BUILDING THE HOUSE.
CHAPTER I. SOME INDICATIONS OF A REBELLION.
"What's the use of wearing a uniform? We are not soldiers, and you are not going to make soldiers of us, Captain Gildrock," said Ben Ludlow, when the principal of the Beech Hill Industrial School announced, at the close of the afternoon session, that the students would be required to wear a peculiar dress. "I don't believe in being dressed up like a monkey on a hand organ."
"You can't always tell the monkey by the dress he wears, and some boys insist upon being monkeys in whatever garb they appear," added the principal; for he encouraged them to express their opinions in a gentlemanly manner on all subjects. "Soldiers are not the only class that wear uniforms. They are worn in the navy as well as in the army. I think I have heard no objection from anyone to the sailor rig worn on board of the Sylph."
"I think it is all right when we are on board of the steamer; but who wants to go about Genverres dressed up so that everybody will stop on the sidewalk to look at him?" replied Ben, who spoke confidently, as though he thought he had a first-rate argument.
"As those who have opinions are expected to express them, I must say I think Ludlow is right?" interposed Mr. Brookbine, the master-carpenter. "I believe that, for plain republicans, we are getting altogether too much uniform into our daily life. Why, all the conductors on the steam and horse cars, all the telegraph boys, all the letter-carriers, all the policemen, and in some cities even all the gas men, have to wear uniforms."
"It seems to me very proper that all you have mentioned should wear uniforms," quietly returned the principal.
"I don't think so," answered the carpenter stoutly. "It looks a little too much like the fuss and feathers of monarchical countries for our democratic institutions. I couldn't help laughing when I saw one of the porters of the Bank of England dressed out like a lord high admiral, or Sir Peter Teazle in the play."
"Now you argue against the extravagance of uniforms, and not against uniforms themselves," retorted the principal. "I am in favor of uniforms, but not of ridiculous uniforms. Should you be willing to give your ticket or money to anyone on the train that chose to ask for it, Mr. Brookbine?"