For some time Frank had been revolving in his mind the feasibility of a
scheme which he hoped to be able to carry into execution. It was no less
than this--to form a military company among the boys, which should
be organized and drilled in all respects like those composed of older
persons. He did not feel like taking any steps in the matter till he had
consulted with some one in whose judgment he had confidence.
One evening he mentioned his plan to Mr. Morton.
“It is a capital idea, Frank,” said the young man, with warm approval.
“If I can be of service to you in this matter, it will afford me much
pleasure.”
“There is one difficulty,” suggested Frank. “None of us boys know
anything about military tactics, and we shall need instruction to begin
with; but where we are to find a teacher I am sure I can't tell.”
“I don't think you will have to look far,” said Mr. Morton, with a
smile.
“Are you acquainted with the manual?” asked Frank eagerly.
“I believe so. You see you have not yet got to the end of my
accomplishments. I shall be happy to act as your drill-master until some
one among your number is competent to take my place. I can previously
give you some private lessons, if you desire it.”
“There's nothing I should like better, Mr. Morton,” said Frank joyfully.
“Have you got a musket in the house, then? We shall get along better
with one.”
“There's one in the attic.”
“Very well; if you will get it, we can make a beginning now.”
Frank went in search of the musket; but in his haste tumbled down the
attic stairs, losing his grasp of the musket, which fell down with a
clatter.
Mrs. Frost, opening the door of her bedroom in alarm, saw Frank on his
back with the musket lying across his chest.
“What's the matter?” she asked, not a little startled.
Frank got up rubbing himself and looking rather foolish.
“Nothing, mother; only I was in a little too much of a hurry.”
“What are you going to do with that musket, Frank?”
“Mr. Morton is going to teach me the manual, that is all, mother.”
“I suppose the first position is horizontal,” said his mother, with a
smile.
“I don't like that position very well,” returned Frank, with a laugh. “I
prefer the perpendicular.”
Under his friend's instructions, Frank progressed rapidly. At the end of
the third lesson, Mr. Morton said, “You are nearly as competent to give
instructions now as I am. There are some things, however, that cannot be
learned alone. You had better take measures to form your company.”
Frank called upon Mr. Rathburn, the principal of the academy, and after
communicating his plan, which met with the teacher's full approval,
arranged to have notice given of a meeting of the boys immediately after
the afternoon session.
On Thursday afternoon when the last class had recited, previous to
ringing the bell, which was a signal that school was over, Mr. Rathburn
gave this brief notice:
“I am requested to ask the boys present to remain in their seats, and in
which I think they will all feel interested.”
Looks of curiosity were interchanged among the boys, and every one
thought, “What's coming now?”
At this moment a modest knock was heard, and Mr. Rathburn, going to the
door, admitted Frank. He quietly slipped into the nearest seat.
“Your late schoolfellow, Frank Frost,” proceeded Mr. Rathburn, “has the
merit of originating the plan to which I have referred, and he is no
doubt prepared to unfold it to you.”
Mr. Rathburn put on his hat and coat, and left the schoolroom. After his
departure Frank rose and spoke modestly, thus:
“Boys, I have been thinking for some time past that we were not doing
all that we ought in this crisis, which puts in such danger the
welfare of our country. If anything, we boys ought to feel more deeply
interested than our elders, for while they will soon pass off the stage
we have not yet reached even the threshold of manhood. You will ask me
what we can do. Let me remind you that when the war broke out the great
want was, not of volunteers, but of men trained to military exercises.
Our regiments were at first composed wholly of raw recruits. In Europe,
military instruction is given as a matter of course; and in Germany, and
perhaps other countries, young men are obliged to serve for a time in
the army.
“I think we ought to profit by the lessons of experience. However the
present war may turn out, we cannot be certain that other wars will not
at some time break out. By that time we shall have grown to manhood, and
the duty of defending our country in arms will devolve upon us. Should
that time come, let it not find us unprepared. I propose that we
organize a military company among the boys, and meet for drill at
such times as we may hereafter agree upon. I hope that any who feel
interested in the matter will express their opinions freely.”
