Taking a Stand, etc

Front matter

And the merry procession marched into the dining-room." — page 24. Taking a Stand BY AMY E. BLANCHARD, Author of "Two Girls," "Girls Together," Etc. ILLUSTRATED BY IDA WAUGH. Philadelphia : GEORGE W. JACOBS & CO., 103 South Fifteenth St. J896. Copyright, 1896, by George \V. Jacobs & Co. To Five or the Dearest Boys in the World, Æig IRepbews, ■fcorace, ffreo, artbut, 3acfe, ano flftaurfce, I Lovingly Dedicate This Story of What One Boy Could Do. CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I Planning 7 II A Removal 22 III Barney 32 IV The Tournament 46 V . Preserves 61 VI The Freshet 72 VII Uncle Joe 87 VIII The Will and The Way 104 IX Some Farewells 120 X Starting Out 134 XI At the Post-Office 147 XII Detective Work 157 XIII Walter Shirley 170 XIV Among the Mountaineers 185 XV A Close Shave 201 XVI Strategy 215 XVII Who Will Win 230 XVIII Where Am I 245 XIX Dowsy 260 XX Home Coming 272 XXI Graduates LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE And the Merky Procession Marched into the Dining-room Frontispiece. Slowey the Knight Advances 59 The Watchers upon the Porch Saw the Little Raft with its Burden 82 "Was the Dawg Much Hurted, Dowsy?" 164 " I Feel Like Rip Van Winkle in the Midst of the Gnomes," Thought Allen

Chapter I. Planning

"Well, anyhow, something must be done," said Allen, looking gloomily out of the window. Robina tucked her feet more decidedly under her where she sat, curled up in a big chair, and re sponded concisely, " Exactly." " It's pretty tough on a fellow," continued Allen. " Yes, I know ; and it's pretty tough on a girl, too. There is no help for it, Allen. We've got to talk it over." Allen looked disturbed. "Now, don't look that way," Robina went on. " What does make boys always fight shy of intricate questions like this? We can't let them slide, Allen. Now you are the man of the family ; do try to shoulder your responsibilities gracefully," and Ro bina drew up her small figure with such a very superior air that Allen succumbed at once, and re sponded, humbly, " Fire away, Bob." " Well," Robina went on, " of course, you want to join the boat club, and I want to belong to the ten nis club, and all that sort of thing, but that is out of the question.

There has got to be an upheaval somewhere, and I believe I've struck it." " Struck what ? The upheaval ?" "No, silly." " How do I know what you are driving at. What makes girls talk all around a thing before they get at it?" said Allen, revenging himself upon Robina for her former superiority. " Because we are girls, I suppose," responded Robina, tranquilly. " Wei**; then, to come to the point. We must stop trying to be what we are not. We must move into a smaller house and live more plainly ; in fact, I have discovered that what we have all our lives been told was pride — our pride shouldn't let us do this and our pride must not let us do that. Allen, it is only weak-mindedness." " I vow." " Yes," nodded Robina, " that's it. Then," irrele vantly, " what did we have for dinner?" "Bread, green peaches, stewed — and, what else?

I forget," " Of course you do. There wasn't anything else." PLANNING. " Nice dinner, wasn't it ?" " A nonsensical, ridiculous, absurd dinner," replied Robina, wrathfully. " What will our breakfast be ?" "What will the harvest be?" sang Allen. "By the way, what kind of a bee is a harvest bee?" " Nonsense," laughed Robina ; then she returned to the matter under discussion. "Now, Allen, I mean this all seriously. Next week the rent will be due, and poor madre will cry and wring her hands, then put on her bonnet and go to Uncle Joe, and he will scowl and lecture, and finally dole out the money to her, because she will look so distressed he can't stand it ; and next month it will be the same if we don't make a firm stand. I say it is a crying shame for us to allow our mother to be humiliated by any one, even by our uncle.

We have no right to be dependent on him or anybody when we have sturdy hearts and strong hands," and Robina stretched out a pair of small fists with the air of one possessing abnormal strength. " The madre says," she continued, " that it is for our sakes that I must marry well, forsooth ; that you must have in fluence to place you in life ; that Agnes, poor little mite, must have proper associates. All very well as far as it goes — but — " and Robina raised an emphasizing finger, " it doesn't go far enough, and you and I have got to take matters into our own hands." " Humph !" responded Allen, thoughtfully. "Of course," continued Robina, " we love the dear madre with all our hearts, and we know," she said loyally, "that she is not to blame, for she was brought up with such ideas, and, until that dreadful time three years ago, she never knew how hard money is to get.

