected ,elmer4 ,i am the oldest2 ,i'll be the ,abbott1 you boys will be the brothers2 you must all obey the ,abbott4--,obey6 exclaimed ,bo4 ,oh1 that's no fun1 we're always having to do that4 ,i want to whoop and holler2 let us be snowed-up ,indians and make the shanty our ,teepee4 ,well1 said ,elmer1 this afternoon we seven boys will meet4 ,bring the dogs and sleds1 then we'll decide which it shall be--,monks or ,indians4 ,after dinner the seven chums climbed ,mount ,blanc4 ,elmer told the boys ,mount ,blanc was one of the highest mountains in ,europe1 about #aj1jjj feet above the level of the sea4 ,great goodness6 exclaimed ,bolax4 ,no one could ever climb such a height6 ,oh1 ,elmer let us be ,esquimos4 ,saying this ,joe ,davis and ,bo began a series of gyrations accompanied by war-whoops1 and getting on their sleds1 pitched down the hillside into an unexpected drift4 ,nothing could be seen of them but the soles of their shoes4 ,elmer and the other boys set to work immediately to rescue the ,indians4 ,with the help of ,don and ,bosco both were gotten out after very hard digging with boards1 for they dared not wait to go to find shovels1 lest the boys would suffocate4 ,when our brave ,indians were delivered from their perilous position1 it took vigorous rubbing to bring them to their senses4 ,elmer then proposed placing them on the sleds and taking them home4 ,on the way they stopped at a farmhouse and the good woman gave them some hot lemonade1 with a generous supply of sugar1 the boys found it delicious and were loud in their expressions of gratitude1 for the hot drink entirely revived our ,esquimos4 ,passing along the road to the village they saw some grown folks in ,houston's meadow sledding1 and shouting as if they were boys again4 ,joe ,davis' papa was among them1 so he ran to join in the fun1 not a whit the worse for his snow bath4 ,elmer suddenly remembered that ,professor had appointed that night for the rehearsal4 ,oh1 yes6 said ,bo4 ,by the way1 it's to be at our house and ,i had forgotten all about it4 ,mamma has invited some of the neighbors to spend the evening and act as audience1 so that the timid ones will get used to playing before strangers4 ,here we are4 ,the gate is open and there's a sleigh at the barn1 ,i shouldn't wonder if ,professor had come already4 ,elmer1 do hurry back2 don't dress as if it were the real concert4 ,when ,bolax went into the library1 ,papa and ,professor were chatting pleasantly1 seated before a roaring fire with its yule log1 reminding one of the ,merry ,christmas cheer of olden times4 ,hello1 my boy6 said ,professor1 reminding ,bo that he had promised to distinguish himself and hoping he had practised so well as to be sure of all his pieces4 ,marie ,love is my prima donna and ,i want you to be leading man4 ,after tea the young ladies and children who were to take part in the concert came into the house laughing and shaking the snow from their clothes1 all enjoyed the cheerful fire1 and when comfortably warm the music began1 as ,professor did not wish to keep late hours on a snowy night4 ,elmer gave a selection from the ,carnival of ,venice on the violin4 ,every one complimented him1 but ,bo was loud in praise of his favorite chum4 ,what do you expect to do with yourself1 ,elmer1 after you leave school8 asked ,mr4 ,allen4 ,well1 ,i hope to be a priest1 ,i expect to enter the seminary next ,september4 ,hurrah6 exclaimed ,bolax4 ,now ,i know why you wanted to play ,monks instead of ,indians4 ,this caused the whole adventure of the afternoon to be recounted4 ,professor laughed heartily at the exploit of the ,indians1 but begged ,bo to keep out of danger until after the concert4 ,i don't want your head or hands to be lacking that night4 ,now1 ladies and gentlemen1 if you are ready we will begin4 ,the first on the program is3 #a4 ,lorita ,grand ,concert ,waltz ,holst ,master ,allen and ,miss ,love4 #b4 ,mazurka ,tzigane ,lichner ,miss ,amy ,allen4 #c4 ,violin ,solo1 ,bessie ,donati4 #d4 ,narcissus ,i4 ,leybach ,miss ,louis ,harrison4 #e4 ,oration on ,music4 ,elmer ,mullen4 ,,oration ,,on ,,music4 ,the pleasure derived from music arises from its exciting agreeable sensations1 and creating pleasing mental images and emotions4 ,apart from words1 it expresses passion and sentiment2 joined to words it becomes a beautiful illustration of language4 ,from the earliest ages of the world music was held in high esteem1 and in ,egypt and ,greece was considered an essential part of the religion of these ancient nations4 ,god's greatest gift for man's pleasure is the hearing of sweet sounds4 ,he gives us music in songs of the birds and there is such a variety of these aeriel musicians4 ,in ,paraguay1 ,south ,america1 is a bird called the bell4 ,when traveling through the forest one hears it at early morning1 at mid-day and in the evening4 ,so wonderfully like a bell is the note of this bird that on hearing its clear ring at regular intervals1 one would suppose he were listening to the ,angelus-bell from the tower of some church or monastery4 ,music must be loved to be studied profitably4 ,each new step taken in the right direction develops power and suggests possibilities to the loving student4 ,music is useful in all occupations of life4 ,how often have we not heard of missionaries converting savage tribes by telling them the truths of religion in song4 ,the physician can bring music with his practice and calm a nervous patient by playing a soft1 soothing air1 which sometimes has more effect than medicine4 ,music is not only a body healer1 it is also a mind regulator4 ,inward activities are called up1 and become new powers within the breasts1 for1 remember emotion nerves for action4 ,the most stupid horse that goes up hill to the sound of bells1 the timidest soldier that marches to battle with fife and drum1 the most delicate girl who spins around tireless in the dance1 the poorest laborer who sings at his work1 any of them will prove that music rouses and sustains emotion4 ,painting1 sculpture and other arts which men spend years and years acquiring are useful for this world only1 but music they can take with them to ,heaven4 ,o1 music6 thou language of the ,gods1 how shall ,i find words wherewith to sound thy praises4 ,thou art the soother of sorrows1 earth is happy under thy influence1 and ,heaven would be deprived of half its glory without thee6 ,this was very much applauded1 and ,colonel ,o',brien called out well done1 ,father ,mullen1 you'll be giving us fine sermons in a few years4 ,next number is3 #f4 ,charge of the ,uhlans ,carl ,bohm ,mr4 ,clement ,lowery4 #g4 ,menuette l',antique ,gobbart ,miss ,nora ,o',brien4 #h4 ,ivy ,leaves ,h4 ,leston ,flossie ,holloway4 #i4 ,l',hirondelle ,leybach ,master ,bo ,allen4 #aj4 ,overture to ,barbier de ,seville ,rossini ,professor ,rinaldi and ,miss ,marie ,love4 #aa4 ,les ,rameaux ,john ,kenan4 #ab4 ,song--,the ,bells that ,ring for me ,rinaldi ,miss ,charlotte ,verier4 #ac4 ,marche ,triumphale ,mozart ,miss ,amy and ,bolax ,allen4 ,this ended the rehearsal4 ,professor than spoke a few words thanking the audience for their evident appreciation of his pupils' efforts4 ,colonel ,o',brien1 who seemed to be spokesman for the rest of the company1 said3 ,professor1 it is we who should thank you4 ,i can honestly say ,i am surprised at the proficiency of your pupils2 either they have extraordinary talent or you are a wonderfully successful master4 ,now let us give three cheers for ,professor and wish him health1 happiness and great success for the coming year4 ,the cheers were given with a hearty ring1 for the dear gentleman was highly esteemed by every one4 ,professor1 said ,elmer4 ,bolax knows a fine piece1 ,i think it ought to be on the program4 ,well1 ,elmer1 not this time2 ,i fear we have kept our audience too long for such a stormy night4 ,oh1 no1 no6 called out several of the ladies4 ,come1 ,bo let us hear your oration4 ,oh1 bother6 ,it is not an oration2 it's just a funny piece about a newsboy1 who got into a church and is astonished at all he hears and sees4 ,,the ,,newsboy',s ,,soliloquy ,,on ,,hearing ,a ,,boy ,,sing ,,in ,,church4 ,,by ,,thomas ,,kelley1 ,,of ,,omaha4 ,well1 ye see1 ,i'd sold my papers1 ,every bloomin' blessed one1 ,and was strollin' round the corner4 ,just a prospectin' for fun1 ,i was loafin' by the railin' ,of that church you see right there1 ,with its crosses and its towers1 ,kind of settin' off the square1 ,and ,i got a sort of lonesome1 ,for the gang1 they weren't around1 ,when ,i heard a noise of music1 ,seemed like comin' from the ground4 ,it was nothin' but some singin'1 ,but it sounded mighty fine1 ,course1 ,i ain't no judge of them things1 ,an' it's no affair o' mine4 ,then it seemed to kind o' weaken1 ,and ,i didn't hear it plain1 ,till the band struck up a whoopin' ,an' heerd it all again4 ,well there seemed to be a show there1 ,that ,i thought ,i'd like to see1 ,an' there was so many a goin' ,i jest says--,i'll bet it's free4 ,so ,i looks around the corner1 ,an' ,i makes a careful search1 ,for ,i knew the kids'd guy me1 ,if they heerd ,i'd been to ,church4 ,well1 there warn't a soul a-lookin'1 ,so ,i up an' walks right in1 ,an' ,i sat down in a corner1 ,while they finished up their hymn4 ,well1 sir6 blow me if ,i ever ,was so taken aback6 ,there was marchin' up the aisle ,a gang of kids in white an' black4 ,they was singin' just like angels1 ,an' they looked so slick and nice1 ,i wondered where they got 'em-- ,were they always kept on ice8 ,an' they wore a long black cloak1 sir2 ,comin' to their very feet1 ,an' an overall of white stuff1 ,just like what's in a sheet4 ,then some men came on behind them1 ,singing loudly as they came1 ,but although the kids was weaker1 ,they got there all the same4 ,then behind the whole percession1 ,came two men1 most all in white1 ,an' they wore some fancy biziness1 ,an' they looked jest out o' sight1 ,but they didn't do no singin'1 ,just kept still an' looked ahead1 ,an' says ,i'll bet they're runnin' ,all the show1 that's what ,i said4 ,then they all got up in front there1 ,an' the music sounded grand1 ,but to save my neck ,i couldn't1 ,get a sight1 sir1 of the band4 ,i could hear it as distinctly1 ,so ,i guessed it must be near1 ,but ,i saw no men1 nor nothin'1 ,an' ,i thought it very queer4 ,well1 a man was standin' near me1 ,an' ,i touched him with my hand1 ,then he looked around and saw me1 ,an' sez ,i3 ,say1 where's the band8 ,then he looked at me a grinin'1 ,just as tho' ,i'd made a joke1 ,that 'ere look he gave me1 ,made me sorry that ,i'd spoke4 ,then he says3 ,why1 that's the organ2 ,all those pipes you see up there1 ,one man plays it with his fingers1 ,an' another pumps the air4 ,here the music stopped so sudden1 ,that ,i most forgot myself1 ,an' ,i heerd some man a talkin' ,from a book laid on a shelf4 ,then they all got up and read some1 ,first the man1 then the crowd1 ,after that they knelt down softly1 ,an' ,i seed their heads were bowed4 ,so ,i bowed my head down too1 sir2 ,an' listens to every word1 ,but ,i didn't understand them1 ,every time they said1 ,good ,lord6 ,well they kept that up some longer1 ,till a plate came down the aisle1 ,an' some people dropped in money1 ,some others dropped a smile4 ,i suppose they'd come on passes1 ,for they were allowed to stay1 ,so ,i gave them my four pennies1 ,it was all ,i had that day4 ,then a kid got up in front there1 ,with a paper in his hand1 ,all the rest was sittin' quiet1 ,an' the man tuned up the band4 ,well1 that kid began a singin' ,till ,i thought my heart 'ud break1 ,for my throat was full of choking1 ,an' my hands began to shake4 ,well1 ,i never seen no angels1 ,an' their songs ,i never heard1 ,but ,i'll bet that there's no angel1 ,beats that kid--for he's a bird4 ,he was lookin' like a picture1 ,with his robes of white and black1 ,an' ,i felt my tears a comin'1 ,for ,i couldn't keep 'em back2 ,an' ,i wondered if he always ,was as good as he looked there1 ,singin' all about the angels1 ,angels ever bright an' fair1 ,well thinks ,i1 guess it's easy1 ,to be good and sing so sweet1 ,but you know it's kind o' different1 ,sellin' papers on the street4 ,when the kid got thro' his singin' ,i got up an' made a sneak1 ,an' ,i went outside the church there1 ,an' ,i swear ,i couldn't speak4 ,then ,i ran across the gang1 sir2 ,they was hangin' round for me1 ,but some how ,i didn't want 'em1 ,an' just why1 ,i couldn't see4 ,so ,i said ,i couldn't join 'em ,cos ,i had another date1 ,an' ,i went on walking homeward1 ,like a kid without a mate4 ,an' ,i sneaked in just as quiet1 ,an' ,i lay down on my bed ,till ,i slept an' got a dreamin' ',bout the angels overhead4 ,an' they wore such shinin' garments1 ,an' they sang so sweet and fine1 ,an' the one right in the middle ,was that singin' kid of mine4 ,now ,i kinder want to know1 sir-- ,so ,i'm askin'1 you see-- ,if them kids can all be angels1 ,is there any show for me8 ,bo was applauded to the echo1 and ,professor said that piece should be recited at the ,may ,concert4 ,just before leaving1 every guest had to take a cup of cocoa1 as ,hetty said4 ,you all jest drink it up1 it will put a web of flannel round you' heart1 an' keep out the cold dis freezin' night4 ,elmer and the boys started a college song--,good ,night and ,good-,bye ',till ,we ,meet ,again4 ,,chapter ,,xii4 ,,first ,,communion4 ,after school closed ,mrs4 ,allen had a serious conversation with her son on the subject of ,first ,holy ,communion4 ,you are now past eleven1 dear child1 and ,i want you and ,amy to devote the whole vacation to immediate preparation for your ,first ,communion4 ,sister ,amy is thirteen1 but owing to her infirmity1 has been deprived of that favor until now4 ,i have made arrangements with the ,sisters of ,mercy to take you for the next six weeks1 that you may be under special instruction and away from mischievous pranks and scrapes like those of last summer1 when in company with the village boys4 ,but ,ma1 dear1 six weeks6 ,will ,i have to be silent and pray all that time8 ,no1 no1 my son2 there are a few nice boys in the ,convent who will remain all summer1 so you will not be without recreation4 ,indeed1 you will have plenty of fun1 for the ,sisters play ball with the boys4 ,amy came into the room while her mother was speaking4 ,i have just been telling ,bolax of what we propose doing by way of preparation for that most important event of our lives1 viz3 the ,first reception of our dear ,lord in ,holy ,communion4 ,you both know your catechism perfectly1 and ,i am sure understand all you have studied4 ,i know you firmly believe all the sacred truths contained in the ,gospels and ,teachings of the ,catholic ,church4 ,for the past three years our talks on the subject have been many and earnest4 ,you know how kind our dear ,lord was while here on earth1 how he fed five thousand people in the wilderness4 ,well1 ,he is just as loving and kind now1 and gives us ,his precious ,body and ,blood to nourish and comfort our souls4 ,so1 dear children1 let all your thoughts1 words and actions from this day be offered up as a preparation for that greatest of all events of your life1 your ,first ,holy ,communion4 ,illustration3 ,,amy4 ,we will give up all reading1 except books that lead our thoughts to holy things1 not necessarily dull or uninteresting because they are holy4 ,you know how delighted you were with ',fabiola1' ',faber's ,tales of the ,angels1' ',babies ,who ,died for ,christ1' ',the ,little ,spouse of the ,blessed ,sacrament4' ,i should like to read ',fabiola' again ,ma1 dear1 said ,amy4 ,i always feel--,i don't know exactly how to describe my feelings after reading such a book as ',fabiola'--happy1 calm1 a longing to have been one of the first ,christians to have loved our dear ,lord as did little ,st4 ,agnes4 ,and ,i1 said ,bo1 wouldn't ,i enjoy going round with the big soldier ,quadratus1 and tearing down the ,emperor's edicts against the ,christians4 ,oh1 wouldn't ,i play tricks on those mean old ,pagans2 ,i tell you ,i'd make them skiddoo4 ,mamma1 said ,amy1 pointing to a painting of ,ecce ,homo1 ,i do so love that sad face2 sometimes when ,i sit here and look at it intently1 the eyes seem to open4 ,once ,i was so sure of it1 ,i got ,hetty to take the picture down4 ,oh1 ,i feel so sorry for our dear ,lord1 especially his crown of thorns4 ,why1 oh why1 couldn't they have taken it off while he was carrying the cross4 ,he must have struck ,his sacred head against the cross as he staggered under its heavy weight up that awful road to ,calvary1 and the gentle1 tender-hearted girl sobbed aloud4 ,bolax1 at this1 jumped up1 dashing a book against the wall and kicking his chair1 he exclaimed3 ,oh1 if ,i had been there ,i would have gotten a crowd of boys and thrown stones at those awful executioners6 ,surely lots of boys must have known