“Mr Morton:  I stand here in behalf of the boys present, who wish to express to you their sense of your kindness in giving them the course of lessons which has just ended.  We have taken up much of your time, and no doubt have tried your patience more than once.  If we have improved, as you were kind enough to say, we feel that it is principally owing to our good fortune in having so skilful a teacher.  We wish to present you some testimonial of the regard which we have for you, and accordingly ask your acceptance of this copy of ‘Abbott’s Life of Napoleon.’  We should have been glad to give you something more valuable, but we are sure you will value the gift for other reasons than its cost.”

Here Charles Reynolds sat down, and all eyes were turned toward Mr. Morton.  It was evident that he was taken by surprise.  It was equally evident that he was much gratified by this unexpected token of regard.

He rose and with much feeling spoke as follows: 

“My dear boys, for you must allow me to call you so, I can hardly tell you how much pleasure your kind gift has afforded me.  It gives me the assurance, which indeed, I did not need, that you are as much my friends as I am yours.  The connection between us has afforded me much pleasure and satisfaction.  In training you to duties which patriotism may hereafter devolve upon you, though I pray Heaven that long before that time our terrible civil strife may be at an end, I feel that I have helped you to do something to show your loyal devotion to the country which we all love and revere.”  Here there was loud applause.  “If you were a few years older, I doubt not that your efforts would be added to those of your fathers and brothers who are now encountering the perils and suffering the privations of war.  And with a little practise I am proud to say that you would not need to be ashamed of the figure you would cut in the field.

“I have little more to say.  I recognize a fitness in the selection of the work which you have given me.  Napoleon is without doubt the greatest military genius which our modern age has produced.  Yet he lacked one very essential characteristic of a good soldier.  He was more devoted to his own selfish ends than to the welfare of his country.  I shall value your gift for the good wishes that accompany it, and the recollection of this day will be among my pleasantest memories.”

Mr. Morton here withdrew in the midst of hearty applause.

When he had left the hall a temporary organization for business purposes was at once effected.  Wilbur Summerfield was placed in the chair, and the meeting proceeded at once to an election of officers.

For a week or two past there had been considerable private canvassing among the boys.  There were several who would like to have been elected captain, and a number of others who, though not aspiring so high, hoped to be first or second lieutenants.  Among the first class was John Haynes.  Like many persons who are unpopular, he did not seem to be at all aware of the extent of his unpopularity.