CHAPTER XXII. BOLLY EXPLAINS HIS PLANS FOR THE BOAT-HOUSE AND WHARF.
Bolingbroke Millweed was a good scholar and a fair mechanic, but both instructors and students were astonished when both prizes were awarded to him. He had formerly been a "swell," but he had entirely recovered from the malady which made him such. Only a few weeks before he was too proud to work with his hands.
His pride, or rather vanity, had kept down his manhood, and made of him what the genuine boy called a "donkey." His father had become the "head of the family," at home, and introduced a new order of things. The two sons were in the Beech Hill School, and the two girls were not only earning their own living, but were doing a great deal towards the support of the family.
The new order of things had placed Bolly, as everyone called him, on his own proper level. It had developed faculties which had been dormant, and made him a useful as well as a sensible young man. The result of the competition proved that he had talent of a high order, and that the industrial school was bringing it out.
Bolly was fairly popular among his associates, though there was nothing magnetic about him. He was not likely to become a leader among men, but Mr. Plint thought he had the right kind of ability to make a good architect. The practical education he was now receiving was exactly what he needed. While he was learning to draw, he was also obtaining a knowledge of practical carpentry and work in metals, as well as an insight into other trades.
The boys had given the successful competitor a liberal demonstration of applause, which proved that they had no ill-will or jealousy; of if they had, they were ashamed to manifest it. The excitement had been intense, and it did not seem to moderate after the prizes had been awarded. The students wanted to know all about the plans and the location, and how the wharf was to be built.
Captain Gildrock took from his pocket a couple of fifty-dollar bills, and laid them on the desk, and Bolly was called to the platform. Another round of applause greeted him, and the principal did not object to it. The victor was formally introduced to each of the visitors, who took him by the hand and congratulated him upon his success. Mr. Bridges said he could not help laughing when he thought of the triumphant architect doing duty as third fireman in the hold of the Sylph.
"If this boy should happen to become an architect in the future, do you suppose that what he learns in the fireroom of the steamer will be any disadvantage to him?" said the principal.
"On the contrary, I think what he learns in any capacity will be of immense value to him," replied the civil engineer earnestly. "In fact, it would be worth all it cost in any calling."