Mr. Holwell

“ If Nat counted on Mr. Holwell being a man of peace because he wore the garb of a minister, he made one of the greatest mistakes of his life. Those who knew the reverend gentleman better could have told him that for a man of his years he was as fine an athlete as could be found in that section of the country.
Harry Bartlett was now alongside Mr. Holwell. His face was white with indignation, and his eyes sparkled dangerously. Watching anxiously, Dick saw the minister suddenly turn toward the Y. M. C. A. leader, and nod his head. ”

“ Holwell.”
“Yes, but use it in moderation,” explained the minister, “and then only in love. If I had a boy of my own I would never whip or punish him for heedless things he may have done without a heart-to-heart talk with him afterwards, and a reconciliation. Harsh actions do not profit one in the case of boys. I really believe it only serves to make them think they are being imposed upon, and their liberties destroyed, which leads to open rebellion.”
“Well, since you ask it as a favor, Mr. Holwell,” the deacon went on to say, reluctantly, “I will promise to forego my threat this time. ”

“ Holwell, smiling at the apt designation given by Dan, for, regardless of the librarian’s intellectual gifts, it seemed to fit him.
When the two sauntered near the place where the boys were talking, Dan was getting up as though to leave. He did not notice the presence of Mr. Holwell, but was shaking his forefinger in Humbert’s face. That individual looked worried, as though he felt the crushing force of the [Pg 126] arguments Dan had been heaping up before him.
“I tell you, Humbert Loft,” they heard Dan say with emphasis, “boys can’t be treated as if they were machines. ”

“ Holwell among the rest—and nothing was to be left to chance. Peg was always a great hand for system, and enjoyed having an opportunity to put a few pet theories of his into practice.
“You see,” explained the proud librarian, “every book here has been approved by Mr. Holwell, who has made a study of juvenile literature. He knows as well as anything that boys can’t be forced to read books they don’t like; and so he says the only way is to give them books with enough healthful adventure to make them want to read, and with the right kind of uplifting sentiment mixed in to leaven the dough.” ”

“ Holwell realized that he had made no mistake in getting up the entertainment with the object of arousing fresh interest in the work he was doing.
“And the best part of it all is,” remarked Dick, as he and several others talked over matters one afternoon when on the way home from school, “we’re going to have a glorious time week after week from now on, what with the lectures, the gymnasium nights, the regular meetings, and all the fun that’s in store for us.”
“Yes,” added Leslie, “Mr. Holwell never knows when to stop once he gets started doing things for boys. ”

“ Holwell could call them up on the ’phone if it got too smoky.”
“I understand that nearly two dozen applications are already in,” remarked Phil, “so there ought to be something of a crowd out at the meeting. I’m wild to know just what the plans are.”
“First of all,” said Peg, “there’s going to be a small initiation fee, and monthly dues, just to help pay expenses, and make the boys feel it isn’t a charity. That’s Mr. Holwell’s idea; he doesn’t believe boys like to be given everything. And one of the rules is going to be that they must earn the amount of their entering fee and dues.” ”

“ Nocker as changed as he is, any little mother might be glad to have him for a father-in-law. I’m wild to tell my folks all about it. Mother will be so delighted, I know.”
“And wasn’t Mr. Holwell pleased, too?” continued Leslie, reflectively. “I guess he hardly understands what has happened to crabbed Deacon Nocker.”
[169] “Oh! yes he does,” stoutly asserted Dick. “Mr. Holwell makes a study of human nature. He knows boys from the ground up, and sour old men as well. He told mother that love alone could redeem Jed Nocker.” ”

“ Holwell, Mr. Bartlett, the physical director and Dick, as camp leaders.
“Hadn’t we better take something along with us, to defend ourselves in case he turns out to be ugly?” asked Dick.
“Yes, I suppose that would be only a wise provision,” returned Mr. Holwell, “for one never knows what a crazy person may do. They are also possessed of enormous strength as a usual thing. Get any sort of club you can find, boys.” ”

