Bolax Part 12

"Did you fight the Boers? I've heard so much about them, and Mamma and Papa took sides with them, and we all felt so sorry for the poor people."

"And so did I and every Irish soldier; in fact, I deserted the English ranks, and with many others tried to help the brave Boers. They are good people. I could tell you stories that would fill a book about them, and they are religious according to what they know of religion. After the disaster at Colesburg, the Boers helped to bury the British dead; they prayed and sang hymns over the graves, and some of the leaders made impressive speeches, expressing their horror of the war, regretting the losses on both sides, and making supplication to the Heavenly Father that the war would soon end. Oh, it is fine Catholics they would make, but strange to say, I never heard of a Catholic missionary being among them."

"When I'm a man," said Bolax, striking his knees to emphasize his words, "I'll be a priest and go among those good people and teach them the true faith." "G.o.d bless your innocent heart. I wonder if you'll remember your ride with the coal man when you are a priest; your Ma may scold when she knows of it."

"My mother teaches me to respect all respectable people, and I am sure you are very respectable, because you are a good Catholic."

"Thank you for an out and out little gentleman," said Mr. O'Donnel, "and G.o.d prosper you and your good mother. Here we are at our journey's end; suppose you get down at the gate, my little man, and run up to the house and ask to have the cellar window opened for me; it will save time. Here is the ticket; you might get it signed. This is Carpenter Mansion."

Bolax ran off glad to oblige his friend and show his appreciation of the ride.

It happened that Miss Devine had called for Amy, after Bolax left the house that morning and they were just now paying a visit to this family.

Amy had never seen the beautiful place, and was delighted to become acquainted with the young ladies, and one little girl of her own age.

While they were entertaining their company the maid called Mrs.

Carpenter to say the key of the coal cellar was not to be found. Going into the kitchen, the lady saw a handsome little boy with frowsy golden curls encircling his head like a wreath and a very s.m.u.tty face, who, hat in hand presented the ticket to be signed and asked to have the cellar window opened; after saying this the boy bowed. Mrs. Carpenter was quite astonished at such gentlemanly manners, and smiling and patting the boy on the head she asked his name. "Bolax," said he, with another bow.

"What an odd name," said Mrs. Carpenter, and going to the door, she saw that the coal-man was of respectable appearance, and apparently above his present occupation. Thinking to please him, she complimented him on the good manners of his little boy. "Yes, ma'am," said Mr. O'Donnel, "he is a good sort of little chap, every one likes him." Miss Nellie, one of the young ladies, came into the kitchen to look after the caramels, which were cooling on the window sill. Bolax stood at the door; Miss Nellie offered him some candy, but he excused himself, saying: "Thank you; I like caramels, but my hands are not fit to eat with." "Oh, indeed; well since you are such a polite little boy, I want you to have some candy."

Ellen gave him a towel and soap and water. Bolax gladly made himself clean so as to enjoy the caramels. Miss Nellie went back to the parlor and gave a description of the coal-man's son, with such extraordinary good manners; Sam and Charlie, her brothers rushed out to get a look at the little chap and have some fun with him.

As soon as they sighted Bolax with his face half washed, his mouth all sticky; they laughed and made his acquaintance immediately. "Fine candy?

isn't it," said Sam. "You bet," said Bo, "haven't had any for a good while, 'cause I wouldn't practice." Miss Devine heard Bo's voice, and listening for a moment said, "Let me see that boy." On going to the kitchen door she made an exclamation which brought all the ladies on the scene. Then she laughed heartily, all caught the infection of her mirth, although they did not exactly understand why she was so amused. Amy, however, soon enlightened them, when, with a severe frown, she reproached Bolax for his appearance.

"Why, who is he?" asked Mrs. Carpenter. "Oh," said Miss Devine still laughing, "he is my little friend Bolax, Amy's brother. Don't be angry, Amy." "I can't help being angry! It is too disgraceful; just look at his clothes, and the smear on his face."

Bolax looked crest-fallen and took out his pocket handkerchief to wipe off the smear, but only succeeded in adding two more black streaks, for, without his perceiving it, the handkerchief was filled with coal dust.

Sam and Charley while bursting with laughter tried to console the boy, inviting him to look at their Pony. Bo forgot his sister's displeasure while with the boys, and began to talk about his pets, his school, etc.

"Where do you to go school?" asked Charlie. "I have just been up at St.

Thomas' for two weeks; they didn't want to take me because I'm not old enough, but Mamma begged the President, so he admitted me."

"Do you like the fellows up there?" said Sam.

"Yes, pretty well, but my Mamma was mistaken when she said they were all gentlemen; they don't bow and take off their hats when a priest speaks to them. And yesterday Father Clement was playing marbles 'for keeps'

with some boys, and he picked up an agate, and what do you think, one of the boys s.n.a.t.c.hed it and caught hold of Father Clement's arm, and he wasn't struck dead!" "Struck dead!" exclaimed Sam. "What do you mean?"

"Why my Mamma told me a priest was more holy than the 'Ark of the Covenant,' and once long ago, two men were struck dead just for putting their hands on the Ark. So I thought for sure, a boy that s.n.a.t.c.hed a marble from a holy priest ought to be struck dead, but he wasn't." Sam and Charlie were inclined to laugh at this story, but restrained themselves, on seeing the awed expression on the little boy's face, showing that he innocently believed disrespect towards a priest should be punished with death.

"Well," said Sam, a.s.suming a serious air, "perhaps our Lord forgave the boy this time, that in future he may learn to be more respectful."

