RICHARD LEARNS THE MEANING OF RIGHT ABOUT FACE.
The apartment to which Richard was shown was called "Barrack B." There
were ten rooms of this kind, known by the first ten letters of the
alphabet, omitting J. Each barrack contained twenty narrow iron
bedsteads, and no two boys were allowed to occupy the same bed. At the
head of each barrack, there was an alcove large enough to contain the
bed of the assistant teacher, who had charge of the pupils in the room.
This apartment of the instructor was screened from the view of the boys
by a curtain, so that he could see without being seen, when he desired
to do so.
There was a small closet in the wall between every two beds, for the
use of the boys, and Richard was directed to transfer the contents of
his trunk to this receptacle, by Mr. Gault, the assistant teacher in
charge of Barrack B. Richard opened the trunk, and then sat down upon
the bed to wait until the instructor should retire, for he did not care
to exhibit his wardrobe to a stranger.
"Proceed, if you please," said Mr. Gault.
"I think I will do this business by myself," replied Richard.
"According to a rule of the Institute, the wardrobe of each pupil must
be inspected," said the teacher.
"Inspected?" asked the recruit. "What for?"
"To see that no improper articles are brought in."
"I would rather not," added Richard.
"The rule is imperative," said Mr. Gault, decidedly.
The strait jacket had already begun to oppress the male heir of
Woodville, and he was disposed to resent the indignity, as he deemed
it; but almost the last words of Bertha had been an injunction to
observe the rules of the school, however distasteful they might be.
Reluctantly, and with the feeling that he was sacrificing his
independence, Richard transferred his clothing to the closet assigned
to him. Mr. Gault carefully watched the proceeding, and confiscated
several articles which were declared to be contraband, among which were
some cakes and other sweetmeats, prepared by Bertha, and several
yellow-covered novels he had purchased in Whitestone.
"Can't I have those things?" asked Richard.
"No, sir; no boy belonging to the Institute is allowed to eat cake on
the premises."
"Why not?"
"We do not explain to boys the reason for every thing we do," replied
Mr. Gault, rather curtly.
"I don't think you have any right to take my property away from me."
"I don't ask your opinion, and it is of no value whatever."
"You needn't be so crusty about it," said Richard, who was wholly
unused to this style of remark.
"We tolerate no impudence here. If you use an expression of that kind
again, you will be put under arrest, and spend the night in the guard
house."
Richard's blood was beginning to boil, and he was tempted to pitch into
the insolent instructor who dared to use language of that kind to the
only son of the proprietor of Woodville. But he did not want to get
into trouble the first day; besides, the words "arrest" and "guard
house" had a very ominous sound to him.
"Can't I have my books? They are not cake," asked Richard.
"No, sir; you cannot. Such trash as that is not fit for boys to read.
Your property will be kept safely for you, and when you leave the
school, you can have it again."
"The cake will not be very good then."
"You can do any thing you please with it, except eat it. You can sell
it, or give it away."
"You can do what you like with it."
"Very well. Have you any money about you?"
"I have."
"You will hand it to me, and a receipt for the amount will be forwarded
to your father."
"Do you mean to rob me?" demanded Richard, his face flushing at this
new indignity.
"I refer you to the regulations of the Institute. We provide every
thing the boys require, and they have no more use for money than they
have for wings."
"I won't give up my money."
"Very well, sir. I will refer the matter to Colonel Brockridge, and you
may settle it with him. Follow me, if you please," said Mr. Gault,
after Richard had locked the trunk containing the contraband articles.
The new scholar followed the teacher to the office of the principal on
the first floor. He was very uneasy and nervous, and almost wished he
had given up his money. But he felt that the tutor was carrying things
altogether too far. It was subjecting him to a needless indignity.
"This young man refuses to give up his money," said Mr. Gault to the
colonel, who was writing at his desk.
Without waiting to ascertain the result of the interview, the assistant
departed, leaving the obdurate youth alone with the owner of those
terribly sharp eyes.
"Have you read our regulations, Grant?" said Colonel Brockridge,
turning round and looking the recruit full in the face.
But there was a pleasant smile upon his face, and his words were
gentle, and even respectful.
"Yes, sir," replied Richard.
"Then you are aware that pupils are not allowed to have money--are you
not?"
"Yes, sir."
"Boys are tempted to purchase various articles which injure them, such
as cakes and candy, and improper books. Therefore we think it is better
that they should not be provided with money. Is this a satisfactory
explanation?"
"I don't know but it is, sir," replied Richard, doubtfully.
"It satisfies me, at any rate. How much money have you?"
"About five dollars."
"Now, Grant, if you will hand it to me, I will give you a receipt for
it, or send it to your father. I will keep it, subject to your order,
if you desire it."
"I don't like the rule, sir."
"I think it is an excellent rule. But you waste my time. Your decision,
Grant."
"I should like to think of the matter, sir."
"Your decision at once," said the colonel; and Richard saw the sharp
eyes grow a shade sharper, and heard the deep voice grow a shade
sterner.
The recruit winced under the necessity thus laid upon him. The
principal could not be trifled with, and he must either submit, or take
the consequences, which were so indefinite to him that they seemed
sufficiently terrible.
