\"Yes,weought,butsomehowwedon\'tseemtogetupmuchsteamaboutitlately。Ifmorepeoplebelonged,andwecouldhaveagrandtimenowandthen,itwouldbejolly\";andJacksighedatthelackofinterestfeltbyoutsidersintheloyallittleLodgewhichwentonyearafteryearkeptupbythefaithfulfew。
\"IrememberwheninthisverytownweusedtohaveaColdWaterArmy,andinthesummerturnoutwithprocessions,banners,andbandsofmusictomarchabout,andendwithapicnic,songs,andspeechesinsomegroveorhall。Nearlyallthechildrenbelongedtoit,andtheparentsalso,andwehadfinetimesheretwenty—fiveorthirtyyearsago。\"
\"Itdidn\'tdomuchgood,seemstome,forpeoplestilldrink,andwehaven\'tadecenthotelintheplace,\"saidFrank,ashismothersatlookingoutofthewindowasifshesawagainthepleasantsightofoldandyoungworkingtogetheragainstthegreatenemyofhomepeaceandsafety。
\"Ohyes,itdid,mydear;fortothisdaymanyofthosechildrenaretruetotheirpledge。Onelittlegirlwas,Iamsure,andnowhastwobigboystofightforthereformshehasupheldallherlife。Thetownisbetterthanitwasinthosedays,andifweeachdoourpartfaithfully,itwillimproveyetmore。Everyboyandgirlwhojoinsisonegained,perhaps,andyourexampleisthebesttemperancelectureyoucangive。Holdfast,anddon\'tmindifitisn\'t\'jolly\':itisright,andthatshouldbeenoughforus。\"
Mammaspokewarmly,forsheheartilybelievedinyoungpeople\'sguardingagainstthisdangerousvicebeforeitbecameatemptation,andhopedherboyswouldneverbreakthepledgetheyhadtaken;for,youngastheywere,theywereoldenoughtoseeitsworth,feelitswisdom,andpridethemselvesonthepromisewhichwasfastgrowingintoaprinciple。Jack\'sfacebrightenedashelistened,andFranksaid,withthesteadylookwhichmadehisfacemanly,\"Itshallbe。NowI\'lltellyouwhatIwasgoingtokeepasasurprisetillto—night,forIwantedtohavemysecretaswellasotherfolks。
EdandIwentuptoseeBob,Sunday,andhesaidhe\'djointheLodge,ifthey\'dhavehim。I\'mgoingtoproposehimto—night。\"
\"Good！good！\"criedJack,joyfully,andMrs。Minotclappedherhands,foreverynewmemberwasrejoicedoverbythegoodpeople,whowerenotdiscouragedbyridicule,indifference,oropposition。
\"We\'vegothimnow,fornoonewillobject,anditisjustthethingforhim。Hewantstobelongsomewhere,hesays,andhe\'llenjoythefun,andthegoodthingswillhelphim,andwewilllookafterhim,TheCaptainwassopleased,andyououghttohaveseenEd\'sfacewhenBobsaid,\'I\'mready,ifyou\'llhaveme。\"
Frank\'sownfacewasbeaming,andJackforgotto\"gobble,\"hewassointerestedinthenewConvert,whileMammasaid,asshethrewdownhernapkinandtookupthenewspaper,\"Wemustnotforgetour\'Observer,\'buthaveagoodonetonightinhonoroftheoccasion。Theremaybesomethinghere。Comehomeearlyatnoon,andI\'llhelpyougetyourpaperready。\"
\"I\'llbehere,butifyouwantFrank,you\'dbettertellhimnottodawdleoverAnnette\'sgatehalfanhour,\"beganJack,whocouldnotresistteasinghisdignifiedbrotheraboutoneofthefewfoolishthingshewasfondofdoing。
\"Doyouwantyournosepulled？\"demandedFrank,whoneverwouldstandjokingonthattenderpointfromhisbrother。
\"No,Idon\'t;andifIdid,youcouldn\'tdoit\";withwhichtaunthewasoffandFrankafterhim,havingmadeafutilediveattheimpertinentlittlenosewhichwasturnedupathimandhissweetheart。
