An Officer of the School
By Elliott Flower.
(Jimmie Dandy was introduced to “St. Nicholas” readers, just a year ago, in Mr. Flower’s capital story, “An Officer of the Court.”)
Jimmie Dandy did not find the school all that he had anticipated, and the school found Jimmie Dandy decidedly discouraging. The school, as represented by its principal, was doubtful as to the advisability of accepting Jimmie as a scholar; Jimmie, as represented by himself, was doubtful as to the ability of the principal to manage such a diversified aggregation of boyhood unaided. Jimmie had led the strenuous life, and his nickname of “Jimmie Dandy” was ample evidence that he had the necessary qualities for success in life, as he understood it. The principal, while reasonably strict, did not seem to be strenuous, and it was Jimmie’s deliberate judgment that he “would n’t last a minute wid de gang.” The principal, on the other hand, could see where Jimmie was going to be at a great disadvantage with the other boys.
“I am afraid,” he said, “that his life here will not be a happy one. He is bright, but he shows his origin too plainly. My boys are as good as the average, but all boys are rough in some ways, and it is hardly possible that he will not be made to feel his failings. In spite of all I can do, he will be the butt of ridicule, when he should have sympathy and encouragement.”
“He needs discipline,” said Anson Raymond, the man who had brought Jimmie to the school. “There is the making of a fine man in him, but so far he has been allowed to run wild, except for occasional attendance at the public schools. Judge Kendal of the Juvenile Court succeeded in getting a hold on him; that has done a great deal of good. It required diplomacy, but surely it was worth the effort. We study men for our own business advantage; why not boys? Men have their peculiarities as well as boys, and we accommodate ourselves to those peculiarities in practically all the important affairs of life. If we did not, we might as well give up. Every salesman does it, every merchant does it, every professional man does it; every successful man studies individual cases and makes his plans according to the requirements of the particular situation. Now, it is a hobby of mine that there is nothing more important in this life than to make a good man out of an unpromising waif, but it can’t be done by following any hard and fast rule. I’ve tried to make some study of Jimmie as an individual. That ’s why I ’ve brought him to a military school to give him some idea of the importance of discipline.”
Mr. Raymond was a man of influence, and, as he also had the backing of the judge in this matter, the school accepted Jimmie, although with some misgivings, There was no fear that he would exert a bad influence, for an aggressive independence and the language of the streets were his principal failings; but there was a fear that he might not fit into the routine of school life. However, he proved unexpectedly teachable in some ways.
‘The name?” said the principal, when it was settled that he was to be received.
“Harry Bagley,” replied Mr. Raymond.
“What ’s de matter wid ‘Jimmie Dandy’? ” demanded the boy.
“Oh, that ’s only a nickname,” laughed Mr. Raymond. “You must drop that if you ’re going to be a rea] man.”
The boy looked doubtful.
“Is n't ‘Fightin’ Joe’ Wheeler a real man?” he asked.
“Indeed he is,” returned Mr, Raymond, puzzled.
“It, was fightin’ dat give him de name, was n't it?” persisted the boy.
“Yes.”
“Well, it was fightin’ dat give me mine,” he announced, as if that settled the question.
Mr. Raymond was wondering how he would240
