CHAPTER V.
IN SCHOOL AND OUT.
The dazzlingly white school-house opposite Captain Thompson’s mansionwas not used for the public school, which, under the state law, wasnecessarily kept in operation at least four months in the year, andfor whose support the people of Cleverly were taxed. That institutionwas situated at a point nearer the fore side, a short distance fromthe main street, and was in rather a dilapidated condition. In thosedays country people had not that pride in handsome and commodiousschool-houses which is now eminently a characteristic of New Englandvillages; and this crazy edifice was likely to serve the purpose forwhich it had been erected, years and years before, until it shouldcrumble to pieces with age or be swept into a pile of kindling-wood bythe fury of a March gale.
Captain Thompson, as a member of the school committee, had endeavoredmany times to have the old shell supplanted by a better building,or at least placed on a more secure footing; but in vain. Hisassociates--Messrs. Pennywise and Poundfoolish--strictly opposedreconstruction in any form.
“It was good enough for us; and what was good enough for us is goodenough for our young ones,” was not a very sound argument; but, as itsatisfied the majority, the captain was obliged to give way. He thencarried the matter before the town meeting, with no better success.There was a strong opposition to any measure he brought forward forthe improvement of the school estate. Not even a bundle of shingles ora pound of nails could be had for repairs. The “good-enough” argumentprevailed here; and the captain was vanquished.
Then his obstinacy asserted itself. He withdrew from the schoolcommittee, bought the land opposite his house, took men from hisshipyard, hired all the carpenters he could find, and in less than twomonths had a very neat and commodious school-house of his own. This heleased to Rufus Drinkwater, the best teacher the public school everhad,--a man generally esteemed by the good folks of Cleverly,--andcommenced a warfare against the ancient establishment. Drinkwater’sterm opened a month earlier than the public, the charge for tuitionwas very low, and the captain gave notice that he was prepared to paythe bills, if children wanted to come to “my school,” and parents feltunable to incur further expense for schooling than that to which theywere subjected by the state tax.
The committee-men laughed when they saw “Thompson’s Folly,” as theystyled the new edifice, going up. But when they saw the children goingin,--and a very respectable procession they made,--and looked intotheir almost deserted quarters, they groaned in spirit, forgot thedignity of office, and railed in unbecoming terms at the “underhandtricks” of their successful opponent.
There was a satisfied look upon the captain’s face as he stepped intothe road Monday morning, followed by his man-of-all-work. About thedoor of the school-house were gathered a dozen or so of young people,awaiting the appearance of the teacher. It was only half past eight;and this assembly at so early an hour gave promise of a successfulopening.
“Well, well, little folks, this looks well, this looks well,” said thegreat man, good humoredly, as he entered the circle. “‘It’s the earlybird that catches the worm,’ and its the early chicks that pick up thelargest crumbs at the bountiful table of learning.”
The “chicks” looked a little crestfallen as the captain passed amongthem, patting a head here, and chucking a chin there; for to boysand girls ranging from ten to fifteen years of age, these babyishappellations and familiarities are not cordially welcome.
“Phil, unlock the door.--Everything’s in order, nice and clean; and besure you keep it so, little folks.”
“And mind, darlin’s, it’s the captain that’s done it all,” put in Phil,as he unlocked the door. “Niver be ungrateful, for it is a warm hearthas the captain, though he doesn’t always show it in his face.”
“Come, come, Phil, none of that,” cried the captain, a flash of“ugliness” springing to his face to give color to Phil’s remark. “Mindyour own business, and open the door.”
“There yez are,” said Phil, throwing open the door. “In wid yez, andhave a raal foine frolic afore the schoolmasther comes. Howld on abit. Three cheers for yer binefacthor--Captain Thompson. Now: one, two,three, and away you go!”
