Chapter XXIII. Cattle Show
The children were not the only ones who had learned something atPebbly Beach. Mrs. Minot had talked a good deal with some very superiorpersons, and received light upon various subjects which had muchinterested or perplexed her. While the ladies worked or walked together,they naturally spoke oftenest and most earnestly about their children,and each contributed her experience. Mrs. Hammond, who had been aphysician for many years, was wise in the care of healthy little bodies,and the cure of sick ones. Mrs. Channing, who had read, travelled, andobserved much in the cause of education, had many useful hints aboutthe training of young minds and hearts. Several teachers reported theirtrials, and all the mothers were eager to know how to bring up theirboys and girls to be healthy, happy, useful men and women.
As young people do not care for such discussions, we will not describethem, but as the impression they made upon one of the mammas affectedour hero and heroine, we must mention the changes which took place intheir life when they all got home again.
"School begins to-morrow. Oh, dear!" sighed Jack, as he looked up hisbooks in the Bird Room, a day or two after their return.
"Don't you want to go? I long to, but don't believe I shall. I saw ourmothers talking to the doctor last night, but I haven't dared to askwhat they decided," said Jill, affectionately eying the long-unusedbooks in her little library.
"I've had such a jolly good time, that I hate to be shut up all dayworse than ever. Don't you, Frank?" asked Jack, with a vengeful slap atthe arithmetic which was the torment of his life.
"Well, I confess I don't hanker for school as much as I expected. I'drather take a spin on the old bicycle. Our roads are so good, it is agreat temptation to hire a machine, and astonish the natives. That'swhat comes of idleness. So brace up, my boy, and go to work, forvacation is over," answered Frank, gravely regarding the tall pile ofbooks before him, as if trying to welcome his old friends, or tyrants,rather, for they ruled him with a rod of iron when he once gave himselfup to them.
"Ah, but vacation is not over, my dears," said Mrs. Minot, hearing thelast words as she came in prepared to surprise her family.
"Glad of it. How much longer is it to be?" asked Jack, hoping for a weekat least.
"Two or three years for some of you."
"What?" cried all three, in utter astonishment, as they stared at Mamma,who could not help smiling, though she was very much in earnest.
"For the next two or three years I intend to cultivate my boys' bodies,and let their minds rest a good deal, from books at least. There isplenty to learn outside of school-houses, and I don't mean to shut youup just when you most need all the air and exercise you can get. Goodhealth, good principles, and a good education are the three blessingsI ask for you, and I am going to make sure of the first, as a firmfoundation for the other two."
"But, mother, what becomes of college?" asked Frank, rather disturbed atthis change of base.
"Put it off for a year, and see if you are not better fitted for it thenthan now."
"But I am already fitted: I've worked like a tiger all this year, andI'm sure I shall pass."
"Ready in one way, but not in another. That hard work is no preparationfor four years of still harder study. It has cost you these roundshoulders, many a headache, and consumed hours when you had far betterhave been on the river or in the fields. I cannot have you break down,as so many boys do, or pull through at the cost of ill-health afterward.Eighteen is young enough to begin the steady grind, if you have a strongconstitution to keep pace with the eager mind. Sixteen is too young tosend even my good boy out into the world, just when he most needs hismother's care to help him be the man she hopes to see him."
Mrs. Minot laid her hand on his shoulder as she spoke, looking so fondand proud that it was impossible to rebel, though some of his mostcherished plans were spoilt.
"Other fellows go at my age, and I was rather pleased to be ready atsixteen," he began. But she added, quickly,--
"They go, but how do they come out? Many lose health of body, and manywhat is more precious still, moral strength, because too young andignorant to withstand temptations of all sorts. The best part ofeducation does not come from books, and the good principles I value morethan either of the other things are to be carefully watched over tillfirmly fixed; then you may face the world, and come to no real harm.Trust me, dear, I do it for your sake; so bear the disappointmentbravely, and in the end I think you will say I'm right."
"I'll do my best; but I don't see what is to become of us if we don't goto school. You will get tired of it first," said Frank, trying to seta good example to the others, who were looking much impressed andinterested.
"No danger of that, for I never sent my children to school to get rid ofthem, and now that they are old enough to be companions, I want themat home more than ever. There are to be some lessons, however, for busyminds must be fed, but not crammed; so you boys will go and recite atcertain hours such things as seem most important. But there is to beno studying at night, no shutting up all the best hours of the day, nohurry and fret of getting on fast, or skimming over the surface of manystudies without learning any thoroughly."
"So I say!" cried Jack, pleased with the new idea, for he never did lovebooks. "I do hate to be driven so I don't half understand, because thereis no time to have things explained. School is good fun as far asplay goes; but I don't see the sense of making a fellow learn eightyquestions in geography one day, and forget them the next.
"What is to become of me, please?" asked Jill, meekly.
"You and Molly are to have lessons here. I was a teacher when I wasyoung, you know, and liked it, so I shall be school-ma'am, and leave myhouse-keeping in better hands than mine. I always thought that mothersshould teach their girls during these years, and vary their studies tosuit the growing creatures as only mothers can.
