Aunt Jos Scrap-Bag, Vol. 5 | Page 4

a chirping and piping went on
there, it sounded like a big cage full of larks and linnets; and by and by,
when the trial was over, such a smiling troop of children as was left to
be drilled by the energetic gentlemen who had the matter in hand.
Among this happy band stood our Jimmy, chosen for his good voice,
and Will, because of her bright face and lively, self-possessed manners.
They could hardly wait to be dismissed, and it was a race home to see
who should be first to tell the good news. Jimmy tried to be quiet on
Kitty's account, but failed entirely; and it was a pleasant sight to see the
boy run into his mother's arms, crying joyfully,--
"I'm in! I'm in! Ten dollars a week! Hurrah!"
"I can hardly believe it!" And weary Mrs. Nelson dropped her needle to
indulge in a few moments of delightful repose.
"If it goes well they may want us for a month or six weeks," the man

said. "Just think, maybe I'll get fifty or sixty dollars! and Baby will get
well right off," cried Jimmy, in an arithmetical sort of rapture, as he
leaned above Kitty, who tried to clap her little hands without quite
knowing what the joy was all about.
HOW HE SAILED.
After that day Jimmy led a very happy life, for he loved music and
enjoyed the daily drill with his mates, though it was long before he saw
the inside of the theatre. Will knew a good deal about it, for an actor's
family had boarded with her mother, and the little girl had been behind
the scenes. But to Jimmy, who had only seen one fairy play, all was
very strange when at last he went upon the stage; for the glittering
world he expected was gone, and all was dusty, dark, and queer, with
trap-doors underfoot, machinery overhead, and a wilderness of scenery
jumbled together in the drollest way. He was all eyes and ears, and
enjoyed himself immensely as he came and went, sung and acted, with
the troop of lads who made up the sailor chorus. It was a real ship to
him, in spite of painted cannon, shaky masts, and cabin doors that led
nowhere. He longed to run up the rigging; but as that was forbidden,
for fear of danger, he contented himself by obeying orders with nautical
obedience, singing with all his might, and taking great satisfaction in
his blue suit with the magical letters "H. M. S. Pinafore" round his cap.
Day by day all grew more and more interesting. His mother was never
tired of hearing his adventures, he sung Kitty to sleep with the new
songs, and the neighbors took such a friendly interest in his success that
they called him Lord Nelson, and predicted that he would be as famous
as his great namesake.
When the grand day came at last, and the crew of jolly young tars stood
ready to burst forth with the opening chorus,
"We sail the ocean blue, Our saucy ship's a beauty; We're gallant men
and true, And bound to do our duty!"
Jimmy hardly knew whether he stood on his head or his heels at first,
for, in spite of many rehearsals, everything seemed changed. Instead of

daylight, gas shone everywhere, the empty seats were full, the orchestra
playing splendidly, and when the curtain rose, a sea of friendly faces
welcomed them, and the pleasant sound of applause made the hearts
under the blue jackets dance gayly.
How those boys did sing! how their eyes shone, and their feet kept time
to the familiar strains! with what a relish they hitched up their trousers
and lurched about, or saluted and cheered as the play demanded. With
what interest they watched the microscopic midshipmite, listened to
Rafe as his sweet voice melodiously told the story of his hapless love,
and smiled on pretty Josephine, who was a regular bluebird without the
scream.
"Ain't this fun?" whispered Jimmy's next neighbor, taking advantage of
a general burst of laughter, as the inimitable little bumboat woman
advertised her wares with captivating drollery.
"Right down jolly!" answered Jimmy, feeling that a series of
somersaults across the stage would be an immense relief to the pent-up
emotions of his boyish soul. For under all the natural excitement of the
hour deep down lay the sweet certainty that he was earning health for
Kitty, and it made his heart sing for joy more blithely than any jovial
chorus to which he lent his happy voice.
But his bliss was not complete till the stately Sir Joseph, K. C. B., had
come aboard, followed by "his sisters and his cousins and his aunts;"
for among that flock of devoted relatives in white muslin and