and followed ,jesus--what cowards they were6 ,you don't hear of any one offering to help ,him2 every one was afraid except brave1 glorious ,st4 ,veronica4 ,my dear impetuous boy1 ,i am comforted to know you think of and feel for our suffering ,savior4 ,what you would have done had you been present at the awful scene on the road to ,calvary1 do now1 by making sacrifices of your own will1 suffering something for the love of ,jesus4 ,you must not compare the ,american boy with the boys of those long ago times2 the ,roman soldiers who were driving ,jesus were naturally cruel and rejoiced in having a victim on which to exercise their cruelty4 ,they would have exterminated even a crowd of men had they dared to interfere1 and boys would have been crushed to death instantly4 ,mercy was an unknown virtue to the people of those days4 ,mamma1 said ,amy1 thinking of my general ,confession1 ,i feel ,i must ask your advice on one subject2 is it a sin to pray for animals8 ,oh1 ,ma1 dear1 interrupted ,bolax1 ,i want to ask about that too4 ,elmer ,mullen laughed at me when ,i told him ,i always prayed for poor horses1 dogs and cats that ,i saw badly treated4 ,sometimes ,i beg men and boys to cease their cruelties2 often ,i fight those that won't stop tormenting animals1 then when all fails ,i just pray for the poor things4 ,and ,ma1 dear1 while ,i think of it1 did you ever see a nanny goat faint8 ,serious little ,amy burst out laughing at the odd question1 and ,bo's earnest expression of countenance when asking it4 ,it's nothing to laugh at1 ,sister4 ,i'll tell you how it happened4 ,tom ,burk and ,dan ,donavan were trying to make their goat pull them in a little wagon1 but she was not able2 they beat her and she fell over and shut her eyes4 ,i stooped over her and rubbed her head4 ,then a man came1 and after a long wait she came to1 and he ordered the boys to take poor ,nanny into the stable4 ,my dear1 kind boy1 we will have to make you ,president of the ',prevention of ,cruelty ,society4' ,several people have told me what a little champion you have shown yourself on many occasions4 ,well1 said ,amy1 ,i cannot fight to prevent cruelty1 but all my life ,i have prayed for that intention4 ,when ,i pray for a poor over-laden horse or a homeless1 starved dog1 ,i always say1 ',dear ,god1 you made these creatures1 surely you cannot be angry if ,i ask you to have pity on them4' ,mrs4 ,allen put her head down on the table to hide her emotion1 but the children thought it was because she was shocked at what they had told her about the prayers4 ,amy put both her hands on her mother's arm1 saying3 ,ma dear1 oh1 ,i hope it was not a mortal sin6 ,and just to think ,i never confessed it6 ,i never thought it was a sin at all4 ,here ,mrs4 ,allen raised her head1 tears were in her eyes4 ,bolax put his arms around her neck1 saying3 ,dear1 dear ,ma1 is it really so bad a sin as to cause you to weep8 ,my darlings1 bless your dear compassionate hearts4 ,i must plead guilty of the very same sin4 ,without ever letting any one know it1 since my childhood ,i have prayed that the cruel driver might have mercy on his poor horse2 that the starving animals might be helped in some way4 ,i prayed that a mercy stroke might be given the dying horses on the battlefield2 that the ,god of ,compassion would have pity on the thousands of sheep and cattle who perish miserably on the unsheltered plains4 ,oh1 surely our prayers are not lost6 ,many saints were renowned for their love of the brute creation2 dear ,st4 ,francis of ,assisi called them his little brothers and sisters4 ,so let us hope our dear ,lord will not be offended for what we have done in a spirit of pity and love for ,his dumb creatures4 ,,cry ,,of ,,the ,,little ,,brothers4 ,e4 ,m4 ,,barby4 ,we are the little brothers1 homeless in cold and heat1 ,four-footed little beggars1 roaming the city street1 ,snatching a bone from the gutter1 creepin' thro' alleys drear1 ,stoned and sworn at and beaten1 our hearts consumed with fear4 ,you pride yourselves on the beauty of your city fair and free1 ,yet we are dying by thousands in coverts you never see4 ,you boast of your mental progress1 of your libraries1 schools and halls1 ,but we who are dumb denounce you as we crouch beneath their walls4 ,you sit in your tinseled playhouse1 and weep o'er a mimic wrong1 ,our woes are the woes of the voiceless2 our griefs are unheeded in song4 ,you say that the same ,god made us4 ,when before ,his throne you come1 ,shall you clear yourselves in ,his presence ,on the plea that ,he made us dumb8 ,are your hearts too hard to listen to a starving kitten's cries1 ,or too gay for the patient pleading in a dog's beseeching eyes8 ,behold us1 your little brothers1 starving1 beaten1 oppressed-- ,stretch out a hand to help us that we may have food and rest4 ,too long have we roamed neglected1 too long have we sickened with fear1 ,the mercy you hope and pray for1 you can grant us now and here4 ,,bolax ,,goes ,,to ,,the ,,convent ,,of ,,st4 ,,imelda4 ,on ,july sixth ,mrs4 ,allen took her son to the ,convent1 where ,reverend ,mother ,gertrude received them cordially1 and placed ,bolax under the care of ,sister ,joseph1 who was to be his special instructress for ,holy ,communion4 ,for a few days he felt homesick1 but soon got over it4 ,the good ,sisters had always some work or play to occupy their pupils1 so that time never seemed long or lonely to the boys4 ,as the school was only eight miles from ,midville1 some one went down every week and all the household sent letters to our boy4 ,reverend ,mother gave ,mrs4 ,allen an invitation to spend the three days of the retreat in the ,convent with her children1 as ,amy's health would not permit her to remain away from her mother's care4 ,,convent ,,of ,,st4 ,,imelda4 ,dearest ,mother and all at ,home3 ,you will be glad to know that ,i am well and happy4 ,my ,first ,holy ,communion is always in my mind1 and ,i am doing all ,i can to prepare for the great day4 ,i went to ,confession to the ,chaplain ,father ,drumgool1 and ,i will make my ,general ,confession in one week's time4 ,please come down to see me as soon as you get this1 ,i want to see you particularly1 bring ,sister ,amy1 ,i want ,mother ,gertrude and the ,sisters to see her4 ,i make two visits to the ,blessed ,sacrament every day1 and beg our ,lord to make me worthy to receive ,him4 ,your loving son1 ,,bolax4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,july #ah,,th4 ,my ,beloved ,son3 ,yours just received1 and oh how it gladdens my heart to know you are contented4 ,i dream of you every night1 and my heart longs for you1 but ,i know it is best for your soul to be with the blessed ,sisters4 ,the longer you are in such a heavenly place1 the less you will feel like leaving it4 ,i look back at my ,convent days as the happiest of my life4 ,papa has felt less pain in his arm for the last few days1 so your prayers are being heard already4 ,god bless you1 darling1 and make you a good and sincere ,catholic4 ,,mamma4 ,offer all your actions1 even your play1 as so many prayers that your ,first ,communion may be a very holy one4 ,sister sends her dearest love2 pray that she may be able to make her retreat with you at the ,convent4 ,your loving1 ,,mother4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,home1 ,,july #bf,,th4 ,my ,dear ,little ,nephew3 ,your mother was so glad to see something belonging to you that she actually kissed the bundle of your soiled clothes4 ,oh1 dear child6 ,i wonder if you ever will repay that mother for her adoring love of you4 ,all she asks in return is1 that you will always be a fervent ,catholic all the days of your life4 ,don't disappoint her4 ,several of the boys were here asking for you1 but we did not explain why you were away1 as they would not understand about ,first ,holy ,communion4 ,elmer came and was so glad to hear of you being in the ,convent4 ,amy and ,i will be down to see you in a day or two4 ,i will then tell all the news1 so this letter will have to be short4 ,your loving ,aunt1 ,,lucy ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,dear ,little ,master3 ,wherever you be1 do stop for a moment and listen to me1 while here on this paper ,i try to relate how sad we dogs are2 not knowing your fate4 ,mamma ,fan says you're dead1 that she ought to know1 for all her three puppies told her so4 ,they miss the big giant who came every day to love them and squeeze them while she was away4 ,tot went to your room and snuffed all around1 then he cried very loud1 for all that he found was just an old shoe1 torn inside and out4 ,oh6 said he1 now ,i know ,bolax's whereabout1 those ,goblins have caught him1 cause he wouldn't watch out4 ,your lovingest dog1 ,,don4 99 99 99 99 99 ,my ,honey ,boy3 ,you' old ,hetty miss you night and day4 ,law6 de howse done got so still1 even de dogs notis it4 ,ef ,i say you' name dey looks all round1 and den dey whynes when they kant find you4 ,i'se hopen you is goin' to get relijon enuff to last you de rest of you' life4 ,pat sends love1 he kant rite1 so he axed me to rite dat for him4 ,you is prayen for me1 ,i no1 bekose dat pane ,i had in my bak and my nee1 is done gone4 ,god bless you1 dis is from you' own old ,,hetty4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,august #h,,th4 ,soul of ,my ,heart3 ,your conduct yesterday showed wonderful improvement4 ,i noticed your patience on two occasions1 then your willingness to go without the candy although ,i could see you wanted it4 ,all this shows you are learning the ,catholic spirit of mortification1 or1 as you will better understand it2 giving up what is most pleasing to us1 and bearing with little privations4 ,you are now ,i hope doing all this with good will1 as a preparation for your ,first ,holy ,communion4 ,our ,lord will notice each act of self-abnegation made for ,his sake4 ,how like ,heaven that ,convent is4 ,often in dreams ,i am in my old ,convent singing the hymns1 walking in the ,may procession1 but most glorious of all were the ,first ,communion days4 ,the hymn for that day comes back to me now and thrills my heart4 ,o saint ,autel qu'environent les ,anges6 ,qu' avec transport1 aujourd 'hui je te vois1 ,ici mon ,dieu l'objet de mes louanges1 ,vient dans mon coeur1 pour la premire fois4 ,o darling2 how ,i would love to shield you from all the trials of the world4 ,o offer myself to our ,lord as a victim2 to do with me what ,he will1 send me any cross or trial1 no matter how hard to bear1 if only ,he receives my children among ,his chosen ones and secures their eternal salvation4 ,be very attentive to all the instructions you receive1 and do all in your power to make a perfect preparation for the great grace you will receive4 ,o my beloved6 in after years1 when troubled with worldly cares1 it will be a consolation to look back on these days of holiness and peace4 ,thoughts of them will come upon you1 long after the heart that dictates these words of love shall have ceased to throb1 and the hand that pens them shall be--dust4 ,,mamma4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,st4 ,,xavier',s ,,college4 ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,i congratulate you sincerely on your happy privilege of receiving our ,lord4 ,it is a good thing on this occasion to make good resolutions1 but you must not rest satisfied with making them1 you must turn all the energy of your will to keeping them exactly as you made them4 ,it is not right to pledge one's word to ,god1 and afterwards take no pains to carry out the promise4 ,if you promised a boy of your own age something and then neglected your word1 the boy would despise you4 ,it is much worse to treat ,god with neglect4 ,i do hope that after your ,first ,holy ,communion you will strive hard to overcome your defects1 to correct the faults that your ,mother notices in you4 ,that you will endeavor to give the greatest satisfaction to your parents is our ,lord's wish1 and mine4 ,they have labored so much for you1 suffered so much2 your mother especially1 they have had so much trouble with you when you were a helpless infant1 that it would be the greatest ingratitude now1 when you are able1 not to seek to give them pleasure and comfort4 ,another reason for paying the closest attention to what your parents say is that they are your best friends1 all they want from you is for your good2 so if you are docile and obedient you will become a good man1 and not one that we should be ashamed of in after life4 ,say your prayers every evening1 renew your good resolutions every morning1 and promise to obey in everything1 and ,i am sure you will become a good man4 ,your friend in ,christ1 ,,aloysius ,,rocofort1 ,s4 ,j4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,marquette ,,college1 ,,august #ad,,th4 ,master ,bolax ,allen4 ,my ,dear ,little ,friend3 ,your letter has given me a great deal of pleasure4 ,at first ,i could not think who was writing2 then ,i remembered you are the boy who wished ,i might live a hundred years4 ,so this is the eve of your ,first ,holy ,communion6 ,well dear1 you have my best prayers that your heart may be adorned with all the virtues that will make it worthy of so great a grace4 ,you write a nice letter1 just the kind ,claude used to write4 ,i hope you will love your religion and hate sin as did little ,claude ,lightfoot4 ,your friend in ,christ1 ,f4 ,j4 ,,finn1 ,s4 ,j4 ,on ,august #abth the children's ,retreat opened1 ,mrs4 ,allen and ,amy took the train in the morning so as to arrive at ,st4 ,imelda's before noon4 ,their first visit was to the ,chapel1 then ,sister ,joseph conducted them over the house and grounds4 ,bolax insisted on showing the ,most beautiful cows in the world1 as he termed the well-kept ,convent herd4 ,the ,retreat opened at four in the afternoon1 with ,rosary and ,benediction of the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,the order of exercises were ,holy ,mass at half past six4 ,then breakfast4 ,a walk in the grounds2 spiritual reading1 ,stations of the ,cross1 not the prayers in books1 but some story told at each station1 then an act of contrition1 and a prayer for the holy souls4 ,after dinner ,bo was asked to help ,sister ,martha to weed the garden and gather vegetables1 so that he might join work to prayer4 ,he was delighted to think he could be of use1 but1 of course1 the dear sister only wanted to give him occupation1 that he might not feel the silence of the retreat too monotonous4 ,amy made many visits to the ,blessed ,sacrament1 indeed she would have remained hours in the ,chapel if allowed4 ,mrs4 ,allen read interesting and instructive spiritual books1 especially one by ,pre ,bordalou on the ,last ,supper4 ,this she read every day1 because she was anxious that it should be deeply engraven on her children's minds and hearts4 ,after the evening meal some of the ,sisters would sit with the family under the trees in the garden1 or walk about the beautiful grounds4 ,one day ,amy pointed to a bed of lilies of the valley1 saying3 ,sister1 when ,i die ,i want to be buried under those lilies4 ,my darling1 exclaimed her mother1 startled by the earnest manner of the child1 don't talk of dying1 what would ,i ever do without my little daughter4 ,oh1 no1 my precious1 our ,lord will surely spare you to help me1 besides you know1 you are your father's guardian angel4 ,i depend on your prayers1 particularly for his conversion4 ,lucy and ,mr4 ,allen were anxious to be present at the ceremony on the fifteenth of ,august1 but there was no hotel in the vicinity of the ,convent and no train could be had from ,midville at so early an hour4 ,mother ,gertrude said1 ,miss ,lucy could come to the ,convent1 then she went to see one of her friends1 a ,mrs4 ,o',donnell1 who lived a short walk from the ,convent gate2 this lady gladly offered to receive ,mr4 ,allen for the night1 so both father and aunt had the pleasure of being present at the ceremony in the morning4 ,the ,feast of the ,assumption was celebrated with unusual splendor at ,st4 ,imelda's4 ,five little girls renewed their ,first ,communion1 dressed in white and wearing wreaths and veils4 ,amy's costume was very plain1 but spotlessly white and new2 her mother did not approve of dressing children in finery for so sacred a function1 lest thoughts of their outward appearance should divert their mind from the holy act they were about to perform4 ,mr4 ,allen and kind ,mrs4 ,donald were at the ,chapel door just as the ,angelus bell was ringing2 they were ushered into a seat by one of the ,sisters4 ,at ten minutes of six the organ played a grand prelude and all the ,sisters and children sang3 ,jesus1 ,my ,love1 is ,mine ,today4 ,it was a most impressive scene2 the soft1 solemn music1 the devout attention of the children1 even the little boys so still and respectful4 ,mr4 ,allen had never before witnessed