\"Boys,boys,notthroughtheparlor！\"imploredMamma,resignedtoskirmishes,buttremblingforherpianolegsasthefourstoutbootsprancedaboutthetableandthenwentthunderingdownthehail,throughthekitchenwherethefatcookcheeredthemon,andMary,themaid,triedtoheadoffFrankasJackrushedoutintothegarden。Butthepursuerduckedunderherarmandgavechasewithallspeed。Thentherewasagloriousraceallovertheplace;forbothweregoodrunners,and,beingasfullofspringvigorasfriskycalves,theydidastonishingthingsinthewayofleapingfences,dodgingroundcorners,andmakinggoodtimedownthewidewalks。
ButJack\'slegwasnotquitestrongyet,andhefeltthathisroundnosewasindangerofavengefultweakashisbreathbegantogiveoutandFrank\'slongarmsdrewnearerandnearertothethreatenedfeature。Justwhenhewasabouttogiveupandmeethisfatelikeaman,oldBunny,whohadbeenmuchexcitedbytherace,camescamperingacrossthepathwithsuchadrollskipintotheairandshakeofthehindlegsthatFrankhadtododgetoavoidsteppingonhim,andtolaughinspiteofhimself。ThismomentarycheckgaveJackachancetoboltupthebackstairsandtakerefugeintheBirdRoom,fromthewindowofwhichJillhadbeenwatchingtheracewithgreatinterest。
Norompingwasallowedthere,soatrucewasmadebylockinglittlefingers,andbothsatdowntogettheirbreath。
\"Iamtogoonthepiazza,foranhour,byandby,Doctorsaid。
Wouldyoumindcarryingmedownbeforeyougotoschool,youdoitsonicely,I\'mnotabitafraid,\"saidJill,aseagerforthelittlechangeasifithadbeenalongandvariedjourney。
\"Yes,indeed！Comeon,Princess,\"answeredJack,gladtoseehersowellandhappy。
Theboysmadeanarm—chair,andawayshewent,forapleasantdaydownstairs。ShethankedFrankwithaposyforhisbuttonhole,wellknowingthatitwouldsoonpassintootherhands,andhedepartedtojoinAnnette。HavingtoldJillaboutBob,andsethertoworkonthe\"Observer,\"Jackkissedhismother,andwentwhistlingdownthestreet,agaylittlebachelor,withanodandsmileforallhemet,andnoturned—uphatorjauntyturbanbobbingalongbesidehimtodelayhisstepsortroublehispeaceofmind。
Atnoontheyworkedontheirpaper,whichwasacollectionofitems,cutfromotherpapers,concerningtemperance,afewanecdotes,abitofpoetry,astory,and,ifpossible,anoriginalarticlebytheeditor。Manyhandsmakelightwork,andnothingremainedbutalittlecopying,whichJillpromisedtodobeforenight。Sotheboyshadtimeforagameoffootballafterschoolintheafternoon,whichtheymuchenjoyed。Astheysatrestingontheposts,Gussaid,\"UncleFredsayshewillgiveusahay—cartrideto—night,asitismoony,andafterityouarealltocometoourhouseandhavegames。
\"Can\'tdoit,\"answeredFrank,sadly。
\"Lodge,\"groanedJack,forbothconsideredadriveinthecart,wheretheyallsatinamerrybunchamongthehay,oneofthejoysoflife,andmuchregrettedthatapriorengagementwouldpreventtheirsharinginit。
Thatsapity！IforgotitwasTuesday,andcan\'tputitoff,asI\'veaskedalltherest。GiveupyouroldLodgeandcomealong,\"saidGus,whohadnotjoinedyet。
\"Wemightforonce,perhaps,butIdon\'tliketo\"——beganJack,hesitating。
\"Iwon\'t。Who\'stoproposeBobifwedon\'t？Iwanttogoawfully;
butIwouldn\'tdisappointBobforagooddeal,nowheiswillingtocome。\"AndFranksprangoffhispostasifanxioustofleetemptation,foritwasverypleasanttogosinging,uphillanddowndale,inthespringmoonlight,with——well,thefellowsofhisset。
