Jack and Jill

by Louisa May Alcott

  Chapter XIX. Good Templars

  "Hi there! Bell's rung! Get up, lazy-bones!" called Frank from his roomas the clock struck six one bright morning, and a great creaking andstamping proclaimed that he was astir.

  "All right, I'm coming," responded a drowsy voice, and Jack turned overas if to obey; but there the effort ended, and he was off again, forgrowing lads are hard to rouse, as many a mother knows to her sorrow.

  Frank made a beginning on his own toilet, and then took a look at hisbrother, for the stillness was suspicious.

  "I thought so! He told me to wake him, and I guess this will do it;"and, filling his great sponge with water, Frank stalked into the nextroom and stood over the unconscious victim like a stern executioner,glad to unite business with pleasure in this agreeable manner.

  A woman would have relented and tried some milder means, for when hisbroad shoulders and stout limbs were hidden, Jack looked very young andinnocent in his sleep. Even Frank paused a moment to look at the round,rosy face, the curly eyelashes, half-open mouth, and the peacefulexpression of a dreaming baby. "I _must_ do it, or he won't be ready forbreakfast," said the Spartan brother, and down came the sponge, cold,wet, and choky, as it was briskly rubbed to and fro regardless of everyobstacle.

  "Come, I say! That's not fair! Leave me alone!" sputtered Jack, hittingout so vigorously that the sponge flew across the room, and Frank fellback to laugh at the indignant sufferer.

  "I promised to wake you, and you believe in keeping promises, so I'mdoing my best to get you up."

  "Well, you needn't pour a quart of water down a fellow's neck, andrub his nose off, need you? I'm awake, so take your old sponge and goalong," growled Jack, with one eye open and a mighty gape.

  "See that you keep so, then, or I'll come and give you another sort of arouser," said Frank, retiring well-pleased with his success.

  "I shall have one good stretch, if I like. It is strengthening to themuscles, and I'm as stiff as a board with all that football yesterday,"murmured Jack, lying down for one delicious moment. He shut the open eyeto enjoy it thoroughly, and forgot the stretch altogether, for the bedwas warm, the pillow soft, and a half-finished dream still hung abouthis drowsy brain. Who does not know the fatal charm of that stolenmoment--for once yield to it, and one is lost.

  Jack was miles away "in the twinkling of a bedpost," and the pleasingdream seemed about to return, when a ruthless hand tore off the clothes,swept him out of bed, and he really did awake to find himself standingin the middle of his bath-pan with both windows open, and Frank about topour a pail of water over him.

  "Hold on! Yah, how cold the water is! Why, I thought I _was_ up;" and,hopping out, Jack rubbed his eyes and looked about with such a genuinesurprise that Frank put down the pail, feeling that the deluge would notbe needed this time.

  "You are now, and I'll see that you keep so," he said, as he strippedthe bed and carried off the pillows.

  "I don't care. What a jolly day!" and Jack took a little promenade tofinish the rousing process.

  "You'd better hurry up, or you won't get your chores done beforebreakfast. No time for a 'go as you please' now," said Frank; and bothboys laughed, for it was an old joke of theirs, and rather funny.

  Going up to bed one night expecting to find Jack asleep, Frankdiscovered him tramping round and round the room airily attired ina towel, and so dizzy with his brisk revolutions that as his brotherlooked he tumbled over and lay panting like a fallen gladiator.

  "What on earth are you about?"

  "Playing Rowell. Walking for the belt, and I've got it too," laughedJack, pointing to an old gilt chandelier chain hanging on the bedpost.

  "You little noodle, you'd better revolve into bed before you lose yourhead entirely. I never saw such a fellow for taking himself off hislegs."

  "Well, if I didn't exercise, do you suppose I should be able to dothat--or that?" cried Jack, turning a somersault and striking a fineattitude as he came up, flattering himself that he was the model of ayouthful athlete.

  "You look more like a clothes-pin than a Hercules," was the crushingreply of this unsympathetic brother, and Jack meekly retired with a badheadache.

  "I don't do such silly things now: I'm as broad across the shoulders asyou are, and twice as strong on my pins, thanks to my gymnastics. Betyou a cent I'll be dressed first, though you have got the start,"said Jack, knowing that Frank always had a protracted wrestle with hiscollar-buttons, which gave his adversary a great advantage over him.

  "Done!" answered Frank, and at it they went. A wild scramble was heardin Jack's room, and a steady tramp in the other as Frank worked away atthe stiff collar and the unaccommodating button till every finger ached.A clashing of boots followed, while Jack whistled "Polly Hopkins," andFrank declaimed in his deepest voice,

  "Arma virumque cano, Trojae qui primus ab oris Italiam, fato profugus,Laviniaque venit litora."

