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Title: Rollo in Society
A Guide for Youth
Author: George S. Chappell
Illustrator: William Hogarth, Jr.
Release Date: March 3, 2010 [EBook #31478]
Language: English
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ROLLO IN SOCIETY
A GUIDE FOR YOUTH
BY
GEORGE S. CHAPPELL
EMBELLISHED WITH CUTS BY
WM. HOGARTH, JR.
_A NEW EDITION, REVISED BY THE AUTHOR_
G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS
NEW YORK AND LONDON
The Knickerbocker Press
1922
Copyright, 1922
by
George S. Chappell
Made in the United States of America
[Illustration: ROLLO]
NOTICE TO PARENTS
Although this little book is primarily intended for the entertainment
of youthful readers, it is hoped by the writer that it may also aid in
accomplishing a number of useful purposes and may prove to be, in the
hands of parents, a guide for the modern child through the devious
paths which his or her feet must inevitably tread.
It is now many years since our little friend Rollo has appeared
between the covers of a book. Readers of an earlier generation will
recall that Rollo's environment in their day was that of the farm,
the woods, the fields, the brooks, and, at proper intervals and always
under the care of Jonas, the village. Inevitably time has wrought
changes with these simple elements of our social background and it was
to be expected that Rollo's family would, at some period, be swept by
the current of events into closer contact with the life of the great
cities which were growing up about them. Thus it is with no surprise
that parents should see the little fellow in situations far removed
from the woodshed and the hay-barn.
Rollo has much to learn in the City, much of cleverness, of
politeness, and of knowledge of seemly behaviour amid surroundings to
which he has been a stranger.
But it is the belief of the author that while Rollo may learn much, he
too may teach. He, too, brings with him lessons which the writer feels
may be studied to advantage by both children and adults in the City.
Among certain useful purposes they may accomplish the following.
1. A cultivation of the _amiable and gentle qualities of the
heart_. Wherever the scenes of this book are laid, Rollo's
character and conduct described are generally--with the
exception of some of the ordinary exhibitions of childish
folly--of a kind to be imitated; for it is far better in
dealing with children, to allure them to what is right by
agreeable pictures of it, than to attempt to drive them to it
by repulsive delineations of what is wrong.
2. The instruction, especially of parents, in the
_temptations_ to which _childhood_ is often thoughtlessly
exposed, which in the guise of narrative are here explained
and set forth so that the reader may be both improved and
entertained.
3. The imparting of _useful rules of conduct_ by which all
ages may profit. It will be seen, for instance, how Rollo's
Parents are constantly endeavouring to teach him habits of
thrift, honesty, and order. He is urged to take care of his
things, his books, his pencils, his toys. Here is a lesson
all may learn. Consider only the subject of books--let us say
_this_ book. It is your book because you have bought it with
your own money. How wrong, then, to injure or deface it, to
lose it or even to lend it. Nay, it is more unfortunate to
lend it than to lose it for if you lose it you may easily buy
another but if you lend it you not only deprive someone of
the pleasure they might have had in making a purchase for
themselves but you also take from the author's pocket the few
pennies he might have received from the printer had you not
acted so thoughtlessly.
If my readers but learn any of these lessons, particularly the last,
the Author will be content.
G. S. C.
CONTENTS
PAGE
ROLLO IN SOCIETY 3
ROLLO'S DAY WITH A DÉBUTANTE 21
ROLLO'S WEEK-END IN THE COUNTRY 42
ROLLO'S EVENING WITH UNCLE GEORGE 63
ROLLO AMONG THE ARTISTS 89
ROLLO'S ROMANCE 115
ROLLO GOES A-SHOPPING 138
THE END OF LITTLE ROLLO 154
ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
Rollo _Frontispiece_
"He was playing with some bright shells" 7
Rollo's Father 13
Rollo's Mother 17
"At everything Rollo said Stella and
Anabelle laughed very loud" 27
"I have been angling in the fountain" 37
"A gentleman in a dress suit took his lunch-box" 49
"Mr. Robbins turned and said something I can not print" 59
"Rollo never dreamed that ladies could be so beautiful" 69
"Rollo, catching the spirit of the evening, joined merrily
in the conversation" 77
"It was but the work of a moment to undress and leap into
bed" 85
"How would you like to visit Greenwich Village?" 95
"Never in his life had Rollo seen such a strange woman" 109
"Round about the great arena stretched thousands of
people" 119
"--it seemed to him that he kissed her" 131
"Everything within was very grand and gloomy" 143
"Can you not imagine Anabelle's joy when she opened all
these presents?" 149
"Gentlemen, with your kind permission I will read a
poem" 161
"--what a happy ending it is!" 169
ROLLO IN SOCIETY
When Rollo was between ten and eleven years old he was seated one day
in the little arbor which Jonas had built for him. He was playing with
some bright stones and shells which his Uncle George had brought him
from the seashore, setting them in rows on the edge of his comfortable
bench or, again, marching them in columns as he had seen the soldiers
go during training-week. One shell in particular, Rollo admired
greatly. It was a large clam-shell in which was a beautiful picture of
a light-house and a ship in the distance and below were the words
"Souvenir of Atlantic City."
"How pretty," thought Rollo, "and how clever of a clam to decorate his
home so! But I did not know that they could also write."
While he was absorbed in these reflections he heard his mother's voice
calling, "Rol-lo, Rol-lo."
At first, Rollo had a great mind not to go for he disliked being
disturbed while he was busy with his shells. However, he finally
decided it would be best to obey, so, gathering up his stones and
placing the clam-shell in his pocket, he ran toward the house. In the
entry he found his father, his mother, and Jonas awaiting him. It was
evident from their expression that something of importance had
happened.
"What do you think, Rollo?" his mother inquired. "We are going to move
to the city."
"HURRAH! HURRAH!" cried Rollo, and then once more, "HURRAH for
Atlantic City."
"Atlantic City?" said his father. "What ever put that idea into your
head? We are not going to Atlantic City; we are going to New York."
"Oh, bother," said Rollo, crossly, adding, "but if there are
light-houses and ships there I shall not mind."
Now this was very wrong of Rollo, for he should have known that it
spoilt the pleasure which his parents had hoped to find in surprising
him. Children often behave so by acting natural when they should know
better. Rollo's father was considerably vexed, but, realizing that
Rollo was still young, he said kindly, "You have many things to learn,
my son, but fortunately you still have time in which to learn them,
and New York will do very well to begin with. Atlantic City may come
later. But come, we must be off to the photographer's studio. Hurry,
Rollo, and put on your Sunday suit. Uncle George and James and Lucy
will be waiting for us."
[Illustration: "He was playing with some bright shells"]
While Rollo, a very excited little boy you may be sure, was putting on
his blue round-about and his white collar, his mother explained to him
that, since they were going to the City to live for a while, they
would be expected at certain times to go out in Society.
"What is Society, Mother?" asked Rollo. Rollo's mother was silent for
a while before she replied. "That is a difficult question to answer,
Rollo, but I will try to explain. You know that here at home you see a
few people very often whom you know very well. You play every day with
your cousin Lucy and your cousin James, and Jonas instructs you in
piling wood and digging potatoes. But that is not Society. In a great
city like New York you will occasionally see a great many people whom
you hardly know at all. That is Society."
"And will I not be instructed in digging potatoes?"
"No," said his mother, "I think not."
"Oh goody! goody!" cried Rollo,--"I am sure I shall like it. But why
do we go to the photographer's studio?"
"That is my idea," said his mother. "You may not realize it, but we go
to the city and will meet a number of strangers."
"I can readily understand that," said Rollo, who was a bright little
chap thoroughly interested.
"Therefore," continued his mother, "it is more than likely that when
the news of our arrival begins to be spread about through the city
there will be an immediate demand for our photographs."
"Yes," said Rollo, rather peevishly, "but I do not see why Uncle
George, and Lucy and James have to be in the picture. And Jonas, is he
important? O-ho!" Rollo laughed at the very idea.
"Rollo," said his mother quietly, "you do wrong to laugh so. Your
Uncle George and Lucy and James are going with us to the City. They
are to share our new home, for we have rented our farms to two New
York gentlemen for a great deal of money, much more than it will cost
us to live in New York if we all live together."
"But Jonas is the hired-man," objected Rollo.
"From now," said his mother, "he is not the hired-man. He is your
father's secretary."
"His secretary!" cried Rollo. "I do not understand?"
"You do not _have_ to," said his mother. "Come along; the chaise is
waiting."
Rollo was so delighted to hear of something that he did not _have_
to understand that he was quite the happiest of the family whose
parental heads embellish this chapter. Indeed it was necessary for the
photographer to ask Rollo to please not look so pleasant before the
picture could be taken. Mr. Bishop, the photographer, was anxious
to take separate pictures of each, even including Jonas, who looked
surprisingly well in his other suit, but Rollo's father said kindly
but firmly, "No, Mr. Bishop, that would be putting me to unnecessary
expense, which would be _wrong_. You have said your price is three and
one-half dollars a dozen. I will purchase a dozen of the pictures if
they are satisfactory, and cut one up if the occasion requires. Should
an enlargement of the central figure be demanded, I presume it can be
arranged."
[Illustration: ROLLO'S FATHER]
As the family were driving home from Mr. Bishop's studio, Rollo who
sat on the front seat with Jonas said, "Jonas, why did Mr. Bishop tell
Lucy and James and me to watch for the little bird in the hole in his
camera when there was no little bird?"
