Chapter XVI: Bolax Leaves College for Vacation

The following morning Monsieur Le Curé took both boys to the Falls of Montmorency; when they returned home in the evening they found a letter from Mrs. Allen, telling her son of her safe arrival in Quebec and requesting him to come to the Frontenac Hotel.

Bolax was overjoyed, and so excited, he could not pack his trunk, so Brother Isadore did it for him; he took all his belongings, except his books, which he gave in charge of the Brothers, because he expected to return to College in the Fall.

Fulton had a very suspicious moisture in his eyes, as he shook hands with his merry chum, and Bolax hated to leave him alone, but consoled himself with the thought that his friend would soon visit de Villiers, at Trois Pistolets.

Monsieur Le Curé, and all the Brothers embraced "le cher enfant." "Au revoir" was said, then the carriage drove to the station, where Bo took the train for Quebec.

Such a happy reunion of parents and son. Mr. Allen was surprised to see his whilom, fat boy so tall and shapely and in such splendid health, notwithstanding the "grub" he ate at College.

"Mamma," said he, "I wonder how the Frontenac menu will agree with this young gentleman?" "Indeed," answered Mamma, "I fear not so well as L'Islet bill of fare." Good-natured Bo did not mind being teased, but when seated at the table, his appetite showed that the Frontenac menu was quite to his taste.

Bolax felt he knew quite a little about Quebec from his visit at Christmas, so he offered to conduct his father and mother to the principal churches and places of interest in the environs of the city.

They visited the monuments of General Montcalm and General Montgomery, the brave French and English Generals, who were killed at the assault on Quebec, 1775.

Mr. Allen, being an Englishman by birth, took great pleasure in examining the men-of-war belonging to the navy, and one afternoon climbed up to the Citadel to see the Fort, and chat with the soldiers. Mrs. Allen was not able to walk up such a height, so she was carried, seated on a chair strapped to a man's back.

Captain Wentworth, one of the officers, made himself very agreeable, took them into the Fort, explained to Bolax how the cannons were fired off, and told of many interesting events relating to the history of Canada from the time of the English invasion, etc.

Mrs. Allen reminded her husband that it was growing late, and although they were being so pleasantly entertained, she thought it time to take leave. Then Mr. Allen presented his card and thanked the officer for his kind courtesy. With the military salute, Captain Wentworth bowed, and conducting them down the steep descent, wished them "bon voyage."

A week was spent in Quebec, making purchases and getting a new outfit for Bolax, who had outgrown all his clothing. Mr. Allen proposed going to one of the beautiful suburbs to give his boy an "outing."

"If I had my choice," said Bo, "I would like to spend the whole summer at Montmorency Falls; when I was there last week with Monsieur Le Curé, we dined at a small hotel, kept by friends of his; everything was so comfortable and clean. There were three boys, who met us, as we were leaving, they had fishing rods over their shoulders, their pants stuck into their boots and looked as if they had had a jolly day of it. When Monsieur Le Curé introduced me, he called them his 'old friends.' They invited me to stay with them a week, but I told them I expected to be sent for by my parents."

"Well, my boy, I would prefer a place of that kind where you can have all the fun you want, and I a quiet time; we have had too much society at Palm Beach."

So all agreed to go to Montmorency, especially as it was at a convenient distance from L'Islet and Quebec. During the seven weeks of their visit, Bolax made himself very agreeable to every one, and became a general favorite especially among the boys and girls, because he was an adapt in all games and always ready for fun.

Among the boarders was an invalid, who spent most of his time seated in a corner of the piazza. Mr. Allen often entertained him, and Bolax would leave his companions to talk to him because he looked "so lonely." His name was "Cartier;" he prided himself on being a direct descendant of the famous Jacques Cartier, one of the first explorers of Canada.

One day in speaking to Mr. Allen, the old gentleman praised Bolax for the thoughtful kindness he had shown him on all occasions, at the same time remarking it was a pity the boy should have been given such an odd name.

"I admit it is an odd name," answered Mr. Allen, "and I doubt if any one ever owned it before." "Well," said Monsieur Cartier, "it suits Bolax for he certainly is an odd boy--a remarkable mixture of king's fool and profound philosopher."

