Acrowdofangrymenwaswaitingforthem,andBillstoodattheopenswitchinatoweringpassionasNo。11returnedtoherplaceunharmed,butbearingtwopaleandfrightenedboys,whosteppedslowlyandsilentlydown,withoutawordtosayforthemselves,whilethefreighttrainrumbledbyonthemaintrack。
　　FrankandGusneverhadaveryclearideaastowhatoccurredduringthenextfewminutes,butvaguelyrememberedbeingwellshaken,swornat,questioned,threatenedwithdirefulpenalties,andfinallyorderedoffthepremisesforeverbythewrathfuldepot—master。Joewasnowheretobeseen,andasthetwoculpritswalkedaway,tryingtogosteadily,whiletheirheadsspunround,andallthestrengthseemedtohavedepartedfromtheirlegs,Franksaid,inanexhaustedtone,"Comedowntotheboat—houseandrestaminute。"
　　Bothweregladtogetoutofsight,anddroppeduponthestepsred,rumpled,andbreathless,afterthelateexcitingscene。Gusgenerouslyforeboretospeak,thoughhefeltthathewastheleasttoblame;andFrank,aftereatingabitofsnowtomoistenhisdrylips,said,handsomely,"Now,don'tyouworry,oldman。I'llpaythedamages,foritwasmyfault。Joewilldodge,butIwon't,somakeyourmindeasy。
　　"Wesha'n'thearthelastofthisinahurry,"respondedGus,relieved,yetanxious,ashethoughtofthereprimandhisfatherwouldgivehim。
　　"Ihopemotherwon'thearofittillItellherquietlymyself。Shewillbesofrightened,andthinkI'msurelysmashedup,ifsheistoldinahurry";andFrankgaveashiver,asallthedangerhehadruncameoverhimsuddenly。
　　"Ithoughtweweredoneforwhenwesawthattrain。Guessweshouldhavebeenifyouhadnothadyourwitsaboutyou。Ialwayssaidyouwereacoolone";andGuspattedFrank'sbackwithalookofgreatadmiration,for,nowthatitwasallover,heconsidereditaveryremarkableperformance。
　　"Whichdoyousupposeitwillbe,fineorimprisonment？"askedFrank,aftersittinginadespondentattitudeforamoment。
　　"Shouldn'twonderifitwasboth。Runningoffwithanengineisnojoke,youknow。"
　　'Whatdidpossessmetobesuchafool？"groanedFrank,repenting,alltoolate,ofyieldingtothetemptationwhichassailedhim。
　　"Bearup,oldfellow,I'llstandbyyou;andiftheworstcomes,I'llcallasoftenastherulesoftheprisonallow,"saidGus,consolingly,ashegavehisafflictedfriendanarm,andtheywalkedaway,bothfeelingthattheyweremarkedmenfromthatdayforth。
　　Meantime,Joe,assoonasherecoveredfromtheshockofseeingtheboysactuallygooff,ranaway,asfastashislegscouldcarryhim,toprepareMrs。Minotfortheiossofherson;fortheideaoftheircomingsafelybackneveroccurredtohim,hisknowledgeofenginesbeinglimited。AloudringatthebellbroughtMrs。Pecq,whowasguardingthehouse,whileMrs。Minotentertainedaparlorfullofcompany。
　　"Frank'srunoffwithNo。11,andhe'llbekilledsure。ThoughtI'dcomeupandtellyou,"stammeredJoe,alloutofbreathandlookingwild。
　　Hegotnofurther,forMrs。Pecqclappedonehandoverhismouth,caughthimbythecollarwiththeother,andhustledhimintotheante—roombeforeanyoneelsecouldhearthebadnews。
　　"Tellmeallaboutit,anddon'tshout。What'scometotheboy？"shedemanded,inatonethatreducedJoetoawhisperatonce。
　　"Gorightbackandseewhathashappenedtohim,thencomeandtellmequietly。I'llwaitforyouhere。Iwouldn'thavehismotherstartledfortheworld,"saidthegoodsoul,whensheknewall。
　　"Oh,Idar'sn't！Iopenedtheswitchastheytoldmeto,andBillwillhalfkillmewhenheknowsit！"criedJoe,inapanic,astheawfulconsequencesofhisdeedrosebeforehim,showingbothboysmortallyinjuredandseveraltrainswrecked。
　　"Thentakeyourselfoffhomeandholdyourtongue。I'llwatchthedoor,forIwon'thaveanymoreridiculousboystearingintodisturbmylady。"