Jonas, with the butt of his whip, humanely removed a large horse-fly
from the flank of Old Trumpeter before he said, "Mr. Bishop spoke
of the little bird merely to attract the attention of you and your
cousin James. While it is true that there was no little bird--or at
least, I saw none--it is equally true that you and James were
exceedingly restive."
[Illustration: ROLLO'S MOTHER]
"But, Jonas," continued Rollo, "if there was no little bird, did not
Mr. Bishop tell a lie?"
While Jonas was thoughtfully removing another horse-fly from Old
Trumpeter Rollo's father leaned over his son's shoulder and said
kindly, "My son, you must not disturb Jonas while he is driving, or we
shall soon all be in the ditch. It is only reasonable to suppose that
Mr. Bishop was mistaken in thinking that there was a little bird in
the studio. Or there may have been one under his black cloth. Did you
look under the black cloth?"
"No sir," replied Rollo.
"And did you look in Mr. Bishop's dark-room?"
"No sir," again replied Rollo.
"Then you see, Rollo," said his father, "you may well have been
mistaken. Let us say no more about it."
Rollo's family now felt themselves thoroughly equipped to receive and
to mingle with society. How they did so will be described in the next
chapter.
ROLLO'S DAY WITH A
DÉBUTANTE
HOW OUR INNOCENT LITTLE HERO APPEARED
AT THE RITZ WITH HIS VERY MODERN COUSIN
One day Rollo was sitting on the little green cricket, which Jonas had
made for him, in a very discontented frame of mind. He was staring at
the open fireplace, in which were three birch logs; or rather he had
at first _thought_ they were logs, until Jonas pointed out to him that
they were only clever imitations made of iron, full of tiny holes,
through which flowed an evil-smelling odour called gas when Jonas
turned a small faucet. Rollo was at first mightily amused at these
logs, and admired especially the life-like way in which the bark was
shown to be covered with moss on one side.
"They are much prettier than real logs," said he, and thought he
should never tire of turning them on and off and making them sparkle
and blaze and smell.
In spite of all this, Rollo was dull and despondent. He was just
beginning to wonder whether he should go out in the hall and push the
elevator-buttons, or remove the telephone receiver from the hook, or
what he should do to amuse himself when his mother looked up from a
letter she was reading and said, "Rollo, how should you like to go to
luncheon to-morrow with your Cousin Stella?"
"Splendid," said Rollo, "anything for a change. But I did not know I
had a cousin Stella. Who is she?"
"She is not really your cousin," said his mother, "but the daughter of
an old friend of mine, Mrs. Bradley. We have always spoken of her as
Aunt Estelle. Stella is about your age. She lives in the city and
would like to have you lunch with her to-morrow at the Ritz. She is a
débutante or what I prefer to call 'a bud.'"
"What is that?" asked Rollo eagerly.
Rollo's mother explained that "a bud" was the term used to describe an
innocent young lady who is just beginning to go about to sociables and
lectures by herself.
So pleased was Rollo with his plans for the morrow that he played
quite contentedly until bedtime and was not surprised to hear his
father say, "Our little Rollo is so good to-day!... there must be
something the matter with him."
Rollo at first thought he should take his luncheon with him in a
basket, but his mother explained that she did not think Mr. Ritz would
like that, and that in the city "luncheon" meant the noon-day meal.
"Remember, my son," said his father, "this is to be your dinner, so
eat heartily and enjoy yourself. Here is a dime for pocket-money, but
be sure not to spend it."
Rollo had no difficulty whatsoever in finding the Ritz, but, once
there and safely through the strange doors which revolved like a great
mill-wheel, it was quite another matter to find his Cousin Stella.
Rollo decided to solve his own difficulty in the simplest way.
Standing in the center of the hall-way, he shouted lustily, "Cousin
Stel-la! Cousin Stel-la!" It was not long before he heard an
answering voice cry, "Rollo," and saw a beautiful young lady waving
and beckoning to him from a table in the corner. Walking toward it,
Rollo said, "Is this Cousin Stella?" It was even so, and Rollo, after
bowing very low and presenting his cousin with a large, bright orange
which he had brought for her, took his place by her side and the
famous luncheon began.
Besides his Cousin Stella there were at the table two others, a young
lady named Anabelle Litchfield and a lad about Rollo's age whose name
was Rupert Hogan. Rollo made his best bow to each and said, "I am very
pleased indeed to make your acquaintance," just as his mother had
taught him from the deportment book which Jonas had purchased. Soon
the young folk were chatting merrily. Indeed there were so many
strange and wonderful things to see and hear, that Rollo could scarce
taste the delicious food that was set before him, though, taste it or
not, he remembered his father's warning to eat as heartily as
possible.
[Illustration: "At everything Rollo said Stella and Anabelle laughed
very loud"]
First of all there was a band of music, the like of which Rollo had
never heard before. There was also the prettiest little fountain.
"Do you suppose they would let me angle in the fountain, Cousin
Stella?" asked Rollo, thinking of his little line and bobbin at home,
and keeping time to the music with his fork.
"Yes, indeed, Rollo, old Kid," said his cousin.
When Rollo was not engaged in looking about the room, he was occupied
in watching his Cousin Stella, who did many things which surprised
him. To begin with, she always talked when her mouth was full, and she
was never still a moment, what with pointing, gesticulating, and
jumping from her chair to greet other friends who passed their table.
At everything Rollo said, Stella and Anabelle and Rupie laughed very
loud, and Rupie surprised Rollo several times by slapping him sharply
on the back, on one occasion causing him to spill several drops of
water on the corner of his lace collar. This vexed Rollo very much,
and at first he was inclined to be in a pet.
All the while the music was playing gaily, and you may be sure Rollo
was enjoying himself thoroughly.
"Would you like to dance?" asked Stella with a merry smile.
"Would I not, indeed!" cried Rollo.
"Let me see," said Stella, "what o'clock is it? Three o'clock. Let us
meet here again at five when there is dancing. I have to go to the
hairdresser's. Will you come, Rollo?"
"No, thank you," said Rollo politely. "I must go to my apartment and
tell my mother what I propose to do."
"Very well!" said Stella, "we will meet here at five." And so it was
arranged.
Rollo was not sorry when he reached the apartment to find that no one
was at home. The very first thing he did was to look in his box for
his fish-line and bobbin. There it was, just where he had put it when
he left home. Rollo put it in his pocket and walked slowly back to the
Ritz. In the hall-way he met Stella and the others and they were soon
at a table in another room where the music was playing pleasantly.
"Who will dance with us?" asked Rollo presently.
"Why, I will dance with you, and Rupie will dance with Anabelle," said
his Cousin Stella.
It embarrassed him very much when Stella placed his arm about her
waist and led him into the middle of the room, where many other young
people were dancing and bumping each other and laughing rudely.
"It is a Toddle," said Stella, tickling Rollo's ear with her hair.
Rollo did not know what this meant, but he did his best and managed to
keep a-going until the music stopped, when they went back to their
table.
"I dance very ill," said Rollo, completely out of breath. "Indeed, I
stumble as much as Old Trumpeter, our horse, going over a rough spot
in the road."
Rollo danced several more dances, doing a little better each time.
During the last dance which was what is called a fox-trot, he was
somewhat surprised to find that Stella's cheek was pressed close to
his. This caused Rollo to blush furiously. He could not help thinking
of his mother's words, "She is not really your cousin"--but "after
all," thought Rollo, "she is nearly so." Thus the dance was concluded
very pleasantly and Rollo was quite disappointed when several other
boys came to their table and invited Stella and Anabelle for the next
dance and for the one after that. Rupie had disappeared, so that Rollo
was left quite alone. The others danced nicely for several dances,
until it began to be quite late.
"What has become of Rollo?" said Stella. "Wherever can he be?"
Just then they saw him approaching. With him was a tall man in
uniform. It was evident from Rollo's expression that he was in some
sort of trouble.
"What is the matter, Rollo?" cried Stella and Anabelle and Rupie, in
one breath.
"Matter enough," said Rollo, endeavouring to control his voice.
"While you were dancing I have been angling in the fountain."
"But you did not catch anything," said Stella.
"Did I not?" said Rollo. "Look," and he held up a string on which hung
three bright golden fish. "I caught these three in no time at all, and
had I not been interrupted, I should have caught them all, I dare
say."
Then there was a great hub-bub you may be sure. Stella and Anabelle
and Rupie laughed a great deal, and even the tall man in the uniform
smiled a little, especially when Rupie slipped something into his
hand. Shortly after the tall man went away.
[Illustration: "I have been angling in the fountain"]
It was now six o'clock and time for Rollo to go home to his supper.
While he was getting his cap which he had left with a young lady in a
small room near the door he saw that most of the gentlemen, when they
took their hats, placed a coin in a saucer that stood near-by. This
reminded Rollo that he had paid for nothing and that he still had the
dime which his father had given him.
"Surely," thought Rollo, "if I should give my dime to this young lady
it would not be spending it." After some reflection he placed the dime
in the saucer, for which he was rewarded by a kind smile, and
gathering up his cap and his fish he joined his companions in the
hall-way.
"Good-bye, Stella, Good-bye, Anabelle, Good-bye, Rupie!" cried Rollo,
waving his fish at them, and they all cried "Good-bye," and promised
Rollo they should have another holiday together soon.
