Chapter XXII. Frank Broaches a New Plan

by Horatio Alger

　　For some time Frank had been revolving in his mind thefeasibility of a scheme which he hoped to be able to carry intoexecution. It was no less than this--to form a military companyamong the boys, which should be organized and drilled in allrespects like those composed of older persons. He did not feellike taking any steps in the matter till he had consulted withsome one in whose judgment he had confidence.One evening he mentioned his plan to Mr. Morton."It is a capital idea, Frank," said the young man, with warmapproval. "If I can be of service to you in this matter, it willafford me much pleasure.""There is one difficulty," suggested Frank. "None of us boys knowanything about military tactics, and we shall need instruction tobegin with; but where we are to find a teacher I am sure I can'ttell.""I don't think you will have to look far," said Mr. Morton, witha smile."Are you acquainted with the manual?" asked Frank eagerly."I believe so. You see you have not yet got to the end of myaccomplishments. I shall be happy to act as your drill-masteruntil some one among your number is competent to take my place. Ican previously give you some private lessons, if you desire it.""There's nothing I should like better, Mr. Morton," said Frankjoyfully."Have you got a musket in the house, then? We shall get alongbetter with one.""There's one in the attic.""Very well; if you will get it, we can make a beginning now."Frank went in search of the musket; but in his haste tumbled downthe attic stairs, losing his grasp of the musket, which fell downwith a clatter.Mrs. Frost, opening the door of her bedroom in alarm, saw Frankon his back with the musket lying across his chest."What's the matter?" she asked, not a little startled.Frank got up rubbing himself and looking rather foolish."Nothing, mother; only I was in a little too much of a hurry.""What are you going to do with that musket, Frank?""Mr. Morton is going to teach me the manual, that is all,mother.""I suppose the first position is horizontal," said his mother,with a smile."I don't like that position very well," returned Frank, with alaugh. "I prefer the perpendicular."Under his friend's instructions, Frank progressed rapidly. At theend of the third lesson, Mr. Morton said, "You are nearly ascompetent to give instructions now as I am. There are somethings, however, that cannot be learned alone. You had bettertake measures to form your company."Frank called upon Mr. Rathburn, the principal of the academy, andafter communicating his plan, which met with the teacher's fullapproval, arranged to have notice given of a meeting of the boysimmediately after the afternoon session.On Thursday afternoon when the last class had recited, previousto ringing the bell, which was a signal that school was over, Mr.Rathburn gave this brief notice:"I am requested to ask the boys present to remain in their seats,and in which I think they will all feel interested."Looks of curiosity were interchanged among the boys, and everyone thought, "What's coming now?"At this moment a modest knock was heard, and Mr. Rathburn, goingto the door, admitted Frank. He quietly slipped into the nearestseat."Your late schoolfellow, Frank Frost," proceeded Mr. Rathburn,"has the merit of originating the plan to which I have referred,and he is no doubt prepared to unfold it to you."Mr. Rathburn put on his hat and coat, and left the schoolroom.After his departure Frank rose and spoke modestly, thus:"Boys, I have been thinking for some time past that we were notdoing all that we ought in this crisis, which puts in such dangerthe welfare of our country. If anything, we boys ought to feelmore deeply interested than our elders, for while they will soonpass off the stage we have not yet reached even the threshold ofmanhood. You will ask me what we can do. Let me remind you thatwhen the war broke out the great want was, not of volunteers, butof men trained to military exercises. Our regiments were at firstcomposed wholly of raw recruits. In Europe, military instructionis given as a matter of course; and in Germany, and perhaps othercountries, young men are obliged to serve for a time in the army."I think we ought to profit by the lessons of experience. Howeverthe present war may turn out, we cannot be certain that otherwars will not at some time break out. By that time we shall havegrown to manhood, and the duty of defending our country in armswill devolve upon us. Should that time come, let it not find usunprepared. I propose that we organize a military company amongthe boys, and meet for drill at such times as we may hereafteragree upon. I hope that any who feel interested in the matterwill express their opinions freely."Frank sat down, and a number of the boys testified theirapprobation by stamping with their feet.John Haynes rose, with a sneer upon his face."I would humbly inquire, Mr. Chairman, for you appear to haveassumed that position, whether you intend to favor us with yourvaluable services as drillmaster."Frank rose, with a flushed face."I am glad to be reminded of one thing, which I had forgotten,"he said. "As this is a meeting for the transaction of business,it is proper that it should be regularly organized. Will some onenominate a chairman?""Frank Frost!" exclaimed half a dozen voices."I thank you for the nomination," said Frank, "but as I havesomething further to communicate to the meeting, it will bebetter to select some one else.""I nominate Charles Reynolds," said one voice."Second the motion," said another."Those who are in favor of Charles Reynolds, as chairman of thismeeting, will please signify it in the usual manner," said Frank.Charles Reynolds, being declared duly elected, advanced to theteacher's chair."Mr. Chairman," said Frank, "I will now answer the question justput to me. I do not propose to offer my services as drill-master,but I am authorized to say that a gentleman whom you have allseen, Mr. Henry Morton, is willing to give instruction till youare sufficiently advanced to get along without it."John Haynes, who felt disappointed at not having been called uponto preside over the meeting, determined to make as much troubleas possible."How are we to know that this Morton is qualified to giveinstruction?" he asked, looking round at the boys."The gentleman is out of order. He will please address hisremarks to the Chair, and not to the audience," said thepresiding officer."I beg pardon, Mr. Chairman," said John mockingly. "I forgot howtenacious some people are of their brief authority.""Order! order!" called half a dozen voices."The gentleman will come to order," said the chairman firmly,"and make way for others unless he can treat the