Boys of the Central: A High-School Story

by I. T. Thurston

From the very beginning, Graham won favor with the majority of his company, but the minority that had wanted Griffin for captain did all in their power to make it hard and unpleasant for Graham. In this they were ably seconded, or, more truly, led, by Griffin, who was lieutenant of the company. He tried in every way to set the men against Graham, and instigated them to all sorts of trying, vexatious blunders and disobediences, hoping thus to force Graham to resign. But they did not know their man. All this fretted and rasped Graham, but never for a moment inclined him to resign. Instead, the more the boys rebelled against his authority, the more determined he became to compel their obedience.

From Company C, the spirit of insubordination began to spread until it could no longer be ignored, and at last Professor Keene called a special meeting of the officers to consider what should be done.

During the summer vacation, Gordon had visited a cousin of his who attended a military school where the self-government plan had been for some time in force, with great success. Gordon had been several times on the point of speaking to Professor Keene about this method, but the remembrance of Coyle’s story, and the effect it had had upon Company C, had restrained him.

But at this meeting the professor himself introduced the subject, saying that he had been talking with the principal of one of the large military schools where this plan was employed, and had been so much interested in what this gentleman had told him, that he was strongly inclined to try the method in the battalion.

“One thing is certain,” he said, “and that is, that unless there is a great improvement in the order and discipline of the companies, something must be done speedily, even if that something is the disbanding of the battalion. To disband it would be a disgrace to the school, and especially to those in the battalion, many of whom, I know, have done all in their power for order and discipline. It is a shame for a few, comparatively, to work so much harm to all; but you can see for yourselves that the present state of things cannot continue.”

“Professor,” said the captain of Company A, “I’ve heard something about that self-government plan, and I’d like to know more. Can’t you tell us all about it?”

“I could,” answered the professor, “but I prefer to let you know about it from someone better informed. Suppose I send a committee, composed of officers of the battalion, to the school I have mentioned. There you can see and hear for yourselves.”

Here Gordon stepped forward and said a few words in a tone too low to reach any but the professor’s ears. The professor nodded, and Gordon returned to his seat.

Then the professor dismissed the boys, saying that he would appoint the committee the next day.

“I’d like to be on that committee,” said Graham. “I never heard of that self-government plan until the day before I was elected. The talk about it then set me to inquiring about it, and I’ve heard a good deal of it lately.”