Bolax, Imp or Angel—Which?

by Lester Chadwick

  CHAPTER II.

  THE WONDERFUL RIDE.

  "Hurrah! Hurrah!" shouted Bolax, "Amy where are you? 'Want to tell yousomething fine." Amy was watering her flower-bed, and did not pay muchattention to the little brother who was always having something "fine"to tell.

  "What is it now, Bo dear?" "Oh something real splendid this time."

  "Please tell me then," said Amy getting a little impatient.

  "You'll be so glad, Amy. Mamma and auntie say they are going to have aparty on the 21st because it is your birthday and St. Aloysius'birthday."

  "Did they? really truly!" exclaimed Amy; and the staid little ladydanced up and down the porch wild with delight at the prospect of a"really truly" party.

  Just then Aunt Lucy came up the steps laden with roses, for it was June,the month of the beautiful queen of flowers.

  Mrs. Allen took particular pains to cultivate with her own hands, allvarieties of red roses, from deep crimson to the brilliant Jacqueminot,so that she could always have a bouquet to send to the Church everySunday and Friday, during the month of the Sacred Heart, besideskeeping her own little altar well supplied.

  "Oh, Auntie, dear!" said Amy, "I'm so happy! Bo says I'm to have aparty." "Well, yes, darling; you know you will be seven on the 21st, soMamma and I want to make you happy because you have always tried to be agood obedient little girl."

  "Thank you, thank you, auntie," and Amy gave Aunt Lucy a big hug andkiss.

  "May I carry the roses to the Oratory auntie, dear?"

  "Yes, Child, but I must go too, for I forgot to light the lamp beforethe picture of the Sacred Heart, and it should never be extinguishedduring this month."

  While arranging the altar Amy began with her usual string of questions,which were always listened to, and answered, for Mrs. Allen and hersister never allowed themselves to be "too busy to talk to children."

  "Auntie, why do we burn lamps before statues and holy pictures? MollieLane asked me that question when she was in here yesterday, and I didnot know how to explain, then she laughed and said it was so funny tohave artificial light in the day time."

  "My dear, we burn lamps and candles on the altar for several reasons,which it would take too long to tell you just now; when you are older, Iwill give you a little book called "Sacramentals," which explains allabout the lights on our altars, the use of holy water, blessed palm, thecrucifix, etc. For the present it suffices to tell any one who questionsyou that the lamp in our Oratory is kept burning as a mark of respecttowards the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and besides it is a pretty ornament."

  What a bower of loveliness, peace and rest was the little hall-roomwhich Mrs. Allen set apart as a "Holy of Holies" for her household. Asubdued light glimmered through the latticed windows, which alsoadmitted the soft summer air that wafted the fragrance of flowers overthe family, as they knelt at their devotion.

  There was time to pray in that house, and although its head was not aCatholic, he approved of his family living up to all they professed; infact he was proud of the little tabernacle in his house, and frequently,when he had visitors, invited them upstairs to see the Oratory.

  While Aunt Lucy and Amy were occupied, Bolax went out to the stablehoping Pat, the hired man, would talk to him; but Pat had gone to thevillage on an errand, then Bo came back to the house and called for hisMamma. As mother did not respond immediately he screamed as loud as hecould: "Ma, dear! Ma, dear!"

  Mrs. Allen opened her door and asked why he spoke in such a disagreeabletone of voice.

  "Well, I have no one to play with," he whined. "I want sister, can't shecome down?"

  "Now dearie be a good little man, don't whine, go and amuse yourself;Amy is at her lessons with Aunt Lucy, and I am writing to Papa. I shouldlike to be able to tell him you were a good boy."

  "Where is Papa now?" asked Bo. "Away off in Kansas, dear."

  "There, do not disturb me and I will be with you presently."

  Thus left to himself Bo went to his never-failing source ofamusement--swinging on the gate. While enjoying himself, he heard therumble of wagon-wheels, and jumped down to see what was coming. Ithappened to be the milk boy, Pete Hopkins--"Hello, Pete!" said Bo."Hello yourself," said Pete. "Give me a ride," begged Bo. "I don'tmind," said the good-natured fellow and jumping out of his cart, liftedthe child to the seat beside him.