"That will be splendid! Will Molly's father let her come?" cried Jill,feeling quite reconciled to staying at home, if her friend was to bewith her.
"He likes the plan very much, for Molly is growing fast, and needs asort of care that Miss Dawes cannot give her. I am not a hard mistress,and I hope you will find my school a pleasant one."
"I know I shall; and I'm not disappointed, because I was pretty sure Icouldn't go to the old school again, when I heard the doctor say I mustbe very careful for a long time. I thought he meant months; but if itmust be years, I can bear it, for I've been happy this last one thoughI was sick," said Jill, glad to show that it had not been wasted time bybeing cheerful and patient now.
"That's my good girl!" and Mrs. Minot stroked the curly black head as ifit was her own little daughter's. "You have done so well, I want you togo on improving, for care now will save you pain and disappointment byand by. You all have got a capital start during these six weeks, so itis a good time to begin my experiment. If it does not work well, we willgo back to school and college next spring."
"Hurrah for Mamma and the long vacation!" cried Jack, catching up twobig books and whirling them round like clubs, as if to get his musclesin order at once.
"Now I shall have time to go to the Gymnasium and straighten out myback," said Frank, who was growing so tall he needed more breadth tomake his height symmetrical.
"And to ride horseback. I am going to hire old Jane and get out thelittle phaeton, so we can all enjoy the fine weather while it lasts.Molly and I can drive Jill, and you can take turns in the saddle whenyou are tired of ball and boating. Exercise of all sorts is one of thelessons we are to learn," said Mrs. Minot, suggesting all the pleasantthings she could to sweeten the pill for her pupils, two of whom didlove their books, not being old enough to know that even an excellentthing may be overdone.
"Won't that be gay? I'll get down the saddle to-day, so we can beginright off. Lem rides, and we can go together. Hope old Jane will like itas well as I shall," said Jack, who had found a new friend in a pleasantlad lately come to town.
"You must see that she does, for you boys are to take care of her.
Wewill put the barn in order, and you can decide which shall be hostlerand which gardener, for I don't intend to hire labor on the place anymore. Our estate is not a large one, and it will be excellent work foryou, my men."
"All right! I'll see to Jane. I love horses," said Jack, well pleasedwith the prospect.
"My horse won't need much care. I prefer a bicycle to a beast, so I'llget in the squashes, pick the apples, and cover the strawberry bed whenit is time," added Frank, who had enjoyed the free life at Pebbly Beachso much that he was willing to prolong it.
"You may put me in a hen-coop, and keep me there a year, if you like.I won't fret, for I'm sure you know what is best for me," said Jill,gayly, as she looked up at the good friend who had done so much for her.
"I'm not sure that I won't put you in a pretty cage and send you toCattle Show, as a sample of what we can do in the way of taming a wildbird till it is nearly as meek as a dove," answered Mrs. Minot, muchgratified at the amiability of her flock.
"I don't see why there should not be an exhibition of children, andprizes for the good and pretty ones, as well as for fat pigs, finehorses, or handsome fruit and flowers--I don't mean a baby show, butboys and girls, so people can see what the prospect is of a good cropfor the next generation," said Frank, glancing toward the tower of thebuilding where the yearly Agricultural Fair was soon to be held.
"Years ago, there was a pretty custom here of collecting all the schoolstogether in the spring, and having a festival at the Town Hall. Eachschool showed its best pupils, and the parents looked on at the bloomingflower show. It was a pity it was ever given up, for the schools havenever been so good as then, nor the interest in them so great;" and Mrs.Minot wondered, as many people do, why farmers seem to care more fortheir cattle and crops than for their children, willingly spending largesums on big barns and costly experiments, while the school-houses areshabby and inconvenient, and the cheapest teachers preferred.
"Ralph is going to send my bust. He asked if he might, and mother saidYes. Mr. German thinks it very good, and I hope other people will," saidJill, nodding toward the little plaster head that smiled down from itsbracket with her own merry look.
"I could send my model; it is nearly done. Ralph told me it was a cleverpiece of work, and he knows," added Frank, quite taken with the idea ofexhibiting his skill in mechanics.
"And I could send my star bedquilt! They always have things of that kindat Cattle Show;" and Jill began to rummage in the closet for the prideof her heart, burning to display it to an admiring world.
"I haven't got anything. Can't sew rags together; or make baby engines,and I have no live-stock--yes, I have too! There's old Bun. I'll sendhim, for the fun of it; he really is a curiosity, for he is the biggestone I ever saw, and hopping into the lime has made his fur such a queercolor, he looks like a new sort of rabbit. I'll catch and shut him upbefore he gets wild again;" and off rushed Jack to lure unsuspectingold Bun, who had grown tame during their absence, into the cage which hedetested.
They all laughed at his ardor, but the fancy pleased them; and as Mammasaw no reason why their little works of art should not be sent, Frankfell to work on his model, and Jill resolved to finish her quilt atonce, while Mrs. Minot went off to see Mr. Acton about the hours andstudies for the boys.
