It was a rainy Sunday afternoon, and four boys were trying tospend it quietly in the "liberry," as Jamie called the room devotedto books and boys, at Aunt Jessie's. Will and Geordie weresprawling on the sofa, deep in the adventures of the scapegracesand ragamuffins whose histories are now the fashion. Archielounged in the easy chair, surrounded by newspapers; Charliestood upon the rug, in an Englishman's favourite attitude, and, Iregret to say, both were smoking cigars.
"It is my opinion that this day will never come to an end," saidPrince, with a yawn that nearly rent him asunder.
"Read and improve your mind, my son," answered Archie, peeringsolemnly over the paper behind which he had been dozing.
"Don't you preach, parson, but put on your boots and come out fora tramp, instead of mulling over the fire like a granny.""No, thank you, tramps in an easterly storm don't strike me asamusing." There Archie stopped and held up his hand, for apleasant voice was heard saying outside"Are the boys in the library, auntie?""Yes, dear, and longing for sunshine; so run in and make it forthem," answered Mrs. Jessie.
"It's Rose," and Archie threw his cigar into the fire.
"What's that for?" asked Charlie.
"Gentlemen don't smoke before ladies.""True; but I'm not going to waste my weed," and Prince poked hisinto the empty inkstand that served them for an ash tray.
A gentle tap at the door was answered by a chorus of "Come in,"and Rose appeared, looking blooming and breezy with the chillyair.
"If I disturb you, say so, and I'll go away," she began, pausing onthe threshold with modest hesitation, for something in the elderboys' faces excited her curiosity.
"You never disturb us, cousin," said the smokers, while the readerstore themselves from the heroes of the bar-room and gutter longenough to nod affably to their guest.
As Rose bent to warm her hands, one end of Archie's cigar stuckout of the ashes, smoking furiously and smelling strongly.
"Oh, you bad boys, how could you do it, to-day of all days?" shesaid reproachfully.
"Where's the harm?" asked Archie.
"You know as well as I do; your mother doesn't like it, and it's abad habit, for it wastes money and does you no good.""Fiddlesticks! every man smokes, even Uncle Alec, whom youthink so perfect," began Charlie, in his teasing way.
"No, he doesn't! He has given it up, and I know why," cried Roseeagerly.
"Now I think of it, I haven't seen the old meerschaum since hecame home. Did he stop it on our account?" asked Archie.
"Yes," and Rose told the little scene on the seashore in thecamping-out time.
Archie seemed much impressed, and said manfully, "He won'thave done that in vain so far as I'm concerned. I don't care a pinabout smoking, so can give it up as easy as not, and I promise you Iwill. I only do it now and then for fun.""You too?" and Rose looked up at the bonny Prince, who neverlooked less bonny than at that moment, for he had resumed hiscigar just to torment her.
Now Charlie cared as little as Archie about smoking, but it wouldnot do to yield too soon: so he shook his head, gave a great puff,and said loftily"You women are always asking us to give up harmless little thingsjust because you don't approve of them. How would you like it ifwe did the same by you, miss?""If I did harmful or silly things, I'd thank you for telling me ofthem, and I'd try to mend my ways," answered Rose heartily.
"Well, now, we'll see if you mean what you say. I'll give upsmoking to please you, if you will give up something to pleaseme," said Prince, seeing a good chance to lord it over the weakervessel at small cost to himself.
"I'll agree if it is as foolish as cigars.""Oh, it's ever so much sillier.""Then I promise; what is it?" and Rose quite trembled with anxietyto know which of her pet habits or possessions she must lose.
"Give up your ear-rings," and Charlie laughed wickedly, sure thatshe would never hold to that bargain.
Rose uttered a cry and clapped both hands to her ears where thegold rings hung.
"Oh, Charlie, wouldn't anything else do as well? I've been throughso much teasing and trouble, I do want to enjoy my prettyear-rings, for I can wear them now.""Wear as many as you like, and I'll smoke in peace," returned thisbad boy.