\"NorEd,Iforgotthat。No,wecan\'tgo。WewanttobeGoodTemplars,andwemustn\'tshirk,\"addedJack,followinghisbrother。
\"Bettercome。Can\'tputitoff。Lotsoffun,\"calledGus,disappointedatlosingtwoofhisfavoritemates。
Buttheboysdidnotturnback,andastheywentsteadilyawaytheyfeltthattheyweredoingtheirlittlepartinthegoodwork,andmakingtheirsmallsacrifices,likefaithfulmembers。
Theygottheirreward,however,forathometheyfoundMr。
Chauncey,agoodandgreatman,fromEngland,whohadknowntheirgrandfather,andwasanhonoredfriendofthefamily。Theboyslovedtohearhimtalk,andalltea—timelistenedwithinteresttotheconversation,forMr。Chaunceywasareformeraswellasafamousclergyman,anditwaslikeinspiringmusictohearhimtellabouttheworld\'swork,andthebravemenandwomenwhowerecarryingiton。Eagertoshowthattheyhad,atleast,begun,theboystoldhimabouttheirLodge,andwereimmenselypleasedwhentheirguesttookfromhispocket—bookawornpaper,provingthathetoowasaGoodTemplar,andbelongedtothesamearmyastheydid。Norwasthatall,forwhentheyreluctantlyexcusedthemselves,Mr。Chaunceygaveeachahearty\"grip,\"andsaid,holdingtheirhandsinhis,ashesmiledattheyoungfaceslookingupathimwithsomuchloveandhonorinthem,\"TellthebrothersandSistersthatifIcanservetheminanywaywhilehere,tocommandme。IwillgivethemalectureattheirLodgeorinpublic,whichevertheylike;andIwishyouGod—speed,dearboys。\"
TwoprouderladsneverwalkedthestreetsthanFrankandJackastheyhurriedaway,nearlyforgettingthepoorlittlepaperintheirhastetotellthegoodnews;foritwasseldomthatsuchanofferwasmadetheLodge,andtheyfeltthehonordonethemasbearersofit。
Asthesecretsoftheassociationcannotbedivulgedtotheuninitiated,wecanonlysaythattherewasgreatrejoicingoverthenewmember,forBobwasunanimouslywelcomed,andmuchgratitudebothfeltandexpressedforMr。Chauncey\'sinterestinthissmalldivisionofthegrandarmy;forthesegoodfolkmetwithlittlesympathyfromthegreatpeopleofthetown,anditwasverycheeringtohaveawell—knownandmuch—belovedmansayawordforthem。Allagreedthatthelectureshouldbepublic,thatothersmightsharethepleasurewiththem,andperhapsbeconvertedbyahighereloquencethananytheypossessed。
Sotheservicesthatnightwereunusuallyfullofspiritandgoodcheer;forallfelttheinfluenceofafriendlyword,thebeautyofafineexample。Thepaperwasmuchapplauded,thesongswereveryhearty,andwhenFrank,whoseturnitwastobechaplain,readtheclosingprayer,everyonefeltthattheyhadmuchtogivethanksfor,sinceonemorehadjoinedthem,andtheworkwasslowlygettingonwithunexpectedhelperssenttolendahand。Thelightsshoneoutfromthelittlehallacrossthestreet,themusicreachedtheearsofpassers—by,andthebusyhumofvoicesuptheretoldhowfaithfullysome,atleast,ofthevillagerstriedtomakethetownasaferplacefortheirboystogrowupin,thoughthetavernstillhaditsprivatebarandthesaloon—doorstoodopentoinvitethemin。
Therearemanysuchquietlodges,andinthemmanyyoungpeoplelearningastheseladswerelearningsomethingofthedutytheyowedtheirneighborsaswellasthemselves,andbeingfittedtobecomegoodmenandsobercitizensbypractisingandpreachingthelawandgospeloftemperance。