Phil led off with a cheer, in which the young people heartily joined.The captain turned down the hill, followed by Phil and the continuedcheers of the scholars, who, once started, were not contented withanything short of three times three, though whether the thought oftheir benefactor or the sound of their own voices contributed more totheir enthusiasm, would have been no hard matter to decide.
The captain, evidently impressed with the idea that the youngSleepers were to be driven to school like unruly cattle, was armedwith his whip, and, that there might be no defeat of his project, hadfurnished Phil with a stout stick, and bade him keep a sharp eye onthe youngsters until they were safe in the school-house. Phil followedmeekly, with his weapon under his arm and a broad grin on his face,for the comicality of the situation highly delighted the warm-heartedHibernian, with whom the young people were such favorites that, hadthey meditated an escape, he would have managed, by some nativeblunder, to aid, and not impede, their attempt.
To the utter astonishment of the captain, when they reached the house,a transformation had been accomplished. On a block in the yard satTeddy, with a clean face, smoothly-brushed hair, clothes well patched,to be sure, but without a rent, and, strangest of all, shoes andstockings on his feet. Becky sat in the doorway, with an open bookin her lap, hair well brushed and curled, frock mended, clean apron,polished shoes, and white stockings. All this was the work of HuldaPrime. Either in gratitude to Mrs. Thompson, who had quickly returnedthe purloined goodies, with the request that the children be madepresentable, or from a desire to astonish her enemy, Hulda had risen atan early hour, aroused the sleepers, washed, brushed, and mended withan energy that surprised even the dreamy mother, and, after a lesson ingood behaviour, had set her charge out to dry, until the arrival of thecaptain.
Becky had taken the matter very coolly. When told she was going toschool that day, she said,--
“Why, Teddy and I were going up to the Basin to-day.”
“Yes, rafting,” said Teddy. “It’s plaguy mean to spoil a fellow’s fun.”
“No matter,” replied Becky, with a knowing nod of the head; “guesswe’ll go after school, any way.”
When thoroughly scoured and adorned, she took a large book, and sat inthe doorway, where the captain found her.
“Well, young ones, what is it--peace or war? Will you go to schoolquietly, or must we drive you?” said the captain, when he had recoveredfrom his surprise.
“You won’t drive us, captain,” said Becky, looking up, with a smile.“It would be too hard work. We’re going quietly--ain’t we, Teddy?”
“Yes, if we’re let alone. Ain’t going to be lugged like a calf to theslaughter-house, any way,” grumbled Teddy.
“You’d better,” growled the captain. “I ain’t forgot your capers inmy orchard. I’m just itching to pay off that score. But I’ll call itsquare if you give me no trouble now.”
“All right, captain,” replied Becky; “We’ll go. I’ve been preparingmyself for torture in this blessed book.”
“What book’s that--the Bible, hey?” said the captain.
“It’s ‘Fox’s Book of Martyrs,’ captain; but I can’t find anything aboutschool in it.”
“Pshaw!” said the captain; “let such books alone. Come, stir yourstumps, or you’ll be late. Now, recollect, if you give me any trouble--”
“Cap’n Thompson, you needn’t be afraid of them young ones; they won’teat you!” cried Aunt Hulda, sticking her head out of the kitchendoorway. “If you and that big Irish lubber can’t handle ’em, bettercall on the committee; they’ll help you.”
The taunt was so bitter that the captain raised his whip; but,recollecting the sex of his opponent, he turned away, with a muttered“Hang it!” and strode into the road. Teddy and Becky followed, andPhil brought up the rear. The march schoolward was de
void of stirringincidents. Occasionally Becky, annoyed at the strict guard kept overthem, would dart to the side of the road. The captain and Phil wouldrun after her, only to find her picking a flower, or cutting a switch.The captain would stalk on again, and the captives would exchangemischievous glances, while Phil would grow red in the face withsuppressed laughter.
