Bolax, Imp or Angel—Which?

by Lester Chadwick

  CHAPTER XIV.

  BOLAX GOES TO COLLEGE.

  For several winters Mr. Allen had suffered from severe grippe colds,each year his system seemed less able to resist the attacks, so Dr.Carroll prescribed a winter in Florida, saying that it was an absolutenecessity both for his health and as a complete rest from business, towhich he had been a slave.

  Mrs. Allen and the whole family held a consultation as to what should bedone with Bolax while they were in Florida.

  "I want to board at St. Thomas', Papa; the boys have such fun, I knowI'd have a good time there; I was the youngest day scholar last year andall the seniors liked me."

  "My dear child," said his father, "if fun be all your aim in boarding ata college, you can have all you want of that at home at less cost. Ifear there is too much of your 'fun' going on in our colleges and verylittle solid education."

  "That's just what I've been thinking," observed Mrs. Allen, "and I'vemade up my mind to send Bolax to my uncle, who is President of theCollege at L'Islet, Canada; that is, my dear, if you don't object."

  "I do most emphatically object to having my son go so far from home."

  "But," argued Mrs. Allen, "the boy will be better cared for under thepatronage of a relative than he would be in the most expensive of ourColleges here. My uncle has frequently written to me, telling of theexcellent methods and strict discipline of his school, which he hasplaced under the care of Christian Brothers."

  As they were speaking, Dr. Carroll and Lucy came into the room.

  "What would you advise about our boy, Doctor?" asked Mr. Allen.

  "On what subject?" said the Doctor.

  "We are thinking of placing Bolax at college, and his mother wants tosend him to her uncle in Canada."

  "Canada is very far away," objected Aunt Lucy, "why not let him remainwith us, as we are to live in your house during your absence."

  "Now, Lucy, you ought to think it high time that a boy nearly thirteenyears of age should be above coddling," remarked the Doctor, "that iswhat you and Hetty have done all his life and it is time to stop it. Theboy is not working up to his ability here. Composition and music are theonly branches in which he receives a high average, these require littleor no exertion on his part, but in all other studies his average is low.I really feel a change would benefit him, we might make the trial,should it prove unsatisfactory, it will be easy to take him home again."

  After debating for and against the Canadian project, Mr. Allen was atlast persuaded to give his consent, and preparations were made for Bo'strip to Canada. Boy-like he was elated at the idea of traveling,especially when he heard he was to undertake the journey alone. When hetold his companions about it, they opened their eyes in amazement,and some of their mothers wondered how such a harum-scarum could betrusted so far on the trains.

  BOLAX WHEN HE WENT TO COLLEGE.]

  "Mamma, can't I give a farewell spread for my chums?" "Yes, dear; havethem all here on Friday evening. I will get up a nice supper, and UncleCarroll will show his magic lantern with moving pictures." "Oh, bullyfor you Ma, dear." "Bully! What did I say about slang, my child?" "Oh,Ma, dear, all the fellows at St. Thomas' use those words, you've got tohave something to say when you are pleased, or mad, or surprised--onedear old priest up there says 'Thunder and mud!' when a boy gives aparticularly stupid answer at a recitation."

  "Oh, well, my son, that is just a funny expression. I don't mind youradopting it, since as you say, you must have some 'expressions.'"

  * * * * *

  The last evening at home had come. Bo's trunk was packed and the familyhad assembled in the dining room to have a nice old-fashioned supper.Their boy was going away, but the grand harmony of the evening was notdestroyed. Uncle Carroll sang merry songs, Aunt Lucy played on herguitar, Bolax gave his best pieces on the piano, in fact, they had aregular concert.

  Somehow, Bolax felt that he had never loved his parents as he did now;he thought his mother's face so matronly, yet so gentle, was thesweetest face he ever saw. He bid "good-night" quite bravely, but foundit hard to suppress his sobs as he clung to his mother's neck, for ourlight-hearted boy was tender and loving as a girl.

  Early next morning the house was astir. Hetty packed a basket of lunchfilled with everything she knew the boy liked. Farewells were spoken,the carriage drove up and Mr. Allen accompanied his son to New York,where he placed him on the train bound for Quebec.