　　Mrs。Pecqoftencalledthisgoodneighbor"mylady"whenspeakingofher,forMrs。Minotwasatruegentlewoman,andmuchpleasantertolivewiththanthetitledmistresshadbeen。
　　Joescuddedawayasiftheconstablewasafterhim,andpresentlyFrankwasseenslowlyapproachingwithanunusuallysoberfaceandapairofverydirtyhands。
　　"Thankheaven,he'ssafe！"and,softlyopeningthedoor,Mrs。Pecqactuallyhustledtheyoungmasterintotheante—roomasunceremoniouslyasshehadhustledJoe。
　　"Ibegpardon,buttheparlorisfullofcompany,andthatfoolofaJoecameroaringinwithacock—and—bullstorythatgavemequiteaturn。Whatisit,Mr。Frank？"sheaskedeagerly,seeingthatsomethingwasamiss。
　　Hetoldherinafewwords,andshewasmuchrelievedtofindthatnoharmhadbeendone。
　　"Ah,thedangeristocome,"saidFrank,darkly,asbewentawaytowashhishandsandpreparetorelatehismisdeeds。
　　Itwasaverybadquarterofanhourforthepoorfellow,whososeldomhadanygravefaultstoconfess;buthediditmanfully,andhismotherwassogratefulforthesafetyofherboythatshefounditdifficulttobesevereenough,andcontentedherselfwithforbiddinganymorevisitstothetoocharmingNo。11。
　　"Whatdoyousupposewillbedonetome？"askedFrank,onwhomtheideaofimprisonmenthadmadeadeepimpression。
　　"Idon'tknow,dear,butIshallgoovertoseeMr。Burtonrightaftertea。Hewilltelluswhattodoandwhattoexpect。Gusmustnotsufferforyourfault。"
　　"He'llcomeoffclearenough,butJoemusttakehisshare,forifhehadn'topenedthatconfoundedswitch,noharmwouldhavebeendone。ButwhenIsawthewayclear,Iactuallycouldn'tresistgoingahead,"saidFrank,gettingexcitedagainatthememoryofthatblissfulmomentwhenhestartedtheengine。
　　HereJackcamehurryingin,havingheardthenews,andrefusedtobelieveitfromanylipsbutFrank's。Whenhecouldnolongerdoubt,hewassomuchimpressedwiththedaringofthedeedthathehadnothingbutadmirationforhisbrother,tillasuddenthoughtmadehimclaphishandsandexclaimexultingly,"Hisrunawaybeatsmineallhollow,andnowhecan'tcrowoverme！Won'tthatbeacomfort？Thegoodboyhasgotintoascrape。
　　Hooray！"
　　Thiswassuchadrollwayoftakingit,thattheyhadtolaugh;andFranktookhishumiliationsomeeklythatJacksoonfelltocomfortinghim,insteadofcrowingoverhim。
　　Jillthoughtitamostinterestingevent;and,whenFrankandhismotherwentovertoconsultMr。Burton,sheandJackplannedoutforthedearculpritadramatictrialwhichwouldhaveconvulsedthesoberestofjudges。Hissentencewastenyears'imprisonment,andsuchheavyfinesthatthefamilywouldhavebeenreducedtobeggarybutforthesumsmadebyJill'sfancyworkandJack'ssuccessasachampionpedestrian。
　　TheyfoundsuchcomfortandamusementinthissensationalprogrammethattheywereratherdisappointedwhenFrankreturned,reportingthatafinewouldprobablybeallthepenaltyexacted,asnoharmhadbeendone,andheandGusweresuchrespectableboys。WhatwouldhappentoJoe,hecouldnottell,buthethoughtagoodwhippingoughttobeaddedtohisshare。
　　Ofcourse,theaffairmadeastirinthelittleworldofchildren;andwhenFrankwenttoschool,feelingthathischaracterforgoodbehaviorwasforeverdamaged,hefoundhimselfalion,andwasindangerofbeingspoiledbytheadmirationofhiscomrades,whopointedhimoutwithprideas"thefellowwhoranoffwithasteam—engine。"
　　ButaninterviewwithJudgeKemble,afineoftwenty—fivedollars,andlecturesfromallthegrownpeopleofhisacquaintance,preventedhimfromregardinghisescapadeasafeattoboastof。