She thinks we must keep up appearances, and never let any one know how poor we are." " I bet people do know," said Allen. " Of course they do." Allen arose from his place on the window-sill, and took two or three turns up and down the room, his hands thrust into his pockets, and his head bent forward in deep thought. Robina watched him, her chin in her hands, and her dark eyes full of tender sympathy, for she knew there was a struggle going on in the young heart. Presently Allen gave a long sigh, and stopped in front of his sister. " It's all right," he said, with boyish awkward ness, shifting from one foot to the other. " I shall give up the scholarship, and go to work." " Oh !" gasped Robina, this was going too far, for her imagination had only touched such experiments as should alter their mode of living, and had not ventured upon considering such a radical change.

" Yes," replied Allen, throwing up his head, with a manly gesture, " that's just it. I know I could have won the scholarship, but college life is too ex pensive for me, and it is just as well to stop now." " But," protested Robina, piteously ; " 0 Allen !" and the tears came into her eyes. She was very PLANNING. proud of this bright young brother of hers, and his future career was dwelt upon in her fair maid mind, often, very often, as she sat dreaming of the days to come. " Never mind, it is done with," Allen went on. "I see my duty, and you, Bob," reproachfully, " ought to be the last to hinder me from doing it." Robina reached out an affectionate, appealing hand, but Allen shook it off with some embarrass ment, and there was silence for some minutes, then Allen asked : " What had you thought of, Bob ?

Had you any plan?" " Only this, to move somewhere that would be within our means. I saw a cunning house, just over by the river, with a garden and a stable, aud I thought it would be real fun to live there, and have chickens and perhaps a cow, and to raise our own vegetables. It is out of the neighborhood of our fashionable friends, but I believe we could have a real good time there. Should you like it, Allen ?" "Should I? You bet. Why we could have larks. I could have the boys out, and we could explore the face of the earth ; it would be great fun. Do you mean over by the mountain, Bob? What side, where the river turns ? It isn't more than four or five miles to the mountain from there. Why, that would be larks," then, after a sudden thought : " Would it be too far from town if I were to get into business, do you think ?"

" No, I think not," returned Robina. " The place I mean isn't so very far, if you take a short cut. It might be in winter, but maybe you could go in with some of the neighbors. Mr. Bennet has the next place and he goes in every day to town." " Oh ! that's the place, is it ? I'd like it first-rate," and Allen became quite enthusiastic over the pos sibilities presented by the new plan. " Wouldn't it be fine if we could have a horse ?" Allen was saying, when the door opened, and Mrs. Brainerd came in. " Hush ! not a word, here comes the madre," whispered Robina. " What are you children doing here in the dark ?" asked their mother, groping her way into the room. " Oh ! just talking; shall I light the gas?" asked Allen. " No, the lamp," responded Robina. " Don't you know the gas was turned off to-day because the bill isn't paid?" she said, in an aside to her brother.

Allen elevated his eyebrows, and proceeded to light the lamp, which made a pleasant glow in the room. It was not an ugly place, most of the furniture was heavy and old-fashioned, but a few good pictures, pretty ornaments, and hangings, gave it quite a homelike look. " Where is Agnes?" asked Allen. " She went out to see Alice Harford," replied his mother. PLANNING. 13 " What in the world did she go away out there for?" " Oh I she thought it would be a pleasant after noon for a walk. Mr. Harford always comes into the town on Friday evenings, and he will bring her home, and I told her to try and get some fresh eggs for breakfast," replied Mrs. Brainerd. " Eggs, my lady ! Madre, dear, have you no money ?" asked Robina. " Not a penny, till the next quarter is due," said Mrs. Brainerd, lifting her hands and letting them fall helplessly in her lap.

" ' The little peach of emerald hue ' for dinner, and ' friendship's offering ' for breakfast ; they will never let her pay for the eggs, you know," whispered Allen to Robina. " Hard trials had them two," responded Robina, with a little burst of mirth. Mrs. Brainerd turned an injured look upon the two. " I believe you would laugh at a funeral," she said, reprovingly. " It's better to laugh than be sighing," returned Robina. " Isn't it really now, madre ? But, to re turn to the doleful question of finance, where is the rent to come from ?" " 0 Robina ! don't remind me of such dreadful things," replied her mother. " It isn't coming at all. I suppose I shall have to go for it ; if Allen were only a man !" and she sighed heavily. " I'm trying to be," said Allen, stretching himself to his full height, which was not inconsiderable.