such devout ,worship4 ,when the time came to approach the altar1 ,reverend ,mother led the children to the communion rail1 while the choir sang soft and low1 ,come ,into ,my ,heart1 ,dear ,jesus1 ,come4 ,little ,amy looked so white and seemed to tremble4 ,the priest stood with the ,sacred ,host in his hands2 slowly and with evident emotion1 repeating the ,domine non sum dignus4 ,the children then returned to their seats with hands joined and eyes cast down2 ,amy's cheeks1 which had been so pale were now delicately colored4 ,there was such a transformation4 ,it seemed that a smile from heaven played around her lips1 to give them angelic grace4 ,after ,mass the children were clasped in their parents' arms1 and all the sisters and friends congratulated them on their happiness4 ,in taking leave ,mr4 ,allen thanked the ,reverend ,mother most heartily for her kindness to his family and expressed himself as being almost conquered4 ,mrs4 ,allen remained with her children for the afternoon services1 which were3 ,the renovation of the ,baptismal vows1 ,benediction of the ,blessed ,sacrament and a short sermon4 ,,the ,,chaplain',s ,,address ,,to ,,the ,,first ,,communicants4 ,dear children ,i do not intend speaking to you of ,faith4 ,i am sure yours is firm and sincere4 ,i come only to remind you of your promises made to our blessed ,lord this morning1 to ask you to fill your hearts to overflowing with love4 ,love for our merciful ,jesus in all stages of ,his life and death1 but particularly love for ,him in the divine ,sacrament4 ,love makes all things easy6 so dear children1 never tire asking the ,blessed ,mother of ,jesus to give you of the love which filled her heart1 that yours may ever be adorned with the virtues which will make it a fit abiding place for your merciful and sweet ,saviour4 ,love for ,jesus will give you patience to bear with the contradictions and crosses you meet with2 even little children have crosses4 ,they may be reprimanded for a fault which another committed2 bear the reproof patiently for the love of ,jesus2 a companion may be harsh and unjust towards you1 be glad that you have something to suffer for love of ,jesus4 ,a bouquet of sacrifices to offer at the end of each day1 will be more acceptable than if it were the most exquisite flowers culled from your gardens4 ,dearest children come as often as you can to the ,holy ,table1 don't be afraid--don't think of your unworthiness1 no one ever was entirely worthy of ,holy ,communion1 except the ,blessed ,mother of ,jesus4 ,come6 ,i say1 eat this heavenly bread that you may be strong to resist all temptations1 that you may learn to love our ,lord devotedly on earth1 so as to be prepared for an eternity of love in ,heaven4 ,,chapter ,,xiii4 ,,unforseen ,,events4 ,after all the exercises had been performed1 ,mrs4 ,allen and the children bade farewell to the ,sisters1 and ,reverend ,mother gave them a pressing invitation to visit the ,convent often4 ,when our friends reached ,midville ,station1 ,papa ,allen was waiting for them with the carriage1 which soon brought them to ,home1 ,sweet ,home1 as ,bo sung out1 when he saw ,aunt ,lucy1 ,uncle ,dick and ,hetty standing at the gate4 ,bo hugged every one1 including ,don1 when that1 too demonstrative beast gave him a chance to notice any one but his own dogship4 ,uncle ,dick declared he never again would complain of noise for the house has been like a desert without our harum-scarum4 ,amy and her brother kept together as much as possible during the remainder of the summer4 ,the pony chaise was in demand every afternoon1 and the children always invited a few of their friends to enjoy a drive with them4 ,one day ,mrs4 ,allen filled a basket with roses1 which she gave to ,amy1 saying3 ,i wonder if you and ,bolax wouldn't like to take these up to ,grandma ,barton4 ,allie ,thornton1 who was present1 asked3 ,is she your real ,grandma8 ,oh1 no1 answered ,amy2 she is a poor old lady1 nearly blind1 to whom ,mamma sends things2 we love to go to see her4 ,let me carry the basket to the chaise2 it feels quite heavy1 remarked ,estelle4 ,very likely ,mamma has placed a pot of jelly under the flowers1 said ,amy4 ,my mother says that when we bestow a gift we make it doubly acceptable by giving it in a graceful manner4 ,this old lady has no relatives to look after her1 she has a son1 but she does not know where he is4 ,mamma says it is pitiful to hear the poor soul talk of that son1 how she prays for him and hopes he will come back to her before she becomes entirely helpless4 ,i just hope ,god will punish that son6 exclaimed ,bo4 ,father ,anthony says anyone who is cruel to his parents will have no luck in this world and be everlastingly punished in the next4 ,dear brother1 don't hope evil for any one1 rather let us pray that the heartless son may be inspired to think of his dear old mother and return to her4 ,just here a bend of the road brought them upon a little cottage of the romantic order1 overgrown with woodbine1 in which ,grandma had a room4 ,the dear old lady greeted the children heartily1 thanking them for the flowers4 ,take seats1 my dears2 oh1 not there child1 that is ,velvet ,ear's chair1 and ,bolax sprang aside just in time to save himself from sitting upon a tiny skye-terrier4 ,are you well this morning8 asked ,amy4 ,oh1 very well1 dear1 answered ,grandma4 ,after a few more pleasant remarks the children bid good-bye1 then getting into the cart drove leisurely along the road4 ,suddenly there was a thunder-clap1 and a dark cloud appeared where the sun had shone a moment before4 ,drive as fast as you can1 ,brother2 ,i fear we will be drenched6 while she was speaking1 the rain poured down4 ,bo knowing how easily his sister took cold1 divested himself of his jacket and put it around her4 ,ben ,bolt seemed to take in the situation and got up a speed he had never before shown4 ,when they reached home all were soaked4 ,estelle laughed about her plight1 but ,bo hurried his sister into the house1 where his mother and aunt soon had her in a warm bath1 then to bed with a cup of hot lemonade1 hoping thus to ward off the consequences of such a severe drenching4 ,in a few days ,amy began to cough4 ,dr4 ,carroll looked serious when asked if the cough would last long4 ,in ten days the child grew rapidly worse1 and ,mrs4 ,allen sent for her husband1 who was on one of his ,western trips4 ,he came home to find his little daughter so ill1 that her life was almost despaired of4 ,bravely the doctors fought against the dread disease which they feared would end fatally1 although they managed to ward off the danger for a time4 ,the ,sisters came up from the ,convent to see the dear child and try to console her father and mother4 ,we will have all our children and sisters pray if it be ,god's will to spare your beloved one4 ,,amy',s ,,death4 ,it is a sweet ,october morning1 a tender mist1 gray in the distance1 rose-colored and golden where the rays of light strike it more directly1 envelopes the landscape2 the trees are decked in holiday attire--green1 russet1 orange and scarlet4 ,on a couch placed near the window reclines the meek patient sufferer4 ,aunt ,lucy stands near1 ,hetty kneels beside her baby with a cup of beef tea trying to coax her to swallow a few spoonfuls4 ,hetty1 dear1 don't force me1 ,i am not hungry4 ,my blessed angel do take just a few drops for your old ,hetty4 ,amy heeded not1 her thoughts were far away4 ,auntie1 she remarked1 isn't that woods like a piece of ,heaven8 ,see how the trees glisten as the sun shines on their waving branches4 ,how glorious ,heaven must be when earth is so filled with beauty4 ,aunt ,lucy looked into the ethereal face1 and unbidden tears coursed down her cheeks4 ,hetty stooped over the wan little hand1 and kissing it1 hastened from the room1 her heart bursting with grief4 ,in the kitchen she met old ,pat1 his head bowed and his whole bearing showing the depth of his grief for what all now saw was inevitable4 ,hetty1 said he in a hoarse whisper1 is she going8 ,oh1 ,pat1 ,i feel dis is de last day we will have our angel child4 ,dey done telephoned for ,dr4 ,carroll1 he will be here directly4 ,at two o'clock the doctor told the assembled household1 that but a few hours of life remained for the dear one4 ,at three o'clock death with solemn steps and slow1 is steadily approaching4 ,now her voice1 which before has been scarcely above a whisper1 becomes strong again1 as is frequently the case in the dying1 and she tries to sing in the old sweet way3 ,jesus1 ,jesus1 ,dearest ,lord4 ,it seems as though the angels were present1 ,heaven so fills the room4 ,after a moment's rest she turned her eyes on the weeping company1 and said3 ,don't weep for me1 rather rejoice that ,i will soon be with ,our ,dear ,lord and ,his ,blessed ,mother4 ,mamma1 dear1 say that beautiful prayer that ends with--',merciful ,jesus have mercy on me4' ,mamma1 dear1 you will come to me in ,heaven4 ,there will be no parting1 we will walk together through the golden streets1 and through the beautiful gardens forever4 ,come1 kiss me now1 darling mother6 ,then she addressed ,mr4 ,allen1 who stood with great tear-drops rolling down his face1 his heart broken with sorrow4 ,dear ,papa1 how ,i love you6 ,you have been such a loving father to me and ,brother1 so good to dear ,mamma--,forgive my having tried your patience so often4 ,heart's dearest1 answered her father1 you have never caused me a moment of trouble in all your life4 ,darling ,papa you will come to me when ,our ,lord calls you4 ,i know you love ,him4 ,father ,leonard will show you the true way to reach ,heaven2 ,o promise me you will follow it4 ,my angel child1 responded the father1 ,i solemnly promise4 ,his sobs choked his utterance1 but kneeling and taking his child's hand he kissed it fervently4 ,exhausted by her efforts1 she lay silent awhile1 then turning to ,bolax1 she said3 ,dear little ,brother1 never forget the promises you made to ,our ,lord the day of your ,first ,holy ,communion4 ,oh1 serve ,him faithfully that you may meet me in ,paradise4 ,dearest ,aunt ,lucy1 ,i thank you for all your years of kindness and love2 oh1 ,i know you will be there to rejoice with me4 ,and ,hetty dear6 let me kiss the hand that nursed and tended me so faithfully4 ,hetty's grief was becoming uncontrollable1 so she hastened from the room lest she should unnerve the rest of the family4 ,poor old ,pat was not forgotten1 when called to bid farewell1 he managed to control himself while he knelt asking the dear child's blessing4 ,here ,reverend ,father ,leonard entered the room4 ,mrs4 ,allen lit the candles on the little altar at the foot of the bed2 all withdrew for a few moments leaving ,amy alone with the ,priest4 ,when the ,father was ready to administer the ,holy ,viaticum1 every one returned to the room1 each bearing a lighted candle1 knelt in prayer4 ,after receiving ,our ,dear ,lord1 the child's face became radiant2 a heavenly smile lit up her countenance1 she murmured3 ,jesus1 precious ,jesus2 how ,i love ,thee6 and yet--how unworthy ,i am6 ,here she held out her hands as if beckoning to some one4 ,o my beloved6 take me to ,thyself6 ,jes-- ,the lips ceased their utterance with the sweet name half spoken4 ,one long-drawn sigh and another angel was added to the innumerable company of the ,blessed4 ,the days that followed ,amy's death were to the household painful in the extreme4 ,mr4 ,allen was overwhelmed with grief4 ,it was useless to try to speak to him2 for two days he shut himself in his room and the ,doctor could scarcely persuade him to take nourishment4 ,mrs4 ,allen was resigned to ,god's will1 although her heart was crushed with sorrow4 ,kind neighbors came offering condolence1 indeed the family had the sympathy of the whole village4 ,reverend ,mother ,gertrude sent a letter by two of her ,sisters reminding ,mrs4 ,allen of ,amy's desire to be buried under the ,bed of ,lilies4 ,we are sure now1 said the ,sisters1 the dear child had a presentment of her approaching departure from this world1 so ,reverend ,mother begs you will have the funeral from our ,chapel and let the dear one rest under the ,lilies of the ,valley4 ,reverend ,father ,leonard was consulted as to the advisability of accepting ,mother ,gertrude's gracious offer2 ,mrs4 ,allen feared her pastor might wish the funeral to take place in the parish church4 ,on the contrary1 said the good priest1 ,i think no resting place could be more fitting for such a child than a grave where the rays of the ,sanctuary ,lamp shine out upon it through the ,church windows4 ,i shall go to ,st4 ,imelda's and ask to be allowed to celebrate the ,mass1 which must be what we call the ',mass of the ,angels4' ,the funeral was announced for ,thursday morning1 carriages were to leave the house at half-past eight1 so as to reach the ,convent in time for the services at half-past nine4 ,the ,chapel was draped in white1 all the flowers and ornaments on the altar and the vestments were white4 ,illustration3 ,,aunt ,,lucy4 ,professor ,renaldi's pupils1 who were in the same class as ,amy1 presented a beautiful harp of white rosebuds1 with the word ,love formed of ,forget-,me-,nots woven across the strings4 ,the ,chapel could scarcely contain the number of people who came to pay a last tribute of love to the dear child4 ,the gates of the ,sanctuary were left open and the casket placed in front of the altar as near the rail as possible4 ,during the ,mass the music was almost joyous4 ,reverend ,mother ordered this expressly so that the bereaved parents might be soothed in their grief4 ,six little girls dressed in white walked beside the casket as it was borne to the grave1 and now our dear1 our beloved one sleeps under the ,lilies1 emblematic of her own pure soul4 ,,funeral ,,sermon4 ,dear ,friends1 ,i need not tell you who is she over whom we weep today4 ,you well remember little ,amy1 who only a few months ago knelt at this altar to receive ,our ,lord for the first time4 ,like ,st4 ,imelda her heart and soul were absorbed in love for ,jesus in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,on the night of the day ,amy made her ,first ,communion1 her mother heard her crying and sobbing in her bed4 ,when asked what could cause such grief1 she answered3 ,o1 ,mother1 this was the happiest day of my life1 and ,i grieve because it is ended4 ,this child was especially loved by ,god4 ,graceful in form1 lovely in feature1 and in innocence of heart an angel1 she seemed like some bright heavenly spirit lent for a time to the world to light up ,god's love in it4 ,there was about ,amy a spiritual refinement--a looking forward to the things that are to come1 a sweetly sad yearning towards ,jesus1 the object of her young heart's pure love4 ,our ,lord was jealous of the possession of so pure a soul1 and before its loveliness might be tarnished by any fault incident to human frailty1 he called her from earth to place her near ,his ,sacred ,heart for eternity4 ,amy's whole life seemed to tend to one point1 namely to love ,god above all things and in all things2 she knew that without ,god's love man is not fulfilling his destiny1 he is astray on a pathless waste--a ship on a storm-tossed sea1 without helm and without hope4 ,will you ask me how the dear one died8 ,think how she lived4 ,a happy holy death closed a happy innocent life4 ,it was my sad duty to attend her during her last illness4 ,i have seen many persons die1 but among them all1 ,amy shone out pre-eminently for her resignation to ,god's will4 ,she was often heard praying in subdued tones1 when intense pain assailed her3 ,o ,holy ,mother of ,jesus1 help me to bear my sufferings with patience1 in union with those your ,divine ,son endured for me when dying on the cross4 ,raising his hands and eyes to ,heaven1 the ,priest prayed3 ,dear ,angel child6 we look up to you on this bright day1 crowned in ,heaven with a fadeless crown1 pray for those you have left behind to mourn4 ,if earth has lost an angel1 ,heaven has gained one4 ,if we have been deprived of a dear affectionate daughter and sister1 we have gained a blessed intercessor before ,god's ,holy ,throne in the glory of ,paradise4 99 99 99 99 99 ,after the funeral ,mr4 ,allen started for a business trip to ,st4 ,louis4 ,the ,doctor said it was best he should go rather than remain where everything reminded him of the beloved one and gave him a heart-pang4 ,winter passed quietly1 when ,christmas came it was celebrated as a peaceful holy day2 every one tried to be cheerful1 but there was a minor in the carol--a spray of ,cypress twining 'mid the holly wreaths4 ,on the first day of ,march a quiet wedding took place in the family1 when dear ,aunt ,lucy became the wife of our beloved ,doctor ,carroll1 to the great delight of ,bolax and all the family1 especially ,hetty1 who always knowed dat