As he walked homeward Rollo realized that perhaps he ought not to have
angled in the little fountain. But here were his fish and what was he
to do with them? Just then he saw a lady putting a letter in an iron
box which was fastened to a post on a corner of the street. "Just the
place for my fish!" thought Rollo and suiting the action to the word
he popped the little fish in the box and went on his way.
ROLLO'S WEEK-END IN THE
COUNTRY
HOW OUR LITTLE HERO BECAME ACQUAINTED WITH AN OUTDOOR
GAME AND ALSO ONE PLAYED INDOORS
One bright morning, as Rollo stood by the window of the handsome city
apartment to which his family had moved, his mother entered the room
and said:
"Rollo, how should you like to spend a week-end in the country?"
"Ho, ho," laughed Rollo. "That is a droll idea! Here we are in the
city, whither we have but just come, and you propose that I should
return to the country. Ho ho! ho ho!"
It was very wrong of Rollo to laugh at his mother so, but his mother
realized that he was a little boy and did not know all there was to be
known in the world. She therefore answered him gently.
"My son, you do not understand. The country I speak of differs from
the country where we formerly lived."
"In what way?" asked Rollo.
"That you will soon see," replied his mother. "But let me ask you a
question; what used you to do in the country?"
"Well," answered Rollo, "let me see; first I used to carry the
milk-pails up from the cow-barn for Jonas; then I would sweep the
steps and well-kerb and draw a fresh pail of water from the well.
During the day I would pile wood, gather potatoes, rake up after the
hay-wagon, or weed the garden. Then in the evening I often did my sums
or helped with the churning."
"Very good," said his mother. "Now in the country I speak of, you will
do none of these things."
"Hurrah!" cried Rollo.
"Be silent," said his mother. "You must not interrupt. Your Cousin
Stella's mother has written to me asking if you could not come to
them in the country to spend a week-end."
"Which end of the week should I spend?" asked Rollo.
"Both," said his mother. "Or rather, the end of one week and the
beginning of another, for you are to go on Friday and stay over Lord's
Day. Should you like to go?"
"Indeed, yes," said Rollo pleasantly.
"Very well, I shall speak to your father about it this evening, for we
must first have his consent."
"Oh, dear," said Rollo.
"I do not see why Rollo should be sent to the country when we have
just moved to the city," said Rollo's father when the expedition was
explained to him. "It seems very strange to me that city-folk with
magnificent palaces to live in should, at this time of year, seal up
their doors and windows and go to the expense of living in another
place."
"But there will be no expense in connection with this journey," said
Rollo's mother. "Cousin Stella is to send her automobile."
"Very well," said Rollo's father, "since you are all so set on Rollo's
going I will agree to it. And now I must go to bed, for I have had a
busy day at the grain-market. Good-night to all."
"Good-night," said Rollo's mother and Jonas, and Rollo added
"Good-_night_" more loudly than any.
You may be sure that little Rollo was up at day-dawn, his luncheon
ready in a box, his travelling satchel neatly packed. Presently the
largest automobile he had ever seen rolled up to the door, and to his
delight, there was his Cousin Stella sitting on the back seat.
"Shall I sit with you, or with the gentleman on the front seat?" asked
Rollo.
"With me," cried his Cousin Stella, laughing gaily. "Alley, Jong, a
Sootomtom."
"What was that you said?" questioned Rollo when the journey had
really begun.
"That was French," explained his cousin. "'Alley a Sootomtom' means
'Go to Southampton.' 'Jong' is French for John."
"Well, I declare!" cried Rollo. "Really Cousin, you amaze me. But tell
me, where are we, and whither are we going?"
"This is Long Island," said Stella, pointing to level fields which
bordered the highway.
"It seems to be mainly cabbages," said Rollo, "but I do not see any
water."
"You will presently," said Stella. And sure enough, after they had
travelled at a very rapid pace for a short time, Rollo began to
catch glimpses of blue water dotted with tiny white sails. Coming as
he did from an inland community, this excited Rollo very much and he
kept shouting "Hurrah! Hurrah!" and asking John to go faster.
[Illustration: "A gentleman in a dress suit took his lunch-box"]
To this John only shook his head and smiled.
"He is going as fast as he can," said Cousin Stella. "But I will tell
the world, Rollo, you are a good sport."
"I thank you very much," said Rollo politely.
Shortly after this they drove through winding hills and stopped
before a large house where, to Rollo's surprise, a gentleman in a
dress-suit took his lunch-box and satchel from him and walked away
with them as rapidly as possible.
Then another neatly dressed gentleman guided Rollo through many long
hall-ways and up a flight of stairs to a beautiful chamber.
"This is your room, sir," he said.
"Is it so?" said Rollo. "Thank you, sir."
The gentleman smiled pleasantly, and went out, leaving Rollo alone.
Looking at the handsome three-dollar watch which his father had given
him, he saw to his surprise that it was long past his supper-hour.
"Very evidently I am too late for supper," thought Rollo. Fortunately
he still had his lunch-box which he had not thought to open during the
journey, so that from this he supped very well indeed, slipped off his
garments, said his evening prayer by the side of a very grand bed and
was soon asleep.
"Well, Rollo," said Stella's mother, who was his hostess next morning,
"we missed you last night at dinner. Where were you?"
"You must mean supper, do you not?" answered Rollo, and then explained
how he had supped in his room the evening before, at which all the
company laughed merrily.
"You are a dear boy, Rollo," said his hostess, "but you must remember
that we have dinner at eight o'clock."
Rollo laughed heartily at this idea and said, "Then, according to
that, you must have supper at midnight!"
"You are quite right," answered Stella's mother.
"And breakfast at noon next day."
"Very often, I admit. But Saturday and Sunday are holidays and we
are always up betimes. Come, what shall we do? Rollo, you propose
something."
All the company, of which there was about a score of folk of
various ages, looked at Rollo expectantly, causing him to feel
much embarrassed, but he spoke up bravely and said, "Since it is
a holiday I suppose we may as well play games. Shall we play at
catch-as-catch-can or blindman's buff,--or should you prefer an
indoor-game such as pillows-and-keys or post-office? The latter,
I think I ought to say, are kissing games."
"O fie! for shame!" they all cried. "It is too early in the day."
"Come, Rollo," said a very pretty young lady whose name was Miss Lois.
"Monty and I are going to play tennis."
"Alas! I fear I cannot," said Rollo sadly. "It is like battledore and
shuttlecock, is it not? I think, if you do not mind, I will watch Mr.
Bradley and his friend Mr. Robbins play at golf, which is a game I
have never witnessed, though I have often seen gentlemen falling over
their golf-sticks in the city train-cars."
"Right you are," said Monty as Rollo strolled after Mr. Bradley, who
was Stella's father, and his friend, Mr. Robbins.
"Such larks!" thought Rollo, as he watched the two gentlemen place the
small white balls on mounds like mole-hills, and then knock them far
away.
"We are aiming at that little red flag," said Mr. Robbins, whom Rollo
had secretly nicknamed Robin-Redface.
"Thank you, sir," said Rollo, "I should never have guessed it."
For a time all went well. The two gentlemen hit the ball with great
skill and seemed well pleased with their success. Rollo, too,
delighted in the velvety lawns about him, and marvelled to see all the
hay in so early in the season.
Thus the morning passed very quickly, but toward noon things began to
turn out not so agreeably. First Mr. Bradley, and then Mr. Robbins,
knocked their golf-balls into places where it was impossible to find
them, search as they might. This was great fun for Rollo, who thought
it was like looking for field-sparrows' nests, and he kept fooling
the two gentlemen, crying, "Oh, here it is!--No, it is only a stone!
Oh, here it is!--No, it is only a mushroom," until Mr. Bradley took
him by the shoulder and spoke to him very roughly.
Then they came to a pretty little pond where Rollo longed to stop and
fish. Mr. Robbins placed his ball on a little mound and very skilfully
hit the pond right in the middle.
"Bravo!" cried Rollo.
To his surprise Mr. Robbins turned and said something which I cannot
print, but which caused Rollo's cheeks to turn a deep crimson. In fact
he called Rollo a very bad name.
Then Mr. Bradley, as if imitating Mr. Robbins, hit the pond in almost
the same spot. It was then Mr. Robbins' turn to cry "bravo," which he
did, and, to Rollo's dismay, Stella's father twice, at least, took the
name of his Maker in vain.
[Illustration: "Mr. Robbins turned and said something which I cannot
print"]
You may be sure it was in vain, for, from then on, things went from
bad to worse, until Rollo could stand it no longer. He turned and
walked quietly back toward the house.
The gentlemen did not notice his departure; they were too busy digging
holes in the ground and throwing sand out of a ditch which, to Rollo,
seemed deep enough already.
"Never," thought Rollo, "have I seen men dig up so much ground
without either putting anything in or taking anything out."
As Rollo neared the house he noticed that the tennis-ground was
deserted. Two rackets lay on the terrace-steps. He crossed the terrace
quietly and peered into the dim living-room within which he saw Monty
and Miss Lois sitting on a sofa.
"Hurrah," cried Rollo, bounding into the room, "may I join you?"
They were playing pillows-and-keys.
ROLLO'S EVENING WITH
UNCLE GEORGE
IN WHICH OUR HERO UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF AN EXPERT,
BECOMES A BOY-ABOUT-TOWN
One cool morning in the early autumn, Rollo was sitting on the red
velvet hassock which his mother had given him for his birthday, his
chin resting on the sill of the window which faced toward Park Avenue.