In a week or two, the young people were almost resigned to the loss ofschool, for they found themselves delightfully fresh for the few lessonsthey did have, and not weary of play, since it took many useful forms.Old Jane not only carried them all to ride, but gave Jack plenty of workkeeping her premises in nice order. Frank mourned privately over thedelay of college, but found a solace in his whirligig and the Gymnasium,where he set himself to developing a chest to match the big head above,which head no longer ached with eight or ten hours of study. Harvestingbeans and raking up leaves seemed to have a soothing effect upon hisnerves, for now he fell asleep at once instead of thumping his pillowwith vexation because his brain would go on working at difficultproblems and passages when he wanted it to stop.
Jill and Molly drove away in the little phaeton every fair morning overthe sunny hills and through the changing woods, filling their hands withasters and golden-rod, their lungs with the pure, invigorating air, andtheir heads with all manner of sweet and happy fancies and feelings bornof the wholesome influences about them. People shook their heads, andsaid it was wasting time; but the rosy-faced girls were content to trustthose wiser than themselves, and found their new school very pleasant.They read aloud a good deal, rapidly acquiring one of the rarest andmost beautiful accomplishments; for they could stop and ask questions asthey went along, so that they understood what they read, which is halfthe secret. A thousand things came up as they sewed together in theafternoon, and the eager minds received much general information in aneasy and well-ordered way. Physiology was one of the favorite studies,and Mrs. Hammond often came in to give them a little lecture, teachingthem to understand the wonders of their own systems, and how to keepthem in order--a lesson of far more importance just then than Greek orLatin, for girls are the future mothers, nurses, teachers, of the race,and should feel how much depends on them. Merry could not resist theattractions of the friendly circle, and soon persuaded her mother to lether do as they did; so she got more exercise and less study, which wasjust what the delicate girl needed.
The first of the new ideas seemed to prosper, and the second, thoughsuggested in joke, was carried out in earnest, for the other youngpeople were seized with a strong desire to send something to theFair. In fact, all sorts of queer articles were proposed, and much funprevailed, especially among the boys, who ransacked their gardens formammoth vegetables, sighed for five-legged calves, blue roses, orany other natural curiosity by means of which they might distinguishthemselves. Ralph was the only one who had anything really worthsending; for though Frank's model seemed quite perfect, it obstinatelyrefused to go, and at the last moment blew up with a report like apop-gun. So it was laid away for repairs, and its disappointed makerdevoted his energies to helping Jack keep Bun in order; for thatindomitable animal got out of every prison they put him in, and led Jacka dreadful life during that last week. At all hours of the day and nightthat distracted boy would start up, crying, "There he is again!" anddart out to give chase and capture the villain now grown too fat to runas he once did.
The very night before the Fair, Frank was wakened by a chilly draught,and, getting up to see where it came from, found Jack's door open andbed empty, while the vision of a white ghost flitting about the gardensuggested a midnight rush after old Bun. Frank watched laughingly,till poor Jack came toward the house with the gentleman in gray kickinglustily in his arms, and then whispered in a sepulchral tone,--
"Put him in the old refrigerator, he can't get out of that."
Blessing him for the suggestion, the exhausted hunter shut up his victimin the new cell, and found it a safe one, for Bun could not burrowthrough a sheet of zinc, or climb up the smooth walls.
Jill's quilt was a very elaborate piece of work, being bright blue withlittle white stars all over it; this she finished nicely, and felt sureno patient old lady could outdo it. Merry decided to send butter, forshe had been helping her mother in the dairy that summer, and ratherliked the light part of the labor. She knew it would please her verymuch if she chose that instead of wild flowers, so she practisedmoulding the yellow pats into pretty shapes, that it might please botheye and taste.
Molly declared she would have a little pen, and put Boo in it, as theprize fat boy--a threat which so alarmed the innocent that he ran away,and was found two or three miles from home, asleep under the wall,with two seed-cakes and a pair of socks done up in a bundle. Being withdifficulty convinced that it was a joke, he consented to return to hisfamily, but was evidently suspicious, till Molly decided to send hercats, and set about preparing them for exhibition. The Minots' desertedBunny-house was rather large; but as cats cannot be packed as closely asmuch-enduring sheep, Molly borrowed this desirable family mansion, andput her darlings int
o it, where they soon settled down, and appearedto enjoy their new residence. It had been scrubbed up and painted red,cushions and plates put in, and two American flags adorned the roof.Being barred all round, a fine view of the Happy Family could be had,now twelve in number, as Molasses had lately added three white kits tothe varied collection.
The girls thought this would be the most interesting spectacle of all,and Grif proposed to give some of the cats extra tails, to increasetheir charms, especially poor Mortification, who would appreciate thehonor of two, after having none for so long. But Molly declined, andGrif looked about him for some attractive animal to exhibit, so that hetoo might go in free and come to honor, perhaps.