weddin' done had to be4 ,mrs4 ,allen begged that the ,honey-moon trip should not be prolonged1 as she could not spare her sister1 so in three weeks' time the bride and groom returned to reside permanently in the old homestead4 ,one day in ,april1 ,bolax surprised every one by returning from school early in the morning1 having been ordered home on account of scarlet fever1 which had suddenly broken out at ,st4 ,thomas'4 ,later in the day the ,president telephoned to ,mrs4 ,allen telling her that there were fifteen cases in the house1 the disease having been brought in by a day pupil4 ,it will necessitate our closing the classes for the season1 and will entail a serious loss to the ,college4 ,so ,bolax had to study as best he could at home with the assistance of ,mamma and ,uncle ,carroll4 ,,chapter ,,xiv4 ,,bolax ,,goes ,,to ,,college4 ,for several winters ,mr4 ,allen had suffered from severe grippe colds1 each year his system seemed less able to resist the attacks1 so ,dr4 ,carroll prescribed a winter in ,florida1 saying that it was an absolute necessity both for his health and as a complete rest from business1 to which he had been a slave4 ,mrs4 ,allen and the whole family held a consultation as to what should be done with ,bolax while they were in ,florida4 ,i want to board at ,st4 ,thomas'1 ,papa2 the boys have such fun1 ,i know ,i'd have a good time there2 ,i was the youngest day scholar last year and all the seniors liked me4 ,my dear child1 said his father1 if fun be all your aim in boarding at a college1 you can have all you want of that at home at less cost4 ,i fear there is too much of your 'fun' going on in our colleges and very little solid education4 ,that's just what ,i've been thinking1 observed ,mrs4 ,allen1 and ,i've made up my mind to send ,bolax to my uncle1 who is ,president of the ,college at ,l',islet1 ,canada2 that is1 my dear1 if you don't object4 ,i do most emphatically object to having my son go so far from home4 ,but1 argued ,mrs4 ,allen1 the boy will be better cared for under the patronage of a relative than he would be in the most expensive of our ,colleges here4 ,my uncle has frequently written to me1 telling of the excellent methods and strict discipline of his school1 which he has placed under the care of ,christian ,brothers4 ,as they were speaking1 ,dr4 ,carroll and ,lucy came into the room4 ,what would you advise about our boy1 ,doctor8 asked ,mr4 ,allen4 ,on what subject8 said the ,doctor4 ,we are thinking of placing ,bolax at college1 and his mother wants to send him to her uncle in ,canada4 ,canada is very far away1 objected ,aunt ,lucy1 why not let him remain with us1 as we are to live in your house during your absence4 ,now1 ,lucy1 you ought to think it high time that a boy nearly thirteen years of age should be above coddling1 remarked the ,doctor1 that is what you and ,hetty have done all his life and it is time to stop it4 ,the boy is not working up to his ability here4 ,composition and music are the only branches in which he receives a high average1 these require little or no exertion on his part1 but in all other studies his average is low4 ,i really feel a change would benefit him1 we might make the trial1 should it prove unsatisfactory1 it will be easy to take him home again4 ,after debating for and against the ,canadian project1 ,mr4 ,allen was at last persuaded to give his consent1 and preparations were made for ,bo's trip to ,canada4 ,boy-like he was elated at the idea of traveling1 especially when he heard he was to undertake the journey alone4 ,when he told his companions about it1 they opened their eyes in amazement1 and some of their mothers wondered how such a harum-scarum could be trusted so far on the trains4 ,illustration3 ,,bolax ,,when ,,he ,,went ,,to ,,college4 ,mamma1 can't ,i give a farewell spread for my chums8 ,yes1 dear2 have them all here on ,friday evening4 ,i will get up a nice supper1 and ,uncle ,carroll will show his magic lantern with moving pictures4 ,oh1 bully for you ,ma1 dear4 ,bully6 ,what did ,i say about slang1 my child8 ,oh1 ,ma1 dear1 all the fellows at ,st4 ,thomas' use those words1 you've got to have something to say when you are pleased1 or mad1 or surprised--one dear old priest up there says ',thunder and mud6' when a boy gives a particularly stupid answer at a recitation4 ,oh1 well1 my son1 that is just a funny expression4 ,i don't mind your adopting it1 since as you say1 you must have some 'expressions4' 99 99 99 99 99 ,the last evening at home had come4 ,bo's trunk was packed and the family had assembled in the dining room to have a nice old-fashioned supper4 ,their boy was going away1 but the grand harmony of the evening was not destroyed4 ,uncle ,carroll sang merry songs1 ,aunt ,lucy played on her guitar1 ,bolax gave his best pieces on the piano1 in fact1 they had a regular concert4 ,somehow1 ,bolax felt that he had never loved his parents as he did now2 he thought his mother's face so matronly1 yet so gentle1 was the sweetest face he ever saw4 ,he bid good-night quite bravely1 but found it hard to suppress his sobs as he clung to his mother's neck1 for our light-hearted boy was tender and loving as a girl4 ,early next morning the house was astir4 ,hetty packed a basket of lunch filled with everything she knew the boy liked4 ,farewells were spoken1 the carriage drove up and ,mr4 ,allen accompanied his son to ,new ,york1 where he placed him on the train bound for ,quebec4 ,l',,islet1 ,p4 ,q41 ,,canada1 ,september #aeth4 ,my ,dear ,papa3 ,i hope you are well1 and that business will soon steer towards prosperity4 ,when you left me in the car1 ,i had to wait about three minutes1 then ,i felt the train start4 ,as it gained speed1 we darted through about fifty little tunnels1 and between stone walls4 ,when we got into ,connecticut1 we passed a series of little bays1 which ,i afterwards found out were the inlets of the sound4 ,we made our first stop at ,meriden1 where a crowd of ,new ,england girls got on the train2 they wore neat golf suits and carried golf sticks4 ,i thought how nice ,cousin ,madge would look in such clothes4 ,none of them were pretty1 but all were as neat as new pins4 ,all along the railroad was to be seen ads of pills1 bicycles1 soap and sarsaparilla4 ,as we pulled into ,hartford1 we passed the ,pope ,manufacturing ,company1 but it does not resemble the fine pictures they have in their ads4 ,i only got out of the seat you put me into once1 and that was to get a drink4 ,when ,i got into ,springfield1 that baggage man was nowhere to be found1 neither was the conductor1 so ,i gave the brakeman the cigars you left for them4 ,the brakeman then took me to the conductor of the ,pullman car2 this fellow looked the image of me1 only taller1 and he greeted me heartily when he found that ,i was to be in his charge4 ,i bought sandwiches here1 and it's lucky ,i did1 as the roast chicken ,mamma put up for me1 only did for one meal2 it was so good1 ,i couldn't stop eating once ,i began it4 ,when ,i got on the train1 it was made up of one baggage1 two day and three sleeping coaches1 but when ,i awoke in the morning1 or really in the night1 to my surprise ,i found that we had changed from the middle to the end of the train4 ,now1 for the incidents of the night4 ,about #i4cj ,p4 ,m4 ,i got ,billy1 the porter1 to make up my berth and ,i went to sleep after a hard tussle with the rough sheets and blanket4 ,at one o'clock1 ,i was dreaming of home and of mother1 as the song says1 when all of a sudden ,i heard our village fire whistle blow--,i jumped out of bed1 and then found to my disappointment that ,i was five hundred miles from home in a ,pullman sleeper that had bumped into something1 and every one was making a racket enough to wake the dead4 ,we got another engine after twenty minutes solo1 and continued our journey through the high mountains of ,vermont4 ,i dozed again and when ,i awoke1 daylight was just peeping out from the east2 the frost was on every blade of grass and on every rail and tie2 the trees seemed to draw the steam from the engine with their leaves1 and then it became a thin veil of frost2 thus while standing on the back platform at #d4ej ,a4 ,m41 ,i could see our route for miles and miles1 winding and meandering through the forests of the ,pine ,tree ,state4 ,we passed beautiful lakes by the half dozen1 flew over high trestle bridges1 that look as if scarcely able to bear the weight of the train4 ,i saw cow-protectors at several crossings1 these when the cow tries to cross the rails1 split its hoof and she has to back4 ,when we reached ,sherbrook1 ,i amused myself standing on the back platform1 pretending ,i was ,bryan and posing for the admiration of a crowd of boys who were at the station4 ,when we were starting again1 there was a bump and a crash2 ,i looked out1 but all ,i could see was a smashed tool box and tools scattered in every direction4 ,the porter was in the baggage car when they opened trunks1 he told the ,inspector ,i was going to school and to let my trunks pass1 which he did4 ,as we neared the end of our journey1 ,i was the only passenger in the ,pullman car1 so the conductor and the brakeman took me into a little station to get breakfast4 ,my1 but it was good6 ,it was composed of tender beefsteak1 fine coffee1 the kind only ,french people know how to make1 potatoes1 bread and butter4 ,i handed the waiter fifty cents1 which was the price1 and cheap at that1 to my surprise1 he gave me back a quarter4 ,it appears the little ,french conductor told the proprietor ,i was his brother1 then he shook hands with me1 and if ,i hadn't laughed1 he might have believed the conductor and given me back the other quarter4 ,when the train started again1 the ,frenchman1 who had charge of me1 called me old boy 7he didn't mean the devil1 of course71 and he asked me if ,i wanted to ride on the engine1 ,i accepted his offer and rode a hundred miles on it4 ,i arrived safely at ,levis 7as my telegram stated7 after passing under several long snow sheds4 ,the train pulled up slowly and ,i had a splendid view of the grand old fort of ,quebec4 ,it reminds me of the pictures ,i see of the rock of ,gibraltar1 only that it has a wall with holes in it for cannon4 ,i passed out into snow sheds again1 which brought me to ,l',islet1 where a ,christian ,brother met me with a team2 he got my trunk1 which had faithfully followed me all the way4 ,we then started for the ,college1 which is about two miles from the station4 ,my studies so far are ,english1 ,latin1 ,french1 ,commercial ,arithmetic1 ,the ,duties of a ,christian ,towards ,god4 ,this is a book used as a reader4 ,our pleasures at this season are football 7played with feet only71 baseball1 tennis1 and those games ,i mentioned in my letter to ,mamma4 ,i have had only one fight1 and ,i was brave1 as you told me to be1 so ,i licked the fellow4 ,i have made ten good friends and two enemies1 but the enemies are big ,nits1 they can hit hard1 but don't know how to guard4 ,i am glad ,dr4 ,carroll gave me boxing lessons last winter2 they will be useful to me now4 ,i go to ,mass every morning4 ,tell this to ,mamma4 ,give my love to the following friends3 ,professor ,rinaldi1 ,mrs4 ,carpenter and family1 especially ,mr4 ,charlie and ,sam2 ,hetty and ,pat1 all the seven boys who were my chums--,elmer ,mullen1 and the ,priests at ,st4 ,thomas' ,college1 ,colonel ,o',brian1 ,darling ,mamma1 ,aunt ,lucy1 ,uncles ,dick and ,carroll1 and all the friends ,i have left in dear old ,midville4 ,excuse writing2 ,i have spent two hours on this letter and ,i'm dead tired of it4 ,your loving son1 ,,bolax ,,allen4 ,answer to ,bolax's first letter3 ,,september4 ,my ,dear ,son3 ,your letter is most interesting1 those of our friends who do not know that composition is your forte1 were inclined to believe it was the production of your teachers4 ,mr4 ,thornton published it in his journal1 of which ,i send you a copy4 ,he predicts you will be an editor some day4 ,i tell you this to encourage you2 praise is due to him who honestly deserves it4 ,but1 dear1 we know composition requires no effort on your part4 ,now try to excel in what does require effort1 your chirography and arithmetic1 for instance4 ,there is an old ,latin proverb which says1 ,patient industry is worth more than lazy talent1 meaning that your talent and ability will amount to nothing if you do not work4 ,mamma and ,aunt ,lucy are sending such long letters1 so you won't mind if mine is short4 ,god bless you1 my dear son4 ,your affectionate1 ,,father4 99 99 99 99 99 ,l',,islet1 ,p4 ,q41 ,september4 ,dearly ,beloved ,home ,folks3 ,i have passed the examination and have not been placed in the highest class4 ,that old arithmetic is the cause4 ,then1 ,i know almost nothing about ,latin or ,french1 but ,i mean to work in earnest4 ,mamma1 ,i did not hear you say your uncle was a priest4 ,he has been pastor of the church for thirty years4 ,his hair is white as snow and he always wears a long black robe belted at the waist1 with large beads at his side4 ,when walking out1 his head is covered with a wide-brimmed hat4 ,i think he looks like the priest in ,longfellow's ,evangeline4 ,he is very kind to me and says ,i look exactly as you did when a child4 ,there are two funerals here each month2 every window in the ,church is draped in black on these occasions1 and all the ornaments on the altar covered with mourning4 ,but1 ,ma1 dear6 you should hear the ,chanteurs that sing at the ,mass for the dead4 ,they are four old men with cracked voices4 ,the first time ,i heard them1 it was so awful that ,i really thought their shouting and squeaking was done purposely to scare away the devil from the corpse4 ,on ,sundays the ,college boys sing in the choir2 if ,i only could read ,latin1 ,i could serve ,mass and sing too4 ,latin is used more than ,french in saying prayers4 ,the ,college grounds slope down to the ,st4 ,lawrence1 the river is very wide and beautiful1 islands dot its surface4 ,we have three large rowboats and a sailing yacht4 ,i am well pleased with everything so far1 except the grub4 ,i miss ,hetty's cooking1 but ,i don't starve and am just as fat as ever4 ,with all the love of my heart and soul1 ,i am1 ,forever yours1 ,,bolax ,,allen4 ,,fun ,,in ,,the ,,dormitories4 ,george ,fulton1 an ,american boy1 as they designated those who had come from the ,states1 was always talking of the fun he had when at boarding school near home4 ,one day he called together six friends whom he could trust3 ,say you ,french fellows2 you're too tame1 said ,george4 ,you ought to see the fun we had in the dormitories at the school ,i went to in the ',states4' ,tonight the ,brothers hold a special council1 they will meet in the ,chapel1 which being on the other side of the ,campus1 will prevent their hearing us if we have a little ',shindig' in our dormitory4 ,what's a ',shindig1' asked ,leonce de ,vean4 ,something you knock de shins8 ,ha1 ha1 you little ,french ,crapeaud4 ,i forgot you kids don't understand ,english slang1 but you'll see what it is tonight4 ,as he was entering the ,study ,hall1 ,bolax saw ,harrison and laughingly told him there was to be an awful lark in the dormitory4 ,we're going to have no end of fun4 ,are you8 said ,harrison4 ,well if it gets amusing1 come to my room and tell me1 and ,i'll go down and look on4 ,it was ,brother ,isadore's night on duty4 ,he walked slowly up and down the range of the dormitories until every boy seemed ready to get into bed1 then he put out all the candles 7there was no gas to be had and the ,brothers would not trust coal-oil lamps to boys74 ,so long as they were under surveillance1 the boys observed the utmost quiet and decorum4 ,all continued in order until ,brother ,isadore passed out through the lavatory1 one of the boys following him as a scout1 had seen the last glimmer of his hand-lamp disappear around the corner at the foot of the staircase1 and heard the library door close behind him4 ,after that1 as ,brother ,director was obliged to preside at the ,council1 the boys knew they were safe from disturbance1 and the occupants of the large dormitory were the first to stir4 ,now for some fun1 said ,george1 starting up1 and by the way of initiative1 pitching his pillow at ,bolax's head4 ,i'll pay you for that when ,i'm ready1 said ,bo1 laughing1 but let us light a few candles first2 however1 it's bright moonlight1 maybe we had better not light up1 some one outside might notice our illumination4 ,several fellows from the dormitory came on the scene with their sconces lit1 these they placed so as not to show through the windows4 ,then the boys began all sorts of amusements1 some in their night shirts1 others with their trousers slipped on4 ,leapfrog was the prevalent game for the time1 but at last ,henry de la ,tour suggested theatricals1 and they were agreed on4 ,but we're