Boys of the Central: A High-School Story

by I. T. Thurston

A royal good time indeed those four boys had during the two days they spent at the Institute.

The principal was one who knew how to get hold of boys and win their affection as well as secure their obedience. Understanding thoroughly the situation of affairs at the high school, he told his boys just enough to interest them, and incline them to further Professor Keene’s plans. The boys needed only a hint. In the first place, they were exceedingly proud of their school and their military discipline, and, in the second, they were always ready to respond to any appeal from their principal.

So they gave our committee of four a cordial, boyish reception that swept away in a moment every shadow of stiffness or shyness. They treated them like comrades and old friends, and took them into class-room and drill, gave them a dinner, and, in short, filled every hour of the two days with something that would please and interest their guests. Of course, they interlarded all this with information about their method of government and its eminently satisfactory results, until even Knox, who had intended to have a good time on the trip and laugh the new plan to scorn when he returned to the Central, became so interested that he found himself asking eager questions, and admitting to himself that perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad thing to try at the Central, after all.

When, on the last day of the visit, the principal told the assembled school of Professor Keene’s invitation, and asked those who would like to accept it, and visit the Central school, to rise, instantly every boy in the room was on his feet.

The principal smiled as he turned to Gordon, and said, “You have taken the citadel by storm, you see. I think you will have to select your committee for yourselves.”

“Very well, sir,” was Gordon’s quick response, “we shall be satisfied if the committee includes all the gentlemen that are now standing.”

A cheer broke from the students at this reply, but at a sign from the principal every boy took his seat, and in an instant the most perfect order prevailed.

But nearly the whole school accompanied the high-school boys to the station that night, and the cheers that followed them as the train moved off could have been heard for a mile around.

The visitors supposed that was the end of it, but when they reached the next station, there were a hundred or more students drawn up in line on the platform. In perfect order they stood till the train started on, when again the night resounded with the Central high-school cry, followed by that of the Institute. That was the end, for there was no such short cut to the next station as there had been to this.

Was it any wonder that our committee returned overflowing with enthusiasm for the methods that turned out such boys as these? Even Knox gave up all thought of carping criticism and opposition, and instead, gave his comrades such a glowing description of the drill he had witnessed and the splendid results of the self-government plan, as shown at the Institute, that they looked at him in amazement and thought there “must be something in it to convert Knox so completely,” and they began to look forward with eager curiosity and interest to the coming of “those Institute chaps.”