CHAPTER XXV. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
For the six weeks following, Mr. Morton gave lessons twice a week to theboys. At the third lesson they received their muskets, and thenceforthdrilled with them. A few, who had not been present at the first twolessons, and were consequently ignorant of the positions, Mr. Mortonturned over to Frank, who proved an efficient and competent instructor.
At the end of the twelfth lesson, Mr. Morton, after giving the order"Rest!" addressed the boys as follows:
"Boys, we have now taken twelve lessons together. I have been very muchgratified by the rapid improvement which you have made, and feel that itis due quite as much to your attention as to any instructions of mine.I can say with truth that I have known companies of grown men who havemade less rapid progress than you.
"The time has now come when I feel that I can safely leave you toyourselves, There are those among you who are competent to carry on thework which I have commenced. It will be desirable for you at once toform a company organization. As there are but fifty on your muster-roll,being about half the usual number, you will not require as manyofficers. I recommend the election of a captain, first and secondlieutenants, three sergeants and three corporals. You have alreadybecome somewhat accustomed to company drill, so that you will be able togo on by yourselves under the guidance of your officers. If anydoubtful questions should arise, I shall always be happy to give you anyinformation or assistance in my power.
"And now, boys, I will bid you farewell in my capacity of instructor,but I need not say that I shall continue to watch with interest yourprogress in the military art."
Here Mr. Morton bowed, and sat down.
After the applause which followed his speech had subsided, there wasa silence and hush of expectation among the boys, after which CharlesReynolds rose slowly, and, taking from the seat beside him a package,advanced toward Mr. Morton and made a brief speech of presentation,having been deputed by the boys to perform that duty.
"MR MORTON: I stand here in behalf of the boys present, who wish toexpress to you their sense of your kindness in giving them the course oflessons which has just ended. We have taken up much of your time, and nodoubt have tried your patience more than once. If we have improved, asyou were kind enough to say, we feel that it is principally owing to ourgood fortune in having so skilful a teacher. We wish to present you sometestimonial of the regard which we have for you, and accordingly askyour acceptance of this copy of 'Abbott's Life of Napoleon.' We shouldhave been glad to give you something more valuable, but we are sure youwill value the gift for other reasons than its cost."
Here Charles Reynolds sat down, and all eyes were turned toward Mr.Morton. It was evident that he was taken by surprise. It was equallyevident that he was much gratified by this unexpected token of regard.
He rose and with much feeling spoke as follows:
"My dear boys, for you must allow me to call you so, I can hardly tellyou how much pleasure your kind gift has afforded me. It gives me theassurance, which indeed, I did not need, that you are as much my friendsas I am yours. The connection between us has afforded me much pleasureand satisfaction. In training you to duties which patriotism mayhereafter devolve upon you, though I pray Heaven that long before thattime our terrible civil strife may be at an end, I feel that I havehelped you to do something to show your loyal devotion to the countrywhich we all love and revere." Here there was loud applause. "If youwere a few years older, I doubt not that your efforts would be added tothose of your fathers and brothers who are now encountering the perilsand suffering the privations of war. And with a little practise I amproud to say that you would not need to be ashamed of the figure youwould cut in the field.
"I have little more to say. I recognize a fitness in the selection ofthe work which you have given me. Napoleon is without doubt the greatestmilitary genius which our modern age has produced. Yet he lacked onevery essential characteristic of a good soldier. He was more devoted tohis own selfish ends than to the welfare of his country. I shall valueyour gift for the good wishes that accompany it, and the recollection ofthis day will be among my pleasantest memories."
Mr. Morton here withdrew in the midst of hearty applause.
When he had left the hall a temporary organization for business purposeswas at once effected. Wilbur Summerfield was placed in the chair, andthe meeting proceeded at once to an election of officers.
For a week or two past there had been considerable private canvassingamong the boys. There were several who would like to have been electedcaptain, and a number of others who, though not aspiring so high,hoped to be first or second lieutenants. Among the first class was JohnHaynes. Like many persons who are unpopular, he did not seem to be atall aware of the extent of his unpopularity.
But there was another weighty reason why the choice of the boyswould never have fallen upon him. Apart from his unpopularity, he wasincompetent for the posts to which he aspired. Probably there were notten boys in the company who were not more proficient in drill than he.This was not owing to any want of natural capacity, but to a feelingthat he did not require much instruction and a consequent lack ofattention to the directions of Mr. Morton. He had frequently beencorrected in mistakes, but always received the correction withsullenness and impatience. He felt in his own mind that he was muchbetter fitted to govern than to obey, forgetting in his ambition that itis those only who have first learned to obey who are best qualified torule others.