making a regular knock-me-down shindig1 said ,fulton1 somebody must keep guard4 ,oh1 old ,brother ,isadore is safe enough in the ,chapel2 no fear of disturbing him if we were dancing ,jim ,crow1 answered ,bolax4 ,however it was considered safest to put some one at the top of the stairs in case of an unexpected diversion in that direction1 and little ,leonce consented to go first4 ,he had only to leave the lavatory door open and stand at the top of the staircase1 then he commanded for a great distance the only avenue in which danger was expected4 ,if any ,brother's lamp appeared in the hall1 the boys had full three minutes' warning and a single loudly whispered cache-cache would cause them to lay low1 so that by the time of their adversary's arrival they would1 of course1 be all fast asleep in bed1 some snoring in an alarming manner4 ,so at the top of the stairs stood little ,leonce shoeless and shivering in his night shirt1 but keenly entering into the fun4 ,meanwhile the rest were getting up a representation of the ,grande ,duchesse pushing the beds together for a stage and dressing up the actors in the most fantastic apparel4 ,fulton took the part of the ,grande ,duchess and sang ,voici le sabre de mon pre1 ,tu vas le mettre a ton cot1 etc4 ,all joined in the chorus as loud as they dared4 ,bolax made a famous ,general ,boome1 because he was so stout2 his costume consisted of his night shirt1 with a red woolen scarf around his waist2 on his head was a crimson silk handkerchief1 which was very stiff and stood up in a point4 ,his cheeks were covered with corked whiskers and mustaches4 ,he sang3 ,piff1 ,paff1 ,pouf1 ,rut-a-pat-a poom1 ,je suis moi le ,gnrale ,boome6 ,i am the great ,general ,boome6 while he strutted up and down the aisle with a dust brush for a sword4 ,i say1 said ,leonce1 it is very cold standin' here1 won't some one relieve guard8 ,after waiting a few minutes longer1 he felt sure there was no danger1 and therefore ran up to ,harrison's room4 ,what's up1 asked ,harrison4 ,oh1 we've been having leap-frog and ',la ,grande ,duchesse4' ,i'm keeping 'guard1' but it's so cold1 ,i thought ,i'd run up to your study4 ,little traitor1 we'll shoot you for a deserting sentinel4 ,there's no danger of being caught2 besides1 the fellows are making less row now4 ,well1 let us go down4 ,i want to see the fun1 too4 ,fulton1 as ,grande ,duchesse1 was draped artistically in a sheet1 which trailed behind him1 while a blue scarf decked his fair head4 ,placing himself in an attitude of intensely affected melodrama he was singing3 ,je ,t'ai ,sur ,mon ,coeur1 etc4 ,i have thee near my heart4 ,suddenly his foot caught in his long trail and landed him on his back4 ,this scene tickled the audience immensely1 and was greeted with shouts of laughter4 ,cache-cache6 shouted ,leonce and took a flying leap into his bed4 ,instantly there was a bolt in different directions2 the candles dashed out1 the beds pushed aside1 and the dormitories at once plunged in profound silence1 only broken by heavy breathing of the sleepers1 when in strode ,brother ,director4 ,he stood for a moment to survey the scene4 ,every boy was in bed1 but the extraordinary way in which the bed clothes were huddled about1 told an unmistakable tale4 ,as the ,brother for a moment crossed over to the lavatory1 he heard some one move4 ,who's there8 said he4 ,it was ,harrison trying to sneak back to his room2 seeing he was caught1 he came before his angry master4 ,harrison1 is it8 ,i am not surprised1 go to your room1 ,i will settle with you tomorrow4 ,passing again into the large dormitory1 ,brother heard nothing but the deep snores of ,fulton1 and instantly fixed on him as the chief culprit4 ,fulton4 ,no reply1 but steady music from that ,worthy's bed4 ,fulton6 he called still louder and more sternly2 you sleep soundly1 sir1 too soundly1 get up directly1 and he laid his hand on the boy's arm4 ,allez-vous en1 ce n'est pas encore temps de se lever4 ,get away from here1 it's not time to get up4 ,you speak very good ,french when you're asleep1 but the shamming will only increase your punishment4 ,the wiley ,fulton stretched himself lazily1 gave a great yawn1 and then awoke with such an admirably feigned start at seeing ,brother ,director1 that ,bolax who had been peeping from over the bed clothes1 burst into an irresistible explosion of laughter4 ,the ,brother swung round on his heel4 ,what6 ,allen6 get out of bed1 sir1 this instant4 ,bolax forgetful of his disguise sheepishly obeyed1 but when he stood on the floor1 he looked so odd in his crimson girdle and corked cheeks1 with the light of ,brother's lamp shining on him1 that the scene became overpoweringly ludicrous to ,fulton1 who now in his turn was convulsed with a storm of laughter faintly echoed from other beds4 ,trs bien mes amis1 7very well1 my friends67 was ,brother ,director's sarcastic remark1 for he was now thoroughly angry1 you will hear from me tomorrow4 ,he then walked away with a heavy step4 ,next morning1 ,mass was no sooner over than the boys were summoned to the ,study ,hall4 ,brother ,director began with3 ,i have a few words to say to you4 ,i find there was the utmost disorder in the dormitories last night4 ,candles were lighted at forbidden hours1 and the noise was so great that it was heard through the whole building4 ,i am grieved to see you cannot be left alone even for a few hours without taking advantage of my absence1 and that some of the older boys1 far from using their influence to prevent those infractions of discipline1 seem inclined to join in them themselves1 forgetting their position in school and abetting the follies of children4 ,you1 ,mr4 ,harrison1 shall be deprived of a privilege which you have abused1 as a punishment for your conduct last night1 you will give up your private study until the end of the term4 ,fulton as the ringleader ought to be caned1 but as this is his first year1 ,i will give him instead three days in the ,cachot4 ,allen and the other little fellows who were led by him1 shall be deprived of recreation for one week4 ,now1 boys1 just let me ask you if you have not enough legitimate pleasures without resorting to such fooleries as that of last night8 ,in our schools the ,brothers make it a practice to enter into all amusements with our pupils4 ,this summer ,fulton and the other ,american boys saw how we went rowing with you1 we join in your football games1 we even play marbles with the little fellows1 but how would a ,christian ,brother look dressed up as ,master ,allen was last night8 ,here there was a perceptible smile on ,brother ,director's face1 which gave license for a general titter from those who had seen the costume of ,general ,boome4 ,now we1 as ,christian ,brothers1 are bound to teach all who come under our jurisdiction to be ,christian gentlemen1 and we use our best endeavors to that end4 ,we want all to be happy with us1 no boy must remain in this ,college who considers he is treated unjustly or harshly1 but we will not allow our rules to be broken or our authority set aside on any consideration4 ,now you may all go to breakfast4 ,after breakfast ,honor ,bernier and several of the ,french boys congratulated the ,americans on getting off with so slight a punishment4 ,you may thank your stars it is ,brother ,benedict1 who is ,director1 he is so lenient2 if you had been here in ,brother ,john's time you would all have gotten a dose of ,extract of ,rattan4 ,,october #ca,,st4 ,dear ,mother3 ,our whole dormitory got into a scrape for cutting up shines when we should have been asleep4 ,i did not realize how foolish it was to take fun out of time1 until ,monsieur ,le ,cur gave me advice on the matter4 ,i promised him ,i would keep all the rules in the future and try for the medal4 ,i have started in1 and although ,i find it hard work to keep from mischief1 ,i manage to save my fun for recreation hour4 ,i have joined the ,society of ,st4 ,aloysius2 that means great watchfulness over myself to keep from offending ,god in the least manner4 ,darling ,mother1 ,i hope you will have reason some day to be proud of your loving son1 ,b4 ,,allen4 ,,chapter ,,xv4 ,,letter ,,from ,a ,,friend4 ,,palm ,,beach1 ,november #ast4 ,dear ,master ,bolax3 ,when you receive this letter you will say who is this lady8 ,i never knew her1 so ,i must introduce myself4 ,i am a very old friend of your mother's2 we were schoolmates4 ,when you were a tiny baby ,i saw you and held you in my arms1 since then ,i have been traveling in ,europe and did not see your dear mother until we met down here4 ,we often walk out together1 and talk of old times1 but ,mamma's chief topic of conversation is her boy4 ,you are the core of your mother's heart1 and she so hopes to be able to say as you grow older1 ,this is my blessed boy1 is he not noble8 ,i am so proud of him1 and you will feel all the nobleness of your nature grow greater1 for any boy who can write such sweet1 tender letters has the ,christ ,child in his heart and cannot go far wrong2 only you let the little ,pixie1 a very tormenting spirit1 sit on your shoulder at times1 and that is the trouble2 just you work him off and keep him off2 his name is ,lack of ,application1 and he whispers in your right ear1 don't study hard1 let's have some fun2 you'll get on somehow4 ,then ,lack of ,application has a little sister1 who is just as mischievous1 her name is3 ,procrastination1 with these two little ,elves so close1 and keeping them as constant companions is the cause of all our trouble4 ,if you will whisper to the dear ,christ ,child to drive them off1 and help you to put the cobbles of determination in their place1 you will find your pathway full of sunshine4 ,the ,brothers1 your instructors1 do not mean to be severe1 but are trying to help you drive away these two spirits with whom you have struck up such a great friendship4 ,now1 my dear boy1 you have great talent2 study that you may be one of the great men and you will find those you think are hard upon you are your best friends and helpers4 ,for your mother's sake1 who loves you better than her life1 make pleasure your friend for your hours of leisure1 but let ,brain1 ,heart and ,hands work during working hours4 ,seek all the knowledge that you now have the chance of obtaining for the more you know of ,french1 ,music1 ,mathematics and general knowledge1 the greater are your chances of success4 ,i think ,i hear you say3 ,why did this lady write to me8 ,she don't know me4 ,oh1 yes1 she does1 from your letters1 and your mother's description of you4 ,i love boys4 ,i have had one of my own2 ,i know all about their funny tricks4 ,i used to wish ,i had been a boy myself4 ,once when a little girl1 ,i kicked and yelled for an hour because ,i was not permitted to climb a chestnut tree1 and set traps for rabbits and play shinney with the boys4 ,now don't you think ,i know something1 having gone through all this4 ,i think a letter from you to me would be a fine thing4 ,we might have a tilt or two with the pen and brain1 if not with the sword and lance4 ,as your dear mother tells me you have a loving1 kind heart4 ,i send you a portion of the love ,i give her and ask you to call me1 ,,aunt ,,anna ,,euhler4 99 99 99 99 99 ,l',,islet1 ,p4 ,q41 ,december #hth4 ,darling ,mother3 ,your sweet letter was received yesterday and my heart beat with joy on seeing it4 ,brother will let me have all the books and papers you can send4 ,i would like to renew my subscription to ,harper's ,young ,people4 ,i have read all dear ,father ,finn's books over again1 and enjoyed them as ,i did the first time4 ,i know you are under great expense on account of ,papa's illness1 so do not exert yourself trying to send me ,christmas money1 if it becomes necessary ,i will do without going anywhere or getting anything4 ,there will be a few boys here to stay over ,christmas and ,new ,year1 so ,i will have a little fun1 although not as much as if ,i went to ,quebec1 ,st4 ,anne1 ,st4 ,eugene's1 ,cape ,st4 ,ignac or ,trois ,pistolets4 ,brother ,director has told the ,brother who cooks to clean the butter for me1 he will put it in water and mash it1 thus withdrawing the salty taste and black particles4 ,i now have a book called ,horsfield's ,method of ,learning ,french ,language1 and ,i think it will help me very much4 ,it has the ,french on top and the ,english underneath1 as3 ,il est fou1 etc41 ,he is fool4 ,it also has conversation1 as3 ,vous avez des cheveuz rouge1 ,you have the hairs red4 ,don't you wish ,i could write as well as the fellow who addressed this envelope8 ,the strongest boy in the school is ,adolph ,bernier1 and he is one of my best friends4 ,if he had the nerve of ,dr4 ,carroll he could lick the world4 ,his muscle is almost three times as large as ,doctor's1 and his legs about eighteen inches round4 ,the wind howls around here1 and the snow is above the fences4 ,we walk on it with snow shoes4 ,my love to ,papa4 ,could you send me some alligator's eggs8 ,your loving son1 ,,bolax4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,palm ,,beach1 ,december4 ,my ,noble1 ,generous ,boy3 ,your letter touched ,papa to the heart1 but there will be no necessity for your making such a sacrifice4 ,it would grieve me to have my child so far away from home1 without the means for having a pleasant ,christmas4 ,uncle wrote to say he would attend to your holiday pleasures1 and ,papa now sends ten dollars4 ,we laughed so heartily at your description of how the butter was washed for your benefit4 ,dearie1 do you remember the stories old ,colonel ,o',brien used to tell us of his campaign during the ,civil ,war8 ,how once he was nearly forty-eight hours without food1 and was glad to eat an old piece of ham-fat1 which he saw a darkey throw out on the grass as he rode past8 ,colonel told us it was the spirit of self-control he had learned while at ,college that enabled him to bear hunger1 cold1 privations of all kinds1 while in the army4 ,of course1 the food is not expected to be as dainty as at home1 but it is always wholesome2 no ,catholic ,college would give bad food to the children entrusted to its care4 ,i tried to get the alligator's eggs1 but the darkies tell me that it is a hard matter to find them2 one old fellow told me3 ,dem ugly beasteses loves dere young like de dogs and cats do1 dey hide dere eggs and watches round when de time comes for de little ones to be hatched out2 you don't better be near at dat time hunten' eggs or young ones1 de mudder would snap you up in half a minute4 ,i have some curious shells which ,i will give you when ,i see you2 they would only be destroyed among so many boys1 if ,i sent them4 ,pray for ,papa1 not forgetting your loving mother4 ,p4 ,s4--,you ask me to describe ,palm ,beach1 so ,i send the advertising pamphlet4 ,the description given therein is a perfect pen-picture of the place1 much better than ,i can give4 ,i am ,papa's amanuensis and he has so many business letters to send ,i have little time for other writing1 with love1 ,,mamma4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,december #bi4 ,bien ,chre ,maman3 ,such a happy ,christmas as ,i have had4 ,at midnight ,i was awakened by the ,parish ,church bells chiming the ,adeste ,fidelis4 ,the ,midnight ,mass was celebrated in the ,college ,chapel1 because the snow is so deep1 ,monsieur ,le ,cur had announced to the ,congregation that the grand ,high ,mass would be at #f ,a4 ,m4 in the ,parish ,church4 ,i assisted at the ,mass in the ,chapel4 ,it was my first ,midnight ,mass1 and ,i felt awed by the solemn ceremony4 ,the grand ,high ,mass was sung by four gentlemen from ,quebec4 ,brother would not let me get up for it1 but ,i attended ,vespers in the evening2 they had the same choir as at the morning service1 with a band of music4 ,at nine o'clock we were invited to breakfast in the ,brothers' dining room4 ,at each cover was a box of bonbons from ,brother ,director and our letters from home4 ,dear ,ma6 ,i was so surprised ,i cried4 ,i opened your dear letter first1 really ,i don't know how to thank you and dear ,papa4 ,aunt ,lucy and ,uncle ,carroll sent me ten dollars1 ,uncle ,dick1 five4 ,i feel as rich as a millionaire1 with my twenty-five dollars4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,january #bj4 ,dear ,mamma and ,papa3 ,as ,i was writing the above1 ,monsieur ,le ,cur sent for me to go with him to ,quebec4 ,you may be sure ,i jumped at the offer4 ,we put up at the ,sulpician ,seminary4 ,we went to see several beautiful churches4 ,notre ,dame de ,victoire1 built in the time of ,louis ,,xiv as a votive offering in thanksgiving for a victory gained over the ,english4 ,the very same flags and trophys captured then are still preserved in this church4 ,we saw the ice palace1 on the summit of a hill1 it was illuminated by electricity1 and reminded me of ,aladin's ,castle in the