A young lady in the town owned a donkey, a small, gray beast, whoinsisted on tripping along the sidewalks and bumping her rider againstthe walls as she paused to browse at her own sweet will, regardless ofblows or cries, till ready to move on. Expressing great admiration forthis rare animal, Grif obtained leave to display the charms of Graciosaat the Fair. Little did she guess the dark designs entertained againsther dignity, and happily she was not as sensitive to ridicule as a lesshumble-minded animal, so she went willingly with her new friend, andenjoyed the combing and trimming up which she received at his hands,while he prepared for the great occasion.
When the morning of September 28th arrived, the town was all astir,and the Fair ground a lively scene. The air was full of the lowing ofcattle, the tramp of horses, squealing of indignant pigs, and clatter oftongues, as people and animals streamed in at the great gate and foundtheir proper places. Our young folks were in a high state of excitement,as they rumbled away with their treasures in a hay-cart. The Bunny-housemight have been a cage of tigers, so rampant were the cats at thisnew move. Old Bun, in a small box, brooded over the insult of therefrigerator, and looked as fierce as a rabbit could. Gus had a coop ofrare fowls, who clucked wildly all the way, while Ralph, with the bustin his arms, stood up in front, and Jill and Molly bore the preciousbedquilt, as they sat behind.
These objects of interest were soon arranged, and the girls went toadmire Merry's golden butter cups among the green leaves, under whichlay the ice that kept the pretty flowers fresh. The boys were downbelow, where the cackling was very loud, but not loud enough to drownthe sonorous bray which suddenly startled them as much as it did thehorses outside. A shout of laughter followed, and away went the lads, tosee what the fun was, while the girls ran out on the balcony, as someonesaid, "It's that rogue of a Grif with some new joke."
It certainly was, and, to judge from the peals of merriment, the jokewas a good one. In at the gate came a two-headed donkey, ridden by Grif,in great spirits at his success, for the gate-keeper laughed so he neverthought to ask for toll. A train of boys followed him across the ground,lost in admiration of the animal and the cleverness of her rider. Amongthe stage properties of the Dramatic Club was the old ass's head onceused in some tableaux from "Midsummer Night's Dream." This Grifhad mended up, and fastened by means of straps and a collar to poorGraciosa's neck, hiding his work with a red cloth over her back. One eyewas gone, but the other still opened and shut, and the long ears waggedby means of strings, which he slyly managed with the bridle, so theartificial head looked almost as natural as the real one. The funniestthing of all was the innocent air of Graciosa, and the mildly inquiringexpression with which she now and then turned to look at or to smell ofthe new ornament as if she recognized a friend's face, yet was perplexedby its want of animation. She vented her feelings in a bray, which Grifimitated, convulsing all hearers by the sound as well as by the winkthe one eye gave, and the droll waggle of one erect ear, while the otherpointed straight forward.
The girls laughed so at the ridiculous sight that they nearly fellover the railing, and the boys were in ecstasies, especially whenGrif, emboldened by his success, trotted briskly round the race-course,followed by the cheers of the crowd. Excited by the noise, Graciosa didher best, till the false head, loosened by the rapid motion, slippedround under her nose, causing her to stop so suddenly that Grif flewoff, alighting on his own head with a violence which would have killedany other boy. Sobered by his downfall, he declined to mount again, butled his steed to repose in a shed, while he rejoined his friends, whowere waiting impatiently to congratulate him on his latest and bestprank.
The Committee went their rounds soon after, and, when the doors wereagain opened, every one hurried to see if their articles had received apremium. A card lay on the butter cups, and Mrs. Grant was full of pridebecause _her_ butter always took a prize, and this proved that Merry waswalking in her mother's steps, in this direction at least. Another cardswung from the blue quilt, for the kindly judges knew who made it, andwere glad to please the little girl, though several others as curiousbut not so pretty hung near by. The cats were admired, but, as they werenot among the animals usually exhibited, there was no prize awarded. Gushoped his hens would get one; but somebody else outdid him, to the greatindignation of Laura and Lotty, who had fed the white biddies faithfullyfor months. Jack was sure his rabbit was the biggest there, and wenteagerly to look for his premium. But neither card nor Bun were to beseen, for the old rascal had escaped for the last time, and was neverseen again; which was a great comfort to Jack, who was heartily tired ofhim.
Ralph's bust was the best of all, for not only did it get a prize, andwas much admired, but a lady, who found Jill and Merry rejoicing overit, was so pleased with the truth and grace of the little head, that sheasked about the artist, and whether he would do one of her own child,who was so delicate she feared he might not live long.
Merry gladly told the story of her ambitious friend, and went to findhim, that he might secure the order. While she was gone, Jill took upthe tale, gratefully telling how kind he had been to her, how patientlyhe worked and waited, and how much he longed to go abroad. Fortunatelythe lady was rich and generous, as well as fond of art, and beingpleased with the bust, and interested in the young sculptor, gave himthe order when he came, and filled his soul with joy by adding, that, ifit suited her when done, it should be put into marble. She lived in thecity, and Ralph soon arranged his work so that he could give up his noonhour, and go to model the child; for every penny he could earn or savenow was very precious, as he still hoped to go abroad.
