Six months before he would never have thought of writing such a paper at the dictation of this lawless crowd; but now, with jealousy stinging him, with conscience torturing him, with disgrace hanging over him, he had only his self-respect to fall back upon,—and that, alas! was already following in the wake of hope and ambition, both of which had left him weeks ago.
When the petition was copied, it read as follows:—
To Col. Jonas Silsbee,
Principal of Riverpark Academy.
The petition of the undersigned cadets and students of Riverpark respectfully represents:
That, whereas it has been the custom yearly to devote one day of the spring season to a whole holiday for the entire school, with games, lunches, etc., in the groves across the river, and whereas the time has fully come when such holiday should be enjoyed;
Now, therefore, we, the undersigned, designate to-morrow, the tenth day of May, as the day of our choice for said holiday; and we herewith make known our proposition for celebrating the same, to the end that the proper arrangements may be duly made and the programme carried out according to the usual custom.
(Signed) ______
At the moment when the paper was ready for signature, Brede entered the room.
“Here!” cried a dozen boys at once. “Brede, captain! sign the petition!”
“What for?” asked Brede, surlily.
“A holiday! We’re going to have a holiday; sign the petish!”