Bolax Part 29

"On a bien ri ce jour la, et tout le monde rit-encore!" (People laughed that day, and they laugh yet.)

Brother Director appointed a committee to decide on the merits of the declaimers and to award the prize. When these gentlemen arrived at a decision, Brother awarded the medals.

After a brief address by Monsieur Le Cure, in which he showed that the highest reward of study is not a medal or prize of any kind, but the mental growth and power which comes from it to the student.

"Still," he added, "a prize is not to be despised, because it symbolizes the diligence, obedience and perseverance of the winners. Hence, my boys, I wish you ever to set a higher value on the character which wins, than the prize which is won.

"The committee of examinations have unanimously awarded the silver medal for general excellence in all studies to Louis Tascherau." Here cheers were given for Louis.

"The silver medal for the best composition is awarded to Bolax Allen."

Cheers were heartily given for Bolax, and the young ladies in the audience could not say this boy was not able to make a most graceful bow.

"The committee on declamation found it very difficult to decide between the speakers. There was but a shade of difference in favor of Fulton, so he received the medal." George was loudly applauded, for he was a jolly fellow, liked by the whole school, masters and scholars, although inclined to make fun out of time.

To his utter astonishment, Bolax heard his name called again, this time to receive a medal for strictly keeping the rules of the College, and giving good example by his upright conduct on all occasions.

Huzzas three times repeated showed that he had won the good will of his companions.

As Monsieur Le Cure placed the medal around Bo's neck, he whispered. "I wish your worthy parents were here to see your triumph."

After the juniors had received their rewards, the young collegians were introduced by Brother Director.

Some of them spoke on learned topics, rather above the comprehension of many in the audience, but evidently highly appreciated by the priests and other gentlemen seated on the platform.

Mr. Brenier received the gold cross, the highest reward given to a graduate. T. Harrison and H. de Villiers received gold medals for excellence in all studies.

Honore gave the Valedictory, dressed in a long black gown and doctor's cap, he looked very handsome and proved himself a fine orator. He was interrupted by frequent bursts of applause. At last came one tumultuous and prolonged, that proclaimed the conclusion of his oration.

The exercises being ended, the band struck up, and all sang the vacation song:

Quel plaisir nous allous partir Les vacances vont commencer!

When the music had ceased, the students with their parents and friends, were invited to partake of a simple collation. You may be sure they had a merry time over the cake and ice cream.

After the boys left, the College was so quiet, the halls and rooms so empty that Bolax and Fulton were overpowered with loneliness. They were the only scholars who had to remain. Harrison, the other "American" boy, had gone to his uncle in Montreal to spend his vacation.

Bolax expected soon to hear from his parents, who were on their way to Canada, and Fulton was invited to spend a few weeks with his chum, de Villiers, at the pretty village of "Trois Pistolets."

On the morning of the fourth day of vacation, Brother Julien took the boys out for a sail on the St. Lawrence. He brought a hamper of good things for luncheon, and fishing tackle to give them employment.

They were very lucky and filled a basket with fine trout, but just as they were preparing to return the wind changed, and the boat was becalmed.

They had made up their minds to pa.s.s the night on the water, when fortunately, a strong north wind filled the sails, and they steered for home.

It was after dark when they got to the pier, where they found Brother Director and a crowd of villagers on their knees praying "La bonne St.

Anne," to protect the boat with its precious cargo.

CHAPTER XVI.

BOLAX LEAVES COLLEGE FOR VACATION.

The following morning Monsieur Le Cure took both boys to the Falls of Montmorency; when they returned home in the evening they found a letter from Mrs. Allen, telling her son of her safe arrival in Quebec and requesting him to come to the Frontenac Hotel.

Bolax was overjoyed, and so excited, he could not pack his trunk, so Brother Isadore did it for him; he took all his belongings, except his books, which he gave in charge of the Brothers, because he expected to return to College in the Fall.

Fulton had a very suspicious moisture in his eyes, as he shook hands with his merry chum, and Bolax hated to leave him alone, but consoled himself with the thought that his friend would soon visit de Villiers, at Trois Pistolets.