ThenextnightMr。Chaunceylectured,andthetownturnedouttohearthedistinguisheiman,whonotonlytoldthemofthecrimeandmiseryproducedbythisterriblevicewhichafflictedbothEnglandandAmerica,butofthegreatcrusadeagainstitgoingoneverywhere,andtheneedofcourage,patience,hardwork,andmuchfaith,thatintimeitmightbeovercome。Strongandcheerfulwordsthatalllikedtohearandmanyheartilybelieved,especiallytheyoungTemplars,whoseboyishfancieswerewonbytheideaoffightingasknightsofolddidinthefamouscrusadestheyreadaboutintheirsplendidnewyoungfolks\'editionofFroissart。
\"Wecan\'tpitchintopeopleastheRedCrossfellowsdid,butwecansmashrum—jugswhenwegetthechance,andstandbyourflagasourmendidinthewar,\"saidFrank,withsparklingeyes,astheywenthomeinthemoonlightarminarm,keepingstepbehindMr。
Chauncey,wholedthewaywiththeirmotheronhisarm,amartialfigurethoughaminister,andagoodcaptaintofollow,astheboysfeltafterhearinghisstirringwords。
\"Let\'stryandgetupacompanyofboyslikethosemothertoldusabout,andshowpeoplethatwemeanwhatwesay。I\'llbecolor—bearer,andyoumaydrillusasmuchasyoulike。ArealColdWaterArmy,withflagsflying,anddrums,andallsortsoflarks,\"
saidJack,muchexcited,andtakingadramaticviewofthematter。
\"We\'llseeaboutit。Somethingoughttobedone,andperhapsweshallbethementodoitwhenthetimecomes,\"answeredFrank,feelingreadytoshoulderamusketorbeaminute—maningoodearnest。
Boyishtalkandenthusiasm,butitwasoftherightsort;andwhentimeandtraininghadfittedthemtobeararms,theseyoungknightswouldbeworthytoputontheredcrossandrideawaytohelprightthewrongsandslaythedragonsthatafflicttheworld。
Chapter20ASweetMemoryNowthelovelyJunedayshadcome,everythingbegantolookreallysummer—like;schoolwouldsoonbeover,andtheyoungpeoplewerejoyfullypreparingforthelongvacation。
\"WeareallgoinguptoBethlehem。Wetaketheseashoreoneyearandthemountainsthenext。Bettercomealong,\"saidGus,astheboyslayonthegrassafterbeatingtheLincoinsatoneofthefirstmatchesoftheseason。
\"Can\'t;weareofftoPebblyBeachthesecondweekinJuly。Ourinvalidsneedseaair。Thatonelooksdelicate,doesn\'the？\"askedFrank,givingJackaslightrapwithhisbatasthatyounggentlemanlayinhisusualattitudeadmiringthebluehoseandrussetshoeswhichadornedhissturdylimbs。
\"Stopthat,Captain！Youneedn\'ttalkaboutinvalids,whenyouknowmothersaysyouarenottolookatabookforamonthbecauseyouhavestudiedyourselfthinandheadachy。I\'mallright\";andJackgavehimselfasoundingslaponthechest,whereshonethewhitestaroftheH。B。B。C。
\"Hearthelittlecockerelcrow！youjustwaittillyougetintothecollegeclass,andseeifyoudon\'thavetostudylikefun,\"saidGus,withunruffledcomposure,forhewasgoingtoHarvardnextyear,andfelthimselfalreadyaSenior。
\"Nevershall;Idon\'twantanyofyouroldcolleges。I\'mgoingintobusinessassoonasIcan。EdsaysImaybehisbook—keeper,ifI
amreadywhenhestartsforhimself。Thatismuchjollierthangrindingawayforfouryears,andthenhavingtogrindeversomanymoreataprofession,\"saidJack,examiningwithinterestthevariousknocksandbruiseswithwhichmuchball—playinghadadornedhishands。
\"Muchyouknowaboutit。Justaswellyoudon\'tmeantotry,foritwouldtakeamightylongpullandstrongpulltogetyouin。
Businesswouldsuityoubetter,andyouandEdwouldmakeacapitalpartnership。Devlin,Minot,&Co。soundswell,hey,Gus？\"
