CHAPTER VI.
A LITERARY ENTERPRISE.
| Whistler’s wounded finger—Threshing—A dialogue wanted—A proposal—The picnic—Declamation—Hunting for a subject—Poor success—A new idea—The dialogue completed—The story on which it was founded—The quarrel—A surprise—The master’s reproof—The mutual flogging—Satisfaction—Forced reconciliation—The “kiss of peace”—Laughter and shame—Arrangements for a rehearsal—Spouting Hollow—A talk with Mr. Davenport about the dialogue—He reads it—The boys’ suspense—His opinion of its literary merits—His objections to it—The fighting scene—Moral influence of such spectacles—Difference between written descriptions and stage performances of obnoxious scenes—Errors of the teacher—The general effect bad—Chagrin and disappointment—An unguarded remark—Whistler’s spirit aroused—Another trial—A subject found—The task finished—The rehearsal, | [89] |
CHAPTER VII.
THE INCENDIARY.
| Driving a nail—How to prevent splitting—Wetting nails—Mr. Walker’s arrival—News—The stolen horse found—The suspected rogue—Clinton’s disclosures—Mr. Walker’s temper—A furious outbreak—Mrs. Davenport’s interference—Mitigating circumstances—Whistler’s courage reviving—Clinton’s threat—The folly of flying into a passion—Tears—Mr. Davenport—His regrets—Whistler’s generous confession—One of Clinton’s failings—His defence—Want of reflection—Thinking an action right does not make it so—Searching questions—Compulsory promises—They are binding, if right in themselves—Wrong promises not binding—The rule applied—Clinton convicted—Consequences of not thinking—A volunteer defence—The heads of the “brief”—The judgment softened—The lost horse—The lesson, | [107] |
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FOREST PICNIC.
| An early turn out—Morning work—Starting for the picnic—The church—The rendezvous—The procession—The forest road—The falls—The grove—A talk about Oscar—His letter—Account of his history—Games and amusements—Preparations for speaking—The log cabin—Its interior—The exercises—The dialogue of “The Rival Speakers”—A dispute—They both begin—Interruptions—Ludicrous imitations—A coincidence—More beginnings and interruptions—Coaxings—How the Irishman and his wife divided the house—Tom’s withdrawal—Sam’s impudence—His breakdown—Inglorious retreat—The authors’ suspense—Their triumph—The intermission—Congratulations—Mr. Walker—His commendation—His apology—How the boys received it—Burdens removed—Injuries sink deeper than apologies—The dinner—Speeches—Going a blueberrying—The ride home—Five miles of talk—Silence—What Clinton was thinking of—His question proposed—Why it was not proposed sooner—Mr. Davenport’s explanation—A distinction—Sam’s character—Clinton satisfied—Arrival home, | [122] |
CHAPTER IX.