Frank sat down, and a number of the boys testified their approbation by
stamping with their feet.
John Haynes rose, with a sneer upon his face.
“I would humbly inquire, Mr. Chairman, for you appear to have assumed
that position, whether you intend to favor us with your valuable
services as drillmaster.”
Frank rose, with a flushed face.
“I am glad to be reminded of one thing, which I had forgotten,” he said.
“As this is a meeting for the transaction of business, it is proper that
it should be regularly organized. Will some one nominate a chairman?”
“Frank Frost!” exclaimed half a dozen voices.
“I thank you for the nomination,” said Frank, “but as I have something
further to communicate to the meeting, it will be better to select some
one else.”
“I nominate Charles Reynolds,” said one voice.
“Second the motion,” said another.
“Those who are in favor of Charles Reynolds, as chairman of this
meeting, will please signify it in the usual manner,” said Frank.
Charles Reynolds, being declared duly elected, advanced to the teacher's
chair.
“Mr. Chairman,” said Frank, “I will now answer the question just put
to me. I do not propose to offer my services as drill-master, but I am
authorized to say that a gentleman whom you have all seen, Mr. Henry
Morton, is willing to give instruction till you are sufficiently
advanced to get along without it.”
John Haynes, who felt disappointed at not having been called upon
to preside over the meeting, determined to make as much trouble as
possible.
“How are we to know that this Morton is qualified to give instruction?”
he asked, looking round at the boys.
“The gentleman is out of order. He will please address his remarks to
the Chair, and not to the audience,” said the presiding officer.
“I beg pardon, Mr. Chairman,” said John mockingly. “I forgot how
tenacious some people are of their brief authority.”
“Order! order!” called half a dozen voices.
“The gentleman will come to order,” said the chairman firmly, “and make
way for others unless he can treat the Chair with proper respect.”
“Mr. Chairman,” said Frank, rising, “I will mention, for the general
information, that Mr. Morton has acted as an officer of militia, and
that I consider his offer a kind one, since it will take up considerable
of his time and put him to some trouble.”
“I move that Mr. Morton's offer be accepted, with thanks,” said Henry
Tufts.
The motion was seconded by Tom Wheeler, and carried unanimously, with
the exception of one vote. John Haynes sat sullenly in his seat and took
no part in it.
“Who shall belong to the company?” asked the chairman. “Shall a fixed
age be required?”
“I move that the age be fixed at eleven,” said Robert Ingalls.
This was objected to as too young, and twelve was finally fixed upon.
John Haynes moved not to admit any one who did not attend the academy.
Of course, this would exclude Frank, and his motion was not seconded.
It was finally decided to admit any above the age of twelve who desired
it, but the boys reserved to themselves the right of rejecting any who
should conduct himself in a manner to bring disgrace upon them.
“Mr. Chairman,” said Frank, “in order to get under way as soon as
possible, I have written down an agreement to which those who wish to
join our proposed company can sign their names. If anybody can think of
anything better, I shall be glad to have it adopted instead of this.”
He handed a sheet of paper to the chairman, who read from it the
following form of agreement: “We, the subscribers, agree to form a boys'
volunteer company, and to conform to the regulations which may hereafter
be made for its government.”
“If there is no objection, we will adopt this form, and subscribe our
names,” said the chairman.
The motion for adoption being carried, the boys came up one by one and
signed their names.
John Haynes would have held back, but for the thought that he might be
elected an officer of the new company.
“Is there any further business to come before the meeting?” inquired the
presiding officer.
“The boys at Webbington had a company three or four years ago,” said Joe
Barry, “and they used wooden guns.”
“Wooden guns!” exclaimed Wilbur Summerfield disdainfully. “You won't
catch me training round town with a wooden gun.”
“I would remind the last three gentlemen that their remarks should be
addressed to the Chair,” said the presiding officer. “Of course, I don't
care anything about it, but I think you would all prefer to have the
meeting conducted properly.”
