"Speak out," urged his teacher; "we must know the truth about it. I fear that this was not a _sham_ fight from all I can learn. Did _you_ fight?"
"Yes, sir, I did my part," William finally answered with considerable self-possession.
"Your part?" repeated Mr. Hobby, inquiringly. "Who a.s.signed such a part to you?"
"n.o.body but myself. I don"t like to stand and look on when boys are abused."
"Don"t? eh! I wish you would act on that principle when you see some _lessons_ in your cla.s.s abused, and come to the rescue by learning them.
That would be acting to some purpose." This was a sharp rejoinder by the teacher; and William, as well as the other boys, understood its application.
"But that talk is neither one thing nor another, William," continued Mr.
Hobby. "Waste no more time in this way, but let us have the truth at once. Be a man now, though you were not when engaged in a quarrel with your companions."
William was now rea.s.sured by his master"s tone, and he proceeded to give his version of the affair. His statement was simply a vindication of his side of the trouble, and Mr. Hobby so regarded it.
"Now, Lewis (addressing Lewis Willis), we will hear what you have to say," continued Mr. Hobby. "You were engaged in this disgraceful affair, I believe."
Lewis admitted that he was, but he hesitated about replying.
"Well, let us have it, if you have anything to say for yourself. There is not much to be said for boys who fight."
Lewis mustered courage enough to tell his story, which was as one-sided as that of William. He presented _his_ side of the difficulty as well as he could, whereupon Mr. Hobby remarked:
"Both of you cannot be right. Now, I would like to know how many of you think that William is right. As many scholars as think that William"s statement is correct may raise their hands."
Several hands went up.
"Those who think that Lewis is right may raise their hands."
Several hands were raised. George did not vote.
"Did no one attempt to prevent or reconcile this trouble?" inquired Mr.
Hobby--a question that was suggested by the facts he had learned.
"George did," answered one of the smaller boys.
"Ah! George tried to keep the peace, did he? That was n.o.ble! But he did not succeed?" Mr. Hobby added, by way of inquiry.
"No, sir," replied the lad. "They did not mind him."
"Well, I think we will mind him now, and hear what he says," responded the teacher. "A boy who will plead for peace when others fight deserves to be heard; and I think we can depend upon his version of the affair.
Now, George (turning to George Washington), shall we hear what you have to say about this unfortunate trouble?"
George hesitated for a moment, as if he would gladly be excused from expressing his opinion, when Mr. Hobby encouraged him by the remark:
"I think we all shall be glad to learn how the quarrel is regarded by a peace-maker."
George hesitated no longer, but hastened to give an account of the affair. He did not agree with either of the boys who had spoken, but discovered blame upon both sides, which was a correct view of the case.
"And you interposed and tried to reconcile the angry parties?" inquired Mr. Hobby.
"I tried to," modestly answered George, as if conscious that his efforts were of little avail with the belligerents.
"Your effort is just as commendable as it would have been if it had proved successful," responded Mr. Hobby in a complimentary manner.
"And now, I want to know how many of my scholars, girls and boys, agree with George. You have heard his story. As many of you as agree with George may signify it by raising your hands."
There was a prompt and large array of hands.
"Those who do not agree with George may raise their hands." Only three or four hands went up.
"I agree with George," added Mr. Hobby. "I think he has given us a reliable account of the trouble; and you all ought to be ashamed of yourselves that you did not heed his advice, and refuse to quarrel. I shall take time to consider my duty in the circ.u.mstances; meanwhile the fighting boys may reflect upon their disgrace."
This incident presents two qualities of George"s character, always prominent from his earliest school-days. He was known as a truth-teller.
His word could be depended upon. He would not tell a falsehood to shield his most intimate companion. His word was so reliable that when he gave an account of the quarrel, not a few of the scholars accepted it simply because it was the statement of truth-telling George. Even several whose sympathies were strongly with William or Lewis finally voted for George"s version. It was their confidence in his adherence to truth that settled their opinion.
George was often called a "peace-maker." Mr. Hobby called him so. His a.s.sociates and their parents called him so. There could be no hard words or quarrels among his schoolmates with his consent. Sometimes an angry boy would charge him with being a "coward" because he always pleaded for peace; but his accuser knew full well that George was no "coward." There was not a braver boy in that "field-school" than he. He proved his bravery by rebuking falsehood and fighting among his cla.s.s-mates. A cowardly boy yields to the ruling spirit around him; but George never did, except when that spirit was in the interest of peace.
Soon after the death of George"s father, of which we shall speak particularly in another place, his connection with Mr. Hobby"s school was severed.
"How would you like to go to Mr. Williams" school at Bridge"s Creek, George?" his mother inquired. "Mr. Williams is an excellent teacher, I suppose, the very best there is in Virginia."
"I should like it," George answered. "Can I go?"
"I have been thinking of it," his mother responded. "You can live with your brother Augustine; the school is not far from his house."
"Shall I go soon?" asked George.
"Yes, as soon as you can get ready. You are at an age now when you must attend to the higher branches of knowledge, if ever."
"What shall I study?" inquired George.
"Arithmetic, of course, and I have been thinking of book-keeping and surveying, very important studies for planters and everybody else in these parts."
"Then you mean I shall be a planter?" George inquired.
"Yes, there is not much but a planter that you can be in this State; and a good planter may be as useful and honored as a good merchant or lawyer."
"I would as soon be a planter as anything else," continued George "and I will try to make a good one."
"That is the main thing," responded his mother. "Planter, merchant or lawyer, become the best there is, and you will be both prospered and honored. You have learned about all you can at Mr. Hobby"s school; it is time to go up higher."
"That will suit me as well as it will you," replied George. "I do not object to going up higher."
"Some boys act as if they do," rejoined Mrs. Washington; "but I hope you will never belong to that cla.s.s. Do the best you can in every place, and you will never be ashamed of your conduct."
Within a few weeks George found himself a member of Mr. Williams"
school, and a resident of his brother Augustine"s family. Arithmetic and book-keeping engaged his attention at once, and, after a few months, surveying was added to his regular studies.
Mr. Williams was a thorough instructor, and believed that scholars should master one branch of study before they took up another. He paid much attention to reading, spelling and penmanship, encouraging his pupils to place a high value upon these common, but fundamental, studies.