" Sixteen years old, you know. Poor old madre !" he said, going to her side, " don't bother." " I try not to," she answered sadly, " but our in come is so small, and it is impossible to meet all demands; the rent swallows up everything the first two months, and there is never anything left for the third." Allen gave Robina a comprehensive glance, and said he believed he would go to bed, since lights were scarce. "I'll wait for Agnes," said Robina. "You are tired, mamma ; go to bed, dear." And she kissed the thin face, her eyes filling as she did so. " It is too early yet," answered her mother, " and Agnes will not be out late." " Well, lie down on the lounge." And Robina arranged the pillows, and shaded her mother's eyes from the light, then she took her seat by the win dow. " Here they come," she said, after a time, " and I think there are eggs, because Mr. Harford is carry ing a basket.

I will open the door." " I think the latch is down," said her mother, drowsily. So Robina waited till her sister came in. She was a fair-haired little girl of twelve, with soft blue eyes and a sensitive mouth. She was quite unlike Robina, with her earnest brown eyes and energetic little ways. PLANNING. " How came you to go out to Harford's, Agnes ?" asked Robina, when Agnes had deposited her basket carefully on the table. "Oh I we were talking about the country last night, you know, and I thought it would be nice to go." " Did you walk all the way ?" " Out there, yes. Mr. Harford brought me home with him in his buggy. They are so nice, Robina ! You ought to go out there some Saturday — you and Allen. They insisted upon giving me these eggs to bring to mamma, and would have given me a chicken, but I didn't like to take it."

Robina laughed. " Did you ever know such a ridiculous family ?" she said. " Here we had to strip our only peach tree before the peaches were ripe, so as to have something to eat with our dry-bread dinner, and now we have a basket of eggs given us for breakfast." " I don't think it is very funny," said Agnes, in her soft voice. " I do," said Robina ; " it can't help being funny, it is so absurd." " I felt conscience-stricken all the time I was eat ing my supper," Agnes said. " Such a good supper, Robina, I felt like a sinner to enjoy it, when you at home had so little." " Oh ! never mind ; I am glad one of us had a good supper. Come, let us put away the eggs, and go to bed. Mamma has gone up, and Allen, too." And Robina put her arm around her little sister and hugged her close. As they passed Allen's door Robina paused a moment, but all was still.

Allen was not asleep, however; he was sitting with his elbows on the window-sill, gazing out into the night, and thinking the " long, long thoughts " of youth. Heretofore he had been a happy-go lucky sort of a boy, devoted to his mother and sisters, although he was a little spoiled from being the only son. . He possessed Robina's energy and Agnes's sweet temper, qualities which would serve him well if not over-balanced by undesirable traits. Mrs. Brainerd tried to be a good mother, and in deed had succeeded in most ways, as three very well behaved, refined, affectionate children gave evidence. She was, however, sadly wanting in practical sense, and but for her eldest child, Robina, the others might have been willing always to accept their mother's judgment, no matter how much at fault. Allen, though not exactly unconscious of the family difficulties, had not thought upon them very seriously, with the ease of a pleasure-loving dispo sition, thrusting aside disagreeable subjects until brought face to face with stern fact.

Robina's talk roused him to a true perception of his position, and appealed to all the manliness within him ; once feel ing his responsibilities, he was full of courage, and PLANNING. 17 being possessed of a really firm will, with persistent purpose he was determined to take his place as the rightful head of the house, and meant to enter at once upon his prerogatives. It was of all this he was thinking. He was really a brilliant student and would have received a scholarship admitting him to college had he continued his studies, and it was hard for the boy to give it all up, but his determination once taken nothing could alter it, and when the house was all quiet, he at last arose with a quick, indrawn breath, setting his teeth together, and giving a shake of his head as if he would deny access to all impertinent intrusive desires which might weaken his resolve.

Robina was the first one down the next morning, and had made the fire, thereby soiling her pretty hands, when Allen came down. "I say, Bob," he said, "that's too bad. Why didn't you call me ? Look at your hands." Robina spread out ten grimy fingers and laughed. " AVhere is 'Mandy?" asked Allen. " Poor old 'Mandy ! I simply could not have her staying here for nothing ; she wouldn't go, you know, in spite of her wages being a thing so far-for gotten, that I begin to wonder if she ever had any, so I just told mamma it was shameful, absolutely scandalous, and then mamma cried, and 'Mandy cried, and I cried. Oh ! it was wet weather, I tell you ! but the upshot of it was that I went and told Mrs. Otway that 'Mandy wanted a place, and so she just had to go. That was my first move in the new direction."