Below was a pleasant picture of green spaces and cheerful nursemaids
attentively watching the tall constable on the corner, while their
little charges darted nimbly amid the passing automobiles whose black
tops glittered like the backs of large beetles. This was a scene which
Rollo had often contemplated with much satisfaction, but to-day he
found no pleasure in it whatsoever. Suddenly he heard a light step
behind him and turning perceived that Jonas had entered the room,
silently, as was his custom.
"Jonas," said Rollo, crossly, "I wish you would not steal up behind me
as you do. Since we have moved to the city and you have become my
mother's social secretary, instead of the hired man, you wear shoes
which do not warn me of your approach by their squeaking. It is not
right to spy so."
Now this was very rude of Rollo, and it may be plainly seen that he
was in an ill-humour, but Jonas only smiled pleasantly, which made
Rollo more angry than ever.
"You are mistaken, Rollo," said Jonas. "I was not spying upon you. In
fact, quite the contrary, it was expressly to see you and deliver a
message that I came into the room."
"A message!" cried Rollo, "and from whom, pray?"
"From your Uncle George," answered Jonas. "He wishes to know if you
could dine with him to-night and go to the theatre."
Rollo's face lighted up with pleasure, but he replied seriously,
"To-night? Let me see; to-day is Thursday, is it not? I do not think I
have any engagement for this evening."
Of course Rollo knew very well that he had no engagement, but he had
learned that in the city it was not considered polite to accept any
invitation without a certain amount of hesitation. When Jonas had left
the room, however, Rollo leaped about with many a caper, and shouted
"Hurray!" to himself. He no longer felt gloomy and contrary, but was
quite satisfied with the world which had looked so dark to him a few
moments before. At exactly seven o'clock in the evening, Rollo was
ready and waiting, dressed in his best suit with a new tie which his
father had purchased for ten cents from a peddler in the lower part of
the city. Rollo's father once said to him, "My son, buy everything you
can from a cart. You get more for your penny."
Uncle George came promptly as he had promised and Rollo drove off with
him gaily in a bright yellow taxicab. Rollo's uncle has not lately
been mentioned in these stories. He was a younger brother of Rollo's
mother, and Rollo liked him very much, partly because he was always
gay and light-hearted, and partly because his father did not seem to
approve of Uncle George. Rollo's father frowned very severely when he
saw the yellow taxicab, but since he was not paying for it he said
nothing.
"I am going to take you to my club," said Uncle George.
"A club!" cried Rollo. "What is that?"
"I will tell you," said Uncle George. "A club is a place of refuge
from one's family. It is an organization where a man can order what
he likes for dinner, when he likes. It is a place where he can be
sure that his letters will not be opened by mistake."
[Illustration: "Rollo never dreamed that ladies could be so
beautiful"]
"Could my mother belong to this club?" asked Rollo.
"No; only gentlemen are admitted."
"But could my father join such an organization?"
"No, not the club I have in mind. I do not think even your father
could become a member."
"What a delightful place!" said Rollo.
"Indeed it is so," said his uncle. "But here we are."
Just then the taxicab stopped in front of a handsome building with a
large glass door, which was opened for Rollo and his Uncle George by
an old gentleman with white hair, whom Rollo thanked politely as he
entered.
"Will you excuse me for a moment," said Uncle George. "I have to go
upstairs to discuss a business matter with a friend of mine. He has
some stock he wishes to dispose of, and I often take a little of it
off his hands just before dinner."
"Quite so," said Rollo. "I will await your convenience."
During his uncle's absence Rollo strolled into a handsome room the
walls of which were covered with books. In large chairs sat a number
of gentlemen with books in their laps, as if they were reading, but
Rollo was surprised to see that they were all fast asleep.
"What a beautiful room," thought Rollo. "I understand now why I yawn
so over my lessons. All books must make people sleepy."
One old gentleman was snoring loudly, so Rollo took a large card
marked "Silence" and placed it on his stomach, after which he went
into another room to meet his uncle, who returned at that moment,
looking brighter and more good-natured than ever. He brought with him
the gentleman with whom he had been doing business.
"Rollo," he said, "this is my friend, Mr. Ross, who is going to dine
and go to the theatre with us. He is a member of the old Shaker
Colony."
"Is it so?" said Rollo. "There are a number of Shakers living near my
home in the country. One of them has made several comforters for my
mother."
"Yes," said Mr. Ross. "And I have made a number of comforters for your
uncle, have I not, George?"
"Indeed you have," said Rollo's uncle, and together they walked
upstairs to a splendid room, where they all dined together very
merrily. Rollo stood for a moment beside his chair expecting that his
Uncle George would ask a blessing, but Uncle George evidently forgot
to do so and bade Rollo sit down and fall to, which he did.
"Have you been to the theatre, often, Rollo?" asked Mr. Ross, while
they were eating dinner.
"No, not exactly," replied Rollo. "My mother took me to Boston two
years ago, and I saw a very wonderful panorama of the battle of
Gettysburg. But that is not exactly the theatre, is it?"
"Not exactly," said Mr. Ross, "though I am sure some of the plays in
New York are much worse than any battle."
"What play are we to see, Uncle George?" asked Rollo. "Is it to be
Shakespere?"
"No," answered Uncle George. "I hardly thought Shakespere would be
lively enough. You see, Rollo, the plays in New York are divided into
two groups. There are the very serious plays acted by great people
which all the critics say are great successes. But unfortunately, no
one goes to see them. Then there are the very silly comedies about
people in bath-tubs, which the critics say are very low and wicked and
which everyone flocks to see. That is the kind we are going to see."
"How delightful!" said Rollo. "I have never seen anyone in a bath-tub
but myself."
As soon as dinner was finished, Rollo and the two gentlemen drove
in another cab to the theatre, which was on the main street of New
York, called Broadway, because it is quite narrow and goes zigzag
through the city. But Rollo was entranced with the brilliant electric
lights, the flashing signs and great rush of traffic.
[Illustration: "Rollo, catching the spirit of the evening, joined
merrily in the conversation"]
"Is it a celebration?" he asked.
"Yes," said Uncle George. "Broadway is always a celebration. But come;
let us alight."
Rollo greatly admired the interior of the theatre, which was at least
five times larger than the Second Congregational Church, which he was
accustomed to attend when at home. Just then to his surprise all the
lights in the edifice went out.
"Oh dear," said Rollo. "Isn't that provoking."
"Hush," said the two gentlemen. "The play is about to begin."
At that moment an enormous curtain rose slowly, music filled the air
from some hidden and mysterious source, and Rollo saw before him a
picture more beautiful than anything he had ever seen before.
The name of the play which Uncle George had selected was "Shaking the
Shimmy."
It was in three acts. The first act was in the ladies' dressing-room
of a parlor car, the second was on the beach at Atlantic City, and
the third was in the dormitory of a young ladies' seminary in
Greenwich. A notice on the program explained that the last act enabled
the producers, two Jewish gentlemen, to have twenty beds on the stage
at one time, which broke all records.
Rollo never dreamed that young ladies could be so beautiful as those
who flitted about on the stage. Although he understood very little of
what was said on the stage, he was tingling with excitement and sat
far forward on the edge of his chair, resting his chin on the shoulder
of a lady in front of him, who smiled and patted his hand.
Rollo heaved a great sigh of disappointment when the play was over.
Then looking about at the audience he said, "Does it not seem strange,
Uncle George, to see all these people fully clothed? I vow I had
forgotten that there were such things as dresses."
"And how did you like the play?" asked Uncle George.
"It was superb, sir," said Rollo politely. "And much pleasanter than
the 'Battle of Gettysburg.'"
"Good," said his uncle, "and now we shall go to supper."
"Bless my soul!" cried Rollo. "Is not the evening over?"
"No indeed," replied Uncle George, "it is but just beginning."
"Hurray! Hurray!" shouted Rollo, tossing his cap in the air.
The place where Rollo and Uncle George and Mr. Ross went for supper
was high up on the top of a tall building. At the entrance a gentleman
held a red velvet rope across the door, but he smiled pleasantly when
he saw Uncle George and let them pass to the annoyance of a number of
people who were waiting. This of course pleased Rollo not a little.
"What is the name of this place?" asked Rollo.
"It is called the _Place Blanche_," explained Uncle George. "French is
the language spoken by the people who name New York restaurants. If a
restaurant should have a name which a taxi-driver could pronounce
correctly, it would not last a week!"
"It is very crowded," said Rollo, "and the space for dancing seems
quite small."
"That too is carefully arranged for," said his uncle. "People like to
eat in stuffy, uncomfortable places. As for dancing, it is much better
to dance when one is pressed hard against several other couples, for
if you do not happen to care particularly for your partner you can
close your eyes and imagine you are dancing with a number of other
ladies at the same time."
[Illustration: "It was but the work of a moment to undress and leap
into bed"]
"What strange music!" said Rollo.
"It is indeed so," agreed Mr. Ross. "We are gradually getting away
from the old-fashioned instruments such as violins and flutes. You
will notice, Rollo, that in the orchestra are two drums, a pair of
cymbals, a siren, and a pistol; also the pianist does not use his
fingers but his clenched fists."
Rollo fully expected that this time at least Uncle George would not
forget to ask the blessing, but lo! a second time he did so, perhaps
because he was at the time very much occupied trying to get the cork
out of a large bottle, which he had managed to conceal in his inside
pocket. As soon as this was open, Uncle George and Mr. Ross became
very gay indeed, and Rollo, catching the spirit of the evening, joined
merrily in the conversation. Later in the evening they met several
friends at other tables, with whom they danced and thoroughly enjoyed
themselves.