　　Hediscovered,also,howfickleathingispublicfavor,forverysoonthosewhohadpraisedbegantotease,andittookallhiscourage,patience,andpridetocarryhimthroughthenextweekortwo。TheladswerenevertiredofalludingtoNo。11,givingshrillwhistlesinhisear,askingifhiswatchwasright,anddrawinglocomotivesontheblackboardwhenevertheygotachance。
　　Thegirls,too,hadslynodsandsmiles,hintsandjokesofamildersort,whichmadehimcolorandfume,andoncelosehisdignityentirely。MollyLoo,whodearlylovedtotormentthebigboys,anddaredattackevensolemnFrank,leftoneofBoo'soldtintrainsonthedoor—step,directedto"ConductorMinot,"who,Iregrettosay,couldnotrefrainfromkickingitintotheStreet,andslammingthedoorwithabangthatshookthehouse。ShrieksoflaughterfromwickedMollyandhercoadjutor,Grif,greetedthisexplosionofwrath,whichdidnogood,however,forhalfanhourlaterthesamecars,allinaheap,wereonthestepsagain,withtwoheadlessdollstumblingoutofthecab,andthedilapidatedenginelabelled,"No。
　　11afterthecollision。"
　　Nooneeversawthatruinagain,andfordaysFrankwasutterlyunconsciousofMolly'sexistence,asproprietyforbadehishavingitoutwithherashehadwithGrif。ThenAnnettemadepeacebetweenthem,andtheapproachoftheTwenty—secondgavethewagssomethingelsetothinkof。
　　ButitwaslongbeforeFrankforgotthatcostlyprank;forhewasathoughtfulboy,whohonestlywantedtobegood;soherememberedthisepisodehumbly,andwheneverhefelttheapproachoftemptationhemadethestrongwillmasterit,sayingtohimself"Downbrakes！"thussavingthepreciousfreighthecarriedfrommanyoftheaccidentswhichbefalluswhenwetrytorunourtrainswithoutorders,andsooftenwreckourselvesaswellasothers。
　　Chapter12TheTwenty—SecondofFebruaryOfcourse,theyoungladiesandgentlemenhadaballontheeveningofthatday,buttheboysandgirlswerefullofexcitementabouttheir"ScenesfromtheLifeofWashingtonandotherbrillianttableaux,"astheprogrammeannounced。TheBirdRoomwasthetheatre,beingverylarge,withfourdoorsconvenientlyplaced。
　　Ralphwasinhiselement,puttingupalittlestage,drillingboys,arranginggroups,andunitinginhimselfcarpenter,scene—painter,manager,andgasman。Mrs。Minotpermittedthehousetobeturnedtopsy—turvy,andMrs。Pecqflewabout,lendingahandeverywhere。Jillwascostumer,withhelpfromMissDelano,whodidnotcareforballs,andkindlytookchargeofthegirls。Jackprintedtickets,programmes,andplacardsofthemostimposingsort,andtheworkwentgaylyontillallwasready。
　　Whentheeveningcame,theBirdRoompresentedafineappearance。Oneendwascurtainedoffwithreddrapery;andrealfootlights,withtinshades,gaveatrulytheatricalairtothelittlestage。Rowsofchairs,filledwithmammasandlittlepeople,occupiedtherestofthespace。ThehallandFrank'sroomwerefullofamusedpapas,uncles,andoldgentlemenwhosepatriotismbroughtthemoutinspiteofrheumatism。Therewasagreatrustlingofskirts,flutteringoffans,andmuchlivelychat,tillabellrangandtheorchestrastruckup。
　　Yes,therereallywasanorchestra,forEddeclaredthatthenationalairsmustbeplayed,orthewholethingwouldbeafailure。Sohehadexertedhimselftocollectallthemusicaltalenthecouldfind,ahorn,afiddle,andaflute,withdrumandfifeforthemartialscenes。Edlookedmorebeamingthanever,ashewavedhisbatonandledoffwithYankeeDoodleasasafebeginning,foreveryoneknewthat。ItwasfuntoseelittleJohnnyCooperbangawayonabigdrum,andoldMr。Munson,whohadbeenaflEerallhisdays,blowtillhewasasredasalobster,whileeveryonekepttimetothemusicwhichputthemallingoodspiritsfortheopeningscene。