  L'ISLET, P. Q., CANADA, September 15th.

  _My Dear Papa_: I hope you are well, and that business will soon steertowards prosperity. When you left me in the car, I had to wait aboutthree minutes, then I felt the train start.

  As it gained speed, we darted through about fifty little tunnels, andbetween stone walls.

  When we got into Connecticut, we passed a series of little bays, which Iafterwards found out were the inlets of the sound. We made our firststop at Meriden, where a crowd of New England girls got on the train;they wore neat golf suits and carried golf sticks. I thought how niceCousin Madge would look in such clothes. None of them were pretty, butall were as neat as new pins. All along the railroad was to be seen"ads" of pills, bicycles, soap and sarsaparilla.

  As we pulled into Hartford, we passed the Pope Manufacturing Company,but it does not resemble the fine pictures they have in their "ads."

  I only got out of the seat you put me into once, and that was to get adrink. When I got into Springfield, that baggage man was nowhere to befound, neither was the conductor, so I gave the brakeman the cigars youleft for them.

  The brakeman then took me to the conductor of the Pullman car; thisfellow looked the image of me, only taller, and he greeted me heartilywhen he found that I was to be in his charge.

  I bought sandwiches here, and it's lucky I did, as the roast chickenMamma put up for me, only did for one meal; it was so good, I couldn'tstop eating once I began it.

  When I got on the train, it was made up of one baggage, two day andthree sleeping coaches, but when I awoke in the morning, or really inthe night, to my surprise I found that we had changed from the middle tothe end of the train. Now, for the incidents of the night. About 9.30 P.M. I got Billy, the porter, to make up my berth and I went to sleepafter a hard tussle with the rough sheets and blanket. At one o'clock, Iwas dreaming of home and of mother, as the song says, when all of asudden I heard our village fire whistle blow--I jumped out of bed, andthen found to my disappointment that I was five hundred miles from homein a Pullman sleeper that had bumped into something, and every one wasmaking a racket enough to wake the dead. We got another engine aftertwenty minutes solo, and continued our journey through the highmountains of Vermont. I dozed again and when I awoke, daylight was justpeeping out from the east; the frost was on every blade of grass and onevery rail and tie; the trees seemed to draw the steam from the enginewith their leaves, and then it became a thin veil of frost; thus whilestanding on the back platform at 4.50 A. M., I could see our route formiles and miles, winding and meandering through the forests of the PineTree State.

  We passed beautiful lakes by the half dozen, flew over high trestlebridges, that look as if scarcely able to bear the weight of the train.I saw cow-protectors at several crossings, these when the cow tries tocross the rails, split its hoof and she has to "back."

  When we reached Sherbrook, I amused myself standing on the backplatform, pretending I was "Bryan" and posing for the admiration of acrowd of boys who were at the station. When we were starting again,there was a bump and a crash; I looked out, but all I could see was asmashed tool box and tools scattered in every direction.

  The porter was in the baggage car when they opened trunks, he told theInspector I was going to school and to let my trunks pass, which he did.

  As we neared the end of our journey, I was the only passenger in thePullman car, so the conductor and the brakeman took me into a littlestation to get breakfast. My, but it was good! It was composed of tenderbeefsteak, fine coffee, the kind only French people know how to make,potatoes, brea
d and butter. I handed the waiter fifty cents, which wasthe price, and cheap at that, to my surprise, he gave me back a quarter.It appears the little French conductor told the proprietor I was hisbrother, then he shook hands with me, and if I hadn't laughed, he mighthave believed the conductor and given me back the other quarter.

  When the train started again, the Frenchman, who had charge of me,called me "old boy" (he didn't mean the devil, of course), and he askedme if I wanted to ride on the engine, I accepted his offer and rode ahundred miles on it.

  I arrived safely at Levis (as my telegram stated) after passing underseveral long snow sheds.