"Will nothing else satisfy you?" imploringly.
"Nothing," sternly.
Rose stood silent for a minute, thinking of something Aunt Jessieonce said "You have more influence over the boys than you know;use it for their good, and I shall thank you all my life." Here was achance to do some good by sacrificing a little vanity of her own.
She felt it was right to do it, yet found it very hard, and askedwistfully"Do you mean never wear them, Charlie?""Never, unless you want me to smoke.""I never do.""Then clinch the bargain."He had no idea she would do it, and was much surprised when shetook the dear rings from her ears, with a quick gesture, and heldthem out to him, saying, in a tone that made the colour come up tohis brown cheek, it was so full of sweet good will"I care more for my cousins than for my ear-rings, so I promise,and I'll keep my word.""For shame, Prince! let her wear her little danglers if she likes, anddon't bargain about doing what you know is right," cried Archie,coming out of his grove of newspapers with an indignant bounce.
But Rose was bent on showing her aunt that she could use herinfluence for the boys' good, and said steadily"It is fair, and I want it to be so, then you will believe I'm inearnest. Here, each of you wear one of these on your watch-guardto remind you. I shall not forget, because very soon I cannot wearear-rings if I want to."As she spoke, Rose offered a little ring to each cousin, and theboys, seeing how sincere she was, obeyed her. When the pledgeswere safe, Rose stretched a hand to each, and the lads gave hers ahearty grip, half pleased and half ashamed of their part in thecompact.
Just at that moment Dr. Alec and Mrs. Jessie came in.
"What's this? Dancing Ladies' Triumph on Sunday?" exclaimedUncle Alec, surveying the trio with surprise.
"No, sir, it is the Anti-Tobacco League. Will you join?" saidCharlie, while Rose slipped away to her aunt, and Archie buriedboth cigars behind the back log.
When the mystery was explained, the elders were well pleased,and Rose received a vote of thanks, which made her feel as if shehad done a service to her country, as she had, for every boy whogrows up free from bad habits bids fair to make a good citizen.
"I wish Rose would drive a bargain with Will and Geordie also, forI think these books are as bad for the small boys as cigars for thelarge ones," said Mrs. Jessie, sitting down on the sofa between thereaders, who politely curled up their legs to make room for her.
"I thought they were all the fashion," answered Dr. Alec, settling inthe big chair with Rose.
"So is smoking, but it is harmful. The writers of these popularstories intend to do good, I have no doubt, but it seems to me theyfail because their motto is, 'Be smart, and you will be rich,' insteadof 'Be honest, and you will be happy.' I do not judge hastily, Alec,for I have read a dozen, at least, of these stories, and, with muchthat is attractive to boys, I find a great deal to condemn in them,and other parents say the same when I ask them.""Now, Mum, that's too bad! I like 'em tip-top. This one is a regularscreamer," cried Will.
"They're bully books, and I'd like to know where's the harm,"added Geordie.
"You have just shown us one of the chief evils, and that is slang,"answered their mother quickly.
"Must have it, ma'am. If these chaps talked all right, there'd be nofun in 'em," protested Will.
"A boot-black mustn't use good grammar, and a newsboy mustswear a little, or he wouldn't be natural," explained Geordie, bothboys ready to fight gallantly for their favourites.
"But my sons are neither boot-blacks nor newsboys, and I object tohearing them use such words as 'screamer,' 'bully,' and 'buster.' Infact, I fail to see the advantage of writing books about such peopleunless it is done in a very different way. I cannot think they willhelp to refine the ragamuffins if they read them, and I'm sure theycan do no good to the better class of boys, who through thesebooks are introduced to police courts, counterfeiters' dens,gambling houses, drinking saloons, and all sorts of low life.""Some of them are about first-rate boys, mother; and they go to seaand study, and sail ro............