The girls were so delighted with this good fortune, that they did notstay for the races, but went home to tell the happy news, leaving theboys to care for the cats, and enjoy the various matches to come offthat day.
"I'm so glad I tried to look pleasant when I was lying on the boardwhile Ralph did my head, for the pleasantness got into the clay face,and that made the lady like it," said Jill, as she lay resting on thesofa.
"I always thought it was a dear, bright little face, but now I love andadmire it more than ever," cried Merry, kissing it gratefully, as sheremembered the help and pleasure it had given Ralph.
Chapter XXIV. Down the River
A fortnight later, the boys were picking apples one golden Octoberafternoon, and the girls were hurrying to finish their work, that theymight go and help the harvesters. It was six weeks now since the newschool began, and they had learned to like it very much, though theyfound that it was not all play, by any means. But lessons, exercise, andvarious sorts of housework made an agreeable change, and they felt thatthey were learning things which would be useful to them all their lives.They had been making underclothes for themselves, and each had severalneatly finished garments cut, fitted, and sewed by herself, and trimmedwith the pretty tatting Jill made in such quantities while she lay onher sofa.
Now they were completing new dressing sacks, and had enjoyed this jobvery much, as each chose her own material, and suited her own tastein the making. Jill's was white, with tiny scarlet leaves all overit, trimmed with red braid and buttons so like checkerberries she wastempted to eat them. Molly's was gay, with bouquets of every sort offlower, scalloped all round, and adorned with six buttons, each of adifferent color, which she thought the last touch of elegance. Merry's,though the simp
lest, was the daintiest of the three, being pale blue,trimmed with delicate edging, and beautifully made.
Mrs. Minot had been reading from Miss Strickland's "Queens of England"while the girls worked, and an illustrated Shakspeare lay open on thetable, as well as several fine photographs of historical places for themto look at as they went along. The hour was over now, the teacher gone,and the pupils setting the last stitches as they talked over the lesson,which had interested them exceedingly.
"I really believe I have got Henry's six wives into my head right atlast. Two Annes, three Katherines, and one Jane. Now I've seen wherethey lived and heard their stories, I quite feel as if I knew them,"said Merry, shaking the threads off her work before she folded it up tocarry home.
"'King Henry the Eighth to six spouses was wedded, One died, one survived, two divorced, two beheaded,'
was all I knew about them before. Poor things, what a bad time they didhave," added Jill, patting down the red braid, which would pucker a bitat the corners.
"Katherine Parr had the best of it, because she outlived the old tyrantand so kept her head on," said Molly, winding the thread round herlast button, as if bound to fasten it on so firmly that nothing shoulddecapitate that.
"I used to think I'd like to be a queen or a great lady, and wear velvetand jewels, and live in a palace, but now I don't care much for thatsort of splendor. I like to make things pretty at home, and know thatthey all depend on me, and love me very much. Queens are not happy, andI am," said Merry, pausing to look at Anne Hathaway's cottage as she putup the picture, and to wonder if it was very pleasant to have a famousman for one's husband.
"I guess your missionarying has done you good; mine has, and I'm gettingto have things my own way more and more every day. Miss Bat is soamiable, I hardly know her, and father tells her to ask Miss Molly whenshe goes to him for orders. Isn't that fun?" laughed Molly, in highglee, at the agreeable change. "I like it ever so much, but I don't wantto stay so all my days. I mean to travel, and just as soon as I canI shall take Boo and go all round the world, and see everything," sheadded, waving her gay sack, as if it were the flag she was about to nailto the masthead of her ship.
"Well, I should like to be famous in some way, and have people admireme very much. I'd like to act, or dance, or sing, or be what I heard theladies at Pebbly Beach call a 'queen of society.' But I don't expect tobe anything, and I'm not going to worry I shall _not_ be a Lucinda, soI ought to be contented and happy all my life," said Jill, who was veryambitious in spite of the newly acquired meekness, which was all themore becoming because her natural liveliness often broke out likesunshine through a veil of light clouds.
If the three girls could have looked forward ten years they would havebeen surprised to see how different a fate was theirs from the one eachhad chosen, and how happy each was in the place she was called to fill.Merry was not making the old farmhouse pretty, but living in Italy, witha young sculptor for her husband, and beauty such as she never dreamedof all about her. Molly was not travelling round the world, butcontentedly keeping house for her father and still watching over Boo,who was becoming her pride and joy as well as care. Neither was Jilla famous woman, but a very happy and useful one, with the two mothersleaning on her as they grew old, the young men better for her influenceover them, many friends to love and honor her, and a charming home,where she was queen by right of her cheery spirit, grateful heart, andunfailing devotion to those who had made her what she was.
If any curious reader, not content with this peep into futurity,asks, "Did Molly and Jill ever marry?" we must reply, for the sakeof peace--Molly remained a merry spinster all her days, one of theindependent, brave, and busy creatures of whom there is such need in theworld to help take care of other peoples' wives and children, and do themany useful jobs that the married folk have no time for. Jill certainlydid wear a white veil on the day she was twenty-five and called herhusband Jack. Further than that we cannot go, except to say thatthis leap did not end in a catastrophe, like the first one they tooktogether.