  Hair-brushes came next, and here Frank got ahead, for Jack's thick cropwould stand straight up on the crown, and only a good wetting and asteady brush would make it lie down.

  "Play away, No. 2," called out Frank as he put on his vest, while Jackwas still at it with a pair of the stiffest brushes procurable formoney.

  "Hold hard, No. 11, and don't forget your teeth," answered Jack, who haddone his.

  Frank took a hasty rub and whisked on his coat, while Jack was pickingup the various treasures which had flown out of his pockets as he caughtup his roundabout.

  "Ready! I'll trouble you for a cent, sonny;" and Frank held out his handas he appeared equipped for the day.

  "You haven't hung up your night-gown, nor aired the bed, nor openedthe windows. That's part of the dressing; mother said so. I've got youthere, for you did all that for me, except this," and Jack threw hisgown over a chair with a triumphant flourish as Frank turned back toleave his room in the order which they had been taught was one of thesigns of a good bringing-up in boys as well as girls.

  "Ready! I'll trouble _you_ for a cent, old man;" and Jack held out hishand, with a chuckle.

  He got the money and a good clap beside; then they retired to the shedto black their boots, after which Frank filled the woodboxes and Jacksplit kindlings, till the daily allowance was ready. Both went at theirlessons for half an hour, Jack scowling over his algebra in the sofacorner, while Frank, with his elbows on and his legs round the littlestand which held his books, seemed to be having a wrestling-match withHerodotus.

  When the bell rang they were glad to drop the lessons and fall upontheir breakfast with the appetite of wolves, especially Jack, whosequestered oatmeal and milk with such rapidity that one would havethought he had a leathern bag hidden somewhere to slip it into, like hisfamous namesake when he breakfasted with the giant.

  "I declare I don't see what he does with it! He really ought not to'gobble' so, mother," said Frank, who was eating with great deliberationand propriety.

  "Never you mind, old quiddle. I'm so hungry I could tuck away a bushel,"answered Jack, emptying a glass of milk and holding out his plate formore mush, regardless of his white moustache.

  "Temperance in all things is wise, in speech as well as eating anddrinking--remember that, boys," said Mamma from behind the urn.

  "That reminds me! We promised to do the 'Observer' this week, and hereit is Tuesday and I haven't done a thing: have you?" asked Frank.

  "Never thought of it. We must look up some bits at noon instead ofplaying. Dare say Jill has got some: she always saves all she finds forme."

  "I have one or two good items, and can do any copying there may be. ButI think if you undertake the paper you should give some time and laborto make it good," said Mamma, who was used to this state of affairs,and often edited the little sheet read every week at the Lodge. The boysseldom missed going, but the busy lady was often unable to be there, sohelped with the paper as her share of the labor.

  "Yes, we ought, but somehow we don't seem to get up much steam about itlately. If more people belonged, and we could have a grand time now andt
hen, it would be jolly;" and Jack sighed at the lack of interest feltby outsiders in the loyal little Lodge which went on year after yearkept up by the faithful few.

  "I remember when in this very town we used to have a Cold Water Army,and in the summer turn out with processions, banners, and bands of musicto march about, and end with a picnic, songs, and speeches in some groveor hall. Nearly all the children belonged to it, and the parents also,and we had fine times here twenty-five or thirty years ago."

  "It didn't do much good, seems to me, for people still drink, and wehaven't a decent hotel in the place," said Frank, as his mother satlooking out of the window as if she saw again the pleasant sight of oldand young working together against the great enemy of home peace andsafety.

  "Oh yes, it did, my dear; for to this day many of those children aretrue to their pledge. One little girl was, I am sure, and now has twobig boys to fight for the reform she has upheld all her life. Thetown is better than it was in those days, and if we each do our partfaithfully, it will improve yet more. Every boy and girl who joins isone gained, perhaps, and your example is the best temperance lecture youcan give. Hold fast, and don't mind if it isn't 'jolly': it is _right_,and that should be enough for us."

  Mamma spoke warmly, for she heartily believed in young people's guardingagainst this dangerous vice before it became a temptation, and hopedher boys would never break the pledge they had taken; for, young as theywere, they were old enough to see its worth, feel its wisdom, and pridethemselves on the promise which was fast growing into a principle.Jack's face brightened as he listened, and Frank said, with the steadylook which made his face manly,--

  "It shall be. Now I'll tell you what I was going to keep as a surprisetill to-night, for I wanted to have my secret as well as other folks.Ed and I went up to see Bob, Sunday, and he said he'd join the Lodge, ifthey'd have him. I'm going to propose him to-night."