　　Upwentthecurtainandseveraltreesintubsappeared,thenastatelygentlemaninsmallclothes,cockedhat,graywig,andanimposingcane,cameslowlywalkingin。ItwasGus,whohadbeenunanimouslychosennotonlyforWashingtonbutforthefatheroftheheroalso,thatthefamilytraitsoflonglegsandasomewhatmassivenosemightbepreserved。
　　"Ahem！Mytreesaredoingfinely,"observedMr。W。,senior,strollingalongwithhishandsbehindhim,castingsatisfiedglancesatthedwarforange,oleander,abutilon,andlittlepinethatrepresentedhisorchard。
　　Suddenlyhestarts,pauses,frowns,and,afterexaminingthelattershrub,whichdisplayedseveralhacksinitsstemandabrokenlimbwithsixred—velvetcherrieshangingonit,hegaveathumpwithhiscanethatmadethelittleonesjump,andcriedout,"Canithavebeenmyson？"
　　Heevidentlythoughtitwas,forhecalled,intonesofthunder,"George！GeorgeWashington,comehitherthismoment！"
　　Greatsuspenseonthepartoftheaudience,thenageneralburstoflaughterasBootrottedin,aperfectminiatureofhishonoredparent,kneebreeches,cockedhat,shoebucklesandall。Hewassofatthatthelittletailsofhiscoatstuckoutinthedrollestway,hischubbylegscouldhardlycarrythebigbuckles,andtherosyfacedisplayed,whenhetookhishatoffwithadutifulbow,wassosolemn,therealGeorgecouldnothavelookedmoreanxiouswhenhegavetheimmortalanswer。
　　"Sirrah,didyoucutthattree？"demandedthepapa,withanotherrapofthecane,andsuchafrownthatpoorBoolookeddismayed,tillMollywispered,"Putyourhandup,dear。"Thenherememberedhispart,and,puttingonefingerinhismouth,lookeddownathissquare—toedshoes,theimageofashame—strickenboy。
　　"Myson,donotdeceiveme。IfyouhavedonethisdeedIshallchastiseyou,foritismydutynottosparetherod,lestIspoilthechild。ButifyoulieaboutityoudisgracethenameofWashingtonforever。"
　　ThisappealseemedtoconvulseGeorgewithinwardagony,forhesquirmedmosteffectivelyashedrewfromhispocketatoyhatchet,whichwouldnothavecutastraw,thenlookingstraightupintotheawe—inspiringcountenanceofhisparent,hebravelylisped,"Papa,Itannottellalie。I'didtutitwithmylittlehanchet。"
　　"Nobleboy——cometomyarms！Ihadratheryouspoiltallmycherrytreesthantellonelie！"criedthedelightedgentleman,catchinghissoninanembracesoclosethatthefatlegskickedconvulsively,andthelittlecoat—tailswavedinthebreeze,whilecaneandhatchetfellwithadramaticbang。
　　Thecurtaindescendedonthisaffcctingtableau;buttheaudiencecalledoutbothWashingtons,andtheycame,handinhand,bowingwiththecockedhatspressedtotheirbreasts,theeldersmilingblandly,whiletheyounger,stillflushedbyhisexertions,noddedtohisfriends,asking,withengagingfrankness,"Wasn'titnice？"
　　Thenextwasamarinepiece,foraboatwasseen,surroundedbytumultuouswavesofbluecambric,androwedbyapartyofstalwartmeninregimentals,whowithdifficultykepttheirseats,fortheboatwasonlyapaintedboard,andtheysatonboxesorstoolsbehindit。Butfewmarkedtherowers,forintheirmidst,tall,straight,andsteadfastasamast,stoodonefigureinacloak,withfoldedarms,highboots,and,undertheturned—uphat,anoblecountenance,sternwithindomitablecourage。Aswordglitteredathisside,andabannerwavedoverhim,buthiseyewasfixedonthedistantshore,andhewasevidentlyunconsciousoftheroaringbillows,theblocksofice,thediscouragementofhismen,orthedangeranddeaththatmightawaithim。NapoleoncrossingtheAlpswasnothalfsosublime,andwithonevoicetheaudiencccried,'WashingtoncrossingtheDelaware！"whilethebandburstforthwith,"See,theconqueringherocomes！"alloutoftune,butboundtoplayitordieintheattempt。