* * * * *

The nineteenth of July, St. Anne's Day, was to be celebrated with great pomp and ceremony in the Basilica, at Beaupré. Bolax wanted to join the Pilgrimage going from L'Islet, but his mother and father preferred visiting the shrine when there would be less of a crowd.

On the twenty-second of August, our friends put on their traveling array once more, the note of preparation was struck, the destination this time being St. Anne de Beaupré. When all was ready for their departure, they took leave of the pleasant company at Montmorency, but their hostess, Madame Coteau, would not hear of an "Adieu;" it must be an "Au revoir," said the kind woman. "You must stop on your way back."

"That's true," agreed Mr. Allen, "we will be obliged to pass this way on our road to L'Islet, suppose we leave our trunks and take only handbags. We won't need anything more for the ten days we propose remaining at Beaupré."

"Justement! I'm glad you thought of that. Now we are sure of your return." All bid a warm-hearted "good-bye," too warm for Mr. Allen, who being an Englishman, could not appreciate the French custom of men embracing, but he submitted with grace, when dear old Monsieur Cartier put his arms around his neck and wished him a fervent "God bless you."

Arrived at Beaupré, our friends made their first visit to the Basilica. They were just in time for Benediction, not wishing to disturb the congregation they knelt at the door, but the Beadle (an imposing personage in red cassock and bearing a staff) came and invited them into a pew.

After Benediction several men and women knelt before the shrine of St. Anne; one mother held up a child in her arms, imploring its cure, she prayed aloud: "Oh! bonne Ste. Anne guerissez mon enfant, je vous suplie, au non de Jesus à qui rien n'est impossible." (Oh, Blessed St. Anne cure my child, I beg of you, in the name of Jesus, to whom nothing is impossible.)

Mr. Allen looked on, then turning to his wife, whispered: "There was a time when I would have considered this rank superstition, but now I am greatly edified, for I see the faith and devotion of people is fervent and sincere."

When they left the Church, Mr. Allen surprised his wife and son by telling them that his chief desire now was to make a retreat and prepare for Baptism. Mrs. Allen was so overjoyed, she rushed back into the Church, threw herself on her knees and thanked our Lord. Bolax and his father followed and all knelt in prayers of gratitude for so great a favor.

A few paces from the Basilica stood Hotel Orleans, to which they had been recommended by Monsieur Cartier; having secured rooms, they went out for a walk. They climbed a hill from which they saw a beautiful panorama of white sails and verdant islands set like jewels on the bosom of the St. Lawrence.

The next morning after Mass, Mr. Allen went to the Monastery and asked the Abbot to allow him to begin his retreat. The good Priest was delighted to receive him and found on examining his neophyte that he was very well informed on religious matters and firmly believed in all the truths of the Catholic religion.

When Mr. Allen entered on his retreat, he requested that no one should visit him. His wife and son willingly agreed to make the sacrifice of being separated from him for a time, so that their beloved one might give all his attention to preparing for the most important events of his life, viz: The reception of Baptism and Holy Communion.

Bolax accompanied his mother to all the chapels and shrines in the neighborhood. They went up the Holy Stairs on their knees, at the top was a figure of Pilate, and one of Christ standing, both life-size. In other Chapels were representations of the different stages of our Lord's passion; all the figures were life-size and so realistic as to startle one, who came upon them unawares. In a tiny room with barred windows, resembling a prison, Bolax came upon the statue of Christ as He is being crowned with thorns. The God-man sits with His Garments torn from His limbs, which are covered with wounds; streams of blood flow from the divine face; a soldier is in the act of spitting on Him, another driving the thorns into the sacred head. On seeing this, the boy burst into tears, he felt as though he was really in the presence of his suffering Redeemer. Knowing the effect such a pitiful sight would have on his mother, he went with her everywhere, carefully avoiding the distressing image.

One day while watching the sailboats landing the pilgrims, Bo heard his name called, looking around he saw Leon Casgrainie, his mother and sister, from L'Islet; they were so glad to meet again. Bo introduced his mother. Madame Casgrainie embraced Mrs. Allen as if she had been an old friend, for these Canadians are so full of hearty friendliness. In a few days the ladies were almost on intimate terms.