  The train pulled up slowly and I had a splendid view of the grand oldfort of Quebec. It reminds me of the pictures I see of the rock ofGibraltar, only that it has a wall with holes in it for cannon. I passedout into snow sheds again, which brought me to L'Islet, where aChristian Brother met me with a team; he got my trunk, which hadfaithfully followed me all the way. We then started for the College,which is about two miles from the station.

  My studies so far are English, Latin, French, Commercial Arithmetic,"The Duties of a Christian Towards God." This is a book used as areader. Our pleasures at this season are football (played with feetonly), baseball, tennis, and those games I mentioned in my letter toMamma.

  I have had only one fight, and I was brave, as you told me to be, so Ilicked the fellow. I have made ten good friends and two enemies, but theenemies are big "Nits," they can hit hard, but don't know how to"guard."

  I am glad Dr. Carroll gave me boxing lessons last winter; they will beuseful to me now.

  I go to Mass every morning. Tell this to Mamma. Give my love to thefollowing friends:

  Professor Rinaldi, Mrs. Carpenter and family, especially Mr. Charlie andSam; Hetty and Pat, all the seven boys who were my chums--Elmer Mullen,and the Priests at St. Thomas' College, Colonel O'Brian, Darling Mamma,Aunt Lucy, Uncles Dick and Carroll, and all the friends I have left indear old Midville.

  Excuse writing; I have spent two hours on this letter and I'm dead tiredof it.

  Your loving son,

  BOLAX ALLEN.

  Answer to Bolax's first letter:

  SEPTEMBER.

  _My Dear Son_: Your letter is most interesting, those of our friends whodo not know that composition is your forte, were inclined to believe itwas the production of your teachers. Mr. Thornton published it in hisjournal, of which I send you a copy. He predicts you will be an editorsome day. I tell you this to encourage you; praise is due to him whohonestly deserves it.

  But, dear, we know composition requires no effort on your part. Now tryto excel in what does require effort, your chirography and arithmetic,for instance. There is an old Latin proverb which says, "Patientindustry is worth more than lazy talent," meaning that your talent andability will amount to nothing if you do not work.

  Mamma and Aunt Lucy are sending such long letters, so you won't mind ifmine is short. God bless you, my dear son.

  Your affectionate,

  FATHER.

  * * * * *

  L'ISLET, P. Q., September.

  _Dearly Beloved Home Folks_: I have passed the examination and have notbeen placed in the highest class. That old arithmetic is the cause.Then, I know almost nothing about Latin or French, but I mean to work inearnest.

  Mamma, I did not hear you say your uncle was a priest. He has beenpastor of the church for thirty years. His hair is white as snow and healways wears a long black robe belted at the waist, with large beads athis side. When walking out, his head is covered with a wide-brimmed hat.I think he looks like the priest in Longfellow's Evangeline. He is verykind to me and says I look exactly as you did when a child.

  There are two funerals here each month; every window in the Church isdraped in black on these occasions, and all the ornaments on the altarcovered with mourning. But, Ma, dear! you should hear the "Chanteurs"that sing at the Mass for the dead. They are four old men with crackedvoices. The first time I heard them, it was so awful that I reallythought their shouting and squeaking was done purposely to scare awaythe devil from the corpse.

  On Sundays the College boys sing in the choir; if I only could readLatin, I could serve Mass and sing too. Latin is used more than Frenchin saying prayers.

  The College grounds slope down to the St. Lawrence, the river is verywide and beautiful, islands dot its surface. We have three largerowboats and a sailing yacht. I am well pleased with everything so far,except the "grub." I miss Hetty's cooking, but I don't starve and amjust as fat as ever.

  With all the love of my heart and soul, I am,

  Forever yours,

  BOLAX ALLEN.

  FUN IN THE DORMITORIES.

  George Fulton, an "American boy," as they designated those who had comefrom the "States," was always talking of the fun he had when at boardingschool near home. One day he called together six friends whom he couldtrust: "Say you French fellows; you're too tame," said George. "Youought to see the fun we had in the dormitories at the school I went toin the 'States.' Tonight the Brothers hold a special council, they willmeet in the Chapel, which being on the other side of the Campus, willprevent their hearing us if we have a little 'Shindig' in ourdormitory." "What's a 'Shindig,'" asked Leonce de Vean. "Something youknock de shins?" "Ha, ha, you little French Crapeaud. I forgot you kidsdon't understand English slang, but you'll see what it is tonight."