“ Holwell, with a cheery smile. “You see, I was taking home this pair of opera glasses for my wife, after having had them repaired. As I came along I chanced to be testing them, and as luck would have it, I followed Alonzo as he ran forward to take that liner.”
“Yes, sir!” said Dick, eagerly. “And if anybody could know just what happened at the time he rolled over you should, I guess.”
“Alonzo did drop the ball, though he snatched it up instantly,” said Mr. Holwell. “I saw him do it distinctly. Of course he is just trying to have some fun out of the occurrence. Isn’t that so, Alonzo?” ”

“ Dick now and then cast a look in their direction, and wondered if they really would have the nerve to try and give Mr. Holwell trouble. Knowing the effrontery of Nat so well, he had a strong suspicion that something was brewing.
“Most of you already know the main object of this meeting,” said Mr. Holwell, after his upraised hand had called for silence. “Some of us a bit ago came to the conclusion that the growing boys [60] of Cliffwood had been neglected too long, and that it was high time something was done to give them much more pleasure than can be found on the streets of nights. ”

“ Just then, however, he gave the matter no further thought, for he was too full of excitement to bother about small things like Nat Silmore’s resentment.
The boys once more trooped into the room and resumed their seats. Mr. Holwell looked as calm as ever, though he and Harry Bartlett exchanged a humorous smile or two. Indeed, Dick found himself wondering if the elder gentleman might not really have enjoyed forgetting his peaceful [66] calling for a brief moment, and proving himself a muscular Christian, ready to stand up for the right. ”

“ The gentlemen of the Service and the officers, both those of the army and the ships, were resolved to preserve their honour by dying where they stood rather than yield, but there was a discontented spirit abroad in the lower ranks, which were full of Dutchmen, To-passes, and Armenians, few English being left. Among these men Mr Holwell divided three chests of treasure in the hope of pacifying them, and even went so far in yielding to their demands as to send to Omy Chund in his prison, requesting him to accept of his release and go to treat with the Nabob for us. ”

“ But then, I guess he only tells me that because he is my chum.”
“Don’t think of tearing it up, my boy,” urged the minister, earnestly. “Many a famous man has had his hours of doubt, and come near abandoning the career he had marked out for himself. You are no judge of your own productions. Older heads must decide on the merits of the compositions. Promise me that no matter what you think you will finish the farce and hand it in.”
“Oh! I can promise you that, sir,” replied Dick, flushing with pleasure, since he felt that Mr. Holwell had a certain amount of confidence in him. ”

“ Nat and Dit were on hand, for they never missed an opportunity to be present on “gym” night. Indeed, Dick strongly suspected it was this [125] very thing that had tempted Nat and his cronies to swallow their pride, and send that apology to Mr. Holwell.
Being quite an athlete, Nat always took a leading part in the varied exercises of the gymnasium. He could do many feats that caused some of the other less muscular and agile boys to envy him very much.
Mr. Holwell, who read boys so well, understood that it was only a slender hold the association had on such a wild fellow as Nat. ”

“ The Jemmautdar who had gone away was now returned, saying that the Nabob was asleep, and he durst not wake him; but being of a more humane temper than his fellows, this man ordered several skins of water (these serve as bottles) to be brought to the bars of the window where Mr Holwell sat, and the sight of this relief appeared to turn all the sufferers into maniacs, fighting with each other for the very smallest portion. The gentlemen on the window-sill, passing their hats through the bars, and bringing them back filled with water, did their utmost to supply every one ”

“ Bartlett to have it done to-morrow, for Mr. Holwell talks of having to go back home on the next day!” Dick declared.
“We’ll all be sorry to see the last of him, Dick.”
“That’s right,” agreed the other, earnestly. “Mr. Holwell is one man among a million when it comes to knowing just how to wind boys around his finger. But then that’s because he loves boys so. No man can have control over them unless he is thinking and planning for their benefit night and day.”
“I reckon you’re right there,” Leslie asserted. “Boys are a heap like animals. A dog knows by instinct who’s his friend. ”