fairy tale4 ,no one was allowed to go into it1 but you could look in at the windows and doors1 and see the wax figures dressed in fancy costumes4 ,you should have heard the joy bells1 and the booming of the cannon from the citadel ushering in the ,new ,year4 ,there was no discordant clang1 no ear-splitting fog horns as in ,new ,york1 but most of the churches having chimes1 made an inspiriting melody4 ,the ,basilica played the ,te ,deum1 ,adeste ,fidelis1 and the ,national ,anthem4 ,we had midnight ,mass in the ,seminary1 and no one went to bed until near morning4 ,i must tell you about a little girl we met in the street4 ,she was carrying a doll in her arms when she slipped and fell2 the doll was broken to pieces1 the poor little thing knelt on the pavement and looked sadly at it1 then bursting into tears and raising her eyes to heaven1 she cried out3 ,sainte ,virge mon seul enfant est mort6 7,holy ,virgin1 my only child is dead67 ,it went to my heart to see her1 so ,i picked her up1 and tried to comfort her2 ,i took her to the nearest shop and bought another child1 when ,i placed it in her hands1 her eyes fairly danced with delight4 ,oh1 mesieu6 ,i tank yo6 ,no ,english speak4 ,monsieur ,le ,cur gave her his blessing4 ,as she was leaving the store she took up the broken doll1 we asked her what she wanted with the old1 broken thing4 ,ah1 mesieu1 one does not throw away dead children2 they must be buried4 ,the people here are so full of faith2 you will see well-dressed gentlemen and ladies stop to say the ,angelus in the street if they hear the bell ring4 ,i pray our dear ,lord1 that you1 ,papa1 and all ,i love may have a happy ,new ,year4 ,your affectionate son1 ,b4 ,,allen4 ,after ,christmas holidays it was difficult for the boys to settle down to study4 ,the good ,brothers1 who had not forgotten their own boy-life1 understood this and did not draw the reins of discipline very tight for the first few days4 ,brother ,director made a very pleasant and sensible address to the juniors on the duty and benefits of being diligent in study4 ,at the close of his talk1 as he termed it1 he said3 ,and now boys1 ,i have something to offer you by the way of spurring your diligence4 ,three beautiful silver medals have been placed in my hands by three gentlemen living in ,quebec4 ,these medals are for your competition4 ,if they were intended as rewards1 ,i would not be a party to their bestowal4 ,i want my pupils to feel that hard1 honest study carries its own reward with it4 ,study puts you in possession of knowledge1 which is power1 strength1 influence and pleasure4 ,these are rewards to satisfy any virtuous boy without the addition of gifts4 ,boys of your age lag a little sometimes1 and perhaps need something tangible to help them on4 ,i hope these medals will keep you all up to your mettle1 and that although only three of you can win them1 all will prove yourselves worthy of them4 ,one is for keeping the rules of the ,college4 ,one for ,composition--,english or ,french4 ,one for him who shall pass the best examination in all branches of study4 ,you are now dismissed until tomorrow morning1 when ,i shall expect you to be ready to begin work in earnest4 ,the boys set up a grand huzza for ,brother ,director1 and then dividing into groups were soon scattered over the grounds or seated under the sugar maple trees4 ,all the boys made determined resolutions to win the prize4 ,bolax was especially anxious1 because his father had objected to his coming to ,canada1 and he wanted to show that his mother's choice of a ,college was a success4 ,,letter ,,to ,,papa4 ,dear ,papa3 ,now ,i am in another scrape4 ,the fellow that took things from the table has been found out2 ,i can't imagine how4 ,but he declares ,i told ,brother ,isadore on him4 ,i said it wasn't true4 ,he got red in the face and called me a hypocrite2 said ,i pretended to be a saint because ,i go to ,holy ,communion every week4 ,papa1 ,i never pretended to be a saint4 ,it isn't agreeable to have people think you're worse than you really are4 ,your loving son1 ,b4 ,,allen4 ,,papa',s ,,answer4 ,my ,dear ,son3 ,how is a boy to become a manly man if he has everything and everyone about him agreeable4 ,i did not send you to ,college just for the ,french and ,latin merely4 ,i could teach you those languages1 and in fact1 all your other lessons if ,i chose4 ,i send you that you may get some knocks1 and bruises2 that you may learn to bear annoyances with patience and manliness4 ,as long as you live in this world you will meet with people who will misunderstand and misjudge you4 ,but what of that8 ,you have and always will have1 if you deserve it1 friends who appreciate and love you1 who will make the best of your good qualities and the least of your bad ones4 ,above all1 you can have the friendship of ,god by faithfully keeping ,his ,commandments4 ,your affectionate ,,father4 ,,le ,,gourmand4 ,for some weeks since the boys returned after ,christmas holidays1 ,brother ,julien1 who had charge of the dormitories1 complained of finding scraps of cake1 apple cores1 etc41 hidden behind the water tank in the lavatory2 no one could tell who placed them there4 ,fulton and ,allen knew1 but would not inform1 although both were very often disturbed by hearing ,hyacinth ,laforge munching apples in the bed next them4 ,one morning ,brother ,director came into the ,refectory looking very stern4 ,i will thank the young gentlemen as they pass from the room to turn their pockets inside out1 was the bland invitation that filled everybody with amusement or consternation1 as the case might be4 ,there was a good deal of laughing and joking1 as the boys filed out of the room and a great display of knives1 pencil1 bits of string1 etc4 ,at last the guilty one took his turn4 ,out came apples1 crumbs of cake1 nuts1 a little of everything4 ,so it seems we have a thief among us6 ,brother ,director spoke in a very severe tone of voice4 ,i didn't suppose you would begrudge me an apple or two1 said the boy1 throwing the contents of his pocket defiantly on the table4 ,nor do ,i4 ,if you had come to me or to the ,brother ,procurator1 and said3 ',i am a greedy fellow2 ,i want to eat all ,i can hold at the table1 and have something to fall back on between times1' you would have been amply provided4 ,but what is that bulging out under your jacket8 ,open it immediately4 ,hyacinth slowly and with a dogged air1 unbuttoned his vest1 when1 to the astonishment of the ,brother1 and the great amusement of the boys1 out came a whole pie4 ,such a laugh as followed6 ,brother ,isadore1 who was standing near1 touched the pie1 and finding it was still warm1 asked when he had managed to capture it4 ,the cook answered the question by coming on the scene1 saying3 ,that boy ran through my kitchen a minute ago1 shouldn't wonder if he had taken something1 he's always sneaking round4 ,here ,brother1 here's his plunder1 said the ,director1 ,ce n'est bon que pour les poules maintenant6 7,it is only fit for the chickens now71 answered the cook1 who was very much provoked4 ,after the laughter had subsided1 ,hyacinth received a severe and mortifying reproof4 ,brother ,director said3 ,since eating seems to be your chief aim in life1 and to save you from stealing1 your bed shall be moved into the little clothes room and a plate of cakes and apples placed so that you can munch all night if you wish1 without disturbing the rest of the dormitory4 ,the boys passed out laughing4 ,it is needless to add that the apples and cakes were beside the greedy one1 every night until he was sick of the sight and smell4 ,,french ,,letter4 ,mrs4 ,allen was very anxious that her son should write a letter in ,french1 so to please her he sent the following3 ,,college ,,de ,l',,islet1 ,janvier #g4 ,bien ,chre ,maman3 ,votre card de postal etait recu hier et je l'ai lu avec beaucoup de playsir4 ,je suis toujour content a recevoir vos lettres1 parceque vous est mon premier amour1 je vous aime plus que tout dans le monde et dans le ciel exceptey le bon ,dieu et la sainte ,vierge4 ,s'il vous play1 envoyer moi de l'argent pour achetey du sucre blanc4 ,je n'aime pas le sucre brune4 ,comme ceci est mon premier lettre en franais1 si vous play ne fait pas le fun a mes fautes4 ,je suis avec tout l'amour de mon coeur votre fils4 ,b4 ,,allen4 ,,translation ,,of ,,letter4 ,my ,dear ,mamma3 ,your postal card was received yesterday and ,i read it with much pleasure4 ,i am always so glad to receive your letters1 because you are my first love1 my own dearest mother6 ,i love you more than anything in this world or in ,heaven1 except the good ,god and the ,holy ,virgin4 ,if you please1 send me some money4 ,i want to buy some white sugar1 as ,i don't like the brown sugar they give here4 ,as this is my first ,french letter if you please don't make fun over my faults4 ,i am with all the love of my heart1 ,your son1 ,b4 ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,palm ,,beach1 ,,fla41 ,january4 ,my ,very ,dear ,child3 ,papa and ,i are much pleased with your effort at ,french letter-writing1 you spell as the words are pronounced1 but you will soon learn to correct that4 ,don't forget accents4 ,they are as important as letters in writing ,french4 ,i enclose two dollars for the sugar4 ,papa is improving in health and spirits in this delightful climate4 ,i am writing at an open window1 with the odor of roses and ,jessamine wafting into my room4 ,dearest make good use of your time4 ,papa is particularly anxious about your arithmetic1 and you know that's your weak point4 ,we are so pleased with the gold certificate1 it proves you are doing your best4 ,pardon the brevity of this letter1 ,papa is waiting for me to go and watch the alligators sporting in the water1 but we won't let them get a bite at us4 ,your loving mother1 ,m4 ,,allen4 ,p4 ,s4--,i should not have said sporting1 for alligators are sluggish beasts1 but often may be seen in the mud in clusters1 a tail-switching1 or a head raised1 on the watch for prey4 99 99 99 99 99 ,l',,islet1 ,january #ae4 ,bien ,chre ,mre3 ,i have just received a ,christmas gift from that old lady we always called ,madame4 ,you know she never would say my name1 always calling me ,bon ,homme4 ,the following verse is written on the fly-leaf of the book she sent4 ,don't you think it cute8 ,sans que je te nomme1 ,mon petit ,bon ,homme1 ,je m' adresse au ciel2 ,et je te souhaite ,une belle fte1 ,un heureux ,noel1 ,un coeur pur et sage1 ,voil le prsage1 ,d'un bonheur rel4 ,,madame4 ,avec beaucoup d' amour je suis votre fils4 ,b4 ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,bien ,chre ,mre3 ,vous me demandez encore une autre lettre en franais6 ,whew6 ,how am ,i to manage it8 ,why on earth do they have male and female verbs1 and adjectives1 and spell the participles differently at every turn4 ,it's no use1 ,i'll never do it6 ,brother ,director tells me ,i read well1 talk well1 pronounce well1 that ought to be enough4 ,hier j'aid le frre ,pascal1 qui est le cuisiniere de porte le bois dans la cuisine1 without thinking1 j'ai laisser tomber les morceau de bois dans un chaudron de soup4 ,le bon frre didn't get mad1 he just said3 ,tu a fais ton mieux mon petit1 voici des pommes en payment de votre ouvrage4 ,i didn't consider it work1 it was just play4 ,j'ai achete' des raquettes 7snow shoes7 we have a fine skating rink1 and we play hockey every day4 ,i had to buy new moccasins1 mine were all cut after a long walk over a rough road4 ,i have a new ,cache-nez 7muffler7 and a surtout2 et un casquette ,canadian1 which covers toute ma tete et mes oreilles1 leaving only my eyes and nose free1 so ,i don't feel the cold1 although the thermometer is always below zero4 99 99 99 99 99 ,march #eth4 ,dear ,papa and ,mamma3 ,it is now three weeks since ,i wrote the above4 ,i have been in the infirmary1 but don't be alarmed2 ,i'm all right now4 ,the way it was1 the boys dared me to climb a telegraph pole covered with ice4 ,as ,i had once climbed a greased pole1 ,i thought ,i could manage this one4 ,i succeeded somehow1 though ,i had a hard tussle to accomplish the feat4 ,the boys cheered and made such a racket1 one of the ,brothers came out1 in my hurry to descend ,i fell when within a few feet of the ground1 and broke my ankle4 ,dr4 ,dion1 a fine surgeon1 set it1 and placed my foot in plaster-of-paris4 ,brother ,director wrote to ,aunt ,lucy and ,dr4 ,carroll1 but not to ,papa or you1 as it was no use to worry you4 ,i have had the best of care1 the ,brother ,infirmarian was a doctor out in the world and knows all about nursing4 ,i am fed on sugar and spice and everything nice4 ,monsieur ,le ,cur sits with me every day4 ,i could walk now if they would let me4 ,i am not losing my lessons1 but keep up as near as possible with the classes4 ,brother ,director hears me the lessons4 ,brother ,paul 7the ,infirmarian7 does not speak a word of ,english1 so that will help my ,french4 ,give my love to dear ,papa and to ,aunt ,euhler4 ,i will write her a letter soon1 her last about the tame alligator was enjoyed by the whole ,college4 ,she says you all eat alligator's tails1 that the meat is like chicken4 ,i wish you could send one up here1 ,i'd like to taste it4 ,now don't worry1 ,i'll soon be as well as ever4 ,j'ai l'honneur de me dire1 avec une parfaite affection1 ,votre fils--,ahem6 ,,bolax4 99 99 99 99 99 ,,easter ,,sunday4 ,bien ,cher ,papa et ,chre ,maman3 ,i still continue strong and well1 and pray that you and dear ,papa are in good health4 ,i have really tried hard to study and keep the rules of the ,college4 ,with this ,i send another ,gold ,certificate1 which shows ,i have given satisfaction4 ,i long so to see you as the time approaches for vacation4 ,i go to ,holy ,communion every ,sunday and ,first ,friday1 but you needn't think ,i am going to be a ,christian ,brother1 or a ,priest4 ,i would be afraid ,i might get tired and cut up didoes like that ,monk we read of in ,ivanhoe4 ,always votre fils1 ,,bolax4 ,p4 ,s4--,the ,monk's name was ,friar ,tuck4 ,i remember ,uncle ,dick telling about him4 ,hurrah1 ,hurrah6 for vacation's coming1 ,and the weeks of ,jubilee6 ,,awarding ,,prizes4 ,the weeks rolled on in spite of the oft-repeated saying among students1 ,vacation will never come4 ,the examinations began on ,june #aeth2 quite a number of patrons attended4 ,bolax stood the test of examination finely1 all things considered1 but his former lack of application showed itself in several things1 particularly arithmetic4 ,in addition to the three medals given by the gentlemen1 a prize had been offered for the best declamation4 ,all prizes were to be awarded at the closing exercises on ,commencement ,day4 ,the large exhibition hall was crowded on that afternoon1 which was a regular fete for the people of ,l',islet4 ,great pains had been taken to dress the hall1 its walls were festooned with evergreens1 and the spacious platform gay with flags4 ,the boys were dressed in white pants and blue jackets4 ,everything that skill and taste1 combined with economy1 could suggest1 had been done to make the place attractive1 and the occasion pleasant4 ,what uncouth creatures boys are6 observed one young lady to a bevy of misses seated near her4 ,look1 there isn't one in that crowd sitting gracefully1 they all act as if their hands were in their way4 ,you don't mean to say my brother is ungraceful1 do you8 asked ,julie ,bernier4 ,oh1 ,i'm not referring to the collegiate class2 they certainly are gentlemen1 but the juniors4 ,i think1 remarked ,anaise ,latour1 ,young ,allen1 one of the ,american boys1 is very graceful1 and he has such a pleasant expression of face4 ,oh1 he's too fat to be graceful1 retorted ,julie ,bernier4 ,a general titter followed this remark4 ,before the girls were ready to renew their criticisms1 the call bell rang4 ,brother ,director announced that the exercises would open with an address by ,monsieur ,le ,cur4 ,after the address came the spirited hymn1 ,nous ,sommes ,les ,soldats de la ,foi 7,we are the ,soldiers of the ,faith71 played by the ,college band1 and sung by all the boys4 ,next on the program came the declamations by the juniors1 of course1 most of the pieces were given in ,french1 as few among the audience understood ,english4 ,george ,fulton came first1 with a comic ,piece1 taking off ,stump ,speaking4 ,this elicited much applause1 because of the excellent mimicry of the speaker4 ,bolax ,allen gave ,joaquin ,miller's ,columbus4 ,as he imitated the ,admiral's ,sail on6 ,sail on6 ,sail on and on6 he thrilled the audience with the power of his voice4 ,one could almost fancy they saw ,columbus as he paced his deck on the eventful night before he sighted land4 ,mr4 ,h4 ,bernier and ,mr4 ,l4 ,harrison entered into a comic debate as to the superior merits of their respective nations4 ,bernier for the ,french1 ,harrison