  As he was entering the Study Hall, Bolax saw Harrison and laughinglytold him there was to be an awful "lark" in the dormitory. "We're goingto have no end of fun." "Are you?" said Harrison. "Well if it getsamusing, come to my room and tell me, and I'll go down and look on."

  It was Brother Isadore's night on duty. He walked slowly up and down therange of the dormitories until every boy seemed ready to get into bed,then he put out all the candles (there was no gas to be had and theBrothers would not trust coal-oil lamps to boys). So long as they wereunder surveillance, the boys observed the utmost quiet and decorum. Allcontinued in order until Brother Isadore passed out through thelavatory, one of the boys following him as a scout, had seen the lastglimmer of his hand-lamp disappear around the corner at the foot of thestaircase, and heard the library door close behind him.

  After that, as Brother Director was obliged to preside at the Council,the boys knew they were safe from disturbance, and the occupants of thelarge dormitory were the first to stir.

  "Now for some fun," said George, starting up, and by the way ofinitiative, pitching his pillow at Bolax's head.

  "I'll pay you for that when I'm ready," said Bo, laughing, "but let uslight a few candles first; however, it's bright moonlight, maybe we hadbetter not light up, some one outside might notice our illumination."

  Several fellows from the dormitory came on the scene with their sconceslit, these they placed so as not to show through the windows. Then theboys began all sorts of amusements, some in their night shirts, otherswith their trousers slipped on. Leapfrog was the prevalent game for thetime, but at last Henry de la Tour suggested theatricals, and they wereagreed on.

  "But we're making a regular knock-me-down shindig," said Fulton,"somebody must keep guard."

  "Oh, old Brother Isadore is safe enough in the Chapel; no fear ofdisturbing him if we were dancing Jim Crow," answered Bolax.

  However it was considered safest to put some one at the top of thestairs in case of an unexpected diversion in that direction, and littleLeonce consented to go first. He had only to leave the lavatory dooropen and stand at the top of the staircase, then he commanded for agreat distance the only avenue in which danger was expected.

  If any Brother's lamp appeared in the hall, the boys had full threeminutes' warning and a single loudly whispered "cache-cache" would causethem to "lay low," so that by the time of their adversary's arrival theywould, of course, be all fast asleep in bed, some snoring in an alarmingmanner.

  So at the top of the stairs stood little Leonce shoeless and shiveringin his night shirt, but ke
enly entering into the fun.

  Meanwhile the rest were getting up a representation of the "GrandeDuchesse" pushing the beds together for a stage and dressing up theactors in the most fantastic apparel. Fulton took the part of the GrandeDuchess and sang "Voici le sabre de mon pere, Tu vas le mettre a toncote," etc. All joined in the chorus as loud as they dared.

  Bolax made a famous "General Boome," because he was so stout; hiscostume consisted of his night shirt, with a red woolen scarf around hiswaist; on his head was a crimson silk handkerchief, which was very stiffand stood up in a point. His cheeks were covered with corked whiskersand mustaches. He sang:

  Piff, Paff, Pouf, Rut-a-pat-a poom, Je suis moi le Generale Boome! I am the great General Boome!

  while he strutted up and down the aisle with a dust brush for a sword.

  "I say," said Leonce, "it is very cold standin' here, won't some onerelieve guard?" After waiting a few minutes longer, he felt sure therewas no danger, and therefore ran up to Harrison's room.

  "What's up," asked Harrison. "Oh, we've been having leap-frog and 'LaGrande Duchesse.' I'm keeping 'guard,' but it's so cold, I thought I'drun up to your study."

  "Little traitor, we'll shoot you for a deserting sentinel."

  "There's no danger of being caught; besides, the fellows are making lessrow now."

  "Well, let us go down. I want to see the fun, too."

