St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-05-19

"My name is Norval. On the Gram
plan hills
"Oh, yes,n said Rob, "rve heard oi
you often-know you in fact
Eyes, and | know Tom Brown OF
Rugby"
''Do you now? Give us your hand
Sit down by the fire"
"No, ! thank you. Pm never cold =
and the tall figure grew taller and
wider, and the fire shone right through
him, and yet he excited no fear or sur
prise in Rob. Il make it IA point to
visit boys who are to influence public
mind A. d. 1900. Thought I'd call
around and tell you, as | told Tom
Brown twenty-five years ago, 'YOuI
work is to lead boys"
"Ahi Where to ?" said Rob, stand
ing unabashed before his old visitor,
looking him square in the eye, his
thumbs thrust III the arm-hOles of his
jacket.
"To a field of fame as yet untrod,
said the visitor, with a grand indef-
mite flourish of his right hand. ''l
heard you say to your mother that all
the glorious battles had been fought
lClC ailC lllllllOllS vi bONS Iol
IA leader in a new and glorious cru
SADIE"
eyes. "That Crusade of the Chill
dren' was my last history lesson. If
Tim Wilds recited his part right, it
was a grand failure"
"NO failure. This crusade is itself a
victory, sure to every boy that has
ever been in the Paynim's ranks, just
as long as he keeps in the lists. You
hear of the coming the coming wO-
man"
"Yes," interrupted Rob, "Tve just
heard of her; she's hurt-'the coming
man was tight on fathers cider. I'd
like to 'muss' him."
"Yes, | heard, too. But listen. It's
the coming boy that is to overturn the
greatest social evil of the world. He
must have talent with pen and tongue !;
must be able to draw after him the
children, as did my cousin, the Pied
Piper of Hamelin; must have such a
brave, fresh spirit, that if he were to
live hundred years he would still be
a boy. It's the coming boy that is
to lead the wOrld-one whose heart is
pure, whose head is
'Level. You mean me | presume.
Stay to supperP Mother would like
to talk with you"
81 am the Spirit of the Age. Hear
me. Men have tried this crusade, but
they are beginning to acknowledge
that there's no victory unless the boys
undertake it; and all the boys need is
a leading spirit to incite, organize,
consolidate and there will arise a
knighthood that King Arthur would
have sworn by There will be drag
ons trampled under foot that will
make St. George of England enviOus I;
yOu shall have IL tongue of silver, and
will give you this pen of fire"
"What are you doing, Rob? You've
tipped over the candle ~
"Pen of fire candle Oh! yes"
rubbing his eyes. "That you, father9
Was it you standing there before the
fire ~
''Do you believe in dreams, motherG"
said Rob, that night, when his mother
lighted him to bed
Sin good dreams, Rob" Then he
told her of his.
"That was "A good dream, Rob"
''Yes, mother; and | have chosen
my profession. There are leaders of
men and leaders of women; but, new
er since the days of Peter the Hermit,
has there been IA leader of boys. If
have IA pen of fire and tongue of sill
yer, that's what I'll be. I'll make II
crusade against rum, and lead the boys.
III be st. George, and choke the drag
on. I'm getting things mixed little
but you understand, mother"
And 'mother," who was silently
sending up prayer of thanksgiving,
kissed her boy, and he knew she un-
derstOod.