Chapter V. Mr. Rathburn Makes a Speech

by Horatio Alger

　　Frank's seat in the schoolroom was directly in front of thatoccupied by John Haynes. Until the announcement of the prize Johnand he had been on friendly terms. They belonged to the sameclass in Latin, and Frank had often helped his classmate througha difficult passage which he had not the patience to construe forhimself. Now, however, a coolness grew up between them,originating with John. He felt envious of Frank's success; andthis feeling brought with it a certain bitterness which foundgratification in anything which he had reason to suppose wouldannoy Frank.On the morning succeeding the distribution of the prizes, Frankarrived at the schoolhouse a few minutes before the bell rang.John, with half a dozen other boys, stood near the door.John took off his hat with mock deference. "Make way for thegreat prize essayist, gentlemen!" he said. "The modern Macaulayis approaching."Frank colored with annoyance. John did not fail to notice thiswith pleasure. He was sorry, however, that none of the other boysseemed inclined to join in the demonstration. In fact, they likedFrank much the better of the two."That isn't quite fair, John," said Frank, in a low voice."I am always glad to pay my homage to distinguished talent," Johnproceeded, in the same tone. "I feel how presumptuous I was inventuring to compete with a gentleman of such genius!""Do you mean to insult me?" asked Frank, growing angry."Oh, dear, no! I am only expressing my high opinion of yourtalents!""Let him alone, John!" said Dick Jones, "It isn't his fault thatthe teacher awarded the prize to him instead of you.""I hope you don't think I care for that!" said John, snapping hisfingers. "He's welcome to his rubbishing books; they don't amountto much, anyway. I don't believe they cost more than two dollarsat the most. If you'd like to see what I got for my essay, I'llshow you."John pulled out his portemonnaie, and unrolled three new andcrisp bank-notes of ten dollars each."I think that's pretty good pay," he said, looking about himtriumphantly. "I don't care how many prizes Rathburn chooses togive his favorite. I rather think I can get along without them."John's face was turned toward the door, otherwise he would haveobserved the approach of the teacher, and spoken with morecaution. But it was too late. The words had been spoken above hisordinary voice, and were distinctly heard by the teacher. Helooked sharply at John Haynes, whose glance fell before his, butwithout a word passed into the schoolroom."See if you don't get a blowing-up, John," said Dick Jones."What do I care!" said John, but in a tone too subdued to beheard by any one else. "It won't do Rathburn any harm to hear thetruth for once in his life.""Well, I'm glad I'm not in your place, that's all!" replied Dick."You're easily frightened!" rejoined John, with a sneer.Nevertheless, as he entered the schoolroom, and walked withassumed bravado to his seat in the back part of the room, he didnot feel quite so comfortable as he strove to appear. As heglanced stealthily at the face of the teacher, who lookedunusually stern and grave, he could not help thinking, "I wonderwhether he will say anything about it."Mr. Rathburn commenced in the usual manner; but after thedevotional exercises were over, he paused, and, after a briefsilence, during which those who had heard John's words listenedwith earnest attention, spoke as follows:"As I approached the schoolroom this morning I chanced to catchsome words which I presume were not intended for my ear. If Iremember rightly they were, 'I don't care how many prizesRathburn gives his favorite!' There were several that heard them,so that I can be easily corrected if I have made any mistake. NowI will not affect to misunderstand the charge conveyed by thesewords. I am accused of assigning the prizes, or at least, one ofthem, yesterday, not with strict regard to the merit of theessays presented, but under the influence of partiality. If thisis the real feeling of the speaker, I can only say that I amsorry he should have so low an opinion of me. I do not believethe scholars generally entertain any such suspicion. Though I mayerr in judgment, I think that most of you will not charge me withanything more serious. If you ask me whether a teacher hasfavorites, I say that he cannot help having them. He cannot helpmaking a difference between the studious on the one hand, and theindolent and neglectful on the other. But