That day, however, they never dreamed of what was in store for them, butchattered away as they cleared up the room, and then ran off ready forplay, feeling that they had earned it by work well done. They found thelads just finishing, with Boo to help by picking up the windfalls forthe cider-heap, after he had amused himself by putting about a busheldown the various holes old Bun had left behind him. Jack was riskinghis neck climbing in the most dangerous places, while Frank, with along-handled apple-picker, nipped off the finest fruit with care, bothenjoying the pleasant task and feeling proud of the handsome red andyellow piles all about the little orchard. Merry and Molly caught upbaskets and fell to work with all their might, leaving Jill to sit upona stool and sort the early apples ready to use at once, looking up nowand then to nod and smile at her mother who watched her from the window,rejoicing to see her lass so well and happy.
It was such a lovely day, they all felt its cheerful influence; for thesun shone bright and warm, the air was full of an invigorating freshnesswhich soon made the girls' faces look like rosy apples, and theirspirits as gay as if they had been stealing sips of new cider througha straw. Jack whistled like a blackbird as he swung and bumped about,Frank orated and joked, Merry and Molly ran races to see who wouldfill and empty fastest, and Jill sung to Boo, who reposed in a barrel,exhausted with his labors.
"These are the last of the pleasant days, and we ought to make the mostof them. Let's have one more picnic before the frost spoils the leaves,"said Merry, resting a minute at the gate to look down the street, whichwas a glorified sort of avenue, with brilliant maples lining the way andcarpeting the ground with crimson and gold.
"Oh, yes! Go down the river once more and have supper on the Island. Icouldn't go to some of your picnics, and I do long for a last good timebefore winter shuts me up again," cried Jill, eager to harvest all thesunshine she could, for she was not yet quite her old self again.
"I'm your man, if the other fellows agree. We can't barrel these up fora while, so to-morrow will be a holiday for us. Better make sure of theday while you can, this weather can't last long;" and Frank shook hishead like one on intimate terms with Old Prob.
"Don't worry about those high ones, Jack. Give a shake and come down andplan about the party," called Molly, throwing up a big Baldwin with whatseemed a remarkably good aim, for a shower of apples followed, and a boycame tumbling earthward to catch on the lowest bough and swing down likea caterpillar, exclaiming, as he landed,--
"I'm glad that job is done! I've rasped every knuckle I've got and wornout the knees of my pants. Nice little crop though, isn't it?"
"It will be nicer if this young man does not bite every apple hetouches. Hi there! Stop it, Boo," commanded Frank, as he caught hisyoung assistant putting his small teeth into the best ones, to see ifthey were sweet or sour.
Molly set the barrel up on end, and that took the boy out of the reachof mischief, so he retired from view and peeped through a crack as heate his fifth pearmain, regardless of consequences.
"Gus will be at home to-morrow. He always comes up early on Saturday,you know. We can't get on without him," said Frank, who missed his matevery much, for Gus had entered college, and so far did not like it asmuch as he had expected.
"Or Ralph; he is very busy every spare minute on the little boy's bust,which is getting on nicely, he says; but he will be able to come homein time for supper, I think," added Merry, remembering the absent, asusual.
"I'll ask the girls on my way home, and all meet at two o'clock for agood row while it's warm. What shall I bring?" asked Molly, wondering ifMiss Bat's amiability would extend to making goodies in the midst of herusual Saturday's baking.
"You bring coffee and the big pot and some buttered crackers. I'll seeto the pie and cake, and the other girls can have anything else theylike," answered Merry, glad and proud that she could provide the partywith her own inviting handiwork.
"I'll take my zither, so we can have music as we sail, and Grif willb
ring his violin, and Ralph can imitate a banjo so that you'd be sure hehad one. I do hope it will be fine, it is so splendid to go round likeother folks and enjoy myself," cried Jill, with a little bounce ofsatisfaction at the prospect of a row and ramble.
"Come along, then, and make sure of the girls," said Merry, catching upher roll of work, for the harvesting was done.
Molly put her sack on as the easiest way of carrying it, and,extricating Boo, they went off, accompanied by the boys, "to make sureof the fellows" also, leaving Jill to sit among the apples, singing andsorting like a thrifty little housewife.
Next day eleven young people met at the appointed place, basket in hand.Ralph could not come till later, for he was working now as he neverworked before. They were a merry flock, for the mellow autumn day waseven brighter and clearer than yesterday, and the river looked itsloveliest, winding away under the sombre hemlocks, or through thefairyland the gay woods made on either side. Two large boats and twosmall ones held them all, and away they went, first up through the threebridges and round the bend, then, turning, they floated down to thegreen island, where a grove of oaks rustled their sere leaves and thesquirrels were still gathering acorns. Here they often met to keep theirsummer revels, and here they now spread their feast on the flat rockwhich needed no cloth beside its own gray lichens. The girls trimmedeach dish with bright leaves, and made the supper look like a banquetfor the elves, while the boys built a fire in the nook where ashes andblackened stones told of many a rustic meal. The big tin coffee-potwas not so romantic, but more successful than a kettle slung on threesticks, gypsy fashion; so they did not risk a downfall, but set thewater boiling, and soon filled the air with the agreeable perfumeassociated in their minds with picnics, as most of them never tasted thefascinating stuff at any other time, being the worst children can drink.
