________________________________________________
_ Every one was very kind to Ben when his loss
was known. The Squire wrote to Mr. Smithers
that the boy had found friends and would stay
where he was. Mrs. Moss consoled him in her motherly
way, and the little girls did their very best to "be
good to poor Benny." But Miss Celia was his truest
comforter, and completely won his heart, not only by
the friendly words she said and the pleasant things she
did, but by the unspoken sympathy which showed itself
just at the right minute, in a look, a touch, a smile,
more helpful than any amount of condolence. She
called him "my man," and Ben tried to be one, bearing
his trouble so bravely that she respected him. although
he was only a little boy, because it promised well for
the future.
Then she was so happy herself, it was impossible for
those about her to be sad, and Ben soon grew cheerful
again in spite of the very tender memory of his father
laid quietly away in the safest corner of his heart. He
would have been a very unboyish boy if he had not been
happy, for the new place was such a pleasant one, he
soon felt as if, for the first time, he really had a home.
No more grubbing now, but daily tasks which never
grew tiresome, they were so varied and so light. No
more cross Pats to try his temper, but the sweetest
mistress that ever was, since praise was oftener on her
lips than blame, and gratitude made willing service a
delight.
At first, it seemed as if there was going to be trouble
between the two boys; for Thorny was naturally masterful,
and illness had left him weak and nervous, so he
was often both domineering and petulant. Ben had
been taught instant obedience to those older than him
self, and if Thorny had been a man Ben would have
made no complaint; but it was hard to be "ordered
round" by a boy, and an unreasonable one into the
bargain.
A word from Miss Celia blew away the threatening
cloud, however; and for her sake her brother promised
to try to be patient; for her sake Ben declared he never
would "get mad" if Mr. Thorny did fidget; and both
very soon forgot all about master and man and lived
together like two friendly lads, taking each other's ups
and downs good-naturedly, and finding mutual pleasure
and profit in the new companionship.
The only point on which they never could agree was
legs, and many a hearty laugh did they give Miss Celia
by their warm and serious discussion of this vexed question.
Thorny insisted that Ben was bow1egged; Ben
resented the epithet, and declared that the legs of all
good horsemen must have a slight curve, and any one
who knew any thing about the matter would acknowledge
both its necessity and its beauty. Then Thorny
Would observe that it might be all very well in the saddle,
but it made a man waddle like a duck when afoot;
whereat Ben would retort that, for his part, he would
rather waddle like a duck than tumble about like a
horse with the staggers. He had his opponent there,
for poor Thorny did look very like a weak-kneed colt
when he tried to walk; but he would never own it, and
came down upon Ben with crushing allusions to centaurs,
or the Greeks and Romans, who were famous both
for their horsemanship and fine limbs. Ben could not
answer that, except by proudly referring to the chariot-
races copied from the ancients, in which he had borne
a part, which was more than somefolks with long legs
could say. Gentlemen never did that sort of thing,
nor did they twit their best friends with their misfortunes,
Thorny would remark; casting a pensive glance
at his thin hands, longing the while to give Ben a good
shaking. This hint would remind the other of his
young master's late sufferings and all he owed his dear
mistress; and he usually ended the controversy by
turning a few lively somersaults as a vent for his swelling
wrath, and come up with his temper all right again.
Or, if Thorny happened to be in the wheeled chair, he
would trot him round the garden at a pace which nearly
took his breath away, thereby proving that if "bow-
legs" were not beautiful to some benighted beings they
were "good to go."
Thorny liked that, and would drop the subject for
the time by politely introducing some more agreeable
topic; so the impending quarrel would end in a
laugh over some boyish joke, and the word "legs
be avoided by mutual consent till accident brought
it up again.
