Bolax Part 25

The Brother swung round on his heel. "What! Allen! get out of bed, sir, this instant." Bolax forgetful of his disguise sheepishly obeyed, but when he stood on the floor, he looked so odd in his crimson girdle and corked cheeks, with the light of Brother's lamp s.h.i.+ning on him, that the scene became overpoweringly ludicrous to Fulton, who now in his turn was convulsed with a storm of laughter faintly echoed from other beds.

"Tres bien mes amis," (very well, my friends!) was Brother Director's sarcastic remark, for he was now thoroughly angry, "you will hear from me tomorrow." He then walked away with a heavy step.

Next morning, Ma.s.s was no sooner over than the boys were summoned to the Study Hall. Brother Director began with: "I have a few words to say to you.

"I find there was the utmost disorder in the dormitories last night.

Candles were lighted at forbidden hours, and the noise was so great that it was heard through the whole building. I am grieved to see you cannot be left alone even for a few hours without taking advantage of my absence, and that some of the older boys, far from using their influence to prevent those infractions of discipline, seem inclined to join in them themselves, forgetting their position in school and abetting the follies of children. You, Mr. Harrison, shall be deprived of a privilege which you have abused, as a punishment for your conduct last night, you will give up your private study until the end of the term.

"Fulton as the ringleader ought to be caned, but as this is his first year, I will give him instead three days in the Cachot.

"Allen and the other little fellows who were led by him, shall be deprived of recreation for one week. Now, boys, just let me ask you if you have not enough legitimate pleasures without resorting to such fooleries as that of last night?

"In our schools the Brothers make it a practice to enter into all amus.e.m.e.nts with our pupils. This summer Fulton and the other American boys saw how we went rowing with you, we join in your football games, we even play marbles with the little fellows, but how would a Christian Brother look dressed up as Master Allen was last night?" Here there was a perceptible smile on Brother Director's face, which gave license for a general t.i.tter from those who had seen the costume of "General Boome."

"Now we, as Christian Brothers, are bound to teach all who come under our jurisdiction to be Christian gentlemen, and we use our best endeavors to that end.

"We want all to be happy with us, no boy must remain in this College who considers he is treated unjustly or harshly, but we will not allow our rules to be broken or our authority set aside on any consideration.

"Now you may all go to breakfast."

After breakfast Honore Bernier and several of the French boys congratulated the "Americans" on getting off with so slight a punishment. You may thank your stars it is Brother Benedict, who is Director, he is so lenient; if you had been here in Brother John's time you would all have gotten a dose of Extract of Rattan.

OCTOBER 31ST.

_Dear Mother_: Our whole dormitory got into a sc.r.a.pe for "cutting up s.h.i.+nes" when we should have been asleep. I did not realize how foolish it was to take fun out of time, until Monsieur Le Cure gave me advice on the matter.

I promised him I would keep all the rules in the future and try for the medal. I have started in, and although I find it hard work to keep from mischief, I manage to save my fun for recreation hour.

I have joined the Society of St. Aloysius; that means great watchfulness over myself to keep from offending G.o.d in the least manner.

Darling Mother, I hope you will have reason some day to be proud of your loving son,

B. ALLEN.

CHAPTER XV.

LETTER FROM A FRIEND.

PALM BEACH, November 1st.

_Dear Master Bolax_: When you receive this letter you will say who is this lady? I never knew her, so I must introduce myself. I am a very old friend of your mother's; we were schoolmates. When you were a tiny baby I saw you and held you in my arms, since then I have been traveling in Europe and did not see your dear mother until we met down here. We often walk out together, and talk of old times, but Mamma's chief topic of conversation is her "boy." You are the core of your mother's heart, and she so hopes to be able to say as you grow older, "This is my blessed boy, is he not n.o.ble? I am so proud of him," and you will feel all the n.o.bleness of your nature grow greater, for any boy who can write such sweet, tender letters has the Christ Child in his heart and cannot go far wrong; only you let the little Pixie, a very tormenting spirit, sit on your shoulder at times, and that is the trouble; just you work him off and keep him off; his name is "Lack of Application," and he whispers in your right ear, "don't study hard, let's have some fun; you'll get on somehow."

Then "Lack of Application" has a little sister, who is just as mischievous, her name is: "Procrastination," with these two little Elves so close, and keeping them as constant companions is the cause of all our trouble. If you will whisper to the dear Christ Child to drive them off, and help you to put the cobbles of determination in their place, you will find your pathway full of suns.h.i.+ne.

The Brothers, your instructors, do not mean to be severe, but are trying to help you drive away these two spirits with whom you have struck up such a great friends.h.i.+p.

Now, my dear boy, you have great talent; 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 helpers.

For your mother's sake, who loves you better than her life, make _pleasure your_ friend _for_ your hours of leisure, but let Brain, Heart and Hands work during working hours. Seek all the knowledge that you now have the chance of obtaining for the more you know of French, Music, Mathematics and general knowledge, the greater are your chances of success.

I think I hear you say: "Why did this lady write to me? She don't know me." Oh, yes, she does, from your letters, and your mother's description of you.

I love boys. I have had one of my own; I know all about their funny tricks. I used to wish I had been a boy myself.

Once when a little girl, I kicked and yelled for an hour because I was not permitted to climb a chestnut tree, and set traps for rabbits and play s.h.i.+nney with the boys. Now don't you think I know something, having gone through all this.

I think a letter from you to me would be a fine thing. We might have a tilt or two with the pen and brain, if not with the sword and lance.

As your dear mother tells me you have a loving, kind heart. I send you a portion of the love I give her and ask you to call me,

AUNT ANNA EUHLER.

L'ISLET, P. Q., December 8th.

_Darling Mother_: Your sweet letter was received yesterday and my heart beat with joy on seeing it.

Brother will let me have all the books and papers you can send. I would like to renew my subscription to Harper's Young People. I have read all dear Father Finn's books over again, and enjoyed them as I did the first time. I know you are under great expense on account of Papa's illness, so do not exert yourself trying to send me Christmas money, if it becomes necessary I will do without going anywhere or getting anything.

There will be a few boys here to stay over Christmas and New Year, so I will have a little fun, although not as much as if I went to Quebec, St.

Anne, St. Eugene's, Cape St. Ignac or Trois Pistolets.

Brother Director has told the Brother who cooks to clean the b.u.t.ter for me, he will put it in water and mash it, thus withdrawing the salty taste and black particles.

I now have a book called "Horsfield's Method of Learning French Language," and I think it will help me very much. It has the French on top and the English underneath, as:

Il est fou, etc., He is fool.

It also has conversation, as:

Vous avez des cheveuz rouge, You have the hairs red.

Don't you wish I could write as well as the fellow who addressed this envelope? The strongest boy in the school is Adolph Bernier, and he is one of my best friends. If he had the nerve of Dr. Carroll he could lick the world.

His muscle is almost three times as large as Doctor's, and his legs about eighteen inches round.

The wind howls around here, and the snow is above the fences. We walk on it with snow shoes.

My love to Papa. Could you send me some alligator's eggs?

Your loving son,

BOLAX.