第14章

"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";