Chapter XXV. Election of Officers

by Horatio Alger

　　For the six weeks following, Mr. Morton gave lessons twice a weekto the boys. At the third lesson they received their muskets, andthenceforth drilled with them. A few, who had not been present atthe first two lessons, and were consequently ignorant of thepositions, Mr. Morton turned over to Frank, who proved anefficient and competent instructor.At the end of the twelfth lesson, Mr. Morton, after giving theorder "Rest!" addressed the boys as follows:"Boys, we have now taken twelve lessons together. I have beenvery much gratified by the rapid improvement which you have made,and feel that it is due quite as much to your attention as to anyinstructions of mine. I can say with truth that I have knowncompanies of grown men who have made less rapid progress thanyou."The time has now come when I feel that I can safely leave you toyourselves, There are those among you who are competent to carryon the work which I have commenced. It will be desirable for youat once to form a company organization. As there are but fifty onyour muster-roll, being about half the usual number, you will notrequire as many officers. I recommend the election of a captain,first and second lieutenants, three sergeants and threecorporals. You have already become somewhat accustomed to companydrill, so that you will be able to go on by yourselves under theguidance of your officers. If any doubtful questions shouldarise, I shall always be happy to give you any information orassistance in my power."And now, boys, I will bid you farewell in my capacity ofinstructor, but I need not say that I shall continue to watchwith interest your progress in the military art."Here Mr. Morton bowed, and sat down.After the applause which followed his speech had subsided, therewas a silence and hush of expectation among the boys, after whichCharles Reynolds rose slowly, and, taking from the seat besidehim a package, advanced toward Mr. Morton and made a brief speechof presentation, having been deputed by the boys to perform thatduty."MR MORTON: I stand here in behalf of the boys present, who wishto express to you their sense of your kindness in giving them thecourse of lessons which has just ended. We have taken up much ofyour time, and no doubt have tried your patience more than once.If we have improved, as you were kind enough to say, we feel thatit is principally owing to our good fortune in having so skilfula teacher. We wish to present you some testimonial of the regardwhich we have for you, and accordingly ask your acceptance ofthis copy of 'Abbott's Life of Napoleon.' We should have beenglad to give you something more valuable, but we are sure youwill value the gift for other reasons than its cost."Here Charles Reynolds sat down, and all eyes were turned towardMr. Morton. It was evident that he was taken by surprise. It wasequally evident that he was much gratified by this unexpectedtoken of regard.He rose and with much feeling spoke as follows:"My dear boys, for you must allow me to call you so, I can hardlytell you how much pleasure your kind gift has afforded me. Itgives me the assurance, which indeed, I did not need, that youare as much my friends as I am yours. The connection between ushas afforded me much pleasure and satisfaction. In training youto duties which patriotism may hereafter devolve upon you, thoughI pray Heaven that long before that time our terrible civilstrife may be at an end, I feel that I have helped you to dosomething to show your loyal devotion to the country which we alllove and revere." Here there was loud applause. "If you were afew years older, I doubt not that your efforts would be added tothose of your fathers and brothers who are now encountering theperils and suffering the privations of war. And with a littlepractise I am proud to say that you would not need to be ashamedof the figure you would cut in the field."I have little more to say. I recognize a fitness in theselection of the work which you have given me. Napoleon iswithout doubt the greatest military genius which our modern agehas produced. Yet he lacked one very essential characteristic ofa good soldier. He was more devoted to his own selfish ends thanto the welfare of his country. I shall value your gift for thegood wishes that accompany it, and the recollection of this daywill be among my pleasantest memories."Mr. Morton here withdrew in the midst of hearty applause.When he had left the hall a temporary organization for businesspurposes was at once effected. Wilbur Summerfield was placed inthe chair, and the meeting proceeded at once to an election ofofficers.For a week or two past there had been considerable privatecanvassing among the boys. There were several who would like tohave been elected captain, and a number of others who, though notaspiring so high, hoped to be first or second lieutenants. Amongthe first class was John Haynes. Like many persons who areunpopular, he did not seem to be at all aware of the extent ofhis unpopularity.But there was another weighty reason why the choice of the boyswould never have fallen upon him. Apart from his unpopularity, hewas incompetent for the