\"Very,buttheyaresuchgood—naturedchaps,they\'dnevergetrich。
Bytheway,Edcamehomeatnoontodaysick。Imethim,andhelookedregularlyknockedup,\"answeredGus,inasobertone。
\"Itoldhimhe\'dbetternotgodownMonday,forhewasn\'twellSaturday,andcouldn\'tcometosingSundayevening,youremember。Imustgorightroundandseewhatthematteris\";andJackjumpedup,withananxiousface。
\"Lethimalonetillto—morrow。Hewon\'twantanyonefussingoverhimnow。Wearegoingforapull;comealongandsteer,\"saidFrank,forthesunsetpromisedtobefine,andtheboyslikedabriskrowintheirnewlypaintedboat,the\"Rhodora。\"
\"Goaheadandgetready,I\'lljustcutroundandaskatthedoor,Itwillseemkind,andImustknowhowEdis。Won\'tbelong\";andJackwasoffathisbestpace。
Theotherswerewaitingimpatientlywhenhecamebackwithslowerstepsandamoreanxiousface。
\"Howistheoldfellow？\"calledFrankfromtheboat,whileGusstoodleaningonanoarinanauticalattitude。
\"Prettysick。Hadthedoctor。Mayhaveafever。Ididn\'tgoin,butEdSenthislove,andwantedtoknowwhobeat,\"answeredJack,steppingtohisplace,gladtorestandcoo1himself。
\"Guesshe\'llbeallrightinadayortwo\";andGuspushedoff,leavingallcarebehind。
\"Hopehewon\'thavetyphoid——that\'snojoke,Itellyou,\"saidFrank,whoknewallaboutit,anddidnotcaretorepeattheexperience。
\"He\'sworkedtoohard。He\'ssofaithfulhedoesmorethanhisshare,andgetstiredout。Motheraskedhimtocomedownandseeuswhenhehashisvacation;wearegoingtohavehigholdtimesfishingandboating。Upordown？\"askedJack,astheyglidedoutintotheriver。
Guslookedbothways,andseeinganotherboatwithaglimpseofredinitjustgoingroundthebend,answered,withdecision,\"Up,ofcourse。Don\'twealwayspulltothebridge？\"
\"Notwhenthegirlsaregoingdown,\"laughedJack,whohadrecognizedJuliet\'sscarletboating—suitasheglancedoverhisshoulder。
\"Mindwhatyouareabout,anddon\'tgabble,\"commandedCaptainFrank,asthecrewbenttotheiroarsandtheslenderboatcutthroughthewaterleavingalongfurrowtremblingbehind。
\"Oh,ah！Isee！Thereisabluejacketaswellasaredone,soit\'sallright。
\"LadyQueenAnne,shesitsinthesun,Aswhiteasalily,asbrownasabun,\"
sungJack,recoveringhisspirits,andwishingJillwastheretoo。
\"Doyouwantaducking？\"sternlydemandedGus,anxioustopreservediscipline。
\"Shouldn\'tmind,itssowarm。\"
ButJacksaidnomore,andsoonthe\"Rhodora\"wasalongsidethe\"WaterWitch,\"exchanginggreetingsinthemostamiablemanner。
\"Pitythisboatwon\'tholdfour。We\'dputJackinyours,andtakeyougirlsanicespinuptotheHemlocks,\"saidFrank,whoseideaofblisswasfloatingdowntheriverwithAnnetteascoxswain。
\"You\'dbettercomeinhere,thiswillholdfour,andwearetiredofrowing,\"returnedthe\"WaterWitch,\"soinvitinglythatGuscouldnotresist。
\"Idon\'tthinkitissafetoputfourinthere。You\'dbetterchangeplaceswithAnnette,Gus,andthenweshallbeship—shape,\"saidFrank,answeringatelegramfromtheeyesthatmatchedthebluejacket。
\"Wouldn\'titbemoreship—shapestillifyouputmeashoreatGrif\'slanding？Icantakehisboat,orwaittillyoucomeback。Don\'tcarewhatI\'do,\"saidJack,feelinghimselfsadlyintheway。
Thegood—naturedofferbeingacceptedwiththanks,thechangesweremade,and,leavinghimbehind,thetwoboatswentgaylyuptheriver。Hereallydidnotcarewhathedid,sosatinGrif\'sboatawhilewatchingtheredsky,theshiningstream,andthelowgreenmeadows,wheretheblackbirdsweresingingasiftheytoohadmettheirlittlesweetheartsandwerehappy。