The day appointed for Mr. Allen's reception into the Church was August thirty-first. Madame Casgrainie expressed a wish to be present, so Mrs. Allen invited her and the children to the ceremony, which was to take place at the seven o'clock Mass, in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart.

The altar was a blaze of light; tiny electric lamps of all colors were placed in every available position, and full-blown roses shed sweet perfume over all.

The Abbot celebrated Mass. Just before the Offertory, he read the prayers admitting a catechumen to Holy Baptism. Mr. Allen bowed his head in all humility while the Priest poured upon him the saving water which made him a child of God and heir to Heaven. Immediately after this the Abbot placed a white cope over the newly baptized, emblematic of the purity with which his soul was adorned by this most Holy Sacrament.

After the Priest's Communion, Mr. Allen mounted the altar steps, still wearing the white robe and received our Lord for the first time. At the "Domine non sum dignus," the tears rolled down his cheeks; he was so overcome with the sanctity of the act, so full of faith and love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Mrs. Allen and Bo also went to Holy Communion. After Mass, Mr. Allen asked that his wife and son be admitted to see him. I have no words to describe the ecstasy of delight that thrilled their hearts when congratulating the beloved one. Mr. Allen pressed them both to his heart in silence. When he could speak, he said: "I feel our Angel child is rejoicing with us on this, the happiest day of my life." The good Abbot came to bid farewell, and shed tears of joy while bestowing the Papal Benediction on the family.

A few days after the events related, our friends were compelled to leave the holy place and take their departure for L'Islet; Madame Casgrainie offered to take them on her steam yacht, and begged them to accept the hospitality of her house during their stay in the village. Mr. Allen thanked the amiable lady, but told of his promise to return to Montmorency. "That can be easily arranged," said Mrs. Allen. "We are not in need of our trunks; after our visit to L'Islet we can keep our engagement with our friends at Montmorency and send Bo's baggage to him by express."

The next morning the yacht steamed out of the harbor bearing away a jolly party, young and old were full of merriment, so true it is that a clean conscience makes a happy heart. The mid-day bells were chiming the Angelus as they landed at the pier, where Monsieur Le Curé and Brother Director gave them a warm welcome to L'Islet. The good, old gentleman insisted on having his niece and her family dine at the Parsonage every day, for, said he, "I must see all I can of you, my children, it may be my last opportunity." Bolax conducted his father and mother through the College; they were perfectly satisfied with all the arrangements, and thanked the good Brothers for the interest they had shown in their son.

Madame Casgrainie proved herself a most entertaining hostess, she was lavish in her attention to her guests and made their visit to her a never-to-be-forgotten pleasure.

On September 8th, the whole family went on an excursion to Isle St. Roch. This is a charming spot. On the island is a ledge of rocks, and seemingly carved on the stones can be seen the footprints of a man and those of a dog; they extend the length of half a mile and are then lost in a maze of tangled brushwood. The pious people of the place believe that St. Roch, the great hunter, came here long ago and left his footprints and those of his faithful dog. The ladies and girls roamed over the island gathering blue berries, and the boys caught a basket of fine fish. While they were resting, after a substantial luncheon, a shrill sound floated down from high overhead. Gazing up, Bolax traced aloft against the blue sky, the V-shaped phalanx, pointed southward of the wild goose--the swift Canadian bird by its own instinct following after summer heat.

"Ma, dear," said the boy, "I fear that is the signal for your departure; the frosts come soon after the passage of those big birds, and Papa will not be able to bear our cold winds. But, oh, how I shall miss you!" "My darling, my heart will be very empty without you, but your father and I make the sacrifice of leaving you because we are sure you are under the best of care, both for your temporal and spiritual interests."

Madame Casgrainie and her daughter comforted Bolax, promising to have him at their house as often as the Brothers would permit. "After all, Bo," said Leon, "you are better off than most boys, even if you are a thousand miles from home; you have your uncle, Monsieur Le Curé, so cheer up and let us have a race on this hard beach. Whoever wins shall have the biggest peach in the basket." (Peaches are a rarety in Quebec, and its environs and are very costly.)