for the ,english4 ,the young gentlemen seemed so in earnest1 got into a dispute and spoke in such angry tones1 that every one expected to see them resort to fisticuffs4 ,at a point when they appeared to be in a rage against each other1 old ,farmer ,tourier happened to come into the hall1 and being struck with what he thought the disgraceful conduct of the boys1 jumped on the stage to separate them4 ,have you no respect for ,monsieur ,le ,cur and the ,brothers8 he demanded in a loud voice4 ,monsieur ,le ,cur and the other gentlemen on the platform were so convulsed with laughter1 it was some minutes before any one interfered4 ,the audience fairly shouted and clapped1 it was a regular pandemonium4 ,at last one of the ,brothers went up to poor old ,tourier and whispered to him4 ,you should have seen his crestfallen appearance when he found he had been making a laughing stock of himself4 ,poor old fellow1 all summer the villagers laughed whenever they met him1 as his wife said3 ,on a bien ri ce jour l1 et tout le monde rit-encore6 7,people laughed that day1 and they laugh yet47 ,brother ,director appointed a committee to decide on the merits of the declaimers and to award the prize4 ,when these gentlemen arrived at a decision1 ,brother awarded the medals4 ,after a brief address by ,monsieur ,le ,cur1 in which he showed that the highest reward of study is not a medal or prize of any kind1 but the mental growth and power which comes from it to the student4 ,still1 he added1 a prize is not to be despised1 because it symbolizes the diligence1 obedience and perseverance of the winners4 ,hence1 my boys1 ,i wish you ever to set a higher value on the character which wins1 than the prize which is won4 ,the committee of examinations have unanimously awarded the silver medal for general excellence in all studies to ,louis ,tascherau4 ,here cheers were given for ,louis4 ,the silver medal for the best composition is awarded to ,bolax ,allen4 ,cheers were heartily given for ,bolax1 and the young ladies in the audience could not say this boy was not able to make a most graceful bow4 ,the committee on declamation found it very difficult to decide between the speakers4 ,there was but a shade of difference in favor of ,fulton1 so he received the medal4 ,george was loudly applauded1 for he was a jolly fellow1 liked by the whole school1 masters and scholars1 although inclined to make fun out of time4 ,to his utter astonishment1 ,bolax heard his name called again1 this time to receive a medal for strictly keeping the rules of the ,college1 and giving good example by his upright conduct on all occasions4 ,huzzas three times repeated showed that he had won the good will of his companions4 ,as ,monsieur ,le ,cur placed the medal around ,bo's neck1 he whispered4 ,i wish your worthy parents were here to see your triumph4 ,after the juniors had received their rewards1 the young collegians were introduced by ,brother ,director4 ,some of them spoke on learned topics1 rather above the comprehension of many in the audience1 but evidently highly appreciated by the priests and other gentlemen seated on the platform4 ,mr4 ,brenier received the gold cross1 the highest reward given to a graduate4 ,t4 ,harrison and ,h4 de ,villiers received gold medals for excellence in all studies4 ,honor gave the ,valedictory1 dressed in a long black gown and doctor's cap1 he looked very handsome and proved himself a fine orator4 ,he was interrupted by frequent bursts of applause4 ,at last came one tumultuous and prolonged1 that proclaimed the conclusion of his oration4 ,the exercises being ended1 the band struck up1 and all sang the vacation song3 ,quel plaisir nous allous partir ,les vacances vont commencer6 ,when the music had ceased1 the students with their parents and friends1 were invited to partake of a simple collation4 ,you may be sure they had a merry time over the cake and ice cream4 ,after the boys left1 the ,college was so quiet1 the halls and rooms so empty that ,bolax and ,fulton were overpowered with loneliness4 ,they were the only scholars who had to remain4 ,harrison1 the other ,american boy1 had gone to his uncle in ,montreal to spend his vacation4 ,bolax expected soon to hear from his parents1 who were on their way to ,canada1 and ,fulton was invited to spend a few weeks with his chum1 de ,villiers1 at the pretty village of ,trois ,pistolets4 ,on the morning of the fourth day of vacation1 ,brother ,julien took the boys out for a sail on the ,st4 ,lawrence4 ,he brought a hamper of good things for luncheon1 and fishing tackle to give them employment4 ,they were very lucky and filled a basket with fine trout1 but just as they were preparing to return the wind changed1 and the boat was becalmed4 ,they had made up their minds to pass the night on the water1 when fortunately1 a strong north wind filled the sails1 and they steered for home4 ,it was after dark when they got to the pier1 where they found ,brother ,director and a crowd of villagers on their knees praying ,la bonne ,st4 ,anne1 to protect the boat with its precious cargo4 ,,chapter ,,xvi4 ,,bolax ,,leaves ,,college ,,for ,,vacation4 ,the following morning ,monsieur ,le ,cur took both boys to the ,falls of ,montmorency2 when they returned home in the evening they found a letter from ,mrs4 ,allen1 telling her son of her safe arrival in ,quebec and requesting him to come to the ,frontenac ,hotel4 ,bolax was overjoyed1 and so excited1 he could not pack his trunk1 so ,brother ,isadore did it for him2 he took all his belongings1 except his books1 which he gave in charge of the ,brothers1 because he expected to return to ,college in the ,fall4 ,fulton had a very suspicious moisture in his eyes1 as he shook hands with his merry chum1 and ,bolax hated to leave him alone1 but consoled himself with the thought that his friend would soon visit de ,villiers1 at ,trois ,pistolets4 ,monsieur ,le ,cur1 and all the ,brothers embraced le cher enfant4 ,au revoir was said1 then the carriage drove to the station1 where ,bo took the train for ,quebec4 ,such a happy reunion of parents and son4 ,mr4 ,allen was surprised to see his whilom1 fat boy so tall and shapely and in such splendid health1 notwithstanding the grub he ate at ,college4 ,mamma1 said he1 ,i wonder how the ,frontenac menu will agree with this young gentleman8 ,indeed1 answered ,mamma1 ,i fear not so well as ,l',islet bill of fare4 ,good-natured ,bo did not mind being teased1 but when seated at the table1 his appetite showed that the ,frontenac menu was quite to his taste4 ,bolax felt he knew quite a little about ,quebec from his visit at ,christmas1 so he offered to conduct his father and mother to the principal churches and places of interest in the environs of the city4 ,they visited the monuments of ,general ,montcalm and ,general ,montgomery1 the brave ,french and ,english ,generals1 who were killed at the assault on ,quebec1 #agge4 ,mr4 ,allen1 being an ,englishman by birth1 took great pleasure in examining the men-of-war belonging to the navy1 and one afternoon climbed up to the ,citadel to see the ,fort1 and chat with the soldiers4 ,mrs4 ,allen was not able to walk up such a height1 so she was carried1 seated on a chair strapped to a man's back4 ,captain ,wentworth1 one of the officers1 made himself very agreeable1 took them into the ,fort1 explained to ,bolax how the cannons were fired off1 and told of many interesting events relating to the history of ,canada from the time of the ,english invasion1 etc4 ,mrs4 ,allen reminded her husband that it was growing late1 and although they were being so pleasantly entertained1 she thought it time to take leave4 ,then ,mr4 ,allen presented his card and thanked the officer for his kind courtesy4 ,with the military salute1 ,captain ,wentworth bowed1 and conducting them down the steep descent1 wished them bon voyage4 ,a week was spent in ,quebec1 making purchases and getting a new outfit for ,bolax1 who had outgrown all his clothing4 ,mr4 ,allen proposed going to one of the beautiful suburbs to give his boy an outing4 ,if ,i had my choice1 said ,bo1 ,i would like to spend the whole summer at ,montmorency ,falls2 when ,i was there last week with ,monsieur ,le ,cur1 we dined at a small hotel1 kept by friends of his2 everything was so comfortable and clean4 ,there were three boys1 who met us1 as we were leaving1 they had fishing rods over their shoulders1 their pants stuck into their boots and looked as if they had had a jolly day of it4 ,when ,monsieur ,le ,cur introduced me1 he called them his 'old friends4' ,they invited me to stay with them a week1 but ,i told them ,i expected to be sent for by my parents4 ,well1 my boy1 ,i would prefer a place of that kind where you can have all the fun you want1 and ,i a quiet time2 we have had too much society at ,palm ,beach4 ,so all agreed to go to ,montmorency1 especially as it was at a convenient distance from ,l',islet and ,quebec4 ,during the seven weeks of their visit1 ,bolax made himself very agreeable to every one1 and became a general favorite especially among the boys and girls1 because he was an adapt in all games and always ready for fun4 ,among the boarders was an invalid1 who spent most of his time seated in a corner of the piazza4 ,mr4 ,allen often entertained him1 and ,bolax would leave his companions to talk to him because he looked so lonely4 ,his name was ,cartier2 he prided himself on being a direct descendant of the famous ,jacques ,cartier1 one of the first explorers of ,canada4 ,one day in speaking to ,mr4 ,allen1 the old gentleman praised ,bolax for the thoughtful kindness he had shown him on all occasions1 at the same time remarking it was a pity the boy should have been given such an odd name4 ,i admit it is an odd name1 answered ,mr4 ,allen1 and ,i doubt if any one ever owned it before4 ,well1 said ,monsieur ,cartier1 it suits ,bolax for he certainly is an odd boy--a remarkable mixture of king's fool and profound philosopher4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the nineteenth of ,july1 ,st4 ,anne's ,day1 was to be celebrated with great pomp and ceremony in the ,basilica1 at ,beaupr4 ,bolax wanted to join the ,pilgrimage going from ,l',islet1 but his mother and father preferred visiting the shrine when there would be less of a crowd4 ,on the twenty-second of ,august1 our friends put on their traveling array once more1 the note of preparation was struck1 the destination this time being ,st4 ,anne de ,beaupr4 ,when all was ready for their departure1 they took leave of the pleasant company at ,montmorency1 but their hostess1 ,madame ,coteau1 would not hear of an ,adieu2 it must be an ,au revoir1 said the kind woman4 ,you must stop on your way back4 ,that's true1 agreed ,mr4 ,allen1 we will be obliged to pass this way on our road to ,l',islet1 suppose we leave our trunks and take only handbags4 ,we won't need anything more for the ten days we propose remaining at ,beaupr4 ,justement6 ,i'm glad you thought of that4 ,now we are sure of your return4 ,all bid a warm-hearted good-bye1 too warm for ,mr4 ,allen1 who being an ,englishman1 could not appreciate the ,french custom of men embracing1 but he submitted with grace1 when dear old ,monsieur ,cartier put his arms around his neck and wished him a fervent ,god bless you4 ,arrived at ,beaupr1 our friends made their first visit to the ,basilica4 ,they were just in time for ,benediction1 not wishing to disturb the congregation they knelt at the door1 but the ,beadle 7an imposing personage in red cassock and bearing a staff7 came and invited them into a pew4 ,after ,benediction several men and women knelt before the shrine of ,st4 ,anne2 one mother held up a child in her arms1 imploring its cure1 she prayed aloud3 ,oh6 bonne ,ste4 ,anne guerissez mon enfant1 je vous suplie1 au non de ,jesus qui rien n'est impossible4 7,oh1 ,blessed ,st4 ,anne cure my child1 ,i beg of you1 in the name of ,jesus1 to whom nothing is impossible47 ,mr4 ,allen looked on1 then turning to his wife1 whispered3 ,there was a time when ,i would have considered this rank superstition1 but now ,i am greatly edified1 for ,i see the faith and devotion of people is fervent and sincere4 ,when they left the ,church1 ,mr4 ,allen surprised his wife and son by telling them that his chief desire now was to make a retreat and prepare for ,baptism4 ,mrs4 ,allen was so overjoyed1 she rushed back into the ,church1 threw herself on her knees and thanked our ,lord4 ,bolax and his father followed and all knelt in prayers of gratitude for so great a favor4 ,a few paces from the ,basilica stood ,hotel ,orleans1 to which they had been recommended by ,monsieur ,cartier2 having secured rooms1 they went out for a walk4 ,they climbed a hill from which they saw a beautiful panorama of white sails and verdant islands set like jewels on the bosom of the ,st4 ,lawrence4 ,the next morning after ,mass1 ,mr4 ,allen went to the ,monastery and asked the ,abbot to allow him to begin his retreat4 ,the good ,priest was delighted to receive him and found on examining his neophyte that he was very well informed on religious matters and firmly believed in all the truths of the ,catholic religion4 ,when ,mr4 ,allen entered on his retreat1 he requested that no one should visit him4 ,his wife and son willingly agreed to make the sacrifice of being separated from him for a time1 so that their beloved one might give all his attention to preparing for the most important events of his life1 viz3 ,the reception of ,baptism and ,holy ,communion4 ,bolax accompanied his mother to all the chapels and shrines in the neighborhood4 ,they went up the ,holy ,stairs on their knees1 at the top was a figure of ,pilate1 and one of ,christ standing1 both life-size4 ,in other ,chapels were representations of the different stages of our ,lord's passion2 all the figures were life-size and so realistic as to startle one1 who came upon them unawares4 ,in a tiny room with barred windows1 resembling a prison1 ,bolax came upon the statue of ,christ as ,he is being crowned with thorns4 ,the ,god-man sits with ,his ,garments torn from ,his limbs1 which are covered with wounds2 streams of blood flow from the divine face2 a soldier is in the act of spitting on ,him1 another driving the thorns into the sacred head4 ,on seeing this1 the boy burst into tears1 he felt as though he was really in the presence of his suffering ,redeemer4 ,knowing the effect such a pitiful sight would have on his mother1 he went with her everywhere1 carefully avoiding the distressing image4 ,one day while watching the sailboats landing the pilgrims1 ,bo heard his name called1 looking around he saw ,leon ,casgrainie1 his mother and sister1 from ,l',islet2 they were so glad to meet again4 ,bo introduced his mother4 ,madame ,casgrainie embraced ,mrs4 ,allen as if she had been an old friend1 for these ,canadians are so full of hearty friendliness4 ,in a few days the ladies were almost on intimate terms4 ,the day appointed for ,mr4 ,allen's reception into the ,church was ,august thirty-first4 ,madame ,casgrainie expressed a wish to be present1 so ,mrs4 ,allen invited her and the children to the ceremony1 which was to take place at the seven o'clock ,mass1 in the ,chapel of the ,sacred ,heart4 ,the altar was a blaze of light2 tiny electric lamps of all colors were placed in every available position1 and full-blown roses shed sweet perfume over all4 ,the ,abbot celebrated ,mass4 ,just before the ,offertory1 he read the prayers admitting a catechumen to ,holy ,baptism4 ,mr4 ,allen bowed his head in all humility while the ,priest poured upon him the saving water which made him a child of ,god and heir to ,heaven4 ,immediately after this the ,abbot placed a white cope over the newly baptized1 emblematic of the purity with which his soul was adorned by this most ,holy ,sacrament4 ,after the ,priest's ,communion1 ,mr4 ,allen mounted the altar steps1 still wearing the white robe and received our ,lord for the first time4 ,at the ,domine non sum dignus1 the tears rolled down his cheeks2 he was so overcome with the sanctity of the act1 so full of faith and love for ,jesus in the ,blessed ,sacrament4 ,mrs4 ,allen and ,bo also went to ,holy ,communion4 ,after ,mass1 ,mr4 ,allen asked that his wife and son be admitted to see him4 ,i have no words to describe the ecstasy of delight that thrilled their hearts when congratulating the beloved one4 ,mr4 ,allen pressed them both to his heart in silence4 ,when he could speak1 he said3 ,i feel our ,angel child is rejoicing with us on this1 the happiest day of my life4 ,the good ,abbot came to bid farewell1 and shed tears of joy while bestowing the ,papal ,benediction on the family4 ,a few days after the events related1 our friends were compelled to leave the holy place and take their departure for ,l',islet2 ,madame ,casgrainie offered