The sky in the east was a pale blue-green when Rollo entered the door
of the apartment. Jonas, who kept to his country hours, was just
rising.
"Good-morning," said Jonas.
"Good-night," said Rollo.
It was but the work of a moment to undress and leap into bed. But
before he did so Rollo knelt for a moment and asked a blessing--for
Uncle George.
ROLLO AMONG THE ARTISTS
OUR LITTLE FRIEND VISITS GREENWICH VILLAGE AND MEETS
A SCULPTOR, A POETESS, AND A PAINTER
You will remember that I have spoken in a previous story of the
beautiful clam-shell which Rollo possessed, and which he admired very
much. It was a gift from his Uncle George, and on it was painted a
picture of a curving beach, a light-house, and a small yacht. Below
the picture was the title, "Souvenir of Atlantic City."
One day Rollo was sitting on his little cricket, holding up the shell
to the light, and marvelling at the change this made in the colours.
His mother was busily engaged knitting washcloths for the missionary
box which was to be sent to the natives of the Filbert Islands; for
though she had moved to the city, Rollo's mother did not forget her
duties toward Dr. Ordway, the minister at home, and through him, to
the heathen children in the Filbert Islands.
"Do you know, Mother," said Rollo, "I believe that the man who painted
this clam-shell was perhaps the greatest artist in the world. I have
looked all through the vast collection at the Metropolitan Museum, and
I do not find the mate to my clam anywhere."
"Is it so?" said his mother. "You seem very much interested in
artistic things. I remember that years ago I too enjoyed the fine
arts. You may recall the portrait of a kitten which I painted on the
red plush sofa-cushions at home."
"Indeed I do!" cried Rollo. "It was most artistic. Heigh-ho! I wish I
was an artist!"
Just as he said these words, as if in answer to his wish, his Uncle
George opened the door. "What is that?" he said. "You wish you were
an artist? What kind of an artist do you wish to be?"
Rollo was puzzled. "What kind?" he repeated. "What kinds are there?"
"Many," said his Uncle George. "But perhaps before you make up your
mind it would be well if you looked over the different kinds. How
would you like to visit Greenwich Village with me where all the
artists live?"
"Oh Goody-Gumpkins!" cried Rollo, for which his mother gently reproved
him.
"I should love it," said he. "You are so kind, and I am so glad you
are a broker, Uncle George, for you always seem to have plenty of
time."
"Nothing but," said Uncle George. "But come, if we are going, let us
be off at once."
"Hurrah," cried Rollo. "Good-bye, Mother!" and seizing his cap and
thrusting his clam-shell into his pocket, he ran to join his uncle in
the doorway.
"How do we go? Is it far?" he questioned when they had reached the
street.
"We may as well take the stage," said his uncle. "It goes directly to
the Village."
Rollo's uncle raised his hand and the stage stopped politely.
"Thank you," said Rollo as they climbed to the top. Soon the conductor
came to them and held out a little machine, which seemed to nibble
Rollo's fingers when he pushed the two dimes which his uncle had given
him into the slot.
"He cannot hoodwink me," said Rollo after the conductor had gone away.
"I saw the money drop through into his hand."
"You are a bright lad," said his uncle, which made Rollo very happy.
As they rode along Uncle George pointed out to him the eager faces of
the thousands of Lithuanians, Greeks, and Polaks who make New York
the greatest of American cities. Soon the stage rolled through a
majestic stone archway.
[Illustration: SKETCHES BY HOGARTH, JR.
"How would you like to visit Greenwich Village?"]
"We are now entering the Village," said Uncle George.
"Well, I will say it has a handsome front door," said Rollo, "but did
you say 'Village,' Uncle George? It appears to me mightily like a part
of the city."
"So it would seem," said his uncle, "but appearances are deceitful.
However, you will soon see that it is very different from the rest of
the city. We are first to visit a friend of mine, a Mr. Pryzik, the
great American sculptor. You know what a sculptor is, Rollo?"
"Yes, indeed, sir," said Rollo. "We have a beautiful group at home
done by Mr. Rogers. It is called 'Reading the Will.' The expression of
anxiety on the part of the relatives is most noteworthy."
"It is a noble subject," said his Uncle.
"But did you say Mr. Pryzik was an American?" asked Rollo.
"Practically," replied his uncle. "He was born in Prague, but he has
lived in this country for six years. True, he has not become a citizen
because of the income-tax, but he is very patriotic and much prefers
to sell his sculptures to Americans. But here we are at the
sculptor's."
While talking, Rollo and his uncle had turned into a narrow doorway
and mounted several flights of stairs. A tinkling bell was answered by
a very hairy man who flung open the door before which they stood,
crying, "Enter," in a great voice.
"This is Mr. Pryzik," said Uncle George, "and this is my nephew
Rollo."
The room was a large loft or storeroom lighted from above and while
Mr. Pryzik and Uncle George chatted amiably together, Rollo looked
about him eagerly noting many large groups of figures struggling and
writhing in every conceivable posture. Some were covered with grey
cloths which gave them a singularly ghost-like appearance.
"And what are you doing that is interesting?" asked Uncle George.
"Much," replied the great artist. "I have some magnificent things
under way, not completed, you understand, but well begun. Here, for
instance, is a fountain for Mr. Rockefeller's garden. It represents
the struggle between crude and refined oil."
"It is very exciting," said Rollo. "Does Mr. Rockefeller like it?"
"I do not know," said Mr. Pryzik. "I have written him seven letters on
the subject, but I think he must be away on his vacation. And here is
my masterpiece, the crowning group destined to be placed on the dome
of the Palace of the League of Nations."
"Oh!" said Rollo. "Where is it to be?"
"The site has not been decided," replied the artist. "A Swedish friend
of mine, Mr. Lundquist, has drawn some very noble plans for the
building, which he has sent to Washington. We need only ten million
dollars. You will note that the figures representing the various
nations are made in sections so that any one may be removed in case of
war. The bosom of Bulgaria has been much admired."
"I never have been to Bulgaria," said Rollo.
"This group here," continued Mr. Pryzik, "is an idea of mine for the
pylons of the proposed Hudson River bridge. The figures at the New
York end symbolize the four boroughs of Greater New York, those on the
Jersey side the great commonwealths of Hoboken, Jersey City, Englewood
and Hohokus. My commission alone will amount to over two hundred
thousand dollars. But there is a powerful political influence working
against me. In the meantime I have some immediate work on hand, small
but useful, some amusing button hook handles for one of the big
silversmiths and a new radiator cap for Ford cars which will give
them great distinction. An advantage is that any tinsmith can make
them."
"You are indeed a genius," said Uncle George, "and make no mistake,
you will be recognized as such. But we have other calls to make, I
thank you for your courtesy." And bowing to Mr. Pryzik, Rollo and his
uncle descended to the street.
"And now, Rollo," said Uncle George--"you shall see another kind of
artist--the great poetess, Miss Myra Stark. She is an old friend of
mine. She lives in a cellar--there we are, down these steps."
Never in his life had Rollo seen such a strange woman as Miss Myra
Stark. She was very pale except her lips, which were painted a rich
prune colour; her yellow hair was cut very like Rollo's except that it
had no curl. Her smock was of coarse burlap with a skirt of yellow
wool.
"Come in, Man. Come in, Boy," she said, in answer to their knock.
"Take off your shoes if you like. My cellar is near the earth. I never
wear shoes at home. I like to feel my feet on the face of Mother
Earth."
"I wonder if Mother Earth likes it," said Rollo.
"She loves it," said Miss Stark. "Boy, you have the soul of a poet.
_Are_ you a poet?"
"I can recite a little," said Rollo, modestly.
"Do so," commanded his hostess.
Rollo was an obliging little boy and therefore, standing in the middle
of the room, he recited as follows, with appropriate gestures which he
had carefully learned at school:
"THE STRAND"
"One day while strolling on the strand
A pearly shell lay in my hand.
I stooped and wrote upon the sand
My name, the place, the day.
As on my onward way I passed
One backward glance behind I cast,
The rolling waves came high and fast
And washed my name away!"
"Bravo!" cried Miss Stark and Uncle George.
"I thank you very much," said Rollo.
"It is a great poem," said Miss Stark. "It sounds simple but it means
more than it says. It has its devious moments. You notice that though
the 'name' is washed away the 'place' and the 'day' remain. I have
just written something myself in the same manner."
"Do let us hear it," said Uncle George.
"I will," replied the poetess. "It is called _Brain-ticks_. Listen:
"In the midnight of day
Myself came to me
Saying, 'See,'--
'See,' I said,
In my hand,
I hold the brain of my head!
How it ticks, ticks, ticks,
'What does it mean?' I cried.
'What is it all about?
Why is it out?
Why was it ever inside?
I don't understand.'"
"I don't understand," said Rollo.
"Of course you don't," cried Miss Stark. "We none of us do. We were
just meant to live quietly and simply near Mother Earth. But you must
come again. I am sorry you will not stay. Good-bye, good-bye."
"Our next visit, and I think it must be our last," said Uncle George,
"will be to a gentleman friend of mine who is a painter. In a way he
is quite a genius. His name is Wilkins. Wilkins' idea is that it is
very wrong for a man to be limited to one form or school of art, to be
exclusively a landscape painter or a portrait painter, a radical or a
conservative. He goes in for all forms of art. But you shall see for
yourself, for here is his studio."
