Awarding Prizes.
The weeks rolled on in spite of the oft-repeated saying among students, "Vacation will never come." The examinations began on June 15th; quite a number of patrons attended. Bolax stood the test of examination finely, all things considered, but his former lack of application showed itself in several things, particularly arithmetic.
In addition to the three medals given by the gentlemen, a prize had been offered for the best declamation. All prizes were to be awarded at the closing exercises on Commencement Day.
The large exhibition hall was crowded on that afternoon, which was a regular fete for the people of L'Islet. Great pains had been taken to dress the hall, its walls were festooned with evergreens, and the spacious platform gay with flags.
The boys were dressed in white pants and blue jackets. Everything that skill and taste, combined with economy, could suggest, had been done to make the place attractive, and the occasion pleasant.
"What uncouth creatures boys are!" observed one young lady to a bevy of misses seated near her. "Look, there isn't one in that crowd sitting gracefully, they all act as if their hands were in their way." "You don't mean to say my brother is ungraceful, do you?" asked Julie Bernier.
"Oh, I'm not referring to the collegiate class; they certainly are gentlemen, but the juniors."
"I think," remarked Anaise Latour, "Young Allen, one of the American boys, is very graceful, and he has such a pleasant expression of face."
"Oh, he's too fat to be graceful," retorted Julie Bernier.
A general titter followed this remark. Before the girls were ready to renew their criticisms, the call bell rang. Brother Director announced that the exercises would open with an address by Monsieur Le Curé.
After the address came the spirited hymn, "Nous Sommes Les Soldats de la Foi" (We are the Soldiers of the Faith), played by the College band, and sung by all the boys.
Next on the program came the declamations by the juniors, of course, most of the pieces were given in French, as few among the audience understood English.
George Fulton came first, with a comic Piece, taking off "Stump Speaking." This elicited much applause, because of the excellent mimicry of the speaker.
Bolax Allen gave Joaquin Miller's "Columbus." As he imitated the Admiral's "Sail on! Sail on! Sail on and on!" he thrilled the audience with the power of his voice. One could almost fancy they saw Columbus as he paced his deck on the eventful night before he sighted land.
Mr. H. Bernier and Mr. L. Harrison entered into a comic debate as to the superior merits of their respective nations. Bernier for the French, Harrison for the English. The young gentlemen seemed so in earnest, got into a dispute and spoke in such angry tones, that every one expected to see them resort to fisticuffs. At a point when they appeared to be in a rage against each other, old Farmer Tourier happened to come into the hall, and being struck with what he thought the disgraceful conduct of the boys, jumped on the stage to separate them.
"Have you no respect for Monsieur Le Curé and the Brothers?" he demanded in a loud voice.
Monsieur Le Curé and the other gentlemen on the platform were so convulsed with laughter, it was some minutes before any one interfered. The audience fairly shouted and clapped, it was a regular pandemonium.
At last one of the Brothers went up to poor old Tourier and whispered to him. You should have seen his crestfallen appearance when he found he had been making a laughing stock of himself.
Poor old fellow, all summer the villagers laughed whenever they met him, as his wife said:
"On a bien ri ce jour là, 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 Curé, 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 Curé 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.
Honoré 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 pass 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 Curé 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 Curé, 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 appetite 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 principal 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 assault 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 Curé, 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 Curé 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 Beaupré. 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 Beaupré. 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."
"That's true," agreed Mr. Allen, "we will be obliged to pass this way on our road to L'Islet, suppose we leave our trunks and take only handbags. We won't need anything more for the ten days we propose remaining at Beaupré."
"Justement! I'm glad you thought of that. Now we are sure of your return." All bid a warm-hearted "good-bye," too warm for Mr. Allen, who being an Englishman, could not appreciate the French custom of men embracing, but he submitted with grace, when dear old Monsieur Cartier put his arms around his neck and wished him a fervent "God bless you."
Arrived at Beaupré, our friends made their first visit to the Basilica. They were just in time for Benediction, not wishing to disturb the congregation they knelt at the door, but the Beadle (an imposing personage in red cassock and bearing a staff) came and invited them into a pew.
After Benediction several men and women knelt before the shrine of St. Anne; one mother held up a child in her arms, imploring its cure, she prayed aloud: "Oh! bonne Ste. Anne guerissez mon enfant, je vous suplie, au non de Jesus à qui rien n'est impossible." (Oh, Blessed St. Anne cure my child, I beg of you, in the name of Jesus, to whom nothing is impossible.)
