Teddys Button | Page 9

silent; then he said, 'And if I enlist, shall I have to be God's soldier for ever and ever, till I'm an old man of a hundred, with white hair and no teeth?'
'Would you rather be one of the devil's soldiers?'
'No.'
'You are quite right to think it over. I would rather you did not decide too hastily. Go home and think it out. And come and tell me when you have decided.'
The boy's white brow was crumpled with anxious creases.
'I should like to be one of God's soldiers, but who shall I have to fight? Any real enemies, or only make believe?'
'I will tell you about your enemies after you have enlisted. I can show you one very real one that is your worst enemy.'
'Can you? A real live one?'
'A real live one.'
Teddy smiled contentedly.
'Now,' added Mr. Upton, 'I am going to send you home. If you enlist, the first person you will have to hold up your banner to is that little girl whom you said you hated. Before you go I want to pray for you. Kneel down with me.'
The evening sunshine streamed in through the open window, and alighting on the white hair of the minister and the boy's fair curls, as they knelt together, bathed them in a golden glory. With closed eyes and folded hands Teddy listened to Mr. Upton's prayer,--
'Loving Father, another lamb I bring to Thee. Guide him in his decision, and if he enters Thy fold, use him and bless him through all eternity. Grant that he may fight a good fight, and be crowned with glory hereafter. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.'
An hour later, and Teddy was seated by his mother's side in the old porch. His grandmother and uncle had gone to evening church, and Mrs. John was left with her boy alone.
He had been telling her the substance of his conversation with the rector, and now curled up on the low wooden seat, his small legs crossed underneath him, he was gazing dreamily out into the sweet-scented garden. The bees were droning, and the gnats humming amongst the tall hollyhocks and crimson and white roses close by; the birds were already twittering their last 'good-nights' to one another, and a soft, peaceful spell seemed to be falling on all around.
'I feel,' he said presently, as he gazed up into the still blue sky, 'as if God is waiting for me, mother.'
Mrs. John did not answer. He added quickly, 'When did you enlist, mother; long, long ago?'
'Yes, darling, just before I married your father.'
'And when did father enlist? When he was a little boy like me?'
'Not till he was a grown man, sonny. He often used to say he wished he had given his heart to God when he was younger.'
'I suppose God will take little soldiers? Do you think I shall be the youngest He has?'
'No, darling; He has many brave little soldiers younger than you.'
Another long silence, then a deep-drawn sigh from Teddy.
'I feel I have very big thoughts to-night, mother, and I get so crowded thinking. Will you read to me before I go to bed?'
Mrs. John pressed her lips on the curly head so near her.
'My boy, I am so glad for you to have these thoughts. Mother has often prayed that you may be one of Christ's little soldiers and servants. Now what shall I read?'
'Read me about the three men and the burning fiery furnace.'
And the young mother took her Bible in hand, and drawing her boy close to her till his little head rested against her shoulder, read him the story he wished.
Later on, as she tucked him up in bed, and was giving him a kiss, he clasped his arms round her neck and whispered, 'I think I'm going to do it quite by myself to-morrow.'
CHAPTER IV
Enlisting for Life
The village children were swarming out of school the next afternoon. The heat and confinement of the crowded schoolroom had not lessened the superabundance of energy and high spirits amongst them, and the boys soon congregated on the green, bent on a game of cricket.
'Where's Teddy?' 'Teddy Platt!' 'Young Ted, where's he got to?' 'Fetch Teddy!' This was the general cry. But Teddy was nowhere to be seen.
'Has he been kept in?' queried one.
'Likely enough. He's up in the clouds to-day.'
'Oh, ain't he just! Why, I offered him half such a huge apple. My! it was a beauty! And his eyes sort o' wandered away from it, as if it had been a piece of mud! "Thanks," ses he, "I'll have a bite to-morrer--not to-day."'
'And teacher was down on him sharp, too,' put in another eager voice. 'He answered all the 'rithmetic wrong, and he said forty soldiers made a rood! And teacher ses, "Is your head good for nothing but soldiers?" And Ted