  Bolax had often been allowed to ride to the end of the road with Pete,because Mrs. Allen knew him to be a respectable boy.

  When he came to the usual getting-off place, Pete forgot somehow to putthe child down, and, of course, Bo couldn't think, he was too muchinterested in a story Pete was telling about his pet goose, that alwaysfollowed one of the cows, and came to him to have her head scratched.

  Pete did not realize how far he was taking the boy, until the horsestopped before his own door. "Great Scot!" exclaimed he, "I'll ketch it,youngster. I didn't mean to carry you all this way."

  "But as you are here, I'll show you the calves and my pet goose." Sayingthis, Pete lifted Bo out of the cart. The child clapped his hands andshouted with delight as he caught sight of a flock of sheep feeding inthe meadow next to the barn, then Pete called Nancy, the pet goose, andBo laughed at her queer way of waddling from side to side after hermaster, and gabbling as if trying to talk to him.

  "I want to see your colt now," said Bo, Pete asked him to wait a minutewhile he went into the stable to make sure the colt was tied securely,for the animal was quite unbroken, and children were not to be trustednear him.

  Bo waited a "hundred hours," which was always his manner of computingtime, when in anticipation of pleasure; then spying a nice white pig ina field nearby, rubbing her back against the fence, he made a dashtowards her, put one leg through the rails just across piggie's back. Upjumped the pig with the boy astride, whether by accident or design, noone could tell.

  Bo was delighted at the unexpected pleasure of a real piggie-back ride,and laughed and shouted in his glee.

  Pete having fastened the door of the colt's stall, and made sure hecould be safely approached, went out of the stable to call Bolax, but bythis time master harum scarum was off on his prancing steed. For amoment, Pete stood amazed not knowing what to make of the strange sight,then finding his voice, called out lustily "Hi! Hi! little fellow, stop!you'll be killed!" At the same time he could scarcely keep his feet forlaughing.

  Two farmhands tried to "head off" the animal, but Bo had caught hold ofher ears to keep himself balanced, and the tighter he held on the wilderran poor piggie.

  Pete's mother came rushing out, and seeing the dangerous position of thechild began scolding, her harsh voice striking terror into the heart ofunlucky Pete.

  "You big stupid. How come you to let that baby do such a fool trick?"

  "Don't stand there gaping. Head off the wild critter or she'll get outon the road."

  But the warning came too late, for at that moment down the lane flew thefrightened animal, Bolax boldly clinging to its back.

  Mrs. Hopkins, her hair all flying, rushed after him making the echoesring with her screams. Pete bewildered, did not know which way to run;the two hired men and several neighbors joined in the chase.

  Finally piggie plunged into a little creek by the roadside and Bo wasdismounted. He got a thorough ducking and a few bruises, but received noserious injury.

  Mrs. Hopkins carried the child into the house, and having changed hisclothes made Pete hitch up the buggy, for, as she said: "I'll take thelittle imp to his mother, and tell her never to let him show his nose onmy place again.

  "As for you, Pete Hopkins, if ever I ketch you bringing any child onthese premises, you'll be sore for a month."

  When Mrs. Allen had written her letter she called Bolax, not finding himon the lawn, she went into the kitchen, supposing Hetty, the cook, wasentertaining him, for she often had the children in roars of laughter,with her funny stories about "Brer Rabbit" and the "Pickaninys downSouf."

  But Hetty "hadn't laid an eye on dat boy since breakfus."

 
Mrs. Allen waited a while longer, then became quite uneasy.

  Going to the gate she looked up and down the road.

  Miss Beldon saw her and asked if she was looking for Bolax. "Yes," saidMrs. Allen, "he has been missing for two hours and I am very muchworried about him."

  "Well, I saw him get into a wagon right at your gate," said Miss Beldon.Poor Mrs. Allen began to think of Charlie Ross, and every otherkidnapping story she had ever heard of. Aunt Lucy and Amy shared heranxiety.

  Pat went into the woods to look for him and Hetty took the road to thevillage, thinking he might be found in that direction.

  Mrs. Allen went to her refuge in all trouble, the Oratory.