Mr. Wilkins' studio was by far the pleasantest place Rollo had yet
seen in the Village. And it was even as Uncle George had said; all
about the walls were pictures, no two alike, but all, Rollo thought,
very beautiful. Mr. Wilkins, a tall, handsome man, was very cordial
to his visitors and showed Rollo the various pictures, explaining
carefully just how they were made.
[Illustration: "Never in his life had Rollo seen such a strange
woman"]
"There is a formula for each," he said. "In these cow-pictures,
for instance, you will see that there is a definite proportion of
two-thirds cow to one-third landscape. Venetian canal scenes like
this must be exactly fifty per cent reflection. Last week I worked
up a batch of South Sea pictures using the Gauguin formula. It is
very simple."
Mr. Wilkins was delighted with Rollo's clam-shell.
"I must do some!" he said. "Could you leave it here?"
"Yes, indeed, gladly," said Rollo.
"And what have you been working on to-day?" said Uncle George.
"Just a little summer work," said Mr. Wilkins. "Here it is."
He removed a cloth which covered an easel, and Rollo gazed with awe
and admiration at a picture of a beautiful young lady who was about to
go in bathing without any bathing suit. Rollo had never seen anything
like it before and he was much interested.
"She is a hum-dinger," said Uncle George. "Who is she?"
While Mr. Wilkins and Uncle George chatted in a corner Rollo examined
the picture closely and was really very sorry when Uncle George told
him it was time to go.
When they were again seated on the stage on their way home, Rollo
said, "Uncle George, I should not think Mr. Wilkins would wish to show
his wife's picture to people in that way."
"His wife's picture!" said Uncle George. "But I did not know Mr.
Wilkins was married."
"Of course he is," said Rollo. "How ever else could he see a lady so?"
Rollo's uncle was silent for a moment before he said, "Rollo, I had
occasion to say before and I repeat now, you are a bright lad. You
have seen to-day three artists, a sculptor, a poetess, and a painter.
Which would you prefer to be?"
I leave it to my little readers to guess which one Rollo chose.
ROLLO'S ROMANCE
OUR LITTLE HERO DEFEATS BOTH YALE AND PRINCETON AT FOOTBALL
Some of my little readers may recall that shortly after Rollo's family
moved to their city apartment, Rollo was invited to a gay luncheon
party at a public inn which was managed by a Mr. Ritz. It was here
that Rollo first met his cousin Stella, and another little girl named
Anabelle Litchfield. Rollo had liked Anabelle very much, but he had
had no opportunities to talk with her at that time, for Anabelle's
attention was greatly occupied by the laughing chatter of a young Mr.
Rupert Hogan, a boy of about Rollo's own age who lived in New York and
knew a great many things about city life which our little hero had
never learned.
During the months which followed, Anabelle had made a number of
visits, and thus the summer and fall had passed until her memory in
Rollo's mind had become vague and indistinct, though still very
pleasant.
In the meantime, however, Rollo was becoming more and more versed in
the accomplishments which are expected of a city boy. This was due
very largely to the kindness of his Uncle George who frequently took
his little nephew with him to the theatre, to his club, and to a
number of evening festivals where there was dancing, charades, and all
manner of fun.
At the time this chapter of our story opens, Rollo was seated before
the cheerful gas-log at home instructing Jonas as to the proper method
of making a martini. This was indeed a change from the old days in the
country when Jonas used to teach Rollo how to pile wood and pick up
potatoes. The positions were now reversed. Rollo was the teacher and
Jonas was the pupil.
"You see, Jonas," said Rollo, "you must be very careful to put in at
least two-thirds of gin to one-third of vermouth."
"What is vermouth?" asked Jonas.
"Vermouth is a sweet cordial similar to cherry-bounce," said Rollo.
"But now, Jonas, we will have the review lesson. What is a manhattan?"
"A manhattan," replied Jonas, "is a liquid composed of two-thirds of
extract of rye, one-third----"
At this moment Rollo's sister, Lucy, came running into the room.
"Oh, bother!" cried Rollo. "Why do you interrupt Jonas and me at our
work?"
"You will be very glad to hear," said Lucy gaily. "Our cousin
Stella's mother has just telephoned to say that she wishes you and me
to go with her to a great football match at New Haven to-morrow. The
Yales are to play the Princetons, and Stella is to go and her friend
Anabelle, likewise."
[Illustration: "Round about the great arena stretched thousands of
people"]
"Hot towel!" cried Rollo, to Jonas's amazement, and running violently
about the room to the grave danger of the dainty bric-a-brac which
stood on the marble-topped table.
"We start to-morrow morning at ten o'clock," said Lucy, "and mother
said you must surely wear your tippet, and take the little shawl your
Aunt Sarah knit for you."
"Tippet and shawl, indeed!" said Rollo, "I shall wear my new fur-lined
great-coat and my coon-skin hat. Oh, hot towel! Hot towel!"
The little folks then joined hands and danced about excitedly until
they were quite exhausted.
Promptly at ten o'clock on the following day, Cousin Stella's handsome
automobile came rolling around the corner, and Rollo and Lucy, warmly
dressed in their best coats and hats, were soon ensconced among the
comfortable cushions with their little friends.
Somewhat to Rollo's disappointment Rupert Hogan was one of the party,
but this feeling was almost immediately forgotten in his enthusiasm
at again seeing Miss Anabelle who looked charming indeed in a dark
blue dress with grey furs, against which she wore a large bouquet of
violets. Rupert, on the contrary, wore a bright, brown suit with an
extremely large yellow chrysanthemum in his buttonhole.
"Which are you for, Rollo," asked Anabelle, "Yale or Princeton?"
"I am for Princeton," said Rupert loudly, which was very rude as he
had not been addressed.
"I am for Yale, of course," cried Rollo.
"Oh joy!" laughed Anabelle. "So am I. I must teach you the cheer. It
begins 'Brek-ek-kek-kek, ko-ax, ko-ax!'"
"Tiger. Siz-boom-ah!" shouted Rupert.
"See, I have a tin horn, all the Princeton men carry tin horns."
Thus, with much shouting and noise and merry glee the little company
sped on their way towards the city of New Haven. The thoroughfare soon
began to be greatly crowded with thousands of automobiles filled with
other girls and boys as well as grown-ups, some so old that Rollo
marvelled at their being out of doors at all, all bound for the great
match. There was much dust and confusion, and not a little danger.
Racing cars filled with gentlemen with pleasant red faces dashed by
at a break-neck pace, and at one spot there was quite a pile of autos
which had run into each other and were severely damaged. It also began
to be extremely cold.
"Are we not delightfully uncomfortable?" shouted Rollo, as they
whirled off the road to avoid another car, jumped a ditch, grazed a
telegraph pole, and bounced back onto the turnpike again.
"Yes indeed," said Anabelle. "That is half the fun. Of course we might
have made the journey in a warm train, but that is not considered the
smart thing to do. One should always be half-frozen when one arrives
at a football match."
"Right-o!" said Rollo. "Come, Rupert, I will wager you a dime on the
result!"
"Done with you, Rollo," said Rupert, and Lucy and Stella and Anabelle
all applauded.
New Haven town was even more crowded and confusing than the highway
had been. Important constables waved them hither and thither, and they
were soon passing imposing buildings, which Stella's mother told them
were the Halls of Learning.
"There are the new Harkness buildings," she said. "A very great
architect, Mr. Rogers, designed the group."
"We have a Rogers group in our parlor," said Rollo, "but it is by no
means so large or so fine as this one. But do they play the match in
that great courtyard?"
"Dumbbell!" said Rupert. "They play the game in the Bowl."
"Well I vow!" thought Rollo, "who ever heard of playing football in a
bowl!"
But he kept silent and was very glad he had done so, for, after an
hour of snail-like pace through the streets they came in sight of a
gigantic structure, in which Rollo could see thousands and thousands
of people sitting.
"There is the Bowl," cried his friends and they all clambered stiffly
to the ground, still munching their luncheon sandwiches, and made
their way to their seats.
The spectacle which met Rollo's gaze was indeed an imposing one. Round
about the great arena stretched thousands of people, tier upon tier,
an unbroken mass rising far above his head.
"They do not look like people," cried Rollo, "but like the knots on
one of Grandmother's hooked-rugs. But I should like very much to see a
baseball game here."
"And why baseball?" asked Rupert.
"Because," said Rollo, "it would be interesting to see a tiny pitcher
in such a huge bowl."
"Bravo!" cried Anabelle, and Rupert scowled ill-naturedly.
At this moment a tremendous burst of cheering split the air, several
bands began to play at once, and the great multitude rose to its feet
shouting and waving their flags, as two groups of strange padded
creatures pranced into the arena like savage beasts entering the
Coliseum at Rome.
A moment later a whistle blew sharply, and an ominous hush fell over
the vast assemblage. Although he knew not why, a strange sensation of
physical illness almost overpowered Rollo. The game was about to
begin.
"Isn't it wonderful!" cried Stella.
"Is it?" said Rollo in a faint voice.
The contest which followed left our little hero even more dazed and
confused. Time after time he shuddered and winced as the two groups of
players came crunching together, or when ten or more Princetons fell
with a crash upon a single Yale.
"No fair!" shouted Rollo, but Anabelle said, "Hush, Rollo," very
gently, and put her hand on his under the robe.
Occasionally the players would stop to rest, while doctors and men
with stretchers would rush out on the field and remove the wounded.
[Illustration: "--it seemed to him that he kissed her"]
"Who is winning?" asked Rollo.