That evening Mr. Allen had a long talk with his son. He gave sound advice on several points, notably the following: "Let conscience be your king, and never attempt to weaken or to deviate from its commands. It is God's merciful messenger within you to testify of Himself, to warn you of danger, and point the right. Beware of trifling with conscience or of weakening its force. You can do so, but when you have silenced it, you will be left like a man, who, on a dark night, in a strange country extinguishes his lantern.

"There are three words which perhaps every school boy has written as a text-hand exercise, but which few lay to heart while they are following the copy. They are these: 'Sin causes sorrow.' A mighty truth; would that every boy would so learn it that the suffering which sin inevitably brings with it might be escaped.

"Be truthful in the slightest matters; never allow yourself to exaggerate. Have your mind occupied always with something good, pure, useful. Remember the old saying, 'A vacant mind is the devil's workshop.' Beware of the slightest propensity to evil, no pleasure derived from sense can be compared with the tranquil joy which springs from a pure heart.

"Let me tell you, my dear child, boyhood with all its little griefs and troubles, is the most joyous time of life; its very spring time when everything is fresh and beautiful. I did not appreciate it when I was a boy, but now I sometimes sigh for it. If boys who are longing for the time to come when they may be men could only know what a man's life and work mean, they would pray to be kept at school all their lives.

"I wish I could gain the ear of all the boys in the world, I would say to them affectionately, in the language of the Holy Apostle St. Paul. Be strong; shun anything and everything that has a tendency to weaken your mental and moral life.

"For you, my beloved son, I now say: Be strong in the grace you will obtain by constantly and devoutly approaching the Sacraments. If the love of God is the motive power of your life, you will grow from a noble boy into a noble man."

Father, mother and son sat together late into the night; then kneeling in devout prayer they retired to rest.

At seven o'clock on Wednesday morning, Monsieur Le Curé sent his carriage to take his niece and her husband to the station. Madame Casgrainie and Mrs. Allen bade each other a tearful farewell.

When on the train, Bolax bravely suppressed his emotion, so that the parting should not be too painful for his parents; then Monsieur Le Curé invited him to spend the night at his house, hoping to comfort him. In the morning, our brave boy entered the College, where he found that several of his classmates had returned. Fulton, Adolph and Tardeef gave him a hearty greeting; soon they were exchanging droll stories and making each other laugh at their adventures during vacation. On the whole, Bolax's second year opened with pleasant prospects and under more promising auspices than that which had preceded it.

Here we must leave our hero, asking the readers who are interested in his story to pray that his future life may prove all that his parents are trying to make it, viz: Pure, honest and noble in every sense of the word.

END.

Author's Notes

Transcriber's Note: These comments are not part of the original printed text of the book; they are excerpted from notes hand-written by the author in Villanova University's copy.

"This book will tell you how my children were carefully trained in their religion--It is true to life. I kept a diary of all my children's saying and doings and from this wrote the book."

"The odd name comes from the boy's father calling him bow-legs because as a baby he walked crooked. The boy caught the sound as 'Bolax' and was so called until quite a big boy."

Historical Notes

Transcriber's Note: These notes were hand-written in Villanova University's copy of the book by a librarian. They are not part of the original printed text.

In 1892-93 the son of Mrs. Josephine Culpeper, Osmond J., attended classes at Villanova, to which reference is made in her pages.

Mrs. C---- lives at Wayne, Pa.; it was from thence that the little "Bolax" was sent to St. Thomas of Villanova, to which he refers in his letter (p. 70). Allusions too on pp. 71, 72, 75, 82-86, 88, 97, 155-57, 159, 163.

Transcriber's Notes:

Apparent misspellings in dialogue have been retained on the assumption that they are intentional.

This book has many problems with quotation marks and dialogue. These have been corrected where practical, but some unusual formatting remains. In some cases, best guesses have been made as to the correct placement of missing punctuation--some situations are ambiguous.

ONLY A BOY (before page 1), changed "rob use" to "rob us."

Page 1, added missing chapter title.

Page 3, added missing open quote before "As for Bolax."

Page 4, added missing quotes to separate "said Miss Beldon, " from the surrounding quotation; also added missing quote before "only I--I--hope."