The spirit of rivalry is hidden in the best of us, and
is a helpful and inspiring power if we know how to use
it. Miss Celia knew this, and tried to make the lads
help one another by means of it, -- not in boastful or
ungenerous comparison of each other's gifts, but by
interchanging them, giving and taking freely, kindly,
and being glad to love what was admirable wherever
they found it. Thorny admired Ben's strength, activ-
ity, and independence; Ben envied Thorny's learning,
good manners, and comfortable surroundings; and,
when a wise word had set the matter rightly before
them, both enjoyed the feeling that there was a certain
equality between them, since money could not buy
health, and practical knowledge was as useful as any
that can be found in books. So they interchanged
their small experiences, accomplishments, and pleasures,
and both were the better, as well as the happier,
for it; because in this way only can we truly love our
neighbor as ourself, and get the real sweetness out of
life.
There was no end to the new and pleasant things
Ben had to do, from keeping paths and flower-beds
neat, feeding the pets, and running errands, to waiting
on Thorny and being right-hand man to Miss Celia.
He had a little room in the old house, newly papered
with hunting scenes, which he was never tired of admiring.
In the closet hung several out-grown suits
of Thorny's, made over for his valet; and, what Ben
valued infinitely more, a pair of boots, well blacked
and ready for grand occasions, when he rode abroad,
with one old spur, found in the attic, brightened up
and merely worn for show, since nothing would have
induced him to prick beloved Lita with it.
Many pictures, cut from illustrated papers, of races,
animals, and birds, were stuck round the room, giving
it rather the air of a circus and menagerie. This, however,
made it only the more home-like to its present
owner, who felt exceedingly rich and respectable as he
surveyed his premises; almost like a retired showman
who still fondly remembers past successes, though now
happy in the more private walks of life.
In one drawer of the quaint little bureau which he
used, were kept the relics of his father; very few and
poor, and of no interest to any one but himself, --
only the letter telling of his death, a worn-out watch-chain,
and a photograph of Senor Jose Montebello,
with his youthful son standing on his head, both airily
attired, and both smiling with the calmly superior expression
which gentlemen of their profession usually
wear in public. Ben's other treasures had been stolen
with his bundle; but these he cherished and often
looked at when he went to bed, wondering what
heaven was like, since it was lovelier than California,
and usually fell asleep with a dreamy impression that
it must be something like America when Columbus
found it, -- "a pleasant land, where were gay flowers
and tall trees, with leaves and fruit such as they had
never seen before." And through this happy hunt-ing-ground
"father" was for ever riding on a beautiful white horse
with wings, like the one of which Miss
Celia had a picture.
Nice times Ben had in his little room poring over
his books, for he soon had several of his own; but
his favorites were Hamerton's "Animals" and "Our
Dumb Friends," both full of interesting pictures and
anecdotes such as boys love. Still nicer times working
about the house, helping get things in order; and
best of all were the daily drives with Miss Celia and
Thorny, when weather permitted, or solitary rides to
town through the heaviest rain, for certain letters
must go and come, no matter how the elements raged.
The neighbors soon got used to the "antics of that
boy," but Ben knew that he was an object of interest
as he careered down the main street in a way that
made old ladies cry out and brought people flying to
the window, sure that some one was being run away
with. Lita enjoyed the fun as much as he, and apparently
did her best to send him heels over head, having rapidly
earned to understand the signs he gave
her by the touch of hand and foot, or the tones of
his voice.
These performances caused the boys to regard Ben
Brown with intense admiration, the girls with timid
awe, all but Bab, who burned to imitate him, and tried
her best whenever she got a chance, much to the anguish
and dismay of poor Jack, for that long-suffering
animal was the only steed she was allowed to ride.
Fortunately, neither she nor Betty had much time for
play just now, as school was about to close for the
long vacation, and all the little people were busy
finishing up, that they might go to play with free
minds. So the "lilac-parties," as they called them,
were deferred till later, and the lads amused themselves
in their own way, with Miss Celia to suggest
and advise.