"Nobody knows," said Anabelle. "No one ever does know at a football
game. The only way to find out what is really happening is to read
about it in the papers to-morrow."
This was a great comfort to Rollo, for he gave up trying to understand
what was going on and from then on began really to enjoy himself. A
few moments later, the whistle blew again, everyone began cheering
wildly and the game was over.
"This way," cried Anabelle as she and Rollo reached the ground outside
the Bowl. Rollo followed her and for several minutes they threaded
their way among the crowd, squeezing between groups of people and
dodging motor cars. Night was falling, and bright headlights were
gleaming over the tumbled fields. This way and that they darted, until
Anabelle suddenly stopped and said, "Oh, Rollo, where are the others?"
"Anabelle," replied Rollo, "I verily believe we are lost."
"I'll say so," said Anabelle. "Well, let us sit here until we are
found. It is much safer than to go wandering about."
"You are quite right," agreed Rollo. "We once lost a fine brindle
cow, because she wandered into a swamp and sank in a quagmire. But,
hello--what is this?" As he spoke Rollo pulled from his coat pocket a
small bottle.
"As I live and breathe, it is a bottle of martini which Jonas has
thoughtfully prepared against the cold."
"Blessings on Jonas!" cried his little companion. "I am almost
frozen."
It was the work of a moment to spread the robe on a grassy knoll, and
here Cousin Stella's chauffeur found them just as Rollo tossed the
empty bottle into a coppice.
"Atta-boy!" cried Rollo gaily as they struggled to their feet and ran
toward the automobile. It was now quite dark, and when they were
snugly tucked among the cushions Rollo began to feel very sleepy. As
they rolled homeward through the night, the little boy drowsed off
into slumber. Then he seemed to see two bright stars gleaming in the
sky, which reminded him of Anabelle's eyes and it seemed to him that
he kissed her. But he may have been dreaming.
"Who won?" asked Jonas when Rollo and Lucy reached the apartment.
"I did," cried Rollo, "I beat Rupert Hogan all to pieces."
"But who won the football match?" persisted Jonas.
"How do I know, Dumbbell," said Rollo. "Look in the papers to-morrow
morning!"
ROLLO GOES A-SHOPPING
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT MOVES OUR LITTLE HERO TO A VAST OUTLAY,
BUT THE RESULT IS ALL THAT COULD BE DESIRED
It was now the merry Yuletide season which, in town and country, falls
like a mantle of white snow over the hearts of men and ladies, and you
may be sure that little Rollo was among the very first to feel its
influence. Although it was but early December, he and his Sister Lucy
had long been storing up their pennies, and many an hour had been
passed writing the lists of those to whom they wished to give
remembrances and from whom they expected to receive them.
Rollo had saved a whole dollar, which was indeed a great task for him,
for Rollo's father was a frugal man and few coins came his children's
way. But, by changing his Sunday-school dime into two nickels, our
little hero was able to save five cents a week, and still make a
louder noise in the contribution box than ever before. Thus, little by
little, the small iron bear, into whose jaws Rollo placed his hoard,
became gradually filled, until one day Rollo found to his surprise
that no more coins would go in.
"Feel how heavy my Bruin is become," said Rollo to Jonas. "Now I must
open him, for it is time to do my Christmas shopping. How shall I do
it, Jonas? Shall I cast him on the stone pavement and so burst him?"
"Ho ho," laughed Jonas. "That would be a pretty way indeed! But wait a
moment."
Then, repairing to another chamber, Jonas soon returned with a small
screw-driver from Rollo's mother's sewing-machine. With this he set to
work so diligently that there was soon a sharp snap, and Rollo saw
that the shaft of the screw-driver had broken off.
"Oh, bother!" cried Jonas crossly, at the same time rapping the bank
against the steam radiator with such force that Bruin was split
clearly in two from head to tail.
"Thank you! Thank you, Jonas," shouted Rollo. "How wonderful it must
be to be as handy with tools as you are! But now I must go a-shopping,
for it is not yet nine o'clock, and the signs all ask us to do our
Christmas shopping early."
On the threshold Rollo met his father, who said cheerfully,
"Good-morning, Rollo. And whither are you going so fast?"
"Good-morning to you, sir," said Rollo, touching his cap politely. "I
am about to do my Christmas shopping, sir, and you may believe me, I
have a great list. There is Mother, and you, sir, and Lucy and Jonas
and Uncle George and Cousin Stella."
Rollo's father waited patiently until Rollo had finished speaking
before he said, "Rollo, I think I ought to tell you that there are to
be no family presents in our household this year. The grain business
is most distressing just now, and we can ill afford to waste our funds
on such wicked luxuries as presents. Let us wish each other a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year in a suitable and inexpensive manner."
[Illustration: "Everything within was very grand and gloomy"]
"I heartily agree with you, sir," said Rollo, with a cheerfulness
which pleased his father.
Now the real reason for Rollo's happy acquiescence in his father's
plan was that there was one name on his list which he had not
mentioned.
Anabelle--for it was indeed she--was a charming girl of about Rollo's
own age, whom he had met on several occasions, and of whom he had
thought more than ever since their last meeting at the great football
contest between the academies of Yale and Princeton.
"Hurrah!" shouted Rollo to himself as he hurried toward Fifth Avenue,
which is the Main Street of New York City. "Hurrah! I can now spend my
entire dollar on Anabelle."
This was Rollo's first Christmas season in a great city and, although
he had begun to feel quite at home in the thoroughfares, he was
nevertheless greatly surprised to find so many folk abroad at such an
early hour.
He finally found himself in the portal of a magnificent shop in the
windows of which were beautiful oil paintings.
"The very thing!" thought Rollo. "Anabelle herself is so beautiful,
and she paints, too, herself--a little. It is a merry idea."
Everything within was very grand and gloomy, particularly the shop
attendants, who were tall young gentlemen in immaculate cut-away
coats.
"My favourite artist is Rockwell Kent," said Rollo. "He once painted
my father's barn--in a picture, of course. Have you anything by him
which would be suitable for a young lady?"
"I doubt it very much," said the gentleman, "but we shall see."
He then showed Rollo several pictures by his favourite artist, one in
particular which Rollo greatly admired.
"That is most beautiful!" said Rollo. "And what does it fetch?"
The gentleman looked puzzled before he said, "Oh, you mean the price.
Well, that is one of the most reasonable. It is only a thousand
dollars."
Alas! Everywhere Rollo turned he met with the same discouraging reply.
A tiny vial of perfume was supposed to fetch ten dollars; even single
blossoms of rare flowers were three dollars each.
It was a tired and disheartened Rollo who finally turned his footsteps
homeward, his dollar still sagging heavily in his pocket, as his heart
sagged heavily within.
And then a most surprising thing happened, for Rollo suddenly found
himself before the most beautiful shop he had ever seen, its windows
gleaming with brilliant wares and holiday decorations, and its
doorways, beneath a handsome red sign, breathing forth odours of the
utmost fragrance. But what fascinated our little hero most was a card
displayed in many places which stated "Nothing in this store over ten
cents."
[Illustration: "Can you not imagine Anabelle's joy when she opened all
these presents!"]
"Hurrah!" shouted Rollo.
It was a tired but happy little Rollo who emerged an hour later,
clutching his precious purchases in his arms, ten in all, and each to
be marked later, "To Anabelle from Rollo, with love and a Merry
Christmas."
For there, if you can believe me, Rollo found all the marvellous
things which he had so unsuccessfully endeavoured to purchase before,
a beautiful picture called _Spring_ with pink apple-blossoms a-bloom,
a string of magnificent pearls, much larger than those he had seen in
the other shop, a bright red book entitled _Memorandum_, a fragrant
flower similar to the ones he had seen, but made of cloth and wire so
that it could not wither, and a large bottle of most delicious perfume
labelled Bay Rum Lotion, a sample of which the amiable young
saleswoman squirted on Rollo's curly locks to his great delight.
Can you not imagine Anabelle's joy when she opened all these presents
on Christmas morning! Surely hers was the brightest, happiest
Christmas of any little girl in all this wide land.
THE END OF LITTLE ROLLO
WHICH IMMEDIATELY PROVOKES THE USUAL QUESTION--WHICH END?
On a bright midwinter morning, Rollo was sitting before the sputtering
gas-log, endeavouring to warm himself. Although he had on his
red-flannel wristers and the tippet which his Aunt Lucy had given him
for Christmas, and his hands were extended over the blue flames, yet
he felt cold. Ever and anon he shivered slightly.
"Jonas," said he, addressing his father's secretary, who had just
entered the room, "why am I so chilly? The room according to the
mercury-tube is warm, and yet I shiver."
"Some one is walking over your grave," said Jonas cheerfully, "Such
tremblings are oft times presentiments of death." So saying, he passed
out of the room whistling a merry funeral march.
This was the one thing necessary to make Rollo feel colder and more
disconsolate than ever before. He squirmed round on his green cricket,
and seemed to shrink to a smaller size, as he again extended his
hands, his expression becoming more and more disconsolate as the
picture conjured up by Jonas's remarks floated before his eyes. He
saw himself lying on his trundle bed, his family weeping about him.
Among them, he saw in his imagination his little friend Anabelle
approaching, sadly, carrying a large wreath of lilies tied with a
white ribbon, marked "Rollo." At this thought, two large tears rolled
slowly down Rollo's cheeks. It was more than he could bear. And thus
his mother found him when she entered the room.
Now the reasons for our little hero's depression were three. I wonder
if any of my young readers can guess them!