Page 5, added missing close quotes to second and third paragraphs; changed "undersood" to "understood" in "Bolax understood what his mother meant by this."

Page 6, changed single quote to double quote after "I ha'n't got no chair."

Page 7, changed "catchism" to "catechism" in "Tom's coming to my catechism class on Sunday." Also changed "would'nt" to "wouldn't."

Page 8, changed "flyspects" to "flyspecks."

Page 9, changed period to question mark in "What is it now, Bo dear?"

Page 10, changed "extinuguished" to "extinguished" in "should never be extinguished."

Page 11, removed extraneous quote from "Ma, dear!" Ma, dear!"

Page 13, changed "quiet" to "quite" in "the animal was quite unbroken."

Page 14, added open quotes before "As for you, Pete Hopkins" and "Pickaninys down Souf."

Page 15, added several missing quotes.

Page 18, added missing open quote before "tumty-tum twang!"

Page 20, added missing close quote after "Hurrah! for your birthday, sister."

Page 22, changed "did'nt" to "didn't" and added missing period after "goats feeding on such things."

Page 23, changed "tropped" to "trooped" and "princes" to "princess" and removed stray quote after "and there's some one else,"

Page 24, changed "some of the Mamma's" to "some of the Mammas."

Page 25, added missing quote after "smoke it out."

Page 26, added missing quote after "Clean-plum through."

Page 27, changed "Bout to 'Bout.

Page 28, changed "you're money" to "your money."

Page 29, changed "acknownledge" to "acknowledge" and fixed numerous quotation errors.

Page 30, attempted to make sense of more muddled quotation marks, adding missing quotes and changing double quotes to single quotes to clarify dialogue within dialogue.

Page 32, added missing close quote after "That sounds like Bolax."

Page 33, added missing close quote after "sicked them on Nan."

Page 35, fixed numerous quote problems.

Page 36, added many missing quotation marks.

Page 37, changed "Cathechism" to "Catechism" and added missing close quote after "say your prayers and go to bed."

Page 38, changed "Asumption" to "Assumption."

Page 39, added missing close quote after "Once long ago, our dear Lord died and--" and changed "beauitful" to "beautiful."

Page 40, added some missing quotes.

Page 44, added missing quotes to offset "cried Nellie Day" and "said Aunt Lucy" from surrounding text.

Page 46, changed "getting'" to "gettin'" and added missing quote before "No, I just wouldn't say that."

Page 50, deleted unnecessary quote before "Our Father, who art in Heaven" and added missing quote after "giggling instead of saying his prayers." Changed "nonsnse" to "nonsense."

Page 51, changed single quote to double quote after "taken by surprise" and added quotes to offset "said Bo."

Page 53, changed "scarcly" to "scarcely."

Page 57, added missing quote after "if a promise was broken."

Page 58, changed question mark to period in ""Mamma, Elsie told a lie."

Page 59, added missing quote after "He shan't be whipped, he shan't" and moved quote from after "son" to after "begun."

Page 62, added missing quote after "it hisses and cracks your bones and--"

Page 63, added missing quote after "giving me a report of his conduct."

Page 71, added missing quote after "your rabbits."

Page 73, added missing quotes around "If Aunt Lucy had been home I would not have been whipped." Added missing close and open quotes before "I wouldn't let you."

Page 74, fixed numerous quotation-related errors. Changed "Nautlius" to "Nautilus."

Page 75, added missing quote after "I'll study hard." Changed "broook" to "brook."

Page 77, added missing quotes around "we have no pupils under twelve years of age;" and around the paragraph beginning "That's just what I intended proposing."

Page 78, added several missing quotes.

Page 79, added missing end quote after "before these shrines" and missing open quote before "you don't mean to say;" offset "laughed Mr. O'Donnel" by adding missing quotes; changed "demense" to "demesne."

Page 80, removed comma from "my little, man."

Page 81, fixed several quotation issues near bottom of page.

Page 83, changed single quote to double quote after "he wasn't struck dead!" and added missing quote before "is kept so smooth and green."

Page 84, added missing quotes after "he didn't see the sign." and "if I stayed long enough at College." Changed single quote to double quote after "Are the priests kind to you?"