　　Itwouldhavebeenverysuccessfulif,allofasudden,oneoftherowershadnot"caughtacrab"withdisastrousconsequences。Theoarswerenotmoving,butaveteran,wholookedverymuchlikeJoe,droppedtheoneheheld,andintryingtoturnandpummeltheblack—eyedwarriorbehindhim,hetumbledoffhisseat,upsettingtwoothermen,andpullingthepaintedboatuponthemastheylaykickinginthecambricdeep。Shoutsoflaughtergreetedthismishap,butGeorgeWashingtonneverstirred。Graspingthebanner,hestoodfirmwhenallelsewentdowninthegeneralwreck,andtheicywavesengulfedhisgallantcrew,leavinghimerectamidachaosofwildlytossingboots,entangledoars,andred—facedvictims。Suchgod—likedignitycouldnotfailtoimpressthefrivolouscrowdoflaughers,andthecurtainfellamidaroundofapplauseforhimalone。
　　"Quiteexciting,wasn'tit？Didn'tknowGushadsomuchpresenceofmind,"saidMr。Burton,wellpleasedwithhisboy。
　　"IfwedidnotknowthatWashingtondiedinhisbed,December14,1799,Ishouldfearthatwe'dseenthelastofhiminthatshipwreck,"laughedanoldgentleman,proudofhismemoryfordates。
　　Muchconfusionreignedbehindthescenes;Ralphwasheardscolding,andJoeseteveryoneoffagainbyexplaining,audibly,thatGriftickledhim,andhecouldn'tstandit。Apretty,old—fashionedpictureofthe"DaughtersofLiberty"followed,forthegirlsweredeterminedtodohonortothebraveandpatientwomenwhosonoblyboretheirpartinthestruggle,yetareusuallyforgottenwhenthosedaysarecelebrated。Thedamselswerecharminginthebigcaps,floweredgowns,andhigh—heeledshoesoftheirgreat—grandmothers,astheysataboutaspider—leggedtabletalkingoverthetax,andpledgingthemselvestodrinknomoreteatillitwastakenoff。Mollywasonherfeetproposing,"Libertyforever,anddownwithalltyrants,"tojudgefromherflashingeyesassheheldheregg—shellcupaloft,whiletheothersliftedtheirstodrinkthetoast,andMerry,ashostess,satwithherhandonanantiqueteapot,labelled"Sage,"readytofillagainwhenthepatrioticladieswerereadyforasecond"dish。"
　　Thiswasmuchapplauded,andthecurtainwentupagain,fortheproudparentsenjoyedseeingtheirprettygirlsinthefadedfineryofahundredyearsago。Thebandplayed"AuldLangSyne,"asagentlehintthatourfore—mothersshouldberememberedaswellasthefore—fathers。
　　Itwasevidentthatsomethingverymartialwastofollow,foragreattramping,clashing,andflyingabouttookplacebehindthesceneswhilethetea—partywasgoingon。Aftersomedelay,"TheSurrenderofCornwallis"waspresentedinthemostsuperbmanner,asyoucanbelievewhenItellyouthatthestagewasactuallylinedwithaglitteringarrayofWashingtonandhisgenerals,Lafayette,Kosciusko,Rochambeauandtherest,allinastonishinguniforms,withswordswhichwereevidentlytheprideoftheirlives。Fifeanddrumstruckupamarch,andincameCornwallis,muchcastdownbutfullofmanlyresignation,ashesurrenderedhissword,andstoodasidewithavertedeyeswhilehisarmymarchedpast,pilingtheirarmsatthehero'sfeet。
　　Thisscenewasthedelightoftheboys,fortheriflesofCompanyF
　　hadbeensecured,andatleastadozensoldierskeptfilinginandoutinBritishuniformtillWashington'saugustlegswerehiddenbytheheapsofarmsrattleddownbeforehim。Themartialmusic,thesteadytramp,andthepatrioticmemoriesawakened,causedthisscenetobeenthusiasticallyencored,andtheboyswouldhavegoneonmarchingtillmidnightifRalphhadnotperemptorilyordereddownthecurtainandclearedthestageforthenexttableau。