“That's so!” exclaimed several boys.
“Then,” said the chairman, “I shall call to order any boy who addresses
the meeting except through me.”
“Mr. Chairman,” said Frank, rising, “as to the wooden guns, I quite
agree with the last speaker. It would seem too much like boy's play, and
we are too much in earnest for that. I have thought of an arrangement
which can be made if the Selectmen will give their consent. Ten or
fifteen years ago, longer than most of us can remember, as my father
has told me, there was a militia company in Rossville, whose arms were
supplied and owned by the town. When the company was disbanded the
muskets went back to the town, and I believe they are now kept in the
basement of the Town Hall. I presume that we can have the use of them
on application. I move that a committee be appointed to lay the matter
before the Selectmen and ask their permission.”
His motion was agreed to.
“I will appoint John Haynes to serve on that committee,” said the
chairman, after a pause.
This was a politic appointment, as Squire Haynes was one of the
Selectmen, and would be gratified at the compliment paid to his son.
“I accept the duty,” said John, rising, and speaking in a tone of
importance.
“Is there any other business to come before the meeting?”
“I should like to inquire, Mr. Chairman, when our first meeting will
take place, and where is it to be?” asked Herbert Metcalf.
“I will appoint as a committee to make the necessary arrangements, Frank
Frost, Tom Wheeler, and Robert Ingalls. Due notice will be given in
school of the time and place selected, and a written notice will also be
posted up in the postoffice.”
“Would it not be well, Mr. Chairman,” suggested Frank, “to circulate
an invitation to other boys not present to-day to join the company? The
larger our number, the more interest will be felt. I can think of quite
a number who would be valuable members. There are Dick Bumstead, and
William Chamberlain, and many others.”
At the sound of Dick Bumstead's name John Haynes looked askance at
Frank, but for the moment the thought of Dick's agency in the affair
of the pig-pen had escaped his recollection, and he looked quite
unconscious of any indirect reference to it.
“Will you make a motion to that effect?”
“Yes, if necessary.”
“Is the motion seconded?”
“Second it,” said Moses Rogers.
“I will appoint Wilbur Summerfield and Moses Rogers on that committee,”
said the chairman.
“I move that the meeting adjourn ipse dixit,” said Sam Davis, bringing
out the latter phrase with considerable emphasis.
A roar of laughter followed which shook the schoolhouse to the very
rafters, and then a deafening clamor of applause. The proposer sat down
in confusion.
“What are you laughing at?” he burst forth indignantly.
“Mr. Chairman,” said Henry Tufts, struggling with his laughter, “I
second the gentleman's motion, all except the Latin.”
The motion was carried in spite of the manner in which it was worded,
and the boys formed little groups, and began eagerly to discuss the plan
which had been proposed. Frank had reason to feel satisfied with the
success of his suggestion. Several of the boys came up to him and
expressed their pleasure that he had brought the matter before them.
“I say, Frank,” said Robert Ingalls, “We'll have a bully company.”
“Yes,” said Wilbur Summerfield, “if John Haynes belongs to it. He's a
bully, and no mistake.”
“What's that you are saying about me?” blustered John Haynes, who caught
a little of what was said.
“Listeners never hear anything good of themselves,” answered Wilbur.
“Say that again, Wilbur Summerfield,” said John menacingly.
“Certainly, if it will do you any good. I said that you were a bully,
John Haynes; and there's not a boy here that doesn't know it to be
true.”
“Take care!” said John, turning white with passion.
“While I'm about it, there's something more I want to say,” continued
Wilbur undauntedly. “Yesterday you knocked my little brother off
his sled and sent him home crying. If you do it again, you will have
somebody else to deal with.”
John trembled with anger. It would have done him good to “pitch into”
Wilbur, but the latter looked him in the face so calmly and resolutely
that discretion seemed to him the better part of valor, and with an oath
he turned away.
“I don't know what's got into John Haynes,” said Wilbur. “I never liked
him, but now he seems to be getting worse and worse every day.”