  There she knelt and implored the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph to helpher find her darling boy; she felt sure the Divine Mother wouldsympathize with her, in remembrance of the anxiety she had suffered whenthe Holy Child was lost for three days.

  It was nearly noon when Mrs. Hopkins' buggy stopped at the gate. MissBeldon and Aunt Lucy were overjoyed on seeing the child, Amy ran downthe path to meet him, calling back to Mamma that Bolax had been found.

  Mrs. Allen, being a very nervous person became hysterical on hearing thegood news. Aunt Lucy took the boy in her arms, and the usually happylittle face assumed a grave expression when he saw his mother seated onthe piazza with her handkerchief to her eyes.

  Mrs. Hopkins told the whole story of the wild ride and begged theladies never to trust children with her "Pete," for she said: "I musttell you he ain't got the sense of a kitten and he is no more use than alast year's bird's nest with the bottom knocked out."

  When Bo saw the state his mother was in, he realized how naughty he hadbeen to leave home without permission. "Dear Ma," said he, "I'm sosorry, I didn't mean to stay away. Pete took me by mistake, and I didn'tknow I was staying so long."

  Mrs. Allen said not a word of reproof to the child, but taking his hand,led him quietly upstairs to the Oratory, and left him. Bo felt hismother's silence more keenly than if she had given him a long lecture.

  Calling her sister, Mrs. Allen said: "Lucy go to that child, he is inthe Oratory. When he comes out, put him to bed. I must keep away fromhim while I am so excited and nervous; I will wait until I shall havebecome calm, to reprimand him."

  Aunt Lucy went to the door to peep in at Bo; this is the prayer sheheard him say: "Dear little Jesus and Holy Mother, I'm sorry Ifrightened my darling mamma. I didn't know I was away such a long time,but it was such fun, dear Jesus, you would laugh yourself if you hadseen me on that pig."

  Aunt Lucy ran away from the door, trying to smother her laughter, andgoing to her sister's room told what she had heard.

  "Now, sister," she begged, "do forgive our boy this time, there is noguile in the little soul, and the way he speaks to Our Lord is so sweet,I cannot have the heart to scold him."

  "That is all very well, Lucy, but I fear if I trusted him to youalways, he would be a very spoiled child."

  Here a little voice was heard begging mamma to come and see how sorryher boy was.

  Mrs. Allen let the little delinquent off with a mild reproof, and twohours in bed, which he needed as a rest after his wonderful exertions ofthe morning.

  Little Amy begged Mamma to allow her to remain with Brother and offeredto tell him a story, but he preferred having her recite a new piece shehad just learned.

  CORINNE'S MUSICALE.

  BY MARGARET SIDNEY.

  Inside of me says I am naughty, But truly, I know I am not; For if Brother Joe could see me Right in this very spot, He'd let me do just as I'm doing, I'm very sure; that is, perhaps-- Oh, dear! however, do big folks Hold this thing straight in their laps?

  It slips, an' it slips an it slips, You naughty old Banjo, oh, dear! Is he coming? then what will he do To find me sitting up here! Ho, ho, 'twas a mouse--how silly And frightened I've actually been; For he'd say: "If you hold it quite still You may take it, I'm willing, Corinne!"

  I know, so now I'll begin it; How does he go "tumty tum ting," And make such beautiful tunes, Too lovely for anything? I ain't a bit afraid they may hear, The house people 'way off below-- Me playing in Brother Joe's room. Still I'd better be careful, you know.

  If they didn't say 'twas amusing. I sh'd think 'twas stupid to play, To tug at such tiresome strings An' make them come over this way; But it must be delightful, I'll pull A very fine tune at first; Now, "tumty-tum twang!" It sounds as if something had burst!

  That string must a truly been cracked. Don't you s'pose? or moth-eaten p'raps; Tisn't pleasant to practice I'm sure, But forlorn, when anything flaps So I guess I've finished; hark! hark! He really is coming--oh, my! Now, Banjo, I know Mamma wants me, An' so I must bid you good-bye.

  "Wasn't she a naughty girl," said Bo, "I wouldn't do that. I never touchAunt Lucy's banjo--only sometimes--but I don't break it."