The captain had consumed more time than he intended in musteringhis recruits; and it was past nine o’clock when he reached theschool-house. His “chicks,” having exhausted their stock of cheers, hadfiled into the school-room, and not averse to Phil’s recommendation,had indulged in a noisy but good-humored frolic, in which they werejoined by some twenty later arrivals. They were in the midst of ananimated game of tag, when three distinct raps upon the teacher’s deskmade them aware of the presence of a stranger. In an instant therewas profound silence in the room, and all eyes were turned upon thenew-comer. He was a young man, of medium height, broad-shouldered andfull-chested, every movement of his person showing in its powerfulgrace the effects of physical culture and out-door exercise. Hisface was equally powerful; piercing black eyes, browned skin, and adetermined lock of the under jaw, showed a strong will and a daringspirit. Yet an occasional comical quiver about his eyes, and a liftingof his slight moustache by a half smile, and a genial glow of goodhumor which beamed through its sternness, as the ruddy cheek glowedunder the brown coating, gave token of the nobility of power, by itskinship to gentleness and good humor. To all this were added a highforehead and an abundance of short, curly locks, so that the person ofthe stranger was not only calculated to command respect, but admirationas well.
“My young friends,” said he, “I bear a message from your teacher. Hewas taken suddenly ill last Friday night; he is somewhat better thismorning, we think, but unable to be here with you. He has asked me totake his place, and wishes you to be patient with one who is a new handat keeping school. That’s myself,” with a smile. “Will you take me?”
“O, yes, sir!” “Yes, sir!” in full chorus.
“Very well. I think we can agree. Take your places--boys on the left,girls on the right, as usual.”
There were three rows of forms on each side, for the scholars, with abroad open space between; there was a platform at the farther end, forrecitations; the teacher’s desk faced this, on a corresponding platformat the left of the door, and behind his desk was a blackboard affixedto the wall. The room was lighted by three windows on each side, andone at the farther end.
The scholars quickly took their places, and Mr. Drinkwater’s substituteseated himself at the desk, opened the record book, and commencedcalling the names of the scholars of the last term in alphabeticalorder. He was among the D’s, had reached the name of Hosea Davis, whenthe door was thrown open, and Captain Thompson stalked into the room,followed by Becky and Teddy.
“Here Drinkwater, here’s a couple of eels that want training.”
The substitute raised his head quickly.
“Harry Thompson!”
“Yes, sir, Harry Thompson,” said the stranger, rising. “I hope I seeyou well, sir.”
The captain did not look well. He turned pale, and stared at his son asthough he could not believe his eyes.
“Wh-wh-what does this mean? Why are you here? Where’s Drinkwater?”
“Mr. Drinkwater is ill, sir; taken suddenly last Friday. I have beenstopping with him for a few days, and he requested me to open hisschool to-day.”
“He’s no business to do anything of the kind. This is my school; and Iwon’t have it.”
The captain was getting angry.
“I understood him to say that the school-house was leased to him, andthat he was expected to get a substitute when unable to attend himself.”
“So he is; but not you, sir, not you. I don’t want any of yourteaching. S’pose you’ll teach these young ones to disobey theirfathers, and run off. No, sir. You are at liberty. I’ll teach myself.”
“That is a point you must settle with Mr. Drinkwater,” said the youngman, quietly. “I have taken command here, and, without meaning tobe disrespectful, propose to hold my position until relieved by Mr.Drinkwater.”
The captain absolutely foamed with rage.
“You’re an impudent puppy. You’ve no business here, no business inthe place. You’ve disgraced yourself. After what I’ve done for you,too!” And the captain went into particulars as to what he had done,commencing a long way back in the young man’s history, and withoutgiving his son a chance to speak, growing louder and fiercer as histongue flew the faster. He was suddenly brought to a stop by a roar oflaughter from the children. He turned to them in amazement, but not byhim was their merriment caused.
While the captain was giving vent to his troubles, Miss Becky hadstepped upon the platform, picked up a crayon, and commenced operationson the blackboard. As she proceeded, all eyes, with the exception ofthose belonging to the captain and his son, were fastened upon her; andthe completion of her picture had brought forth the interrupting roar.