Desirious of ingratiating himself with the boys, and so securing theirvotes, he had been unusually amiable and generous during the past week.At the previous lesson he had brought half a bushel of apples, fromwhich he had requested the boys to help themselves freely. By this meanshe hoped to attain the object of his ambition.
Squire Haynes, too, was interested in the success of his son.
"If they elect you captain, John," he promised, "I will furnish youmoney enough to buy a handsome sash and sword."
Besides John, there were several others who cherished secret hopes ofsuccess. Among these were Charles Reynolds and Wilbur Summerfield. Asfor Frank Frost, though he had thought little about it, he could nothelp feeling that he was among those best qualified for office, thoughhe would have been quite content with either of the three highestoffices, or even with the post of orderly sergeant.
Among those who had acquitted themselves with the greatest credit wasour old friend Dick Bumstead, whom we remember last as concerned inrather a questionable adventure. Since that time his general behaviorhad very much changed for the better. Before, he had always shirked workwhen it was possible. Now he exhibited a steadiness and industry whichsurprised no less than it gratified his father.
This change was partly owing to his having given up some companions whohad done him no good, and, instead, sought the society of Frank. Theenergy and manliness exhibited by his new friend, and the sensible viewswhich he took of life and duty, had wrought quite a revolution in Dick'scharacter. He began to see that if he ever meant to accomplish anythinghe must begin now. At Frank's instance he had given up smoking, and thiscut off one of the temptations which had assailed him. Gradually theopinion entertained of Dick in the village as a ne'er-do-well wasmodified, and he had come to be called as one of the steady and reliableboys--a reputation not to, be lightly regarded.
In the present election Dick did not dream that he could have anyinterest. While he had been interested in the lessons, and done hisbest, he felt that his previous reputation would injure his chance, andhe had made up his mind that he should have to serve in the ranks. Thisdid not trouble him, for Dick, to his credit be it said, was very freefrom jealousy, and had not a particle of envy in his composition. Hepossessed so many good qualities that it would have been a thousandpities if he had kept on in his former course.
"You will bring in your votes for captain," said the chairman.
Tom Wheeler distributed slips of paper among the boys, and there wasforthwith a plentiful show of pencils.
"Are the votes all in?" inquir
ed the chairman, a little later. "If so,we will proceed to count them."
There was a general hush of expectation while Wilbur Summerfield,the chairman, and Robert Ingalls, the secretary of the meeting, werecounting the votes. John Haynes, was evidently nervous, and fidgetedabout, anxious to learn his fate.
At length the count was completed, and Wilbur, rising, announced it asfollows:
Whole number of votes...... 49 Necessary for a choice..... 25 Robert Ingalls.............. 2 votes John Haynes................. 2 " Wilbur Summerfield.......... 4 " Moses Rogers................ 4 " Charles Reynolds........... 10 " Frank Frost................ 27 "
"Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of announcing that you have made choiceof Frank Frost as your captain."
Frank rose amid a general clapping of hands, and, with heightened colorbut modest self-possession, spoke as follows "Boys, I thank you verymuch for this proof of your confidence. All I can say is that I willendeavor to deserve it. I shall no doubt make some mistakes, but I feelsure that you will grant me your indulgence, and not expect too much ofmy inexperience."
This speech was regarded with favor by all except John Haynes, whowould rather have had any one else elected, independent of his owndisappointment, which was great.
"You will now prepare your votes for first lieutenant," said thepresiding officer.
It will be noticed that two votes were cast for John Haynes. One ofthese was thrown by a competitor, who wished to give his vote to someone who stood no possible chance of succeeding, and accordingly selectedJohn on account of his well-known unpopularity. This vote, therefore,was far from being a compliment. As for the other vote, John Hayneshimself best knew by whom it was cast.
The boys began to prepare their votes for first lieutenant.
John brightened up a little. He felt that it would be something togain this office. But when the result of the balloting was announced itproved that he had but a single vote.
There were several scattering votes. The two prominent candidates wereDick Bumstead, who received eight votes, and Charles Reynolds, whoreceived thirty-two, and was accordingly declared elected.