Mr. Allen looked on, then turning to his wife, whispered: "There was a time when I would have considered this rank superstition, but now I am greatly edified, for I see the faith and devotion of people is fervent and sincere."
When they left the Church, Mr. Allen surprised his wife and son by telling them that his chief desire now was to make a retreat and prepare for Baptism. Mrs. Allen was so overjoyed, she rushed back into the Church, threw herself on her knees and thanked our Lord. Bolax and his father followed and all knelt in prayers of gratitude for so great a favor.
A few paces from the Basilica stood Hotel Orleans, to which they had been recommended by Monsieur Cartier; having secured rooms, they went out for a walk. They climbed a hill from which they saw a beautiful panorama of white sails and verdant islands set like jewels on the bosom of the St. Lawrence.
The next morning after Mass, Mr. Allen went to the Monastery and asked the Abbot to allow him to begin his retreat. The good Priest was delighted to receive him and found on examining his neophyte that he was very well informed on religious matters and firmly believed in all the truths of the Catholic religion.
When Mr. Allen entered on his retreat, he requested that no one should visit him. His wife and son willingly agreed to make the sacrifice of being separated from him for a time, so that their beloved one might give all his attention to preparing for the most important events of his life, viz: The reception of Baptism and Holy Communion.
Bolax accompanied his mother to all the chapels and shrines in the neighborhood. They went up the Holy Stairs on their knees, at the top was a figure of Pilate, and one of Christ standing, both life-size. In other Chapels were representations of the different stages of our Lord's passion; all the figures were life-size and so realistic as to startle one, who came upon them unawares. In a tiny room with barred windows, resembling a prison, Bolax came upon the statue of Christ as He is being crowned with thorns. The God-man sits with His Garments torn from His limbs, which are covered with wounds; streams of blood flow from the divine face; a soldier is in the act of spitting on Him, another driving the thorns into the sacred head. On seeing this, the boy burst into tears, he felt as though he was really in the presence of his suffering Redeemer. Knowing the effect such a pitiful sight would have on his mother, he went with her everywhere, carefully avoiding the distressing image.
One day while watching the sailboats landing the pilgrims, Bo heard his name called, looking around he saw Leon Casgrainie, his mother and sister, from L'Islet; they were so glad to meet again. Bo introduced his mother. Madame Casgrainie embraced Mrs. Allen as if she had been an old friend, for these Canadians are so full of hearty friendliness. In a few days the ladies were almost on intimate terms.
The day appointed for Mr. Allen's reception into the Church was August thirty-first. Madame Casgrainie expressed a wish to be present, so Mrs. Allen invited her and the children to the ceremony, which was to take place at the seven o'clock Mass, in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart.
The altar was a blaze of light; tiny electric lamps of all colors were placed in every available position, and full-blown roses shed sweet perfume over all.
The Abbot celebrated Mass. Just before the Offertory, he read the prayers admitting a catechumen to Holy Baptism. Mr. Allen bowed his head in all humility while the Priest poured upon him the saving water which made him a child of God and heir to Heaven. Immediately after this the Abbot placed a white cope over the newly baptized, emblematic of the purity with which his soul was adorned by this most Holy Sacrament.
After the Priest's Communion, Mr. Allen mounted the altar steps, still wearing the white robe and received our Lord for the first time. At the "Domine non sum dignus," the tears rolled down his cheeks; he was so overcome with the sanctity of the act, so full of faith and love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Mrs. Allen and Bo also went to Holy Communion. After Mass, Mr. Allen asked that his wife and son be admitted to see him. I have no words to describe the ecstasy of delight that thrilled their hearts when congratulating the beloved one. Mr. Allen pressed them both to his heart in silence. When he could speak, he said: "I feel our Angel child is rejoicing with us on this, the happiest day of my life." The good Abbot came to bid farewell, and shed tears of joy while bestowing the Papal Benediction on the family.
A few days after the events related, our friends were compelled to leave the holy place and take their departure for L'Islet; Madame Casgrainie offered to take them on her steam yacht, and begged them to accept the hospitality of her house during their stay in the village. Mr. Allen thanked the amiable lady, but told of his promise to return to Montmorency. "That can be easily arranged," said Mrs. Allen. "We are not in need of our trunks; after our visit to L'Islet we can keep our engagement with our friends at Montmorency and send Bo's baggage to him by express."