posts to which he aspired. Probably therewere not ten boys in the company who were not more proficient indrill than he. This was not owing to any want of naturalcapacity, but to a feeling that he did not require muchinstruction and a consequent lack of attention to the directionsof Mr. Morton. He had frequently been corrected in mistakes, butalways received the correction with sullenness and impatience. Hefelt in his own mind that he was much better fitted to governthan to obey, forgetting in his ambition that it is those onlywho have first learned to obey who are best qualified to ruleothers.Desirious of ingratiating himself with the boys, and so securingtheir votes, he had been unusually amiable and generous duringthe past week. At the previous lesson he had brought half abushel of apples, from which he had requested the boys to helpthemselves freely. By this means he hoped to attain the object ofhis ambition.Squire Haynes, too, was interested in the success of his son."If they elect you captain, John," he promised, "I will furnishyou money enough to buy a handsome sash and sword."Besides John, there were several others who cherished secrethopes of success. Among these were Charles Reynolds and WilburSummerfield. As for Frank Frost, though he had thought littleabout it, he could not help feeling that he was among those bestqualified for office, though he would have been quite contentwith either of the three highest offices, or even with the postof orderly sergeant.Among those who had acquitted themselves with the greatest creditwas our old friend Dick Bumstead, whom we remember last asconcerned in rather a questionable adventure. Since that time hisgeneral behavior had very much changed for the better. Before, hehad always shirked work when it was possible. Now he exhibited asteadiness and industry which surprised no less than it gratifiedhis father.This change was partly owing to his having given up somecompanions who had done him no good, and, instead, sought thesociety of Frank. The energy and manliness exhibited by his newfriend, and the sensible views which he took of life and duty,had wrought quite a revolution in Dick's character. He began tosee that if he ever meant to accomplish anything he must beginnow. At Frank's instance he had given up smoking, and this cutoff one of the temptations which had assailed him. Gradually theopinion entertained of Dick in the village as a ne'er-do-well wasmodified, and he had come to be called as one of the steady andreliable boys--a reputation not to, be lightly regarded.In the present election Dick did not dream that he could have anyinterest. While he had been interested in the lessons, and donehis best, he felt that his previous reputation would injure hischance, and he had made up his mind that he should have to servein the ranks. This did not trouble him, for Dick, to his creditbe it said, was very free from jealousy, and had not a particleof envy in his composition. He possessed so many good qualitiesthat it would have been a thousand pities if he had kept on inhis former course."You will bring in your votes for captain," said the chairman.Tom Wheeler distributed slips of paper among the boys, and therewas forthwith a plentiful show of pencils."Are the votes all in?" inquired the chairman, a little later."If so, we will proceed to. count them."There was a general hush of expectation while Wilbur Summerfield,the chairman, and Robert Ingalls, the secretary of the meeting,were counting the votes. John Haynes, was evidently nervous, andfidgeted about, anxious to learn his fate.At length the count was completed, and Wilbur, rising, announcedit as follows:Whole number of votes...... 49Necessary for a choice..... 25Robert Ingalls.............. 2 votesJohn Haynes................. 2 "Wilbur Summerfield.......... 4 "Moses Rogers................ 4 "Charles Reynolds........... 10 "Frank Frost................ 27 ""Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of announcing that you have madechoice of Frank Frost as your captain."Frank rose amid a general clapping of hands, and, with heightenedcolor but modest self-possession, spoke as follows "Boys, I thankyou very much for this proof of your confidence. All I can say isthat I will endeavor to deserve it. I shall no doubt make somemistakes, but I feel sure that you will grant me your indulgence,and not expect too much of my inexperience."This speech was regarded with favor by all except John Haynes,who would rather have had any one else elected, independent ofhis own disappointment, which was great."You will now prepare your votes for first lieutenant," said thepresiding officer.It will be noticed that two votes were cast for John Haynes. Oneof these was thrown by a competitor, who wished to give his voteto some one who stood no possible chance of succeeding, andaccordingly selected John on account of his well-knownunpopularity. This vote, therefore, was far from being acompliment. As for the other vote, John Haynes himself best knewby whom it was cast.The boys began to prepare their votes for first lieutenant.John brightened up a little. He felt that it would be somethingto gain this