to take them on her steam yacht1 and begged them to accept the hospitality of her house during their stay in the village4 ,mr4 ,allen thanked the amiable lady1 but told of his promise to return to ,montmorency4 ,that can be easily arranged1 said ,mrs4 ,allen4 ,we are not in need of our trunks2 after our visit to ,l',islet we can keep our engagement with our friends at ,montmorency and send ,bo's baggage to him by express4 ,the next morning the yacht steamed out of the harbor bearing away a jolly party1 young and old were full of merriment1 so true it is that a clean conscience makes a happy heart4 ,the mid-day bells were chiming the ,angelus as they landed at the pier1 where ,monsieur ,le ,cur and ,brother ,director gave them a warm welcome to ,l',islet4 ,the good1 old gentleman insisted on having his niece and her family dine at the ,parsonage every day1 for1 said he1 ,i must see all ,i can of you1 my children1 it may be my last opportunity4 ,bolax conducted his father and mother through the ,college2 they were perfectly satisfied with all the arrangements1 and thanked the good ,brothers for the interest they had shown in their son4 ,madame ,casgrainie proved herself a most entertaining hostess1 she was lavish in her attention to her guests and made their visit to her a never-to-be-forgotten pleasure4 ,on ,september #hth1 the whole family went on an excursion to ,isle ,st4 ,roch4 ,this is a charming spot4 ,on the island is a ledge of rocks1 and seemingly carved on the stones can be seen the footprints of a man and those of a dog2 they extend the length of half a mile and are then lost in a maze of tangled brushwood4 ,the pious people of the place believe that ,st4 ,roch1 the great hunter1 came here long ago and left his footprints and those of his faithful dog4 ,the ladies and girls roamed over the island gathering blue berries1 and the boys caught a basket of fine fish4 ,while they were resting1 after a substantial luncheon1 a shrill sound floated down from high overhead4 ,gazing up1 ,bolax traced aloft against the blue sky1 the ,v-shaped phalanx1 pointed southward of the wild goose--the swift ,canadian bird by its own instinct following after summer heat4 ,ma1 dear1 said the boy1 ,i fear that is the signal for your departure2 the frosts come soon after the passage of those big birds1 and ,papa will not be able to bear our cold winds4 ,but1 oh1 how ,i shall miss you6 ,my darling1 my heart will be very empty without you1 but your father and ,i make the sacrifice of leaving you because we are sure you are under the best of care1 both for your temporal and spiritual interests4 ,madame ,casgrainie and her daughter comforted ,bolax1 promising to have him at their house as often as the ,brothers would permit4 ,after all1 ,bo1 said ,leon1 you are better off than most boys1 even if you are a thousand miles from home2 you have your uncle1 ,monsieur ,le ,cur1 so cheer up and let us have a race on this hard beach4 ,whoever wins shall have the biggest peach in the basket4 7,peaches are a rarety in ,quebec1 and its environs and are very costly47 ,that evening ,mr4 ,allen had a long talk with his son4 ,he gave sound advice on several points1 notably the following3 ,let conscience be your king1 and never attempt to weaken or to deviate from its commands4 ,it is ,god's merciful messenger within you to testify of ,himself1 to warn you of danger1 and point the right4 ,beware of trifling with conscience or of weakening its force4 ,you can do so1 but when you have silenced it1 you will be left like a man1 who1 on a dark night1 in a strange country extinguishes his lantern4 ,there are three words which perhaps every school boy has written as a text-hand exercise1 but which few lay to heart while they are following the copy4 ,they are these3 ',sin causes sorrow4' ,a mighty truth2 would that every boy would so learn it that the suffering which sin inevitably brings with it might be escaped4 ,be truthful in the slightest matters2 never allow yourself to exaggerate4 ,have your mind occupied always with something good1 pure1 useful4 ,remember the old saying1 ',a vacant mind is the devil's workshop4' ,beware of the slightest propensity to evil1 no pleasure derived from sense can be compared with the tranquil joy which springs from a pure heart4 ,let me tell you1 my dear child1 boyhood with all its little griefs and troubles1 is the most joyous time of life2 its very spring time when everything is fresh and beautiful4 ,i did not appreciate it when ,i was a boy1 but now ,i sometimes sigh for it4 ,if boys who are longing for the time to come when they may be men could only know what a man's life and work mean1 they would pray to be kept at school all their lives4 ,i wish ,i could gain the ear of all the boys in the world1 ,i would say to them affectionately1 in the language of the ,holy ,apostle ,st4 ,paul4 ,be strong2 shun anything and everything that has a tendency to weaken your mental and moral life4 ,for you1 my beloved son1 ,i now say3 ,be strong in the grace you will obtain by constantly and devoutly approaching the ,sacraments4 ,if the love of ,god is the motive power of your life1 you will grow from a noble boy into a noble man4 ,father1 mother and son sat together late into the night2 then kneeling in devout prayer they retired to rest4 ,at seven o'clock on ,wednesday morning1 ,monsieur ,le ,cur sent his carriage to take his niece and her husband to the station4 ,madame ,casgrainie and ,mrs4 ,allen bade each other a tearful farewell4 ,when on the train1 ,bolax bravely suppressed his emotion1 so that the parting should not be too painful for his parents2 then ,monsieur ,le ,cur invited him to spend the night at his house1 hoping to comfort him4 ,in the morning1 our brave boy entered the ,college1 where he found that several of his classmates had returned4 ,fulton1 ,adolph and ,tardeef gave him a hearty greeting2 soon they were exchanging droll stories and making each other laugh at their adventures during vacation4 ,on the whole1 ,bolax's second year opened with pleasant prospects and under more promising auspices than that which had preceded it4 ,here we must leave our hero1 asking the readers who are interested in his story to pray that his future life may prove all that his parents are trying to make it1 viz3 ,pure1 honest and noble in every sense of the word4 ,,end4 ,author's ,notes ,transcriber's ,note3 ,these comments are not part of the original printed text of the book2 they are excerpted from notes hand-written by the author in ,villanova ,university's copy4 ,this book will tell you how my children were carefully trained in their religion--,it is true to life4 ,i kept a diary of all my children's saying and doings and from this wrote the book4 ,the odd name comes from the boy's father calling him bow-legs because as a baby he walked crooked4 ,the boy caught the sound as ',bolax' and was so called until quite a big boy4 ,historical ,notes ,transcriber's ,note3 ,these notes were hand-written in ,villanova ,university's copy of the book by a librarian4 ,they are not part of the original printed text4 ,in #ahib-ic the son of ,mrs4 ,josephine ,culpeper1 ,osmond ,j41 attended classes at ,villanova1 to which reference is made in her pages4 ,mrs4 ,c---- lives at ,wayne1 ,pa42 it was from thence that the little ,bolax was sent to ,st4 ,thomas of ,villanova1 to which he refers in his letter 7p4 #gj74 ,allusions too on pp4 #ga1 #gb1 #ge1 #hb-hf1 #hh1 #ig1 #aee-eg1 #aei1 #afc4 ,transcriber's ,notes3 ,apparent misspellings in dialogue have been retained on the assumption that they are intentional4 ,this book has many problems with quotation marks and dialogue4 ,these have been corrected where practical1 but some unusual formatting remains4 ,in some cases1 best guesses have been made as to the correct placement of missing punctuation--some situations are ambiguous4 ,,only ,a ,,boy 7before page #a71 changed rob use to rob us4 ,page #a1 added missing chapter title4 ,page #c1 added missing open quote before ,as for ,bolax4 ,page #d1 added missing quotes to separate said ,miss ,beldon1 from the surrounding quotation2 also added missing quote before only ,i--,i--hope4 ,page #e1 added missing close quotes to second and third paragraphs2 changed undersood to understood in ,bolax understood what his mother meant by this4 ,page #f1 changed single quote to double quote after ,i ha'n't got no chair4 ,page #g1 changed catchism to catechism in ,tom's coming to my catechism class on ,sunday4 ,also changed would'nt to wouldn't4 ,page #h1 changed flyspects to flyspecks4 ,page #i1 changed period to question mark in ,what is it now1 ,bo dear8 ,page #aj1 changed extinuguished to extinguished in should never be extinguished4 ,page #aa1 removed extraneous quote from ,ma1 dear6 ,ma1 dear6 ,page #ac1 changed quiet to quite in the animal was quite unbroken4 ,page #ad1 added open quotes before ,as for you1 ,pete ,hopkins and ,pickaninys down ,souf4 ,page #ae1 added several missing quotes4 ,page #ah1 added missing open quote before tumty-tum twang6 ,page #bj1 added missing close quote after ,hurrah6 for your birthday1 sister4 ,page #bb1 changed did'nt to didn't and added missing period after goats feeding on such things4 ,page #bc1 changed tropped to trooped and princes to princess and removed stray quote after and there's some one else1 ,page #bd1 changed some of the ,mamma's to some of the ,mammas4 ,page #be1 added missing quote after smoke it out4 ,page #bf1 added missing quote after ,clean-plum through4 ,page #bg1 changed ,bout to ',bout4 ,page #bh1 changed you're money to your money4 ,page #bi1 changed acknownledge to acknowledge and fixed numerous quotation errors4 ,page #cj1 attempted to make sense of more muddled quotation marks1 adding missing quotes and changing double quotes to single quotes to clarify dialogue within dialogue4 ,page #cb1 added missing close quote after ,that sounds like ,bolax4 ,page #cc1 added missing close quote after sicked them on ,nan4 ,page #ce1 fixed numerous quote problems4 ,page #cf1 added many missing quotation marks4 ,page #cg1 changed ,cathechism to ,catechism and added missing close quote after say your prayers and go to bed4 ,page #ch1 changed ,asumption to ,assumption4 ,page #ci1 added missing close quote after ,once long ago1 our dear ,lord died and-- and changed beauitful to beautiful4 ,page #dj1 added some missing quotes4 ,page #dd1 added missing quotes to offset cried ,nellie ,day and said ,aunt ,lucy from surrounding text4 ,page #df1 changed getting' to gettin' and added missing quote before ,no1 ,i just wouldn't say that4 ,page #ej1 deleted unnecessary quote before ,our ,father1 who art in ,heaven and added missing quote after giggling instead of saying his prayers4 ,changed nonsnse to nonsense4 ,page #ea1 changed single quote to double quote after taken by surprise and added quotes to offset said ,bo4 ,page #ec1 changed scarcly to scarcely4 ,page #eg1 added missing quote after if a promise was broken4 ,page #eh1 changed question mark to period in ,mamma1 ,elsie told a lie4 ,page #ei1 added missing quote after ,he shan't be whipped1 he shan't and moved quote from after son to after begun4 ,page #fb1 added missing quote after it hisses and cracks your bones and-- ,page #fc1 added missing quote after giving me a report of his conduct4 ,page #ga1 added missing quote after your rabbits4 ,page #gc1 added missing quotes around ,if ,aunt ,lucy had been home ,i would not have been whipped4 ,added missing close and open quotes before ,i wouldn't let you4 ,page #gd1 fixed numerous quotation-related errors4 ,changed ,nautlius to ,nautilus4 ,page #ge1 added missing quote after ,i'll study hard4 ,changed broook to brook4 ,page #gg1 added missing quotes around we have no pupils under twelve years of age2 and around the paragraph beginning ,that's just what ,i intended proposing4 ,page #gh1 added several missing quotes4 ,page #gi1 added missing end quote after before these shrines and missing open quote before you don't mean to say2 offset laughed ,mr4 ,o',donnel by adding missing quotes2 changed demense to demesne4 ,page #hj1 removed comma from my little1 man4 ,page #ha1 fixed several quotation issues near bottom of page4 ,page #hc1 changed single quote to double quote after he wasn't struck dead6 and added missing quote before is kept so smooth and green4 ,page #hd1 added missing quotes after he didn't see the sign4 and if ,i stayed long enough at ,college4 ,changed single quote to double quote after ,are the priests kind to you8 ,page #he1 added missing quote after might get lost4 ,page #hg1 added missing quotes after two rats6 and before where did they come from8 and around ,well now1 all that is to be done is to catch them4 ,removed unnecessary quote after ,i did4 ,page #hi1 added missing quote after sending ,amy to ,atlantic ,city8 ,page #ih1 changed double quotes to single quotes around ,hot box4 ,page #aja1 fixed quotes surrounding ,to shelter de ,holy wanderers on dat blessed ,christmas night4 ,page #ajb1 added missing quote after we are not holy enough4 ,page #ajc1 added single quotes around ',a friend of mine just happens to be outside with his sleigh and ,i'll tell him to take you where you'll be well treated4' ,page #ajf1 removed extraneous quote after ,eleven4 ,page #ajh1 added missing close quote after wayfarer4 ,page #aaj1 changed entertaiment to entertainment4 ,page #aaa1 added missing open quote before ,i'll make him feel the vengeance4 ,page #aae1 added missing quotes around paragraph beginning ,that's a good story4 ,page #aaf1 removed several unnecessary quotation marks4 ,page #aai1 changed meet 7bring to meet4 ,bring 7simplest1 least disruptive way of resolving a mismatched parenthesis74 ,page #abe1 removed unnecessary open quote at start of poem2 changed singing' to singin'2 changed its to it's2 added missing close quote after all he hears and sees4 ,page #abf1 changed singing' to singin' and there to they're4 ,removed unnecessary quote after although'4 ,page #abg1 changed bright an fair to bright an' fair4 ,page #aca1 changed wildnerness to wilderness4 ,page #acb1 changed ,cavalry to ,calvary and corrected spacing on last line4 ,page #acc1 changed double quotes to single quotes around ,prevention of ,cruelty ,society and added missing nested close single quote on last line of page4 ,page #acf1 changed loving1son to loving son4 ,page #aci1 removed stray quote before ,may procession4 ,page #adj1 changed ,collge to ,college4 ,page #adg1 added missing close quote after everlastingly punished in the next4 ,page #aej1 changed darlng to darling4 ,added missing quote after first reference to ,fabiola4 ,page #aea1 added missing open quotes to first two full paragraphs4 ,page #aeb1 fixed quotes around ,mass of the ,angels4 ,page #aee1 removed stray quote before minor4 ,page #aeg1 fixed close quote after ,but1 ,page #aei1 removed stray quote after ,bully6 and added missing quote after good-night4 ,page #afa1 changed could'nt to couldn't and birth to berth4 ,page #afd1 changed fort to forte4 ,page #afg1 changed scones to sconces4 ,page #afi1 changed sius to suis and ,couer to ,coeur4 ,page #agj1 changed ,whose to ,who's and added missing open quote before you sleep soundly1 sir4 ,page #aga1 deleted unnecessary quote after term4 ,page #agb1 removed unnecessary quotes after night8 and consideration and added some missing quotes in the second full paragraph4 ,page #agd1 added open quote before don't study hard4 ,page #age1 changed knoweledge to knowledge4 ,page #agg1 changed hearily to heartily4 ,page #aha1 changed competiton to competition4 ,page #ahb1 added missing quotes to first two full paragraphs4 ,page #ahd1 corrected quotes in last full paragraph on page4 ,page #ahe1 added missing close quote after the rest of the dormitory4 ,changed ,s il yous play to ,s'il vous play4 ,page #ahg1 changed francais to franais4 ,page #ahh1 changed ciusiniere to cuisiniere4 ,page #ahi1 changed ,carorll to ,carroll4 ,page #aij1 removed stray quote after vacation's coming1 ,page #aia1 added missing open quote before ,young ,allen4 ,page #aib1 added missing close quote after the ,brothers8 ,page #aic1 added several missing quotes4 ,page #aif1 added missing quote after ,l',islet bill of fare4 ,page #aig1 changed his-ory to history4 ,page #aih1 changed double to single quotes around old friends4 ,page #aii1 added missing quote at end of page4 ,page #bjj1 added missing quotes around ,justement6 ,i'm glad you thought of that4 ,now we are sure of your return4 and after fervent and sincere4 ,page #bja1 changed arrangments to arrangements4 ,page #bjc1 added missing close quotes after the happiest day of my life and send ,bo's baggage to him by express4 ,page #bje1 added missing close quote after the biggest peach in the basket4 ,page #bjf1 added missing open quotes on several paragraphs4