Frank was cook, Gus helped cut bread and cake, Jack and Grif broughtwood, while Bob Walker took Joe's place and made himself generallyuseful, as the other gentleman never did, and so was quite out of favorlately.
All was ready at last, and they were just deciding to sit down withoutRalph, when a shout told them he was coming, and down the river skimmeda wherry at such a rate the boys wondered whom he had been racing with.
"Something has happened, and he is coming to tell us," said Jill, whosat where she could see his eager face.
"Nothing bad, or he wouldn't smile so. He is glad of a good row and alittle fun after working so hard all the week;" and Merry shook a rednapkin as a welcoming signal.
Something certainly had happened, and a very happy something it must be,they all thought, as Ralph came on with flashing oars, and leaping outas the boat touched the shore, ran up the slope, waving his hat, andcalling in a glad voice, sure of sympathy in his delight,--
"Good news! good news! Hurrah for Rome, next month!"
The young folks forgot their supper for a moment, to congratulate him onhis happy prospect, and hear all about it, while the leaves rustled asif echoing the kind words, and the squirrels sat up aloft, wonderingwhat all the pleasant clamor was about.
"Yes, I'm really going in November. German asked me to go with himto-day, and if there is any little hitch in my getting off, he'll lend ahand, and I--I'll black his boots, wet his clay, and run his errands therest of my life to pay for this!" cried Ralph, in a burst of gratitude;for, independent as he was, the kindness of this successful friend to adeserving comrade touched and won his heart.
"I call that a handsome thing to do!" said Frank, warmly, for nobleactions always pleased him. "I heard my mother say that making good oruseful men was the best sort of sculpture, so I think David German maybe proud of this piece of work, whether the big statue succeeds or not."
"I'm very glad, old fellow. When I run over for my trip four years fromnow, I'll look you up, and see how you are getting on," said Gus, with ahearty shake of the hand; and the younger lads grinned cheerfully,even while they wondered where the fun was in shaping clay and chippingmarble.
"Shall you stay four years?" asked Merry's soft voice, while a wistfullook came into her happy eyes.
"Ten, if I can," answered Ralph, decidedly, feeling as if a longlifetime would be all too short for the immortal work he meant to do."I've got so much to learn, that I shall do whatever David thinks bestfor me at first, and when I _can_ go alone, I shall just shut myself upand forget that there is any world outside my den."
"Do write and tell us how you get on now and then; I like to hear aboutother people's good times while I'm waiting for my own," said Molly, toomuch interested to observe that Grif was sticking burrs up and down herbraids.
"Of course I shall write to some of you, but you mustn't expect anygreat things for years yet. People don't grow famous in a hurry, and ittakes a deal of hard work even to earn your bread and butter, as you'llfind if you ever try it," answered Ralph, sobering down a little as heremembered the long and steady effort it had taken to get even so far.
"Speaking of bread and butter reminds me that we'd better eat oursbefore the coffee gets quite cold," said Annette, for Merry seemed tohave forgotten that she had been chosen to play matron, as she was theoldest.
The boys seconded the motion, and for a few minutes supper was theall-absorbing topic, as the cups went round and the goodies vanishedrapidly, accompanied by the usual mishaps which make picnic meals suchfun. Ralph's health was drunk with all sorts of good wishes; and suchsplendid prophecies were made, that he would have far surpassed MichaelAngelo, if they could have come true. Grif gave him an order on the spotfor a full-length statue of himself, and stood up to show the imposingattitude in which he wished to be taken, but unfortunately slippedand fell forward with one hand in the custard pie, the other clutchingwildly at the coffee-pot, which inhospitably burnt his fingers.
"I think I grasp the idea, and will be sure to remember not to makeyour hair blow one way and the tails of your coat another, as a certainsculptor made those of a famous man," laughed Ralph, as the fallen heroscrambled up, amidst general merriment.
"Will the little bust be done before you go?" asked Jill, anxiously,feeling a personal interest in the success of that order.
"Yes: I've been hard at it every spare minute I could get, and have afortnight more. It suits Mrs. Lennox, and she will pay well for it, soI shall have something to start with, though I haven't been able to savemuch. I'm to thank you for that, and I shall send you the first prettything I get hold of," answered Ralph, looking gratefully at the brightface, which grew still brighter as Jill exclaimed,--
"I do feel _so_ proud to know a real artist, and have my bust done byhim. I only wish _I_ could pay for it as Mrs. Lennox does; but I haven'tany money, and you don't need the sort of things I can make," she added,shaking her head, as she thought over knit slippers, wall-pockets, andcrochet in all its forms, as offerings to her departing friend.
"You can write often, and tell me all about everybody, for I shall wantto know, and people will soon forget me when I'm gone," said Ralph,looking at Merry, who was making a garland of yellow leaves for Juliet'sblack hair.