It took Thorny a long time to arrange his possessions,
for he could only direct while Ben unpacked,
wondering and adiniring as he worked, because he had
never seen so many boyish treasures before. The
litte printing-press was his especial delight, and leaving
every thing else in confusion, Thorny taught him
its and planned a newspaper on the spot, with Ben
for printer, himself for editor, and "Sister" for chief
contributor, while Bab should be carrier and Betty
office-boy. Next came a postage-stamp book, and a
rainy day was happily spent in pasting a new collection
where each particular one belonged, with copious
explanations from Thorny as they went along. Ben
did not feel any great interest in this amusement after
one trial of it, but when a book containing patterns
of the flags of all nations turned up, he was seized
with a desire to copy them all, so that the house
could be fitly decorated on gala occasions. Finding
that it amused her brother, Miss Celia generously
opened her piece-drawer and rag-bag, and as the
mania grew till her resources were exhausted, she
bought bits of gay cambric and many-colured papers,
and startled the store-keeper by purchasing several
bottles of mucilage at once. Bab and Betty were
invited to sew the bright strips of stars, and pricked
their little fingers assiduously, finding this sort of
needle-work much more attractive than piecing bed-
quilts.
Such a snipping and pasting, planning and stitching
as went on in the big back room, which was given
up to them, and such a noble array of banners and
petitions as soon decorated its walls, would have
caused the dullest eye to brighten with amusement,
if not with admiration. Of course, the Stars and
Stripes hung highest, with the English lion ramping
on the royal standard close by; then followed a regular
picture-gallery, for there was the white elephant of
Siam, the splendid peacock of Burmah, the double-
headed Russian eagle, and black dragon of China,
the winged lion of Venice, and the prancing pair on
the red, white, and blue flag of Holland. The keys
and mitre of the Papal States were a hard job, but up
they went at last, with the yellow crescent of Turkey
on one side and the red full moon of Japan on the
other; the pretty blue and white flag of Greece hung
below and the cross of free Switzerland above. If
materials had held out, the flags of all the United
States would have followed; but paste and patience
were exhausted, so the busy workers rested awhile
before they "flung their banner to the breeze," as
the newspapers have it.
A spell of ship-building and rigging followed the
flag fit; for Thorny, feeling too old now for such
toys, made over his whole fleet to "the children,"
condescending, however, to superintend a thorough
repairing of the sa,e before he disposed of all but
the big man-of-war, which continued to ornament his
own room, with all sail set and a little red officer
perpetually waving his sword on the quarter-deck.
These gifts led to out-of-door water-works, for the
brook had to be dammed up, that a shallow ocean
might be made, where Ben's piratical "Red Rover,"
with the black flag, might chase and capture Bab's
smart frigate, "Queen," while the "Bounding Betsey,"
laden with lumber, safely sailed from Kennebunkport to
Massachusetts Bay. Thorny, from his
chair, was chief-engineer, and directed his gang of
one how to dig the basin, throw up the embankment,
and finally let in the water till the mimic ocean was
full; then regulate the little watrr-gate, lest it should
overflow and wreck the pretty squadron or ships, boats,
canoes, and rafts, which soon rode at anchor there.
Digging and paddling in mud and water proved
such a delightful pastime that the boys kept it up, till
a series of water-wheels, little mills and cataracts
made the once quiet brook look as if a manufacturing
town was about to spring up where hitheto minnows had
played in peace and the retiring frog had
chanted his serenade unmolested.
Miss Celia liked all this, for any thing which would
keep Thorny happy out-of-doors in the sweet June
weather found favor in her eyes, and when the novelty
had worn off from home affairs, she planned a series
of exploring expeditions which filled their boyish souls
with delight. As none of them knew much about the
place, it really was quite exciting to start off on a
bright morning with a roll of wraps and cushions,
lunch, books, and drawing materials packed into the
phaeton, and drive at random about the shady roads
and lanes, pausing when and where they liked. Wonderful
discoveries were made, pretty places were
named, plans were drawn, and all sorts of mrrry
adventures befell the pilgrims.