  Fulton, as Grande Duchesse, was draped artistically in a sheet, whichtrailed behind him, while a blue scarf decked his fair head. Placinghimself in an attitude of intensely affected melodrama he was singing:

  Je T'ai Sur Mon Coeur, etc. I have thee near my heart.

  Suddenly his foot caught in his long trail and landed him on his back.This scene tickled the audience immensely, and was greeted with shoutsof laughter. "Cache-cache!" shouted Leonce and took a flying leap intohis bed.

  Instantly there was a bolt in different directions; the candles dashedout, the beds pushed aside, and the dormitories at once plunged inprofound silence, only broken by heavy breathing of the sleepers, whenin strode Brother Director.

  He stood for a moment to survey the scene. Every boy was in bed, but theextraordinary way in which the bed clothes were huddled about, told anunmistakable tale.

  As the Brother for a moment crossed over to the lavatory, he heard someone move. "Who's there?" said he. It was Harrison trying to sneak backto his room; seeing he was caught, he came before his angry master."Harrison, is it? I am not surprised, go to your room, I will settlewith you tomorrow."

  Passing again into the large dormitory, Brother heard nothing but thedeep snores of Fulton, and instantly fixed on him as the chief culprit."Fulton."

  No reply, but steady music from that Worthy's bed. "Fulton!" he calledstill louder and more sternly; "you sleep soundly, sir, too soundly, getup directly," and he laid his hand on the boy's arm.

  "Allez-vous en, ce n'est pas encore temps de se lever." [Get away fromhere, it's not time to get up.]

  "You speak very good French when you're asleep, but the shamming willonly increase your punishment." The wiley Fulton stretched himselflazily, gave a great yawn, and then awoke with such an admirably feignedstart at seeing Brother Director, that Bolax who had been peeping fromover the bed clothes, burst into an irresistible explosion of laughter.The Brother swung round on his heel. "What! Allen! get out of bed, sir,this instant." Bolax forgetful of his disguise sheepishly obeyed, butwhen he stood on the floor, he looked so odd in his crimson girdle andcorked cheeks, with the light of Brother's lamp shining on him, that thescene became overpoweringly ludicrous to Fulton, who now in his turn wasconvulsed with a storm of laughter faintly echoed from other beds.

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

  Next morning, Mass was no sooner over than the boys were summoned to theStudy Hall. Brother Director began with: "I have a few words to say toyou.

  "I find there was the utmost disorder in the dormitories last night.Candles were lighted at forbidden hours, and the noise was so great thatit was heard through the whole building. I am grieved to see you cannotbe left alone even for a few hours without taking advantage of myabsence, and that some of the older boys, far from using their influenceto prevent those infractions of discipline, seem inclined to join inthem themselves, forgetting their position in school and abetting thefollies of children. You, Mr. Harrison, shall be deprived of a privilegewhich you have abused, as a punishment for your conduct last night, youwill give up your private study until the end of the term.

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

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

  "In our schools the Brothers make it a practice to enter into allamusements with our pupils. This summer Fulton and the other Americanboys saw how we went rowing with you, we join in your football games, weeven play marbles with the little fellows, but how would a ChristianBrother look dressed up as Master Allen was last night?" Here there wasa perceptible smile on Brother Director's face, which gave license for ageneral titter from those who had seen the costume of "General Boome.""Now we, as Christian Brothers, are bound to teach all who come underour jurisdiction to be Christian gentlemen, and we use our bestendeavors to that end.

  "We want all to be happy with us, no boy must remain in this College whoconsiders he is treated unjustly or harshly, but we will not allow ourrules 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 boyscongratulated the "Americans" on getting off with so slight apunishment. You may thank your stars it is Brother Benedict, who isDirector, he is so lenient; if you had been here in Brother John's timeyou would all have gotten a dose of Extract of Rattan.

  OCTOBER 31ST.

  _Dear Mother_: Our whole dormitory got into a scrape for "cutting upshines" when we should have been asleep. I did not realize how foolishit was to take fun out of time, until Monsieur Le Cure gave me advice onthe matter.

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

  I have joined the Society of St. Aloysius; that means great watchfulnessover myself to keep from offending God in the least manner.

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

  B. ALLEN.