The Riverpark Rebellion

in response to Brightly's cry of "Fire!" In another moment Brede was secured; and when the fire, which had been confined to Br

e returned to consciousness. He was badly bruised, and his wrist and shoulder were sprained. Beyond that, he had sustained no bodily injury; but

e past twenty-four hours had been so dramatic, so tragic, that the impressions left by them on these young minds wer

looked down on them from the desk; his sympathy grew stro

e; but the developments of the last twenty-four hours seem to make it fitting that something should be said to you to-night. I trust that the climax of the evil has been reached and passed. Indeed, I know on looking into y

moment and t

the Hudson; and had it not been for the kindness of a stranger to all of you save one, you would have been shelterless and hungry in the storm and night. Your return home was

ts, nervous exhaustion, ruined clothing, officers reduced to ranks, half of the s

rt of this building, one of your

ing disgraced himself and having brought reproach on you and us. To the same building, which represents my earthly possessions

anger, and his face was very pale. A

m were produced by you. Such things will not occur in this school again in my lifetime. This lesson will pass down through many generations of students here, and help them to

on with the evening lesson and prayer; but when the short service was concluded, there was not a boy in the room whos

ould not sound as usual; that they were to go to their rooms, and might lie down if th

at night to take his son away, and that the battalion was to be formed at his departure. Of course, under the

to the front entrance. Then it was known that General Brede had come, and was alone with Colonel Sil

rolls in tones scarcely above a whisper; all commands were given with hushed voices. It was a

; but there were few who moved and there were none who talked. The stillness was impressive.

waited, and there was heard at ti

was called to attention, and a squad of four was detailed, in charge of a sergeant, to proceed t

up the stairs, and

farther end of the hall by the outside door. Dressed in military hat and cloak, magnificent in

the wind caused the rain to dash noisily against the wi

dst, straight to Colonel Silsbee. The salute was given and returned, and the soldiers retired to their places in the ranks. With a slight moti

e swagger. He looked boldly into the faces of his companions, and forced

went out from Brede's countenance as he walked; the curl left his lips; his face grew pale as death, and took on an expression of agony and fear. Step b

ve the military salute. General Brede answered it, and motioned to

e rigid ranks, the stony faces of his old companions. Then his pride, his bravado

he carriage-door was closed, and the sound of rece

heard that cry has ever forgotten it. It was sad, it was just, it was terrible! It

ion and the unremitting care of good Mrs. Silsbee had brought on a favorable

nce, Brightly had been talking to his mother of the troubles at the

nder; but after she had thought upon the matter, she requested him not to do so. She wanted Brightly to have still another year at Riverpark, and had made the request in the belief tha

at the end of the year, and had given to Brightly the third position. When the lad heard this he turned his face away and w

an end. One by one she had counted them out, tinted with emerald, glowing with sunshine, jewel

rounds of the academy. For them there were no long walks in the country, no boating on the river, no

cheerful face and hearty manner, and inaugurated for them such mild pleasures as could be enjoyed in delinquency. By counsel and example he reconciled the unfortunates to their fate,

dotting the eastern slope of the lawn; already the schoolroom was deserted and the recitation-rooms were empty; the sentin

people had come up from the city to witness the evolutions of the troops, and the e

lashing in the sunshine, hear his voice in words of command! It was such a splendid place,-that post of adjutant; the ceremonial set down for him was so knightly, so

here were secret conferences that he had unwittingly disturbed, whispered words that were not meant for his ears; onc

e bring himself to believe that, under the calmness and good disci

ed in perfect unison, and the points of their bayonets flashed into line through the sunligh

faces to the commanding officer and gives him the result o

all but touching the ground, and the words of the report were scarc

your Orde

sword, drew a paper from his belt, unfolded it, gave

rs, Riverp

20,

ORDER,

verpark, a general amnesty is hereby proclaimed in favor of all offenders. All delinquencies are cancelled to thi

of the

onas S

Fink

rst Lieut

o discover it at once. A shout went up as from a single throat. Caps were tossed wildly into the air. There was cheering, hand-shaking

at Riverpark, was almost convulsed with delight. He leaped and waved his cap and shouted, until the boys nearest to him in the rank

nel Silsbee, who had been standing near him, with folded arms, enjoying the scene quie

ldierly efforts to regain the standing lost through an unhappy error. So do I appreciate them; and it will not detract one whit from the strength and virtue of your petition to tell you that I had alread

ajor, and the major saluted t

your Or

nant came Fink

rs, Riverp

20,

ORDER,

f the Riverpark Battalion, his commission to date from to-day. He will proceed immediately

of the

onas S

Fink

rst Lieut

. Those who were near enough to Brightly hugged him frantically, and those who were not near enough reac

e in the applause of his comrades. Colonel Silsbee's face was so radiant wit

de closed with all its military pomp and display. The jubilant ranks were broken, the bright-faced ladies walked slowly away, and the

riber'

as been provided for the

ling inaccuracies we

able spelling ha

compound words have been pre

-dash style has

nts was adjusted to match the tit