"I will give up the money," said he, with a struggle, as he handed his
wallet to the colonel.
"I am glad to find you are a discreet and sensible youth," added the
colonel, as he wrote the receipt, and handed it, with the wallet, from
which he had taken the money, back to the owner. "If you wish to use
money for any proper purpose, you can draw on me, and your paper shall
be honored to the extent of the funds in my hands."
"I don't think I am likely to want money here," answered Richard,
gloomily.
"Every needed article will be furnished. Now, Grant, I am afraid you
have come here with an intention to resist our wholesome regulations.
If so, you must learn the meaning of "right about, face"--in its moral
application, I mean. Your father has told me all about you, and given
me explicit instructions to make a man of you. I understand your case
perfectly. If you are disposed to observe the rules of the Institute,
we shall treat you like a gentleman. The future is before you, young
man, and you must choose for yourself."
"I intend to obey the rules, sir," said Richard, rather crest-fallen
after what had happened.
"I am very glad to hear you say so. In a few days you will be provided
with the uniform worn by the pupils of the Institute. Here is a time
card for the fall term. Look it over carefully, for you will be
required to conform to it very strictly. To-morrow morning you will
take your place with the boys, and go through with the programme just
as though you had been here all your lifetime. We make no allowances
for beginners; they will have seasonable warning, and they must be on
the ground promptly at the moment. There will be a dress parade in a
few moments, and you can go out and witness it, if you choose," said
Colonel Brockridge, as he handed Richard the card. "After supper, Mr.
Gault will introduce you to the boys of your barrack."
Richard took the card, and left the room. As he passed out of the
building he descried the boys at play on the lawn. They were all
dressed in a uniform of gray cloth, though some wore a loose blouse,
and some, in the heat of play, had thrown off their jackets. The new
scholar walked over to the flagstaff, where the stars and stripes were
flying, and seated himself on a bench. The boys seemed to be having a
good time, in spite of the strictness of the discipline. As he listened
to the tremendous noise they made, and saw the rough-and-tumble games
in which they were engaged, he became convinced that the Institute was
not of the Blember style, and he began to have some hope that he should
survive the shock.
While he was waiting for the dress parade, he examined the time card
given him by the principal. To him it had a decidedly strait-jacket
odor, and he read it with a feeling of repugnance, not to say disgust.
It was as follows:--
"TUNBROOK MILITARY INSTITUTE.
FALL TERM.
_From Sept. 1 to Dec. 1._
6 A. M. Reveille.
6.30 " Study.
7.30 " Breakfast.
8 " Squad Drill.
9 " Study and Recitation.
11 " Battalion Drill.
1 P. M. Dinner.
1.30 " Recreation.
3 " Study and Recitation.
5 " Recreation.
6 " Dress Parade.
6.30 " Supper.
7 " Off Time.
9 " Retire.
The 'Off Time' belongs to the student; but deficient lessons must
be made up during these hours.
Camp duty will be performed by all students for one week, in each
term, except the winter term.
J. BROCKRIDGE,
Principal."
Richard thought the time card was rather formidable, but he came to the
conclusion that he could stand it, if the rest of the boys could.
While he was musing upon the present and the future, the rattling drum
sounded, and the boys instantly suspended their play. In a moment the
whole crowd had disappeared within the buildings that flanked the lawn;
but presently the rattle of several drums was heard, and one company
after another marched upon the parade ground, and formed the line.
Every boy was dressed in full uniform now, the blouses and other
non-conforming garments having been thrown aside, and every one wore
white gloves.
Richard found that the teachers were not the officers of the companies,
or the battalion, as he had expected. Several of the instructors were
present, but they appeared to take no part in the proceedings. Every
thing was managed by the boys, apparently without any assistance from
the teachers. The captains, lieutenants, sergeants, and corporals were
all in appropriate uniform, with their rank designated as in the United
States army. The swords and muskets were genuine weapons, though not so
large and heavy as those used by older soldiers. The students varied in
age from fourteen to eighteen.
The various evolutions of the dress parade were regularly performed.
The adjutant announced to the major that the parade was formed; the
band, consisting of eight pieces, marched up and down the line; the
first sergeants reported "all present or accounted for," and the
company officers marched up to the commander of the battalion. The boys
were as rigid as statues when the order, "Parade--rest," was given. The
companies marched back to the armories, broke ranks, and were
dismissed.
Richard was delighted with this exhibition, and the Tunbrook Military
Institute went up many degrees in his estimation. He followed the boys
into the supper room, where, without much ceremony, he made the
acquaintance of several captains and lieutenants. He received a hearty
welcome from his new associates, and began to feel very much at home.
The supper was not exactly what he had been accustomed to at Woodville,
but it was plain wholesome food; and when he saw officers and privates,
from the major down to the drummers, partake of it with hearty relish,
he was not disposed to grumble.
After supper, the boys scattered in every direction. Some went out
doors, some to the barracks, some to the school rooms. It was
"off-time," and without much assistance from Mr. Gault, who attempted
to introduce him, he made the acquaintance of half the students in the
Institute. At nine o'clock the sound of the drum rolled through the
halls, and the boys all retired.