The next morning the yacht steamed out of the harbor bearing away a jolly party, young and old were full of merriment, so true it is that a clean conscience makes a happy heart. The mid-day bells were chiming the Angelus as they landed at the pier, where Monsieur Le Curé and Brother Director gave them a warm welcome to L'Islet. The good, old gentleman insisted on having his niece and her family dine at the Parsonage every day, for, said he, "I must see all I can of you, my children, it may be my last opportunity." Bolax conducted his father and mother through the College; they were perfectly satisfied with all the arrangements, and thanked the good Brothers for the interest they had shown in their son.
Madame Casgrainie proved herself a most entertaining hostess, she was lavish in her attention to her guests and made their visit to her a never-to-be-forgotten pleasure.
On September 8th, the whole family went on an excursion to Isle St. Roch. This is a charming spot. On the island is a ledge of rocks, and seemingly carved on the stones can be seen the footprints of a man and those of a dog; they extend the length of half a mile and are then lost in a maze of tangled brushwood. The pious people of the place believe that St. Roch, the great hunter, came here long ago and left his footprints and those of his faithful dog. The ladies and girls roamed over the island gathering blue berries, and the boys caught a basket of fine fish. While they were resting, after a substantial luncheon, a shrill sound floated down from high overhead. Gazing up, Bolax traced aloft against the blue sky, the V-shaped phalanx, pointed southward of the wild goose—the swift Canadian bird by its own instinct following after summer heat.
"Ma, dear," said the boy, "I fear that is the signal for your departure; the frosts come soon after the passage of those big birds, and Papa will not be able to bear our cold winds. But, oh, how I shall miss you!" "My darling, my heart will be very empty without you, but your father and I make the sacrifice of leaving you because we are sure you are under the best of care, both for your temporal and spiritual interests."
Madame Casgrainie and her daughter comforted Bolax, promising to have him at their house as often as the Brothers would permit. "After all, Bo," said Leon, "you are better off than most boys, even if you are a thousand miles from home; you have your uncle, Monsieur Le Curé, so cheer up and let us have a race on this hard beach. Whoever wins shall have the biggest peach in the basket." (Peaches are a rarety in Quebec, and its environs and are very costly.)
That evening Mr. Allen had a long talk with his son. He gave sound advice on several points, notably the following: "Let conscience be your king, and never attempt to weaken or to deviate from its commands. It is God's merciful messenger within you to testify of Himself, to warn you of danger, and point the right. Beware of trifling with conscience or of weakening its force. You can do so, but when you have silenced it, you will be left like a man, who, on a dark night, in a strange country extinguishes his lantern.
"There are three words which perhaps every school boy has written as a text-hand exercise, but which few lay to heart while they are following the copy. They are these: 'Sin causes sorrow.' A mighty truth; would that every boy would so learn it that the suffering which sin inevitably brings with it might be escaped.
"Be truthful in the slightest matters; never allow yourself to exaggerate. Have your mind occupied always with something good, pure, useful. Remember the old saying, 'A vacant mind is the devil's workshop.' Beware of the slightest propensity to evil, no pleasure derived from sense can be compared with the tranquil joy which springs from a pure heart.
"Let me tell you, my dear child, boyhood with all its little griefs and troubles, is the most joyous time of life; its very spring time when everything is fresh and beautiful. I did not appreciate it when I was a boy, but now I sometimes sigh for it. If boys who are longing for the time to come when they may be men could only know what a man's life and work mean, they would pray to be kept at school all their lives.
"I wish I could gain the ear of all the boys in the world, I would say to them affectionately, in the language of the Holy Apostle St. Paul. Be strong; shun anything and everything that has a tendency to weaken your mental and moral life.
"For you, my beloved son, I now say: Be strong in the grace you will obtain by constantly and devoutly approaching the Sacraments. If the love of God is the motive power of your life, you will grow from a noble boy into a noble man."
Father, mother and son sat together late into the night; then kneeling in devout prayer they retired to rest.
At seven o'clock on Wednesday morning, Monsieur Le Curé sent his carriage to take his niece and her husband to the station. Madame Casgrainie and Mrs. Allen bade each other a tearful farewell.
When on the train, Bolax bravely suppressed his emotion, so that the parting should not be too painful for his parents; then Monsieur Le Curé invited him to spend the night at his house, hoping to comfort him. In the morning, our brave boy entered the College, where he found that several of his classmates had returned. Fulton, Adolph and Tardeef gave him a hearty greeting; soon they were exchanging droll stories and making each other laugh at their adventures during vacation. On the whole, Bolax's second year opened with pleasant prospects and under more promising auspices than that which had preceded it.
Here we must leave our hero, asking the readers who are interested in his story to pray that his future life may prove all that his parents are trying to make it, viz: Pure, honest and noble in every sense of the word.
END.