Only an Irish Boy; Or, Andy Burke's Fortunes Read online

  CHAPTER XANDY'S DEBUT AT SCHOOL

  The first of September came, and with it came the opening of the fallschools. On the first day, when Andy, at work in the yard, saw theboys and the girls go by with their books, he felt a longing to go,too. He knew very well that his education had been very muchneglected, and that he knew less of books than a boy of his age oughtto do.

  "I wish I could go to school this term," he said to himself; "but it'sno use wishin'. Mother needs my wages, and I must keep on workin'."

  The same thought had come to the Misses Grant. Andy had been in theiremploy now for six weeks, and by his unfailing good humor andreadiness to oblige, had won their favor. They felt interested in hisprogress, and, at the same moment that the thought referred to passedthough Andy's mind, Miss Priscilla said to her sister:

  "The fall school begins to-day. There's Godfrey Preston just passedwith some books under his arm."

  "Just so."

  "I suppose Andrew would like to be going to school with other boys ofhis age."

  "Just so."

  "Don't you think we could spare him to go half the day?"

  "Just so," said Sophia, with alacrity.

  "There isn't so much work to do now as there was in the summer, and hecould do his chores early in the morning. He could go to school in theforenoon and work in the afternoon."

  "Just so, Priscilla. Shall we give him less wages?"

  "No, I think not. He needs the money to give his mother."

  "Call him in and tell him," suggested Sophia.

  "It will do at dinner time."

  "Just so."

  When the dinner was over, and Andy rose from the table, Miss Priscillaintroduced the subject.

  "Are you a good scholar, Andrew?"

  "I'm a mighty poor one, ma'am."

  "Did you ever study much?"

  "No, ma'am, I've had to work ever since I was so high," indicating apoint about two feet from the ground.

  "Dear me," said Sophia, "you must have been very small."

  "Yes, ma'am, I was very small of my size."

  "I've been thinking, Andrew, that perhaps we could spare you half theday, so that you could go to school in the forenoon--you could learnsomething in three hours--should you like it?"

  "Would I like it, ma'am? Wouldn't I, though? I don't want to grow up apoor, ignorant crathur, hardly able to read and write."

  "Then you can go to school to-morrow, and ask the teacher if he willtake you for half the day. You can get up early, and get your choresdone before school."

  "Oh, yes, ma'am, I can do that easy."

  "I think we have some schoolbooks in the house. Some years ago we hada nephew stay with us, and go to school. I think his books are stillin the closet."

  "Thank you, ma'am. It'll save me buyin', and I haven't got any moneyto spare."

  "We shall give you the same wages, Andrew, though you will work less."

  "Thank you, ma'am. You're very kind."

  "Try to improve your time in school, as becomes the great-grandson ofsuch a distinguished orator."

  "I'll try, ma'am," said Andy, looking a little queer at this allusionto the great Edmund Burke. In fact, he was ashamed of having deceivedthe kind old ladies, but didn't like now to own up to the deceptionlest they should lose confidence in him. But he determined hereafterto speak the truth, and not resort to deception.

  The next morning, at twenty minutes of nine, Andy left the houseprovided with books, and joyfully took his way to the schoolhouse,which was a quarter of a mile distant. As he ascended the small hillon which it stood, he attracted the attention of a group of boys whohad already arrived. Among them was his old adversary, GodfreyPreston.

  "Is that Irish boy coming to school?" he said in a tone of disgust.

  "What? Andy Burke? I hope so," said Charles Fleming, "he's a goodfellow."

  "He's only an Irish boy," said Godfrey, with a sneer.

  "And I am only an American boy," said Charles, good-humoredly.

  "You can associate with him if you want to; I shan't," said Godfrey.

  "That's where I agree with you, Godfrey," said Ben Travers, who madehimself rather a toady of Godfrey's.

  Andy had now come up, so that Charles Fleming did not reply, butcalled out, cordially:

  "Are you coming to school, Andy?"

  "Yes," said Andy.

  "I'm glad of it."

  "Thank you," said Andy. "What's the matter with them fellows," asGodfrey and Bill Travers walked off haughtily, tossing their heads.

  Charles Fleming laughed.

  "They don't think we are good enough for their company," he said.

  "I'm not anxious for it," said Andy. "I like yours better."

  "I didn't think you could get away from work to come to school. Areyou working for Miss Grant now?"

  "Yes, but she lets me come to school half the day. She's a bully ouldlady."

  "Well, half a loaf's better than no bread. Will you sit with me? I'vegot no one at my desk. Say yes."

  "It's just what I'd like, Charlie, but maybe Godfrey Preston wants tosit with me. I wouldn't like to disappoint him," said Andy, with slyhumor.

  "Sit with me till he invites you, then."

  "That'll be a long day."

  They went into the schoolhouse, and Andy deposited his books in thedesk next to Charlie Fleming's. He couldn't have wished for a betteror more agreeable companion. Charlie was the son of Dr. Fleming, thevillage physician, and was a general favorite in the town on accountof his sunny, attractive manner. But, with all his affability, he wasindependent and resolute, if need be. He was one of the leaders of theschool. Godfrey aspired also to be a leader, and was to some extent onaccount of his father's wealth and high standing, for, as we haveseen, Colonel Preston was not like his son. Still, it is doubtfulwhether anyone was much attached to Godfrey. He was too selfish indisposition, and offensively consequential in manner, to inspiredevoted friendship. Ben Travers, however, flattered him, and followedhim about, simply because he was the son of a rich man. Such casesoccur sometimes among American schoolboys, but generally they are toodemocratic and sensible to attach importance to social distinctions inthe schoolroom, or in the playground.

  When the teacher--a certain Ebenezer Stone, a man of thirty orupward--entered, Andy went up to him and asked permission to attendschool a part of the time. As there had been such cases in formerterms, no objection was offered by the teacher, and Andy went back tohis seat, a regularly admitted member of the school.

  It was found necessary to put him in a low class to begin with. He wasnaturally bright, but, as we know, his opportunities of learning hadbeen very limited, and he could not be expected to know much. But Andywas old enough now to understand the worth of knowledge, and hedevoted himself so earnestly to study that in the course of threeweeks he was promoted to a higher class. This, however, isanticipating.

  When recess came, the scholars poured out upon the playround. CharlesFleming and Godfrey Preston happened to pass out side by side.

  "I see you've taken that Irish boy to sit with you," he said.

  "You mean Andy Burke? Yes, I invited him to be my desk-fellow."

  "I congratulate you on your high-toned and aristocratic associate,"observed Godfrey, sarcastically.

  "Thank you. I am glad to have him with me."

  "I wouldn't condescend to take him into my seat."

  "Nor do I. There isn't any condescension about it."

  "He works for a living."

  "So does my father, and so does yours. Are you going to cut yourfather's acquaintance for that reason?"

  "My father could live without work."

  "He doesn't choose to, and that's where he shows his good sense."

  "It's a different kind of work from sawing and splitting wood, andsuch low labor."

  "It strikes me, Godfrey, that you ought to have been born somewhereelse than in America. In this country labor is considered honorable.You ought to be living under a monarchy."

  "I don't believe in
associating with inferiors."

  "I don't look upon Andy Burke as my inferior," said Charlie. "He ispoor, to be sure, but he is a good fellow, and helps support hismother and sister, as I would do in his place."

  "Charlie Fleming," was heard from the playground, "come and choose upfor baseball."

  Without waiting for an answer, Charlie ran to the field alongside theschoolhouse, where the game was to take place.