  "Good! good!" cried Jack, joyfully, and Mrs. Minot clapped her hands,for every new member was rejoiced over by the good people, who were notdiscouraged by ridicule, indifference, or opposition.

  "We've got him now, for no one will object, and it is just the thing forhim. He wants to belong somewhere, he says, and he'll enjoy the fun, andthe good things will help him, and we will look after him. The Captainwas so pleased, and you ought to have seen Ed's face when Bob said, 'I'mready, if you'll have me.'"

  Frank's own face was beaming, and Jack forgot to "gobble," he was sointerested in the new convert, while Mamma said, as she threw down hernapkin and took up the newspaper,--

  "We must not forget our 'Observer,' but have a good one tonight in honorof the occasion. There may be something here. Come home early at noon,and I'll help you get your paper ready."

  "I'll be here, but if you want Frank, you'd better tell him not todawdle over Annette's gate half an hour," began Jack, who could notresist teasing his dignified brother about one of the few foolish thingshe was fond of doing.

  "Do you want your nose pulled?" demanded Frank, who never would standjoking on that tender point from his brother.

  "No, I don't; and if I did, you couldn't do it;" with which taunt he wasoff and Frank after him, having made a futile dive at the impertinentlittle nose which was turned up at him and his sweetheart.

  "Boys, boys, not through the parlor!" implored Mamma, resigned toskirmishes, but trembling for her piano legs as the four stout bootspranced about the table and then went thundering down the hall, throughthe kitchen where the fat cook cheered them on, and Mary, the maid,tried to head off Frank as Jack rushed out into the garden. But thepursuer ducked under her arm and gave chase with all speed. Then therewas a glorious race all over the place; for both were good runners, and,being as full of spring vigor as frisky calves, they did astonishingthings in the way of leaping fences, dodging round corners, and makinggood time down the wide walks.

  But Jack's leg was not quite strong yet, and he felt that his round nosewas in danger of a vengeful tweak as his breath began to give out andFrank's long arms drew nearer and nearer to the threatened feature. Justwhen he was about to give up and meet his fate like a man, old Bunny,who had been much excited by the race, came scampering across the pathwith such a droll skip into the air and shake of the hind legs thatFrank had to dodge to avoid stepping on him, and to laugh in spite ofhimself. This momentary check gave Jack a chance to bolt up the backstairs and take refuge in the Bird Room, from the window of which Jillhad been watching the race with great interest.

  No romping was allowed there, so a truce was made by locking littlefingers, and both sat down to get their breath.

  "I am to go on the piazza, for an hour, by and by, Doctor said. Wouldyou mind carrying me down before you go to school, you do it so nicely,I'm not a bit afraid," said Jill, as eager for the little change as ifit had been a long and varied journey.

  "Yes, indeed! Come on, Princess," answered Jack, glad to see her so welland happy.

  The boys made an arm-chair, and away she went, for a pleasant daydownstairs. She thanked Frank with a posy for his buttonhole, wellknowing that it would soon pass into other hands, and he departed tojoin Annette. Having told Jill about Bob, and set her to work on the"Observer," Jack kissed his mother, and went whistling down the street,a gay little bachelor, with a nod and smile for all he met, and noturned-up hat or jaunty turban bobbing along beside him to delay hissteps or trouble his peace of mind.

  At noon they worked on their paper, which was a collection of items,cut from other papers, concerning temperance, a few anecdotes, a bit ofpoetry, a story, and, if possible, an original article by the editor.Many hands make light work, and nothing remained but a little copying,which Jill promised to do before night. So the boys had time for a gameof football after school in the afternoon, which they much enjoyed. Asthey sat resting on the posts, Gus said,--

  "Uncle Fred says he will give us a hay-cart ride to-night, as it ismoony, and after it you are all to come to our house and have games.

  "Can't do it," answered Frank, sadly.

  "Lodge," groaned Jack, for both considered a drive in the cart, wherethey all sat in a merry bunch among the hay, one of the joys of life,and much regretted that a prior engagement would prevent their sharingin it.

  "That's a pity! I forgot it was Tuesday, and can't put it off, as I'veasked all the rest. Give up your old Lodge and come along," said Gus,who had not joined yet.

  "We might for once, perhaps, but I don't like to"--began Jack,hesitating.

  "_I_ won't. Who's to propose Bob if we don't? I want to go awfully; butI wouldn't disappoint Bob for a good deal, now he is willing to come."And Frank sprang off his post as if anxious to flee temptation, for it_was_ very pleasant to go singing, up hill and down dale, in the springmoonlight, with--well, the fellows of his set.