　　Thishadbeenartfullyslippedinbetweentwobrilliantones,toshowthattheFatherofhisCountryhadtopayahighpriceforhisglory。Thedarkenedstagerepresentedwhatseemedtobeacampinasnow—storm,andaveryforlorncamp,too;foron"thecold,coldground"（arecklessdisplayofcottonbatting）layraggedsoldiers,sleepingwithoutblankets,theirworn—outbootsturneduppathetically,andnosignoffoodorfiretobeseen。Averyshabbysentinel,withfeetboundinbloodycloths,andhisfaceaspaleaschalkcouldmakeit,gnawedadrycrustashekepthiswatchinthewintrynight。
　　Atentatthebackofthestageshowedasolitaryfiguresittingonalogofwood,poringoverthemapspreaduponhisknee,bythelightofonecandlestuckinabottle。Therecouldbenodoubtwhothiswas,forthebuff—and—bluecoat,thelegs,thenose,theattitude,allbetrayedthegreatGeorgelaboringtosavehiscountry,inspiteofprivations,discouragements,anddangerswhichwouldhavedauntedanyotherman。
　　"ValleyForge,"saidsomeone,andtheroomwasverystillasoldandyounglookedsilentlyatthislittlepictureofagreatandnoblestruggleinoneofitsdarkhours。Thecrust,thewoundedfeet,therags,thesnow,theloneliness,theindomitablecourageandenduranceofthesementouchedtheheartsofall,forthemimicscenegrewrealforamoment;and,whenachild'svoicebrokethesilence,askingpitifully,"Oh,mamma,wasittrulyasdreadfulasthat？"ageneraloutburstanswered,asifeveryonewantedtocheerupthebravefellowsandbidthemfighton,forvictorywassurelycoming。
　　Inthenextsceneitdidcome,and"WashingtonatTrenton"wasprettilydone。Anarchofflowerscrossedthestage,withthemotto,"TheDefenderoftheMotherswillbethePreserveroftheDaughters";and,astheherowithhisgeneralsadvancedononeside,atroopofgirls,inold—fashionedmuslinfrocks,cametoscatterflowersbeforehim,singingthesongoflongago:
　　"Welcome,mightychief,oncemoreWelcometothisgratefulshore;
　　Nownomercenaryfoeeyesassheheldheregg—shellcupaloft,whiletheothersliftedtheirstodrinkthetoast,andMerry,ashostess,satwithherhandonanantiqueteapot,labelled"Sage,"readytofillagainwhenthepatrioticladieswerereadyforasecond"dish。"
　　Thiswasmuchapplauded,andthecurtainwentupagain,fortheproudparentsenjoyedseeingtheirprettygirlsinthefadedfineryofahundredyearsago。Thebandplayed"AuldLangSyne,"asagentlehintthatourfore—mothersshouldberememberedaswellasthefore—fathers。
　　Itwasevidentthatsomethingverymartialwastofollow,foragreattramping,clashing,andflyingabouttookplacebehindthesceneswhilethetea—partywasgoingon。Aftersomedelay,"TheSurrenderofCornwallis"waspresentedinthemostsuperbmanner,asyoucanbelievewhenItellyouthatthestagewasactuallylinedwithaglitteringarrayofWashingtonandhisgenerals,Lafayette,Kosciusko,Rochambeauandtherest,allinastonishinguniforms,withswordswhichwereevidentlytheprideoftheirlives。Fifeanddrumstruckupamarch,andincameCornwallis,muchcastdownbutfullofmanlyresignation,ashesurrenderedhissword,andstoodasidewithavertedeyeswhilehisarmymarchedpast,pilingtheirarmsatthehero'sfeet。
　　Thisscenewasthedelightoftheboys,fortheriflesofCompanyF
　　hadbeensecured,andatleastadozensoldierskeptfilinginandoutinBritishuniformtillWashington'saugustlegswerehiddenbytheheapsofarmsrattleddownbeforehim。Themartialmusic,thesteadytramp,andthepatrioticmemoriesawakened,causedthisscenetobeenthusiasticallyencored,andtheboyswouldhavegoneonmarchingtillmidnightifRalphhadnotperemptorilyordereddownthecurtainandclearedthestageforthenexttableau。
　　Thishadbeenartfullyslippedinbetweentwobrilliantones,toshowthattheFatherofhisCountryhadtopayahighpriceforhisglory。ThedarkenedstagerepresentedwhatseemedtobeAimsagainthefatalblow,Aimsattheethefatalblow。
　　"Virginsfairandmatronsgrave,Thosethyconqueringarmdidsave,Buildfortheetriumphalbowers;