"The lawn of the College," continued Bolax "is kept so smooth and green; they have signs all around, 'Keep off the Gra.s.s,' but the boys pay no attention and actually walk on the nice lawn, when the poor Brothers have such work to keep it nice. I went behind a big fellow that was on the gra.s.s and I pushed him off, and asked him if he didn't see the sign." "What did he say to you?" laughed the boys. "Oh, he called me a fusty kid, and said, 'I'd get my eye teeth cut after awhile, if I stayed long enough at College.' But, Ma says I cut my eye teeth when I was two years old." "Is that so? Let me see," said Sam, opening Bo's mouth.

"Yes, I really believe you have."

"Are the priests kind to you?"

"You bet they are. Why there's one, oh, he is so beautiful, but the poor dear is lame. He stays in his room most of the time. Day before yesterday he asked me to come up to see him, and he showed me pictures, and told me a story of a soldier--and, oh, I just know he is an angel, because he has a closet full of guns."

Such a reason for being considered an angel struck the boys as so funny, that they laughed outright. Sam patted the little fellow on the head, and gave him a boy's greatest compliment: "You certainly are a jolly good fellow, Bolax."

By this time the coal had been deposited in the cellar, so Bolax wanted to go away. "Oh, come in," said Sam, "and say Good-bye, but first let me wipe your face; there is just a speck of black on the end of your nose."

Bo was very thankful to be made somewhat presentable and entered the parlor, taking leave of the ladies in a most dignified manner, which ill-a.s.sorted with his begrimed appearance.

"You're not going to ride home on the coal cart?" said Miss Devine.

"I'm not fit to get into your carriage," said Bo.

"Never mind, come with me; we'll excuse you this time."

"But I must say 'good-bye' to Mr. O'Donnel, and get my roll of music; it is on the seat of the cart and might get lost." Amy was ready to cry at Bo's escapade, but the young ladies and their brothers enjoyed the joke immensely. As the carriage drove away the boys called out: "Come again little coal-man; you're a regular brick."

Bolax was delighted to hear this and turning to Amy, said: "Now, Miss Stuck-Up, the Carpenters like me even if I do ride with the coal man, and I know Mamma will say it don't matter if my clothes are dirty, so I keep my soul clean." "My darling little brother," said Amy, throwing her arms around Bo's neck, "forgive me if I have hurt your feelings. Your family knows how clean your soul is, but strangers only judge by outward appearances." "Dear Amy," said Miss Devine, "don't take things so to heart." Then in a lower voice, "for my part, I would not give our little flutterbudget, with his innocent mischief, for all the daintily-dressed boys in the country."

When the carriage stopped at their gate, the children bid "au revoir" to Miss Devine; then she recommended Amy not to say much about Bo's adventure.

Aunt Lucy was standing on the porch. Bo did not wait to be questioned, but began immediately to give an account of his day, for he had been away since luncheon. "Oh, Aunt Lucy, Mr. O'Donnel is such a kind man!

he has a mouth like a frog, and I always observe that men with mouths like frogs are kind to children."

"Indeed," said Aunt Lucy laughing, "I never noticed that. I have no doubt your friend, Mr. O'Donnel meant kindly in allowing you to ride with him, but he did not think of the danger there was for a stumpy little fellow, with short legs, perched so high. If the cart had lurched you might have fallen under the horses' feet and been killed. So dear child, never try that again."

"Well, Aunty, I won't, but may I talk to Mr. O'Donnel? his heart would be hurt if I pa.s.sed him without speaking." "Of course, dear; you may speak to the good man. Never willfully hurt the feelings of anyone."

January 15, winter began in "dead earnest," as the boys say, although no one expected a blizzard, but by 2 P.M. the roads were impa.s.sable.

The wind blew a terrible gale--no one could venture out, and the four day scholars were obliged to stay at the College all night.

The President telephoned to Mrs. Allen, not to worry; that Bo should be well cared for, and could remain with him until the roads were cleared, if it took a week. Mrs. Allen thanked the good priest and hoped her boy would give no trouble.

The novelty of going to bed in a dormitory pleased Bolax, and the Prefect in charge gave him a night robe; then tucked him in bed as deftly as if he had been a woman, for the good man had a tender spot in his heart for all children.

Everything being quiet--the gas was lowered and the Prefect retired for the night. Suddenly Bolax gave a scream, "two rats! Two rats, two rats!"

cried he. In a second of time the whole dormitory was astir.

The Prefect hearing the commotion rushed upstairs and was greeted with: "Rats! Mr. Royal, Rats!" There were sixteen boys in the room; so you can imagine how such an unusual chorus sounded.

"Rats!" said Mr. Royal; "where did they come from?"

"There were two in a large trap in the lavatory," said Harry Dunn, "but how did they escape?" "Did any of you touch that trap?" asked the Prefect.

"Yes, sir;" answered Bo, "I did. I felt sorry for the poor things; I was just looking at them when the door of the trap opened somehow, and out they jumped, one struck my face as I leaned over."

"My dear boy," said Mr. Royal, "you ought not to have gone near the trap, suppose that rat had bitten you."

"Well now, all that is to be done is to catch them." A dozen voices expressed their owners' willingness to go on the hunt, but Mr. Royal preferred calling up one of the men.

In a few minutes, Alex, the gardener, came into the dormitory with "Happy Hooligan" and "Vixen," two Scotch terriers. All the doors were shut, and the hunt began; the rats did not keep together, but ran in different directions. As Alex would plunge under a bed, broom in hand, some one would scream out: "Oh, here he is, up at this end."

The boys calling to the dogs, set them wild, so they did not know which way to run. Such laughter! It appeared to be great fun for the youngsters, just because it was silence hour.

At last the beasts were killed, and order was once more restored. Mr.

Royal requested strict silence.