First, there was the natural reaction to the gay Holiday season, which
always plunges the world into profound gloom; secondly, Rollo was by
nature inclined to be rather bilious; and thirdly,--well,--I shall
wait before I tell you the third reason and perhaps you may divine it
for yourselves, and will not that be fun!
"Great news, Rollo," cried his mother, brightly but not so loudly as
to be unladylike, "great news! Your Uncle George is to be married and
to whom do you think?"
Rollo thought of several of the gay ladies whom he had met during his
evening parties with Uncle George, but, having lived in the city now
for nearly a half-year, he had learned that it is not best to express
one's thoughts too frankly at all times, and therefore answered, "To
whom, Mother? I am sure I cannot guess."
"Why, to Anabelle's mother," was the reply. "Her first husband was a
very wicked man, and Anabelle's mother was forced to leave him. She
has just returned from visiting her folks in Reno, Nevada. The wedding
is to be in her apartment on Park Avenue, and your Uncle writes to say
that he hopes that you and Anabelle will be page and flower-girl on
that occasion. Anabelle is to be allowed to come home from school for
the great event."
At these glad tidings, Rollo's depression vanished in a trice. All
thought of dying was swept away by the realization that he was soon to
see Anabelle again! And now perhaps you have some idea of what the
third reason for his low spirits had been.
From that time on, events moved at a rapid pace, each more exciting
than the last. First came the Bachelor Dinner, one of the strangest
meals which Rollo had ever attended. Rollo's father did not approve of
Uncle George's marriage, though when he learned that Anabelle's mother
was very wealthy he said, "Well, I shall voice no objection. George
has made his bed; let him lie in it."
Rollo thought this a coarse remark, but kept silent as his father
continued, "As for this Bachelor Dinner, I do not approve of Rollo's
attendance."
"But there are to be handsome gifts," said Rollo's mother. "George
informs me that everyone at the table is to receive a jewelled
scarf pin, a splendid cravat, and a pair of gloves."
"I do not wish to offend George," said Rollo's father. "The boy may as
well go, but let him surely be home by nine o'clock. Do you remember
what my glove size is, Mother?"
[Illustration: "Gentlemen, with your kind permission I will read a
poem"]
And so it was arranged.
It was, as I say, the strangest dinner Rollo had ever attended. It was
served in a private room of the handsome edifice owned by Mr. Ritz,
and the menu or bill-of-fare was most elaborate, consisting of
beautiful, ornamental dishes which were whisked before Rollo's eyes in
rapid succession. Each course was accompanied by a different beverage,
and toward the end the serving gentlemen filled large tumblers with a
most delicious sparkling cider, which Rollo vowed the best he had ever
tasted.
Such fun as they had! The guests were eight in number, with Rollo
making the ninth, and never had he seen such merry companions. Very
few of rare viands were actually eaten, quite an amazing quantity
being spilled, or thrown from one guest to another, and Rollo could
not keep from thinking with some dismay of his bib at home which Lucy
had cross-stitched for him with the words "Waste not, want not." He
was comforted, however, by the assurance of a Mr. Stewart who sat next
him, that the food would be scraped up in the morning and sent to the
starving women of Mesopotamia.
Then the strangest thing happened. The cider-goblets having
been filled, a Mr. Weaver, who was called the best-man, cried
loudly,--"Bottoms up! To the bride." At this shocking remark,
everyone drained his portion of cider and then cast the goblet at
the wall or ceiling or floor so that the handsome Brussels carpet
was covered with broken glass.
"Well, I declare!" thought Rollo, "if Mr. Weaver is the _best_ man, I
wonder what the others are like!" and partly to hide his confusion,
partly to restore order, he rose and said, "Gentlemen, with your kind
permission, I will read a poem."
"'Ray, 'ray," shouted Uncle George, "Squiet, please, squiet."
Then Rollo read as follows:
"O, Hail! O beauteous, blushing bride
Your future will be happy we know,
When you are by your husband's side,
And no more with your folks in Reno.
Your other husband, I've heard say,
Was one in whom affection dwindled,
But Uncle George I'm sure will stay
And tend the fire which he has kindled."
Rollo's poem was a great success and after that a Mr. Bishop and a Mr.
Benchley sang many duets, while the others made speeches, to which
Uncle George replied, sitting on the floor and making gestures over
the edge of the table.
The sun was shining when Rollo reached home and placed his cravat
and gloves at his father's door, keeping the scarf pin for himself,
but the little fellow was delighted to see that it was only half
after seven by the parlour clock, so that he had obeyed his father's
instructions and got home before nine after all.
The next day was the wedding and you may be sure Rollo was up betimes,
after a refreshing sleep of ten minutes. He dressed himself with
particular care, his heart pounding with excitement, for to-day he was
to see Anabelle, who had arrived from her seminary the evening before!
All the family were early astir, and there was much scrubbing and
inspection of finger nails and ears, and rustling of starchy garments,
and at promptly half after eleven, the entire family set forth, except
Jonas, who had gone before in his squeakiest shoes, for he was to
guard the wedding gifts lest some of the guests should steal them.
The apartment was large but the company was larger and, as many had
already arrived, Rollo soon found himself in a dense crowd in which he
could catch no glimpse of Anabelle, but had only a view of the elbows
and waist-lines which were on a level with his eyes. Just as he was
feeling quite faint and stunned from bumping his head against the
gentlemen's hip-pockets, he was rescued by Mr. Stewart and dragged
into a room where the ushers were forming the nuptial procession.
Suddenly, from a veritable forest of rubber-plants, the strains of
Mendelssohn's Wedding March smote the air, the hum of conversation
died down and the lovely bride, preceded by Anabelle, and accompanied
by her aged father in a wheel-chair, moved majestically down an aisle
which Jonas had cleared. Rollo was propelled forward into his place,
and, blushing furiously, marched by Anabelle's side until they reached
the arch of smilax and roses beneath which stood Dr. Ordway, the
minister.
[Illustration: "--What a happy ending it is"]
It was a beautiful sight, the bride in a lovely lavender dress, the
dignified old father and the ushers, their red faces contrasting
handsomely with their white carnations and gray cravats.
But all this was a dream to Rollo, who had eyes only for Anabelle,
bewitchingly fairy-like with her pale-blue dress and basket of
flowers. It made Rollo's head swim to look at her and as the words of
the ceremony came to him indistinctly a vague resolve formed itself in
his mind. At the words "And with all my worldly goods," he thought of
his own possessions and wondered what Anabelle would think of his
knife and of the decorated clam-shell which his Uncle had brought him
from Atlantic City.
"It is not much," thought Rollo, "but one cannot give more than all,
and oh! how beautiful she is----!"
And now they had reached the solemn part of the service where Dr.
Ordway asked if there was anyone present who had any objection to the
wedding. One of the gentlemen coughed rather loudly, but no one said
anything and soon the ceremony was over and everyone was laughing and
talking and congratulating the happy pair.
Then for the first time Rollo had an opportunity to speak to Anabelle
and you may be sure he lost no time in gaining her side. They were
soon chatting merrily.
"Let's eat," said Rollo, for his father had instructed him that he
must be sure to get his luncheon at the wedding.
When they had regaled themselves with the lavish collation, they
joined the grown-up company who were dancing to the soft strains of
three saxophones and a bass drum.
"That was lovely," said Rollo politely when the dance ended,--"but do
you not think the party is getting a little rough?"
"So it is," agreed Anabelle. "Let us sit on the stairs, where we can
see without being seen."
"Yuppy," said Rollo, and soon they were comfortably seated just beyond
the landing with Anabelle quite close to Rollo and her brown eyes
looking up into his blue ones.
Now Rollo did not know it, but sitting on a stairway with a young lady
is an almost certain way of bringing about a proposal. Why this is we
do not know, but so it is, and so it has been since stairs were first
invented.
All things seemed to conspire to bring to the surface a declaration of
Rollo's great love for Anabelle. The wedding had stirred him deeply,
and Anabelle's beauty, the dancing, and now this quiet corner with the
sound of the saxophones softened by the distance.
His hands were very cold and his voice trembled slightly as he said,
with more originality than one would have expected--"Anabelle, I have
something to say to you."
"Yes," said Anabelle.
"Yes," repeated Rollo, "and this is what it is. I should like to marry
you, Anabelle. But for several reasons I may not be able to do so. My
worldly goods, to which Dr. Ordway referred, are of very little value,
and moreover, from something Jonas said to me this morning I fear I
may not be long for this world."
"Oh, Rollo," cried the little girl, and put her hand over his.
"But as I understand it," continued Rollo, "we must first be engaged,
and perhaps we should not take but one step at a time. Shall we be
engaged, Anabelle?"
"Let's," she answered.
"I regret," said Rollo, "that I have no engagement ring, but perhaps
for the present another piece of jewelry will serve."
So saying, he drew from his pocket the scarf pin which Uncle George
had given him.
As he went forward to fasten it in Anabelle's dress she leaned toward
him. It was as if two roses had been brought together by a breeze
straying through a garden. Through Rollo's heart spread a shivering
thrill which carried no presentiment of an untimely end, but a
feeling that he should live forever.
"Oh, Anabelle," he whispered through her hair. "This must be the
ending which Jonas prophesied--but what a happy ending it is!"
"It is only the beginning," said Anabelle weeping.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:
Minor changes have been made to correct typesetters' errors; otherwise,
every effort has been made to remain true to the author's words and
intent.
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