office. But when the result of the balloting wasannounced it proved that he had but a single vote.There were several scattering votes. The two prominent candidateswere Dick Bumstead, who received eight votes, and CharlesReynolds, who received thirty-two, and was accordingly declaredelected.No one was more surprised by this announcement than Dick. He feltquite bewildered, not having the slightest expectation of being acandidate. He was almost tempted to believe that the votes hadonly been cast in jest.But Dick was destined to a still greater surprise. At the nextvote, for second lieutenant, there were five scattering votes.Then came ten for Wilbur Summerfield, and Richard Bumstead ledoff with thirty-four, and was accordingly declared elected."Speech! speech!" exclaimed half a dozen, vociferously.Dick looked a little confused, and tried to escape the call. Butthe boys were determined to have him up, and he was finallycompelled to rise, looking and feeling rather awkward But hisnatural good sense and straightforwardness came to his aid, andhe acquitted himself quite creditably.This was Dick's speech:"Boys, I don't know how to make speeches, and I s'pose you knowthat as well as I do. I hardly knew who was meant when RichardBumstead's name was mentioned, having always been called Dick,but if it means me, all I can say is, that I am very much obligedto you for the unexpected honor. One reason why I did not expectto be elected to any office was because I ain't as good a scholaras most of you. I am sure there are a great many of you who wouldmake better officers than I, but I don't think there's any thatwill try harder to do well than I shall."Here Dick sat down, very much astonished to find that he hadactually made a speech. His speech was modest, and made afavorable impression, as was shown by the noisy stamping of feetand shouts of "Bully for you, Dick!" "You're a trump!" and otherterms in which boys are wont to signify their approbation.Through all this John Haynes looked very much disgusted, andseemed half-decided upon leaving the room. He had some curiosity,however, to learn who would be elected to the subordinateoffices, and so remained. He had come into the room with thedetermination not to accept anything below a lieutenancy, but nowmade up his mind not to reject the post of orderly sergeant if itshould be offered to him. The following list of officers, howeverwill show that he was allowed no choice in the matter:Captain, Frank Frost.First Lieutenant, Charles Reynolds.Second Lieutenant, Richard Bumstead.Orderly Sergeant, Wilbur Summerfield.Second Sergeant, Robert Ingalls.Third Sergeant, Moses Rogers.First Corporal, Tom Wheeler.Second Corporal, Joseph Barry.Third Corporal, Frank Ingalls.The entire list of officers was now read and received withapplause. If there were some who were disappointed, theyacquiesced good-naturedly, with one exception.When the applause had subsided, John Haynes rose and, in a voicetrembling with passion, said:"Mr. Chairman, I wish to give notice to all present that I resignmy place as a member of this company. I don't choose to serveunder such officers as you have chosen to-day. I don't think theyare fit to have command."Here there was a general chorus of hisses, drowning John's voicecompletely. After glancing about him a moment in speechless fury,he seized his hat, and left the room in indignant haste, slammingthe door after him."He's a mean fellow!" said Frank Ingalls. "I suppose he expectedto be captain.""Shouldn't wonder," said Sam Rivers. "Anyhow, he's a fool to makesuch a fuss about it. As for me," he added, with a mirthfulglance, "I am just as much disappointed as he is. When I camehere this afternoon I expected I should be elected captain, andI'd got my speech all ready, but now I'm sorry that it will haveto be wasted."There was a general burst of laughter, for Sam Rivers, whomeverybody liked for his good nature, was incorrigibly awkward,and had made a larger number of blunders, probably, than anyother member of the company.""Give us the speech, Sam," said Bob Ingalls."Yes, don't let it be wasted.""Speech! speech!" cried Joseph Barry."Very well, gentlemen, if you desire it."Sam drew from his pocket a blank piece of paper, and pretended toread the following speech, which he made up on the spur of themoment."Ahem! gentlemen," he commenced, in a pompous tone, assuming anair of importance; "I am deeply indebted to you for this veryunexpected honor.""Oh, very," said one of the boys near."I feel that you have done yourself credit in your selection."Here there was a round of applause."I am sorry that some of you are still very awkward, but I hopeunder my excellent discipline to make veterans of you in lessthan no time.""Good for you!""You cannot expect me to remain long with you, as I am now in theline of promotion, and don't mean to stop short of a brigadier.But as long as I am your captain I hope you will appreciate yourprivileges."Sam's speech was followed by a chorus of laughter, in which hejoined heartily himself.As for John's defection, nobody seemed to regret it much. It wasgenerally felt that the company would have no difficulty ingetting along without him.