" And it was a right one," returned her brother. " But, I tell you, it does seem hard not to see her old black face around. Why, Bob, she nursed papa when he was a baby, and I can't remember the time when she wasn't here." Robina paused thoughtfully, tea-kettle in hand. " Never mind," she said. " We've crossed the Rubi con, Sir Allen, now go 'long and get me a bucket of coal." Allen clattered down the cellar steps and returned with a full bucket. " Good boy !" said his sister. " How will you have your eggs?" " My eggs ? There are eggs, then ?" " Yes, a full dozen, barrin' one, which I used for clearing the coffee." " It seems to me they would be more hearty-like if they were fried." Robina laughed. " Now, that does make them seem meatier — fried they shall be. Now I must go and set the table.

No ; Agnes can do that when she comes down. I think it would be rather fun to do the work," continued the energetic girl, bustling about, " only this house is so big, and one has to take so many steps. Allen, you will have to go after some milk. I have rescued three cents from our ruined fortunes. The milkman has coolly ignored us this morning. I knew the moment PLANNING. 19 would come. There is a point when milkmen will turn, though the milk doesn't." " What a dreadful joke!" laughed Allen. " Give us your pitcher, or bucket, or whatever it is. I am not proud, lady." And Allen started off. " Good child ! You shall have the biggest egg," said Robina, as he came back. " Now let us go to breakfast." AVhen the meal was over and the dishes disposed of, the three children sought their mother. Robina drew a hassock close to the big chair in which Mrs. Brainerd was sitting, and made herself comfortable on the low seat.

Allen stood with his hands in his pockets, looking out of the window, and Agnes leaned over her mother, with an arm about her neck. " Madre, dear," began Robina, " I have thought of a way of paying the rent." " Oh ! have you, Robina ?" responded her mother, eagerly. " Do tell me, it has harassed me so. I could scarcely sleep at all last night." " Don't you remember how Mrs. Hoskins always admired those big, claw-footed tables, and the cabinet in the library ?" " Certainty ; she said several times that they were very valuable, and she is always envying me them ; but what have they to do with the rent?" " I mean they will pay the rent, and more, too." " 0 Robina ! what a dreadful idea ! What will people say?" " That we are honest persons and deserve to get along. Now, madre, we have all conspired against you, and we want you to give up this big house and take a little one, where we can all be more comfortable, and can live cheaper and better.

For what do you care the most in the world ?" " For my children, of course." " Then you will do what will make your children the happiest, won't you ? We all want to give up this extravagance and be economical, sound-minded jieople. So say yes, madre mia." Mrs. Brainerd leaned her head on her hand, and was silent. Robina frowned and nodded at Allen, who had wheeled around and was viewing the group interestedly. He strode up and stood assertively before his mother. "Won't you, mamma?" continued Robina, coax ingly. " What is to become of you girls if I do ? Where can you find ju'oper associates, or how can you go into the society for which you are fitted ?" " Better than we can now if we want to ; but we don't want to. I am not eighteen, but I know my own mind, mamma, and I really do not care a rap about society.

Those who are my true friends will not give me up on account of the house I live in." " That is so," put in Allen ; " I stand up for what Bob says. The fellows are always wanting me to do this and that, and T can't afford it, so I am morti- PLANNING. fied and ashamed ; and if they knew I couldn't afford it they wouldn't ask me. They see we live in a big house, and they think we must be rich. It's all a sham anyhow, and I'm disgusted, and I say it is time it was stopped." " There ! The king has spoken," exclaimed Robina. " But, my dear," said Mrs. Brainerd, turning to her eldest daughter, " how can you give up balls and parties and such things, as you would have to do, very likely, and how are you going to meet eligible men ?" " I don't care at all," replied Robina. " The other girls can have them all."

"And Agnes?" " I think Robin said a true thing," said the little girl, thoughtfully, " when she said it would be a good test, and we should have true friends, not make believe ones. I should like to try, and — Oh ! let us go into the country." Then Allen began to tell of the house by the river, and all three of the young people became so ani mated and excited over the prospect of a garden and country delights that Mrs. Brainerd finally said : " Well, well. If it will make you all a'ny happier, choose your own way ;" and then she put her head down on Robin's shoulder and cried bitterly. They all crowded around her, coaxing and petting her till she began to laugh at their nonsense, and the mat ter was settled,

Chapter II

A KEMOVAL. That evening, about five o'clock, Allen walked in, and beckoned mysteriously to Robin, who fol lowed his flying feet up-stairs to his room ; here he clasped her around the waist, spun her around two or three times, then set her down hard on a chair. " Would von kindly tell me if vou found vourself J__. J V burdened with two much sense, so concluded to get rid of the little you had ?" she asked, when she had taken breath. " No, but I've something to tell you. Behold in me the future restorer of our lost fortunes." " What on earth do you mean 9" " I mean that I have this day entered into a solemn compact with Messrs. Warner, Stein & Com pany to give them the benefit of my services for the magnificent sum of five dollars a week." oo " Allen Brainerd !" " Bob Brainerd ?" " You've gotten ahead of me.