in a matter like this Iask you to believe me when I say that no consideration exceptthat of merit is permitted to weigh. The boy who made this chargeis one of my most advanced scholars, and has no reason to believethat he would be treated with unfairness. I do not choose to sayany more on this subject, except that I have decided to offer twosimilar prizes for the two best compositions submitted within thenext four weeks. I shall assign them to the best of my judgment,without regard to the scholarship of the writer."Mr. Rathburn spoke in a quiet, dignified manner, which convincedall who heard him of his fairness. I say all, because even JohnHaynes was persuaded against his own will, though he did notchoose to acknowledge it. He had a dogged obstinacy which wouldnot allow him to retract what he had once said. There was anunpleasant sneer on his face while the teacher was speaking,which he did not attempt to conceal."The class in Virgil," called Mr. Rathburn.This class consisted of Frank Frost, John Haynes, and HenryTufts. John rose slowly from his seat, and advanced to the usualplace, taking care to stand as far from Frank as possible."You may commence, John," said the teacher.It was unfortunate for John that he had been occupied, first, bythoughts of his rejected essay, and afterward by thoughts of theboat which he proposed to buy with the thirty dollars of which hehad become possessed, so that he had found very little time todevote to his Latin. Had he been on good terms with Frank, hewould have asked him to read over the lesson, which, as he wasnaturally quick, would have enabled him to get off passably. But,of course, under the circumstances, this was not to be thoughtof. So he stumbled through two or three sentences, in anembarrassed manner. Mr. Rathburn at first helped him along.Finding, however, that he knew little or nothing of the lesson,he quietly requested Frank to read, saying, "You don't seem sowell prepared as usual, John."Frank translated fluently and well, his recitation forming a veryfavorable contrast to the slipshod attempt of John. This John, ina spirit of unreasonableness, magnified into a grave offense, anda desire to "show off" at his expense."Trying to shine at my expense," he muttered. "Well, let him! Twoor three years hence, when I am in college, perhaps things may bea little different."Frank noticed his repellent look, and it made him feeluncomfortable. He was a warm-hearted boy, and wanted to be ongood terms with everybody. Still, he could not help feeling thatin the present instance he had nothing to reproach himself with.John went back to his seat feeling an increased irritationagainst Frank. He could not help seeing that he was more popularwith his schoolmates than himself, and, of course, this, too, heconsidered a just cause of offense against him.While he was considering in what way he could slight Frank, thethought of the boat he was about to purchase entered his mind. Hebrightened up at once, for this suggested something. He knew howmuch boys like going out upon the water. At present there was noboat on the pond. His would hold six or eight boys readily. Hewould invite some of the oldest boys to accompany him on hisfirst trip, carefully omitting Frank Frost. The slight would bestill more pointed because Frank was his classmate.When the bell rang for recess he lost no time in carrying out thescheme he had thought of."Dick," he called out to Dick Jones, "I am expecting my boat upfrom Boston next Tuesday, and I mean to go out in her Wednesdayafternoon. Wouldn't you like to go with me?""With all the pleasure in life," said Dick, "and thank you forthe invitation.""How many will she hold?""Eight or ten, I expect. Bob Ingalls, would you like to go, too?"The invitation was eagerly accepted. John next approached HenryTufts, who was speaking with Frank Frost.Without even looking at the latter, he asked Henry if he wouldlike to go."Very much," was the reply."Then I will expect you," he said. He turned on his heel andwalked off without taking any notice of Frank.Frank blushed in spite of himself."Don't he mean to invite you?" asked Henry, in surprise."It appears not," said Frank."It's mean in him, then," exclaimed Henry; "I declare, I've agreat mind not to go.""I hope you will go," said Frank hastily. "You will enjoy it.Promise me you will go.""Would you really prefer to have me?""I should be very sorry if you didn't.""Then I'll go; but I think he's mean in not asking you, for allthat."