No one was more surprised by this announcement than Dick. He felt quitebewildered, not having the slightest expectation of being a candidate.He was almost tempted to believe that the votes had only been cast injest.
But Dick was destined to a still greater surprise. At the next vote, forsecond lieutenant, there were five scattering votes. Then came ten forWilbur Summerfield, and Richard Bumstead led off with thirty-four, andwas accordingly declared elected.
"Speech! speech!" exclaimed half a dozen, vociferously.
Dick looked a little confused, and tried to escape the call. But theboys were determined to have him up, and he was finally compelled torise, looking and feeling rather awkward But his natural good senseand straightforwardness came to his aid, and he acquitted himself quitecreditably.
This was Dick's speech:
"Boys, I don't know how to make speeches, and I s'pose you know that aswell as I do. I hardly knew who was meant when Richard Bumstead's namewas mentioned, having always been called Dick, but if it means me, all Ican say is, that I am very much obliged to you for the unexpected honor.One reason why I did not expect to be elected to any office was becauseI ain't as good a scholar as most of you. I am sure there are a greatmany of you who would make better officers than I, but I don't thinkthere's any that will try harder to do well than I shall."
Here Dick sat down, very much astonished to find that he had actuallymade a speech. His speech was modest, and made a favorable impression,as was shown by the noisy stamping of feet and shouts of "Bully foryou, Dick!" "You're a trump!" and other terms in which boys are wont tosignify their approbation.
Through all this John Haynes looked very much disgusted, and seemedhalf-decided upon leaving the room. He had some curiosity, however, tolearn who would be elected to the subordinate offices, and so remained.He had come into the room with the determination not to accept anythingbelow a lieutenancy, but now made up his mind not to reject the post oforderly sergeant if it should be offered to him. The following list ofofficers, however will show that he was allowed no choice in the matter:
Captain, Frank Frost. First Lieutenant, Charles Reynolds. Second Lieutenant, Richard Bumstead. Orderly Sergeant, Wilbur Summerfield. Second Sergeant, Robert Ingalls. Third Sergeant, Moses Rogers. First Corporal, Tom Wheeler. Second Corporal, Joseph Barry. Third Corporal, Frank Ingalls.
The entire list of officers was now read and received with applause. Ifthere were some who were disappointed, they acquiesced good-naturedly,with one exception.
When the applause had subsided, John Haynes rose and, in a voicetrembling with passion, said:
"Mr. Chairman, I wish to give notice to all present that I resign myplace as a member of this company. I don't choose to serve under suchofficers as you have chosen to-day. I don't think they are fit to havecommand."
Here there was a general chorus of hisses, drowning John's voicecompletely. After glancing about him a moment in speechless fury, heseized his hat, and left the room in indignant haste, slamming the doorafter him.
"He's a mean fellow!" said Frank Ingalls. "I suppose he expected to becaptain."
"Shouldn't wonder," said Sam Rivers. "Anyhow, he's a fool to make such afuss about it. As for me," he added, with a mirthful glance, "I amjust as much disappointed as he is. When I came here this afternoon Iexpected I should be elected captain, and I'd got my speech all ready,but now I'm sorry that it will have to be wasted."
There was a general burst of laughter, for Sam Rivers, whom everybodyliked for his good nature, was incorrigibly awkward, and had madea larger number of blunders, probably, than any other member of thecompany.
"Give us the speech, Sam," said Bob Ingalls.
"Yes, don't let it be wasted."
"Speech! speech!" cried Joseph Barry.
"Very well, gentlemen, if you desire it."
Sam drew from his pocket a blank piece of paper, and pretended to readthe following speech, which he made up on the spur of the moment.
"Ahem! gentlemen," he commenced, in a pompous tone, assuming an airof importance; "I am deeply indebted to you for this very unexpectedhonor."
"Oh, very," said one of the boys near.
"I feel that you have done yourself credit in your selection."
Here there was a round of applause.
"I am sorry that some of you are still very awkward, but I hope under myexcellent discipline to make veterans of you in less than no time."
"Good for you!"
"You cannot expect me to remain long with you, as I am now in the lineof promotion, and don't mean to stop short of a brigadier. But as longas I am your captain I hope you will appreciate your privileges."
Sam's speech was followed by a chorus of laughter, in which he joinedheartily himself.
As for John's defection, nobody seemed to regret it much. It wasgenerally felt that the company would have no difficulty in gettingalong without him.