Jackrememberedthatquiethalf—hourlongafterward,becausewhatfollowedseemedtoimpressitonhismemory。Ashesatenjoyingthescene,heverynaturallythoughtaboutEd;forthefaceofthesisterwhomhesawwasveryanxious,andtheword\"fever\"
recalledthehardtimeswhenFrankwasill,particularlythenightitwasthoughttheboywouldnotlivetilldawn,andJackcriedhimselftosleep,wonderinghowheevercouldgetonwithouthisbrother。Edwasalmostasdeartohim,andthethoughtthathewassufferingdestroyedJack\'spleasureforalittlewhile。But,fortunately,youngpeopledonotknowhowtobeanxiousverylong,soourboysooncheeredup,thinkingaboutthelatematchbetweentheStarsandtheLincoins,andafteragoodrestwentwhistlinghome,withahandfulofmintforMrs。Pecq,andplayedgameswithJillasmerrilyasiftherewasnosuchthingascareintheworld。
NextdayEdwasworse,andforaweektheanswerwasthesame,whenJackcrepttothebackdoorwithhiseagerquestion。
Otherscamealso,forthedearboylyingupstairshadfriendseverywhere,andolderneighborsthoughtofhimevenmoreanxiouslyandtenderlythanhismates。Itwasnotfever,butsomeswiftertrouble,forwhenSaturdaynightcame,EdhadgonehometoalongerandmorepeacefulSabbaththananyhehadeverknowninthisworld。
Jackhadbeenthereintheafternoon,andakindmessagehadcomedowntohimthathisfriendwasnotsufferingsomuch,andhehadgoneaway,hoping,inhisboyishignorance,thatalldangerwasover。Anhourlaterhewasreadingintheparlor,havingnoheartforplay,whenFrankcameinwithalookuponhisfacewhichwouldhavepreparedJackforthenewsifhehadseenit。Buthedidnotlookup,andFrankfounditsohardtospeak,thathelingeredamomentatthepiano,asheoftendidwhenhecamehome。Itstoodopen,andontherackwasthe\"JollyBrothers\'
Galop,\"whichhehadbeenlearningtoplaywithEd。Bigboyashewas,thesuddenthoughtthatneveragainwouldtheysitshouldertoshoulder,thunderingthemarchesorsingingthesongsbothlikedsowell,madehiseyesfillashelaidawaythemusic,andshuttheinstrument,feelingasifheneverwantedtotouchitagain。ThenhewentandsatdownbesideJackwithanarmroundhisneck,tryingtosteadyhisvoicebyanaturalquestionbeforehetoldtheheavynews。
\"Whatareyoureading,Jacky？\"
Theunusualcaress,theverygentletone,madeJacklookup,andtheminutehesawFrank\'sfaceheknewthetruth。
\"IsEd————？\"hecouldnotsaythehardword,andFrankcouldonlyanswerbyanodashewinkedfast,forthetearswouldcome。Jacksaidnomore,butasthebookdroppedfromhiskneehehidhisfaceinthesofa—pillowandlayquitestill,notcrying,buttryingtomakeitseemtruethathisdearEdhadgoneawayforever。Hecouldnotdoit,andpresentlyturnedhisheadalittletosay,inadespairingtone,\"Idon\'tseewhatIshalldowithouthim！\"
\"Iknowit\'shardforyou。Itisforallofus。\"
\"You\'vegotGus,butnowIhaven\'tanybody。Edwasalwayssogoodtome！\"andwiththenamesomanytenderrecollectionscame,thatpoorJackbrokedowninspiteofhismanfulattemptstosmotherthesobsintheredpillow。
Therewasanunconsciousreproachinthewords,Frankthought;
forhewasnotasgentleasEd,andhedidnotwonderthatJacklovedandmournedforthelostfriendlikeabrother。
\"You\'vegotme。I\'llbegoodtoyou;cryifyouwantto,Idon\'tmind。