Jill promised, and kept her word; but the longest letters went from thefarm-house on the hill, though no one knew the fact till long afterward.Merry said nothing now, but she smiled, with a pretty color in hercheeks, and was very much absorbed in her work, while the talk went on.
"I wish I was twenty, and going to seek my fortune, as you are," saidJack; and the other boys agreed with him, for something in Ralph's newplans and purposes roused the manly spirit in all of them, remindingthem that playtime would soon be over, and the great world before them,where to choose.
"It is easy enough to say what you'd like; but the trouble is, you haveto take what you can get, and make the best of it," said Gus, whose ownviews were rather vague as yet.
"No you don't, always; you can _make_ things go as you want them, if youonly try hard enough, and walk right over whatever stands in the way. Idon't mean to give up my plans for any man; but, if I live, I'll carrythem out--you see if I do
n't;" and Frank gave the rock where he lay ablow with his fist, that sent the acorns flying all about.
One of them hit Jack, and he said, sorrowfully, as he held it in hishand so carefully it was evident he had some association with it,--
"Ed used to say that, and he had some splendid plans, but they didn'tcome to anything."
"Perhaps they did; who can tell? Do your best while you live, and Idon't believe anything good is lost, whether we have it a long or ashort time," said Ralph, who knew what a help and comfort high hopeswere, and how they led to better things, if worthily cherished.
"A great many acorns are wasted, I suppose; but some of them sprout andgrow, and make splendid trees," added Merry, feeling more than she knewhow to express, as she looked up at the oaks overhead.
Only seven of the party were sitting on the knoll now, for the rest hadgone to wash the dishes and pack the baskets down by the boats. Jack andJill, with the three elder boys, were in a little group, and as Merryspoke, Gus said to Frank,--
"Did you plant yours?"
"Yes, on the lawn, and I mean it shall come up if I can make it,"answered Frank, gravely.
"I put mine where I can see it from the window, and not forget to waterand take care of it," added Jack, still turning the pretty brown acornto and fro as if he loved it.
"What do they mean?" whispered Merry to Jill, who was leaning againsther knee to rest.
"The boys were walking in the Cemetery last Sunday, as they often do,and when they came to Ed's grave, the place was all covered with littleacorns from the tree that grows on the bank. They each took up some asthey stood talking, and Jack said he should plant his, for he loved Edvery much, you know. The others said they would, too; and I hope thetrees will grow, though we don't need anything to remember him by,"answered Jill, in a low tone, thinking of the pressed flowers the girlskept for his sake.
The boys heard her, but no one spoke for a moment as they sat lookingacross the river toward the hill where the pines whispered theirlullabies and pointed heavenward, steadfast and green, all the yearround. None of them could express the thought that was in their minds asJill told the little story; but the act and the feeling that prompted itwere perhaps as beautiful an assurance as could have been given thatthe dear dead boy's example had not been wasted, for the planting of theacorns was a symbol of the desire budding in those young hearts tobe what he might have been, and to make their lives nobler for theknowledge and the love of him.
"It seems as if a great deal had happened this year," said Merry, in apensive tone, for this quiet talk just suited her mood.
"So I say, for there's been a Declaration of Independence and aRevolution in our house, and I'm commander-in-chief now; and don't Ilike it!" cried Molly, complacently surveying the neat new uniform shewore of her own choosing.
"I feel as if I never learned so much in my life as I have since lastDecember, and yet I never did so little," added Jill, wondering why themonths of weariness and pain did not seem more dreadful to her.
"Well, pitching on my head seems to have given me a good shaking up,somehow, and I mean to do great things next year in better ways thanbreaking my bones coasting," said Jack, with a manly air.
"I feel like a Siamese twin without his mate now you are gone, but I'munder orders for a while, and mean to do my best. Guess it won't belost time;" and Frank nodded at Gus, who nodded back with the slightlysuperior expression all Freshmen wear.
"Hope you won't find it so. My work is all cut out for me, and I intendto go in and win, though it is more of a grind than you fellows know."
"I'm sure I have everything to be grateful for. It won't be plainsailing--I don't expect it; but, if I live, I'll do something to beproud of," said Ralph, squaring his shoulders as if to meet and conquerall obstacles as he looked into the glowing west, which was not fairerthan his ambitious dreams.
Here we will say good-by to these girls and boys of ours as they sittogether in the sunshine talking over a year that was to be for evermemorable to them, not because of any very remarkable events, butbecause they were just beginning to look about them as they stepped outof childhood into youth, and some of the experiences of the past monthshad set them to thinking, taught them to see the use and beauty of thesmall duties, joys, and sorrows which make up our lives, and inspiredthem to resolve that the coming year should be braver and brighter thanthe last.
There are many such boys and girls, full of high hopes, lovelypossibilities, and earnest plans, pausing a moment before they pushtheir little boats from the safe shore. Let those who launch them seeto it that they have good health to man the oars, good education forballast, and good principles as pilots to guide them as they voyage downan ever-widening river to the sea.
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