Each day they camped in a new spot, and while Lita
nibbled the fresh grass at her ease, Miss Celia sketched
under the big umbrella, Thorny read or lounged or
slept on his rubber blanket, and Ben made himself
generally useful. Unloading, filling the artist's water-
bottle, piling the invalid's cushions, setting out the
lunch, running to and fro for a Bower or a butterfly,
climbing a tree to report the view, reading, chatting, or
frolicking with Sancho,-- any sort of duty was in
Ben's line, and he did them all well, for an out-of-door
life was natural to him and he liked it.
"Ben, I want an amanuensis," said Thorny, dropping
book and pencil one day after a brief interval of
silence, broken only by the whisper of the young
leaves overhead and the soft babble of the brook
close by.
"A what?" asked Ben, pushing back his hat with
such an air of amazement that Thorny rather loftily
inquired:
"Don't you know what an amanuensis is?"
"Well, no; not unless it's some relation to an anaconda.
Shouldn't think you'd want one of them, anyway."
Thorny rolled over with a hoot of derision, and his
sister, who sat close by, sketching an old gate, looked
up to see what was going on.
"Well, you needn't laugh at a feller. You didn't
know what a wombat was when I asked you, and I
didn't roar," said Ben, giving his hat a slap, as nothing
else was handy.
"The idea of wanting an anaconda tickled me so, I
couldn't help it. I dare say you'd have got me one
if I had asked for it, you are such an obliging chap,"
"Of course I would if I could. Shouldn't be surprised
if you did some day, you want such funny
things," answered Ben, appeased by the compliment.
"I'll try the amanuensis first. It's only some one
to write for me; I get so tired doing it without a table.
You write well enough, and it will be good for you to
know something about botany. I intend to teach you,
Ben," said Thorny, as if conferring a great favor.
"It looks pretty hard," muttered Ben, with a doleful
Glance at the book laid open upon a strew of torn
leaves and flowers.
"No, it isn't; it's regularly jolly; and you'd be no
end of a help if you only knew a little. Now, suppose
I say, 'Bring me a "ranunculus bulbosus,"' how
would yoy know what I wanted?" demanded Thorny,
waving his microscope with a learned air.
"Shouldn't."
"There are quantities of them all round us; and I
want to analyze one. See if you can't guess."
Ben stared vaguely from earth to sky, and was about
to give it up, when a buttercup fell at his feet, and he
caught sight of Miss Celia smiling at him from behind
her brother, who did not see the flower.
"S'pose you mean this? I don't call 'em rhinocerus
bulburses, so I wasn't sure." And, taking the hint as
quickly as it was given, Ben presented the buttercup
as if he knew all about it.
"You guessed that remarkably well. Now bring
me a 'leontodon taraxacum,'" said Thorny, charmed
with the quickness of his pupil, and glad to display his
learning.
Again Ben gazed, but the field was full of early
flowers; and, if a long pencil had not pointed to a
dandelion close by, he would have been lost.
"Here you are, sir," he answered with a chuckle
and Thorny took his turn at being astonished now.
"How the dickens did you know that?"
"Try it again, and may be you'll find out," laughed
Ben.
Diving hap-hazard into his book, Thorny demanded
a "trifolium pratense."
The clever pencil pointed, and Ben brought a red
clover, mightily enjoying the joke, and thinking that
their kind of botany wasn't bad fun.
"Look here, no fooling!" and Thorny sat up to investigate
the matter, so quickly that his sister had not
time to sober down. "Ah, I've caught you! Not
fair to tell, Celia. Now, Ben, you've got to learn all
about this buttercup, to pay for cheating."
"Werry good, sir; bring on your rhinoceriouses,"
answered Ben, who couldn't help imitating his old
friend the clown when he felt particularly jolly.
"Sit there and write what I tell you," ordered
Thorny, with all the severity of a strict schoolmaster.
Perching himself on the mossy stump, Ben obediently
floundered through the following analysis, with
constant help in the spelling, and much private wonder
what would come of it: --
"Phaenogamous. Exogenous. Angiosperm. Polypetalous.
Stamens, more than ten. Stamens on the
receptacle. Pistils, more than one and separate.
Leaves without stipules. Crowfoot family. Genus
ranunculus. Botanical name, Ranunculus bulbosus."