Page 85, added missing quote after "might get lost."

Page 87, added missing quotes after "two rats!" and before "where did they come from?" and around "Well now, all that is to be done is to catch them." Removed unnecessary quote after "I did."

Page 89, added missing quote after "sending Amy to Atlantic City?"

Page 98, changed double quotes to single quotes around "Hot box."

Page 101, fixed quotes surrounding "To shelter de Holy wanderers on dat blessed Christmas night."

Page 102, added missing quote after "we are not holy enough."

Page 103, added single quotes around 'A friend of mine just happens to be outside with his sleigh and I'll tell him to take you where you'll be well treated.'

Page 106, removed extraneous quote after "Eleven."

Page 108, added missing close quote after "wayfarer."

Page 110, changed "entertaiment" to "entertainment."

Page 111, added missing open quote before "I'll make him feel the vengeance."

Page 115, added missing quotes around paragraph beginning "That's a good story."

Page 116, removed several unnecessary quotation marks.

Page 119, changed "meet (bring" to "meet. Bring" (simplest, least disruptive way of resolving a mismatched parenthesis).

Page 125, removed unnecessary open quote at start of poem; changed "singing'" to "singin';" changed "its" to "it's;" added missing close quote after "all he hears and sees."

Page 126, changed "singing'" to "singin'" and "there" to "they're." Removed unnecessary quote after "although'."

Page 127, changed "bright an fair" to "bright an' fair."

Page 131, changed "wildnerness" to "wilderness."

Page 132, changed "Cavalry" to "Calvary" and corrected spacing on last line.

Page 133, changed double quotes to single quotes around "Prevention of Cruelty Society" and added missing nested close single quote on last line of page.

Page 136, changed "loving,son" to "loving son."

Page 139, removed stray quote before "May procession."

Page 140, changed "Collge" to "College."

Page 147, added missing close quote after "everlastingly punished in the next."

Page 150, changed "darlng" to "darling." Added missing quote after first reference to Fabiola.

Page 151, added missing open quotes to first two full paragraphs.

Page 152, fixed quotes around "Mass of the Angels."

Page 155, removed stray quote before "minor."

Page 157, fixed close quote after "But,"

Page 159, removed stray quote after "Bully!" and added missing quote after "good-night."

Page 161, changed "could'nt" to "couldn't" and "birth" to "berth."

Page 164, changed "fort" to "forte."

Page 167, changed "scones" to "sconces."

Page 169, changed "sius" to "suis" and "Couer" to "Coeur."

Page 170, changed "Whose" to "Who's" and added missing open quote before "you sleep soundly, sir."

Page 171, deleted unnecessary quote after "term."

Page 172, removed unnecessary quotes after "night?" and "consideration" and added some missing quotes in the second full paragraph.

Page 174, added open quote before "don't study hard."

Page 175, changed "knoweledge" to "knowledge."

Page 177, changed "hearily" to "heartily."

Page 181, changed "competiton" to "competition."

Page 182, added missing quotes to first two full paragraphs.

Page 184, corrected quotes in last full paragraph on page.

Page 185, added missing close quote after "the rest of the dormitory." Changed "S il yous play" to "S'il vous play."

Page 187, changed "francais" to "français."

Page 188, changed "ciusiniere" to "cuisiniere."

Page 189, changed "Carorll" to "Carroll."

Page 190, removed stray quote after "vacation's coming,"

Page 191, added missing open quote before "Young Allen."

Page 192, added missing close quote after "the Brothers?"

Page 193, added several missing quotes.

Page 196, added missing quote after "L'Islet bill of fare."

Page 197, changed "his-ory" to "history."

Page 198, changed double to single quotes around "old friends."

Page 199, added missing quote at end of page.

Page 200, added missing quotes around "Justement! I'm glad you thought of that. Now we are sure of your return." and after "fervent and sincere."

Page 201, changed "arrangments" to "arrangements."

Page 203, added missing close quotes after "the happiest day of my life" and "send Bo's baggage to him by express."

Page 205, added missing close quote after "the biggest peach in the basket."

Page 206, added missing open quotes on several paragraphs.