TherewassuchasympatheticchokeinFrank\'svoicethatJackfeltcomfortedatonce,andwhenhehadhadhiscryout,whichwasverysoon,heletFrankpullhimupwithabear—likebutaffectionatehug,andsatleaningonhimastheytalkedabouttheirloss,bothfeelingthattheremighthavebeenagreaterone,andresolvingtoloveoneanotherverymuchhereafter。
Mrs。MinotoftencalledFrankthe\"father—boy,\"becausehewasnowtheheadofthehouse,andasober,reliablefellowforhisyears。Usuallyhedidnotshowmuchaffectionexcepttoher,for,asheoncesaid,\"Ishallneverbetoooldtokissmymother,\"andsheoftenwishedthathehadalittlesister,tobringoutthesoftersideofhischaracter。HedomineeredoverJackandlaughedathisaffectionatelittleways,butnowwhentroublecame,hewasaskindandpatientasagirl;andwhenMammacamein,havingheardthenews,shefoundher\"father—boy\"comfortinghisbrothersowellthatsheslippedawaywithoutaword,leavingthemtolearnoneofthesweetlessonssorrowteaches——toleanononeanother,andleteachtrialbringthemclosertogether。
Itisoftensaidthatthereshouldbenodeathorgriefinchildren\'sstories。Itisnotwisetodwellonthedarkandsadsideofthesethings;buttheyhavealsoabrightandlovelyside,andsinceeventheyoungest,dearest,andmostguardedchildcannotescapesomeknowledgeofthegreatmystery,isitnotwelltoteachtheminsimple,cheerfulwaysthataffectionsweetenssorrow,andalovelylifecanmakedeathbeautiful？Ithinkso,thereforetrytotellthelastsceneinthehistoryofaboywhoreallylivedandreallyleftbehindhimamemorysopreciousthatitwillnotbesoonforgottenbythosewhoknewandlovedhim。Fortheinfluenceofthisshortlifewasfeltbymany,andeventhisbriefrecordofitmaydoforotherchildrenwhattherealitydidforthosewhostilllayflowersonhisgrave,andtrytobe\"asgoodasEddy。
Fewwouldhavethoughtthatthedeathofaquietladofseventeenwouldhavebeensowidelyfelt,sosincerelymourned;butvirtue,likesunshine,worksitsownsweetmiracles,andwhenitwasknownthatneveragainwouldthebrightfacebeseeninthevillagestreets,thecheeryvoiceheard,thelovingheartfeltinanyofthelittleactswhichsoendearedEdDevlintothoseabouthim,itseemedasifyoungandoldgrievedalikeforsomuchpromisecutoffinitsspring—time。Thiswasprovedatthefuneral,for,thoughittookplaceatthebusyhourofabusyday,menlefttheiraffairs,womentheirhouseholds,youngpeopletheirstudiesandtheirplay,andgaveanhourtoshowtheiraffection,respect,andsympathyforthosewhohadlostsomuch。
Thegirlshadtrimmedthechurchwithallthesweetestflowerstheycouldfind,andgarlandsofliliesofthevalleyrobbedthecasketofitsmournfullook。Theboyshadbroughtfreshboughstomakethegraveagreenbedfortheircomrade\'slastsleep。Nowtheywereallgatheredtogether,anditwasatouchingsighttoseetherowsofyoungfacessoberedandsaddenedbytheirfirstlookatsorrow。Thegirlssobbed,andtheboyssettheirlipstightlyastheirglancesfellupontheliliesunderwhichthefamiliarfacelayfullofsolemnpeace。Tearsdimmedoldereyeswhenthehymnthedeadboylovedwassung,andthepastortoldwithhowmuchprideandpleasurehehadwatchedthegraciousgrowthofthisyoungparishionersincehefirstmettheladoftwelveandwasattractedbytheshiningface,thepleasantmanners。Dutifulandloving;