"Jerusalem! what a flower! Pistols and crows'
feet, and Polly put the kettles on, and Angy sperms
and all the rest of 'em! If that's your botany, I
won't take any more, thank you," said Ben, as he
paused as hot and red as if he had been running a
race.
"Yes, you Will; you'll learn that all by heart, and
then I shall give you a dandelion to do. You'll like
that, because it means dent de lion, or lion's tooth;
and I'll show them to you through my glass. You've
no idea how interesting it is, and what heaps of pretty
things you'll see," answered Thorny, who had already
discovered how charming the study was, and had
found great satisfaction in it, since he had been
forbidden more active pleasures.
"What's the good of it, anyway?" asked Ben, who
would rather have been set to mowing the big field
than to the task before him.
"It tells all about it in my book here, -- 'Gray's
Botany for Young People.' But I can tell you what
use it is to us," continued Thorny, crossing his legs in
the air and preparing to argue the matter, comfortably
lying flat on his back. "We are a Scientific Exploration
Society, and we must keep an account of all
the plants, animals, minerals, and so on, as we come
across them. Then, suppose we get lost, and have
to hunt for food, how are we to know what is safe
and what isn't? Come, now, do you know the
difference between a toadstool and a mushroom?"
"No, I don't."
"Then I'll teach you some day. There is sweet
flag and poisonous flag, and all sorts of berries and
things; and you'd better look out when you are
in the woods, or you'll touch ivy and dogwood,
and have a horrid time, if you don't know your
botany."
"Thorny learned much of his by sad experience;
and you will be wise to take his advice," said Miss
Celia, recalling her brother's various mishaps before
the new fancy came on.
"Didn't I have a time of it, though, when I had to
go round for a week with plantain leaves and cream
stuck all over my face! Just picked some pretty red
dogwood, Ben; and then I was a regular guy, with a
face like a lobster, and my eyes swelled out of sight.
Come along, and learn right away, and never get into
scrapes like most fellows."
Impressed by this warning, and attracted by
Thorny's enthusiasm, Ben cast himself down upon
the blanket, and for an hour the two heads bobbed
to and fro, from microscope to book, the teacher
airing his small knowledge, the pupil more and more
interested in the new and curious things he saw or
heard, -- though it must be confessed that Ben infinitely
prefered to watch ants and bugs, queer little
worms and gauzy-winged flies, rather than "putter"
over plants with long names. He did not dare to
say so, however; but, when Thorny asked him if it
wasn't capital fun, he dodged cleverly by proposing
to hunt up the flowers for his master to gtudy, offering
to learn about the dangerous ones, but pleading
want of time to investigate this pleasing science very
deeply.
As Thorny had talked himself hoarse, he was very
ready to dismiss his class of one to fish the milk-
bottle out of the brook; and recess was prolonged
till next day. But both boys found a new pleasure
in the pretty pastime they made of it; for active Ben
ranged the woods and fields with a tin box slung over
his shoulder, and feeble Thorny had a little room
fitted up for his own use, where he pressed flowers
in newspaper books, dried herbs on the walls, had
bottles and cups, pans and platters, for his treasures,
and made as much litter as he liked.
Presently, Ben brought such lively accounts of the
green nooks where jacks-in-the-pulpit preached their
little sermons; brooks, beside which grew blue violets
and lovely ferns; rocks, round which danced the
columbines like rosy elves, or the trees where birds
built, squirrels chattered, and woodchucks burrowed,
that Thorny was seized with a desire to go and see
these beauties for himself. So Jack was saddled, and
went plodding, scrambling, and wandering into all
manner of pleasant places, always bringing home a
stronger, browner rider than he carried away.
This delighted Miss Celia; and she gladly saw
them ramble off together, leaving her time to stitch
happily at certain dainty bits of sewing, write voluminons
letters, or dream over others quite as long,
swinging in her hammock under the lilacs. _
Read next: CHAPTER XIII. SOMEBODY RUNS AWAY
Read previous: CHAPTER XI. SUNDAY
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