  "Nor Ed, I forgot that. No, we can't go. We want to be Good Templars,and we mustn't shirk," added Jack, following his brother.

  "Better come. Can't put it off. Lots of fun," called Gus, disappointedat losing two of his favorite mates.

  But the boys did not turn back, and as they went steadily away they feltthat they _were_ doing their little part in the good work, and makingtheir small sacrifices, like faithful members.

  They got their reward, however, for at home they found Mr. Chauncey, agood and great man, from England, who had known their grandfather, andwas an honored friend of the family. The boys loved to hear him talk,and all tea-time listened with interest to the conversation, for Mr.Chauncey was a reformer as well as a famous clergyman, and it was likeinspiring music to hear him tell about the world's work, and the bravemen and women who were carrying it on. Eager to show that they had, atleast, begun, the boys told him about their Lodge, and were immenselypleased when their guest took from his pocket-book a worn paper, provingthat he too was a Good Templar, and belonged to the same army as theydid. Nor was that all, for when they reluctantly excused themselves,Mr. Chauncey gave each a hearty "grip," and said, holding their hands inhis, as he smiled at the young faces looking up at him with so
much loveand honor in them,--

  "Tell the brothers and sisters that if I can serve them in any way whilehere, to command me. I will give them a lecture at their Lodge or inpublic, whichever they like; and I wish you God-speed, dear boys."

  Two prouder lads never walked the streets than Frank and Jack as theyhurried away, nearly forgetting the poor little paper in their haste totell the good news; for it was seldom that such an offer was made theLodge, and they felt the honor done them as bearers of it.

  As the secrets of the association cannot be divulged to the uninitiated,we can only say that there was great rejoicing over the new member, forBob was unanimously welcomed, and much gratitude both felt and expressedfor Mr. Chauncey's interest in this small division of the grand army;for these good folk met with little sympathy from the great people ofthe town, and it was very cheering to have a well-known and much-belovedman say a word for them. All agreed that the lecture should be public,that others might share the pleasure with them, and perhaps be convertedby a higher eloquence than any they possessed.

  So the services that night were unusually full of spirit and good cheer;for all felt the influence of a friendly word, the beauty of a fineexample. The paper was much applauded, the songs were very hearty, andwhen Frank, whose turn it was to be chaplain, read the closing prayer,every one felt that they had much to give thanks for, since one more hadjoined them, and the work was slowly getting on with unexpected helperssent to lend a hand. The lights shone out from the little hall acrossthe street, the music reached the ears of passers-by, and the busy humof voices up there told how faithfully some, at least, of the villagerstried to make the town a safer place for their boys to grow up in,though the tavern still had its private bar and the saloon-door stoodopen to invite them in.

  There are many such quiet lodges, and in them many young people learningas these lads were learning something of the duty they owed theirneighbors as well as themselves, and being fitted to become good menand sober citizens by practising and preaching the law and gospel oftemperance.

  The next night Mr. Chauncey lectured, and the town turned out to hearthe distinguished man, who not only told them of the crime and miseryproduced by this terrible vice which afflicted both England and America,but of the great crusade against it going on everywhere, and the need ofcourage, patience, hard work, and much faith, that in time it mightbe overcome. Strong and cheerful words that all liked to hear and manyheartily believed, especially the young Templars, whose boyish fancieswere won by the idea of fighting as knights of old did in the famouscrusades they read about in their splendid new young folks' edition ofFroissart.

  "We can't pitch into people as the Red Cross fellows did, but we cansmash rum-jugs when we get the chance, and stand by our flag as our mendid in the war," said Frank, with sparkling eyes, as they went home inthe moonlight arm in arm, keeping step behind Mr. Chauncey, who led theway with their mother on his arm, a martial figure though a minister,and a good captain to follow, as the boys felt after hearing hisstirring words.

  "Let's try and get up a company of boys like those mother told us about,and show people that we mean what we say. I'll be color-bearer, and youmay drill us as much as you like. A real Cold Water Army, with flagsflying, and drums, and all sorts of larks," said Jack, much excited, andtaking a dramatic view of the matter.

  "We'll see about it. Something ought to be done, and perhaps we shall bethe men to do it when the time comes," answered Frank, feeling ready toshoulder a musket or be a minute-man in good earnest.

  Boyish talk and enthusiasm, but it was of the right sort; and when timeand training had fitted them to bear arms, these young knights would beworthy to put on the red cross and ride away to help right the wrongsand slay the dragons that afflict the world.