As the spring days went on the difficulties that had at first beset the reform wave in Oakvale gradually died down, until it seemed as though things were going along like clockwork. Men, women and children took a keen interest in helping the matter along. There was a healthy rivalry between certain cliques of boys with the idea of winning the highest praise for keeping their section of the town free from all nuisances, and so long as this spirit lived, the community was bound to profit.
Once the citizens began to enjoy full freedom from repulsive and unpleasant customs, they found the change so agreeable that no one had the temerity to sigh for the old régime; at least, if he did, he wisely kept his longings to himself.
Even the railroad company, that had up to that time absolutely refused to do anything that would necessitate the expenditure of money, seemed to have been shamed by the action of the scouts in looking after those dangerous spots, where the lives of the smaller school children were placed in danger.
First, a gate guarded by a flagman was placed at the point of most danger. That was an entering wedge, and as the citizens sent in a letter of thanks for the favor the railroad people awoke to the fact that the Oakvale station was a pretty dingy-looking affair after all. To the surprise and delight of the population word was received that it had been unanimously decided at the last meeting of the Directors to build the finest station on the whole line, of course outside the big cities, at Oakvale.
One portion of that communication made some fellows in Oakvale feel pretty well satisfied, for it was hung up where every one could read it who wished. This ran after the following fashion, and few there were in Oakvale who did not know the wording by heart, most of them were so proud of the distinction:
“We desire to state for the benefit of those who may have doubted the substantial benefit of a certain movement that has been sweeping over the land, that one of the chief reasons why Oakvale is selected for the honor of this new and beautiful station is the fact that her citizens have in their midst an organization that has done wonders in improving the living conditions in their town. We refer to the local scout troop; and wish to say that having after a full investigation learned how loyally these boys have striven to do their duty, and served as best they knew how to uplift the community in which they lived, it is our earnest hope that other towns and villages along our line may take pattern of these boys of Oakvale, and hasten to emulate their splendid example.”
That letter was deemed so precious a recommendation that Hugh afterwards obtained the right to have it suitably framed. And to this day it hangs in the meeting-room of the Oakvale Scouts, where any member of the troop will esteem it a privilege to show it to you if you take the trouble to drop around.
Every time Hugh saw Tom on the tennis court swinging that splendid new racquet, he told himself how unsafe it was for any one to judge wholly from appearances, and that he must consider the delightful outcome of that little affair as a never-to-be-forgotten lesson. Circumstantial evidence has hung many a man who was afterward found to be innocent. Hugh shivered to remember how Tom, yes, and he himself, had been condemning Benjy as they might a criminal when, in reality, the other was only working out a noble scheme to surprise his brother.
One thing must not be forgotten. Hugh—believing that Tom, in his spirit of brotherly love, might hasten to buy back those Belgian hares for Benjy, and thus in a measure weaken the spirit of sacrifice, that had made the other sell his pets—went around to the bird store early on the next morning, and purchased the pair of long-eared animals. He planned to keep them for a while, and then let Tom have them to give to Benjy on his next birthday, for by that time the other would have obtained all the good possible from his impulsive action.
Hugh would have liked very well to have told the story for the sake of the great good it might do several other fellows whom he knew. This was not to be considered for a minute, he had too great a consideration for Tom and his brother to think of causing them embarrassment, as most likely they must have experienced had their story become common property.