Now I shall cry. Agnes had her turn last night, and the madre this morning," and the tears rolled down Robin's face. " Now, Bob, that is too hard on a fellow." " Well, I won't," said Robin, winking away the tears. " Allen, I am afraid it will be a dreadful shock to mamma." " Oh ! I don't believe it will. Mr. Warner is coming to talk to her, and, I say, Bob, the old jay isn't half a bad lot." "0 Allen!" " Well, I mean, he is a real jolly old party ; he treated me like a friend and a brother, and I'm all right now, don't you mind. I'll work hard and get more salary in no time." " Well, I have a bit of news too. I called on Mrs. Hoskins this morning and asked her about the tables and cabinet. She just jumped at the offer, and said she would send the check for them this evening, a good round sum, too," and Robin named an amount that seemed very large to Allen's ears.

" But," continued Robin, " about an hour ago she drove up and said checks were inconvenient some times, so she just brought the ready monej^, and — Allen !" " What ?" " What vision arises before you ?" " I don't know what? Hurry up and tell me." " Dinner," cried Robin. " Cæsar's ghost ! that's so." "And I must be getting it ready. I've left mamma high and dry. So, one, two, three, I'll beat you down-stairs." " My stars ! how good that smells," exclaimed Allen, as Robin set the steak broiling. " When will it be done, Bob ?" " Oh ! pretty soon," replied she, " a few more turns will do it. Come help me take in the rest of the things," and the merry procession marched into the dining-room, each of the family bearing a covered dish. The next few days were devoted to making ar rangements for the removal.

The landlord made no objection to the short notice, as a tenant was ready for the house. Mr. Warner induced Mrs. Brainerd to give her consent to Allen's leaving school and taking a position in his store, and so the upheaval was really made. The}' had quite a surplus after the rent was paid, so no more "starvation dinners," as Robin called them. The little house by the river was decided upon as just the place for them. Agnes was wild with de light at the prospect of raising chickens and having a garden, and in her exuberance went of her own accord to see Uncle Joe. She was a favorite with the gruff old man, her gentle little ways winning more consideration from him than Robin's more assertive ones ; aud after her visit the little girl came home radiant, with the astounding announce ment that Uncle Joe had given her a cow ! with the understanding that she should learn to milk.

This was considered by the family, despite their ap preciation of the gift, quite a serious condition, re quiring great heroism on the part of Agnes, as she had always stood in deathly terror of cows, and to consent to such close familiarity with one of the horny creatures required real courage on her part. " I am going to have a horse before the year is out," said Allen ; " see if I don't." " I don't see how you are going to acquire such a possession," said Robin. "I know," returned Allen, hammering the top on a box with vigorous strokes. " You never worked so hard in your life, did you, Allen ?" said Agnes, innocently, as she stood watch ing her brother. Robin laughed. " ' Necessity is the mother of invention,' " she said, " and Allen has invented a new self." " I didn't think he would know how to help — he never did before," continued Agnes.

Allen flushed up. " I should be a mean sort of a cur, shouldn't I ? to let my mother and sister do all this hammering and lifting and packing. I hope I'm more of a gentleman." Robin threw down her duster and went over to give him a hug, much to the boy's discomfiture. " Oh ! let up, Bob," he said ; " you girls are so effusive. Can't you let a fellow be half-way decent without babying him and mewling over him." " Yes, my elegant sir, I can," laughed Robin. " Kindly show your prowess by climbing up there and handing me down that biggest dish without breaking it, and I will cease my unwelcome atten tions. There !" she continued, as Allen did her bid ding. " I shall soon have the crockery all packed. Oh ! by the way, do you know 'Mandy wouldn't stay at the Otway's, and she has come back and just set tled herself.

She declares she won't go." " Well, we shall have to keep her now," said Allen, importantly. " I will see that she has her wages. That shall be my special expense, Bob." " 0 Allen ! that will be fine," responded his sis ter. " I have been puzzling over it. I think our income can be stretched out far enough to cover everything but the extras, and the extras are what have been perplexing my financially inclined thoughts. If you shoulder 'Mandy, that much will be off my mind." " Fancy my shouldering 'Mandy," laughed Allen. " Can't you see the spectacle ?" Robin joined in his laugh ; then she went on saying : " I have a little scheme, a tender, budding scheme, by which I hope to add to the family ex chequer. I will tell you of it later, when the bud is ready for blossoming, and you musn't offer an ob jection."