“ I swear I will teach you that it is safer to stand in the path of a mad elephant than to disobey the least command of Surajah Dowlah!”
He rolled his eyes savagely as he made these threats, which struck dismay into the stoutest of us. Mr. Holwell attempted no further answer, and presently the Nabob rose in a fury and marched out of the hall, giving no orders concerning our disposal.
As soon as he was gone the general of his army, Meer Jaffier, came down off the daïs and approached us. He began offering some expressions of sympathy to Mr. ”

“ As for your father, I do not say; it may be that the old man would be better off in captivity. But I take it on myself that you shall be released without delay. I will go straight and speak about it.”
He said all this so readily that I could not feel sure he was not sincere. Marian, poor girl, gladly believed him, and gave me a look which was plainly meant to protest against my entertaining evil thoughts of Rupert. He hurried away, as he had said, and at the same time Mr. Holwell was sent for again to the Nabob. ”

“ When the great news concerning the boys of Cliffwood had circulated around town during the next few days it created no end of talk. Everywhere it caused the most intense excitement among the rising generation. Parents in particular commended the plan of Mr. Holwell as a means for gripping the restless activities of the town boys, and turning them into some more useful channel than loitering about the streets at night and playing all sorts of practical jokes. ”

“ Holwell is willing to give them all the chances he can to make good, but you know that he isn’t going to stand too much nonsense,” Dick continued. “If Nat starts a racket he’ll find himself outside the door in a hurry, unless I miss my guess.”
“We’ll soon be rid of him then,” laughed the other boy, “because it’s just as natural for Nat to make himself disagreeable as it is for water to run down hill. But this is great news you’ve been telling me, Dick. Queer that I didn’t guess it must have had some connection with Mr. Holwell, because he’s always thinking how he can help the boys along.” ”

“ Of course when Andy made this surprising report the rest of the boys were of a mind to rush over in a body to joke Dan, and perhaps make fun of his labors. Mr. Holwell, however, dissuaded them.
“Better leave Dan to finish his trap, boys,” he told them. “He’s a busy fellow these days it seems, and deserves success if anybody does. If he needs any help you’ll hear him call for it. In the meanwhile don’t thrust yourselves where evidently you’re not wanted.” ”

“ The names were taken down in regular order, for the boys proved eager to enter themselves as prospective members of the new organization. Many had come provided with the money for the small initiation fee; others were promised a chance to earn it in due time, and entered under that arrangement.
“I do not want a single boy present to feel that he is being debarred from joining tonight,” Mr. Holwell announced, on seeing several hang back. “Be frank with me, and tell me what you aim to do so as to earn the amount necessary to pay your initiation fee. ”

“ Holwell renewed his protestations, urging me by no means to neglect Rupert’s offer.
“But how is it, sir,” he added, speaking not unkindly, “that I find you, an Englishman, and a relation of young Mr. Ford, in these parts, and apparently in a position of influence with the natives?”
“Oh, as to that, it is an old story,” replied my cousin, coolly. “I came to Bengal first by land from the Malabar coast, in the time of the late Nabob, and for that reason I was not at first included in the hatred which Surajah Dowlah bore to the English on the Hooghley. ”

“ Leslie looked at his chum seriously and then went on to say:
“Mebbe I can give a pretty good guess what he said, Dick; but some other time you may take a notion to tell me. Mr. Holwell is a fine man, and if anybody can control the boys of Cliffwood, he ought to. But I’ve got an errand in town, so I’ll [33] have to break away from you, expecting to see you at the house at eight sharp tomorrow morning. Then ho! for the shellbarks by the bushel, enough for a whole winter’s supply.” ”

“ Holwell caught his arm.
“Please wait a minute, Deacon Nocker,” said the minister, seriously. “You might in your calmer moments regret having caused the Widow Horner additional sorrow. We all know she has seen enough, as it is. If you will listen to my advice it may not be necessary for you to proceed to such extreme measures as to cause the arrest of those good-hearted, but reckless, lads.”
“Boys should be taken in hand and treated severely if you want them to amount to anything, Mr. ”