　　Strew,yefair,hiswaywithflowers,Strewyourhero's—waywithflowers。"
　　Andtheydid,singingwithalltheirheartsastheyflungartificialrosesandliliesatthefeetofthegreatmen,whobowedwithbenigngrace。Jack,whodidLafayettewithalimp,coveredhimselfwithglorybypickinguponeofthebouquetsandpressingittohisheartwithallthegallantryofaFrenchman;andwhenWashingtonliftedthesmallestofthemaidsandkissedher,theaudiencecheered。Couldn'thelpit,youknow,itwassoprettyandinspiring。
　　TheWashingtonFamily,afterthefamouspicture,camenext,withAnnetteasthesereneandsensibleMartha,inaverybecomingcap。
　　TheGeneralwasinuniform,therebeingnotimetochange,buthisattitudewasquitecorrect,andtheCustisboyandgirldisplayedthewidesashandruffledcollarwithhistoricfidelity。Thebandplayed"Home,"andeveryoneagreedthatitwas"Sweet！"
　　"NowIdon'tseewhatmoretheycanhaveexceptthedeathbed,andthatwouldberatheroutofplaceinthisgaycompany,"saidtheoldgentlemantoMr。Burton,ashemoppedhisheatedfaceafterpoundingsoheartilyhenearlyknockedtheferuleoffhiscane。
　　"No;theygavethatup,formyboywouldn'twearanight—gowninpublic。Ican'ttellsecrets,butIthinktheyhavegotaverycleverlittlefinaleforthefirstpart——aprettycomplimenttoonepersonandapleasantsurprisetoall,"answeredMr。Burton,whowasingreatspirits,beingfondoftheatricalsandveryjustlyproudofhischildren,forthelittlegirlshadbeenamongtheTrentonmaids,andthemimicGeneralhadkissedhisownsmallsister,Nelly,verytenderly。
　　Agreatdealofinterestwasfeltastowhatthissurprisewastobe,andageneral"Oh！"greetedthe"MinuteMan,"standingmotionlessuponhispedestal。ItwasFrank,andRalphhaddonehisbesttohavethefigureasperfectaspossible,forthemakeroftheoriginalhadbeenagoodfriendtohim;and,whiletheyoungsculptorwasdancinggaylyattheball,thiscopyofhisworkwasdoinghimhonoramongthechildren。Franklookeditverywell,forhisfirm—setmouthwasfullofresolution,hiseyesshonekeenandcourageousunderthethree—corneredhat,andthemusclesstoodoutuponthebarearmthatclutchedtheoldgun。Eventhebuttonsonthegaitersseemedtoflashdefiance,asthesturdylegstookthefirststepfromthefurrowtowardthebridgewheretheyoungfarmerbecameaherowhenhe"firedtheshotheard'roundtheworld。"
　　"Thatissplendid！""Asliketotheoriginalasfleshcanbetobronze。""Howstillhestands！""He'llfightwhenthetimecomes,anddiehard,won'the？""Hush！Youmakethestatueblush！"Theseveryaudibleremarkscertainlydid,forthecolorrosevisiblyasthemodestladheardhimselfpraised,thoughhesawbutonefaceinallthecrowd,hismother's,farback,butfullofloveandpride,asshelookedupatheryoungminutemanwaitingforthebattlewhichoftencallsuswhenweleastexpectit,andforwhichshehaddoneherbesttomakehimready。
　　IftherehadbeenanydangerofFrankbeingpuffedupbythesuccessofhisstatue,itwascounteractedbyirrepressibleGrif,who,justatthemostinterestingmoment,whenallweregazingsilently,gaveawhistle,followedbya"Choo,choo,choo！"and"Allaboard！"sonaturallythatnoonecouldmistakethejoke,especiallyasanotherlaughingvoiceadded,"Now,then,No。11！"
　　whichbroughtdownthehouseandthecurtaintoo。