Becky had one talent which had long been hid; she had a genius fordrawing; but never before had this peculiar talent been paraded forpublic inspection.
But here, as skillfully executed as chalk would allow, was a drawingrepresenting “Old Uncle Ned” at full gallop, Becky seated upon hisback, and the captain in full pursuit--so well done, that the captain,following the direction of all eyes, instantly recognized it. Incensedhe made a dart at Becky; but the nimble artist dodged him, and fledto the farther end of the room. This produced another roar from thescholars. The captain checked his pursuit, turned about, and fled fromthe room, banging the door behind him.
Harry Thompson rapped the desk, and commanded silence.
“Miss Becky Sleeper, remove that drawing from the blackboard at once,”he said sternly.
Becky looked up at him with a mischievous smile, which instantlydisappeared, as she met his eye. She meekly obeyed, and the picturevanished.
“Now, take your place. You, too, Master Teddy.”
Teddy went over among the boys, and Becky followed him. Another roarfrom the scholars.
“Silence!” from the teacher. “Miss Becky, you will take your placeamong the girls, where you belong.”
Becky went the whole length of the room, scowling at the girls, who hadlaughed at her blunder, and took a seat by the window.
Harry concluded his record by affixing the names of Teddy and Becky,who were the only new scholars.
“The exercises will be very short this morning, and there will be butone session. I shall only call upon you to read; that concluded, youwill be dismissed for the day.”
He then commenced with the boy nearest him, calling upon themseparately to read--first a boy, then a girl, in regular succession.They made their own selections, and with varied success. There weresome good readers, none very bad, until they reached Teddy. He steppedupon the platform, and read “Casabianca” somewhat in this style:--
“‘The boy stood on the--b-u-r-n-i-n-g--burning deck, Whence--whence--whence all butim had sled--no, fled; The flames that lit the batil wreck Shine--shown--show--round him o’er the dead;’”
which, of course, excited a laugh. It was now Becky’s turn, and she wascalled. She did not move. She could read no better than Teddy, and shewas determined not to be laughed at.
“Becky Sleeper, take the platform!” said the teacher, in a stern voice.
“I won’t--there! I didn’t come to school to you: Mr. Drinkwater’s myteacher.”
Harry Thompson stepped from his desk. The lower jaw came up with anominous snap. He went to where Becky sat kicking the form before her,and looked down at her. She appeared so little, that his anger at hersauciness vanished at once.
“Becky, you and I will have a private session after school. You willread to me then, I think, for old acquaintance’s sake,” he said, with asmile, and returned to his desk. “I am very much obliged to you all foryour attention. School is dismissed. Becky Sleeper will remain.”
There was a rush for out doors, and the school-room was quickly clearedof all but Becky and the teacher. Teddy had lingered a moment toexchange a word with Becky, in which “the Basin,” and “wait outside,”might be distinguished, and then had taken his leave.
“Now, Becky, let me hear you read.”
Becky arose, but instead of stepping to the platform, marched straightfor the door. But not quite fast enough, for Harry stepped before her,closed the door, and locked it.
“Becky,” said he, “the first duty to be learned in school is obedienceto the teacher. Go to the platform!”
Becky looked up at him with defiance in her glance.
“Harry Thompson, you’re just as mean as you can be. You let those boysand girls laugh at Teddy and now you want to laugh at me. I won’t read.”
“Go to the platform.”
Becky turned and went to the platform, and farther yet; she threw upthe window, and jumped upon the sill, and all very quickly. Harry sawher intention at once.
“Becky, Becky, don’t do that,” he cried, running towards her. “It’s tenfeet. You’ll break your neck.”
“Don’t care. I won’t read;” and she leaped. There was a rustling andtearing among the foliage beneath the window; but when Harry reachedit, Becky was invisible.