readytohelp;patienttobearandforbear;eagertoexcel;faithfultothesmallesttask,yetfullofhighambitions;and,betterstill,possessingthechildlikepietythatcantrustandbelieve,waitandhope。Goodandhappy——thetwothingswealllongforandsofewofustrulyare。Thishewas,andthissinglefactwasthebesteulogyhispastorcouldpronounceoverthebelovedyouthgonetoanoblermanhoodwhosepromiseleftsosweetamemorybehind。
Astheyoungpeoplelooked,listened,andtookinthescene,theyfeltasifsomemysteriouspowerhadchangedtheirplaymatefromacreaturelikethemselvesintoasortofsaintorheroforthemtolookupto,andimitateiftheycould。\'Whathashedone,tobesoloved,praised,andmourned？\"theythought,withatendersortofwonder;andtheanswerseemedtocometothemasneverbefore,forneverhadtheybeenbroughtsonearthesolemntruthoflifeanddeath。\"Itwasnotwhathedidbutwhathewasthatmadehimsobeloved。Allthatwassweetandnobleinhimstilllives;forgoodnessistheonlythingwecantakewithuswhenwedie,theonlythingthatcancomfortthoseweleavebehind,andhelpustomeetagainhereafter。\"
Thisfeelingwasinmanyheartswhentheywentawaytolayhim,withprayerandmusic,underthebuddingoakthatleanedoverhisgrave,afitemblemoftheyounglifejustbeginningitsnewspring。
Asthechildrendidtheirpart,thebeautyofthesummerdaysoothedtheirsorrow,andsomethingofthesoftbrightnessoftheJunesunshineseemedtogildtheirthoughts,asitgildedtheflower—strewnmoundtheyleftbehind。Thetrueandtouchingwordsspokencheeredaswellasimpressedthem,andmadethemfeelthattheirfriendwasnotlostbutgoneonintoahigherclassofthegreatschoolwhoseMasteriseternalloveandwisdom。Sothetearssoondried,andtheyoungfaceslookeduplikeflowersafterrain。Buttheheaven—sentshowersankintotheearth,andtheywerethestronger,Sweeterforit,moreeagertomakelifebraveandbeautiful,becausedeathhadgentlyshownthemwhatitshouldbe。
Whentheboyscamehometheyfoundtheirmotheralreadyreturned,andJillupontheparlorsofalisteningtoheraccountofthefuneralwiththesamequiet,hopefullookwhichtheirownfaceswore;forsomehowthesadnessseemedtohavegone,andasortofSundaypeaceremained。
\"I\'mgladitwasallsosweetandpleasant。Comeandrest,youlooksotired\";andJillheldoutherhandstogreetthem——acrumpledhandkerchiefinoneandalittlebunchoffadingliliesintheother。
Jacksatdowninthelowchairbesideherandleanedhisheadagainstthearmofthesofa,forhewastired。ButFrankwalkedslowlyupanddownthelongroomswithaseriousyetserenelookonhisface,forhefeltasifhehadlearnedsomethingthatday,andwouldalwaysbethebetterforit。Presentlyhesaid,stoppingbeforehismother,wholeanedintheeasy—chairlookingupatthepictureofherboys\'father,\"IshouldshouldliketohavejustsuchthingssaidaboutmewhenIdie。\"
\"SoshouldI,ifIdeservedthemasEddid！\"criedJack,earnestly。
\"Youmayifyoutry。Ishouldbeproudtohearthem,andiftheyweretrue,theywouldcomfortmemorethananythingelse。Iamgladyouseethelovelysideofsorrow,andarelearningthelessonsuchlossesteachus,\"answeredtheirmother,whobelievedinteachingyoungpeopletofacetroublebravely,andfindthesilverlininginthecloudsthatcometoallofus。
\"Ineverthoughtmuchaboutitbefore,butnowdyingdoesn\'tseemdreadfulatall——onlysolemnandbeautiful。Somehoweverybodyseemstoloveeverybodyelsemoreforit,andtrytobekindandgoodandpious。Ican\'tsaywhatImean,butyouknow,mother\";