　　Frankwassoangry,itwasverydifficulttokeephimonhisperchforthelastsceneofall。Hesubmitted,however,ratherthanspoilthegrandfinale,hopingthatitsbeautywouldeffacethatill—timedpleasantryfromthepublicmind。So,whentheagreeableclamorofhandsandvoicescalledforarepetition,theMinuteManreappeared,grimmerthanbefore。Butnotalone,forgroupedallabouthispedestalwereWashingtonandhisgenerals,thematronsandmaids,withabackgroundoftroopsshoulderingarms,GrifandJoedoingsuchrashthingswiththeirmuskets,thatmorethanoneheroreceivedapokeinhisaugustback。Beforethefullrichnessofthispicturehadbeentakenin,Edgavearap,andallburstoutwith"HailColumbia,"insuchaninspiringstylethatitwasimpossiblefortheaudiencetorefrainfromjoining,whichtheydid,allstandingandallsingingwithaheartinessthatmadethewallsring。
　　Thefifeshrilled,thehornblewsweetandclear,thefiddlewasnearlydrownedbytheenergeticboomofthedrum,andoutintothestarrynight,throughopenwindows,rolledthesongthatstirsthecoldestheartwithpatrioticwarmthandtuneseveryvoicetomusic。
　　"'America！'Wemusthave'America！'Pipeup,Ed,thisistoogoodtoendwithoutonesongmore,"criedMr。Burton,whohadbeensinginglikeatrumpet;and,hardlywaitingtogettheirbreath,offtheyallwentagainwiththenationalhymn,singingastheyneverhadsungitbefore,forsomehowthelittlescenestheyhadjustactedorbeheldseemedtoshowhowmuchthisdearAmericaofourshadcostinmorethanonerevolution,howfullofcourage,energy,andvirtueitwasinspiteofallitsfaults,andwhataprivilege,aswellasduty,itwasforeachtodohisparttowarditssafetyanditshonorinthepresent,asdidthosebravemenandwomeninthepast。
　　Sothe"ScenesfromtheLifeofWashington"wereagreatsuccess,and,whenthesongswereover,peopleweregladofabriefrecesswhiletheyhadraptures,andrefreshedthemselveswithlemonade。
　　Thegirlshadkeptthesecretofwhothe"Princess"wastobe,and,whenthecurtainrose,ahumofsurpriseandpleasuregreetedtheprettygroup。Jilllayasleepinallhersplendor,thebonny"Prince"
　　justliftingtheveiltowakeherwithakiss,andallaboutthemthecourtinitsnapofahundredyears。The"King"and"Queen"
　　dozingcomfortablyonthethrone;themaidsofhonor,likeagarlandofnoddingflowers,aboutthecouch;thelittlepage,unconsciousoftheblowabouttofall,andthefooldreaming,withhismouthwideopen。
　　Itwassopretty,peopledidnottireoflooking,tillJack'slamelegbegantotremble,andhewhispered:"DropherorIshallpitch。"
　　Downwentthecurtain;butitroseinamoment,andtherewasthecourtaftertheawakening:the"King"and"Queen"lookingaboutthemwithsleepydignity,themaidsinvariousattitudesofsurprise,thefoolgrinningfromeartoear,andthe"Princess"holdingoutherhandtothe"Prince,"asifgladtowelcometherightloverwhenhecameatlast。
　　Mollygotthelaughthistime,forshecouldnotresistgivingpoorBoothecuffwhichhadbeenhangingoverhimsolong。Shegaveitwithunconsciousenergy,andBoocried"Ow！"sonaturallythatallthechildrenweredelightedandwanteditrepeated。ButBoodeclined,andthesceneswhichfollowedwerefoundquiteasmuchtotheirtaste,havingbeenexpresslypreparedforthelittlepeople。
　　MotherGoose'sReceptionwasreallyveryfunny,forRalphwastheoldlady,andhadhiredarepresentationoftheimmortalbirdfromarealtheatreforthisoccasion。Theretheystood,thedameinherpointedhat,redpetticoat,cap,andcane,withthenoblefowl,agooddeallargerthanlife,besideher,andGrifinside,enjoyinghimselfimmenselyasheflappedthewings,movedtheyellowlegs,andwavedthelongneckabout,whileunearthlyquacksissuedfromthebill。Thatwasagreatsurpriseforthechildren,andtheygotupintheirseatstogazetheirfill,manyofthemfirmlybelievingthattheyactuallybeheldtheblessedoldwomanwhowrotethenurserysongstheylovedsowell。
　　Thenincame,oneafteranother,thebestofthecharactersshehasmadefamous,whileavoicebehindthescenessangtheproperrhymeaseachmadetheirmannerstotheinterestingpair。