Chair withproper respect.""Mr. Chairman," said Frank, rising, "I will mention, for thegeneral information, that Mr. Morton has acted as an officer ofmilitia, and that I consider his offer a kind one, since it willtake up considerable of his time and put him to some trouble.""I move that Mr. Morton's offer be accepted, with thanks," saidHenry Tufts.The motion was seconded by Tom Wheeler, and carried unanimously,with the exception of one vote. John Haynes sat sullenly in hisseat and took no part in it."Who shall belong to the company?" asked the chairman. "Shall afixed age be required?""I move that the age be fixed at eleven," said Robert Ingalls.This was objected to as too young, and twelve was finally fixedupon.John Haynes moved not to admit any one who did not attend theacademy. Of course, this would exclude Frank, and his motion wasnot seconded.It was finally decided to admit any above the age of twelve whodesired it, but the boys reserved to themselves the right ofrejecting any who should conduct himself in a manner to bringdisgrace upon them."Mr. Chairman," said Frank, "in order to get under way as soon aspossible, I have written down an agreement to which those whowish to join our proposed company can sign their names. Ifanybody can think of anything better, I shall be glad to have itadopted instead of this."He handed a sheet of paper to the chairman, who read from it thefollowing form of agreement: "We, the subscribers, agree to forma boys' volunteer company, and to conform to the regulationswhich may hereafter be made for its government.""If there is no objection, we will adopt this form, and subscribeour names," said the chairman.The motion for adoption being carried, the boys came up one byone and signed their names.John Haynes would have held back, but for the thought that hemight be elected an officer of the new company."Is there any further business to come before the meeting?"inquired the presiding officer."The boys at Webbington had a company three or four years ago,"said Joe Barry, "and they used wooden guns.""Wooden guns!" exclaimed Wilbur Summerfield disdainfully. "Youwon't catch me training round town with a wooden gun.""I would remind the last three gentlemen that their remarksshould be addressed to the Chair," said the presiding officer."Of course, I don't care anything about it, but I think you wouldall prefer to have the meeting conducted properly.""That's so!" exclaimed several boys."Then," said the chairman, "I shall call to order any boy whoaddresses the meeting except through me.""Mr. Chairman," said Frank, rising, "as to the wooden guns, Iquite agree with the last speaker. It would seem too much likeboy's play, and we are too much in earnest for that. I havethought of an arrangement which can be made if the Selectmen willgive their consent. Ten or fifteen years ago, longer than most ofus can remember, as my father has told me, there was a militiacompany in Rossville, whose arms were supplied and owned by thetown. When the company was disbanded the muskets went back to thetown, and I believe they are now kept in the basement of the TownHall. I presume that we can have the use of them on application.I move that a committee be appointed to lay the matter before theSelectmen and ask their permission."His motion was agreed to."I will appoint John Haynes to serve on that committee," said thechairman, after a pause.This was a politic appointment, as Squire Haynes was one of theSelectmen, and would be gratified at the compliment paid to hisson."I accept the duty," said John, rising, and speaking in a tone ofimportance."Is there any other business to come before the meeting?""I should like to inquire, Mr. Chairman, when our first meetingwill take place, and where is it to be?" asked Herbert Metcalf."I will appoint as a committee to make the necessaryarrangements, Frank Frost, Tom Wheeler, and Robert Ingalls. Duenotice will be given in school of the time and place selected,and a written notice will also be posted up in the postoffice.""Would it not be well, Mr. Chairman," suggested Frank, "tocirculate an invitation to other boys not present to-day to jointhe company? The larger our number, the more interest will befelt. I can think of quite a number who would be valuablemembers. There are Dick Bumstead, and William Chamberlain, andmany others."At the sound of Dick Bumstead's name John Haynes looked askanceat Frank, but for the moment the thought of Dick's agency in theaffair of the pig-pen had escaped his recollection, and he lookedquite unconscious of any indirect reference to it."Will you make a motion to that effect?""Yes, if necessary.""Is the motion seconded?""Second it," said Moses Rogers."I will appoint Wilbur Summerfield and Moses Rogers on thatcommittee," said the chairman."I move that the meeting adjourn ipse dixit," said Sam Davis,bringing out the latter phrase with considerable emphasis.A roar of laughter followed which shook the schoolhouse to thevery rafters, and then a deafening clamor of applause. Theproposer sat down in confusion."What are you laughing at?" he burst forth indignantly."Mr. Chairman," said Henry Tufts, struggling with his laughter,"I second the gentleman's motion, all except the Latin."The motion was carried in spite of the manner in which it wasworded, and the boys formed little groups, and began eagerly todiscuss the plan which had been proposed. Frank had reason tofeel satisfied with the success of his suggestion. Several of theboys came up to him and expressed their pleasure that he hadbrought the matter before them."I say, Frank," said Robert Ingalls, "We'll have a bullycompany.""Yes," said Wilbur Summerfield, "if John Haynes belongs to it.He's a bully, and no mistake.""What's that you are saying about me?" blustered John Haynes, whocaught a little of what was said."Listeners never hear anything good of themselves," answeredWilbur."Say that again, Wilbur Summerfield," said John menacingly."Certainly, if it will do you any good. I said that you were abully, John Haynes; and there's not a boy here that doesn't knowit to be true.""Take care!" said John, turning white with passion."While I'm about it, there's something more I want to say,"continued Wilbur undauntedly. "Yesterday you knocked my littlebrother off his sled and sent him home crying. If you do itagain, you will have somebody else to deal with."John trembled with anger. It would have done him good to "pitchinto" Wilbur, but the latter looked him in the face so calmly andresolutely that discretion seemed to him the better part ofvalor, and with an oath he turned away."I don't know what's got into John Haynes," said Wilbur. "I neverliked him, but now he seems to be getting worse and worse everyday."