Monsieur Le Cure, and all the Brothers embraced "le cher enfant." "Au revoir" was said, then the carriage drove to the station, where Bo took the train for Quebec.

Such a happy reunion of parents and son. Mr. Allen was surprised to see his whilom, fat boy so tall and shapely and in such splendid health, notwithstanding the "grub" he ate at College.

"Mamma," said he, "I wonder how the Frontenac menu will agree with this young gentleman?" "Indeed," answered Mamma, "I fear not so well as L'Islet bill of fare." Good-natured Bo did not mind being teased, but when seated at the table, his appet.i.te showed that the Frontenac menu was quite to his taste.

Bolax felt he knew quite a little about Quebec from his visit at Christmas, so he offered to conduct his father and mother to the princ.i.p.al churches and places of interest in the environs of the city.

They visited the monuments of General Montcalm and General Montgomery, the brave French and English Generals, who were killed at the a.s.sault on Quebec, 1775.

Mr. Allen, being an Englishman by birth, took great pleasure in examining the men-of-war belonging to the navy, and one afternoon climbed up to the Citadel to see the Fort, and chat with the soldiers.

Mrs. Allen was not able to walk up such a height, so she was carried, seated on a chair strapped to a man's back.

Captain Wentworth, one of the officers, made himself very agreeable, took them into the Fort, explained to Bolax how the cannons were fired off, and told of many interesting events relating to the history of Canada from the time of the English invasion, etc.

Mrs. Allen reminded her husband that it was growing late, and although they were being so pleasantly entertained, she thought it time to take leave. Then Mr. Allen presented his card and thanked the officer for his kind courtesy. With the military salute, Captain Wentworth bowed, and conducting them down the steep descent, wished them "bon voyage."

A week was spent in Quebec, making purchases and getting a new outfit for Bolax, who had outgrown all his clothing. Mr. Allen proposed going to one of the beautiful suburbs to give his boy an "outing."

"If I had my choice," said Bo, "I would like to spend the whole summer at Montmorency Falls; when I was there last week with Monsieur Le Cure, we dined at a small hotel, kept by friends of his; everything was so comfortable and clean. There were three boys, who met us, as we were leaving, they had fishing rods over their shoulders, their pants stuck into their boots and looked as if they had had a jolly day of it. When Monsieur Le Cure introduced me, he called them his 'old friends.' They invited me to stay with them a week, but I told them I expected to be sent for by my parents."

"Well, my boy, I would prefer a place of that kind where you can have all the fun you want, and I a quiet time; we have had too much society at Palm Beach."

So all agreed to go to Montmorency, especially as it was at a convenient distance from L'Islet and Quebec. During the seven weeks of their visit, Bolax made himself very agreeable to every one, and became a general favorite especially among the boys and girls, because he was an adapt in all games and always ready for fun.

Among the boarders was an invalid, who spent most of his time seated in a corner of the piazza. Mr. Allen often entertained him, and Bolax would leave his companions to talk to him because he looked "so lonely." His name was "Cartier;" he prided himself on being a direct descendant of the famous Jacques Cartier, one of the first explorers of Canada.

One day in speaking to Mr. Allen, the old gentleman praised Bolax for the thoughtful kindness he had shown him on all occasions, at the same time remarking it was a pity the boy should have been given such an odd name.

"I admit it is an odd name," answered Mr. Allen, "and I doubt if any one ever owned it before." "Well," said Monsieur Cartier, "it suits Bolax for he certainly is an odd boy--a remarkable mixture of king's fool and profound philosopher."

The nineteenth of July, St. Anne's Day, was to be celebrated with great pomp and ceremony in the Basilica, at Beaupre. Bolax wanted to join the Pilgrimage going from L'Islet, but his mother and father preferred visiting the shrine when there would be less of a crowd.

On the twenty-second of August, our friends put on their traveling array once more, the note of preparation was struck, the destination this time being St. Anne de Beaupre. When all was ready for their departure, they took leave of the pleasant company at Montmorency, but their hostess, Madame Coteau, would not hear of an "Adieu;" it must be an "Au revoir,"

said the kind woman. "You must stop on your way back."