"I hope you will do it then. I should like to see them Frosts humbled."
"THEM Frosts! Don"t you know anything more about English grammar, John?"
"Those Frosts, then. Of course, I know; but a feller can"t always be watching his words."
"I desire you never again to use the low word "feller,"" said the squire, who, as the reader will see, was more particular about grammatical accuracy than about some other things which might be naturally supposed to be of higher importance.
"Well," said John sulkily, "anything you choose."
"As to the mortgage," proceeded Squire Haynes, "I have no idea they will be able to lift it. I feel certain that Frost won"t himself have the money at command, and I sha"n"t give him any grace, or consent to a renewal. He may be pretty sure of that."
"Perhaps he"ll find somebody to lend him the money."
"I think not. There are those who would be willing, but I question whether there is any such who could raise the money at a moment"s warning. By the way, you need not mention my purpose in this matter to any one. If it should leak out, Mr. Frost might hear of it, and prepare for it."
"You may trust me for that, father," said John, very decidedly; "I want to see Frank Frost"s proud spirit humbled. Perhaps he"ll feel like putting on airs after that."
From the conversation which has just been chronicled it will be perceived that John was a worthy son of his father; and, though wanting in affection and cordial good feeling, that both were prepared to join hands in devising mischief to poor Frank and his family. Let us hope that the intentions of the wicked may be frustrated.
CHAPTER VIII. DISCOURAGED AND ENCOURAGED
In a small village like Rossville news flies fast. Even the distinctions of social life do not hinder an interest being felt in the affairs of each individual. Hence it was that Mr. Frost"s determination to enlist became speedily known, and various were the comments made upon his plan of leaving Frank in charge of the farm. That they were not all favorable may be readily believed. Country people are apt to criticize the proceedings of their neighbors with a greater degree of freedom than is common elsewhere.
As Frank was on his way to school on Sat.u.r.day morning, his name was called by Mrs. Roxana Mason, who stood in the doorway of a small yellow house fronting on the main street.
"Good morning, Mrs. Mason," said Frank politely, advancing to the gate in answer to her call.
"Is it true what I"ve heard about your father"s going to the war, Frank Frost?" she commenced.
"Yes, Mrs. Mason; he feels it his duty to go."
"And what"s to become of the farm? Anybody hired it?"
"I am going to take charge of it," said Frank modestly.
"You!" exclaimed Mrs. Roxana, lifting both hands in amazement; "why, you"re nothing but a baby!"
"I"m a baby of fifteen," said Frank good-humoredly, though his courage was a little dampened by her tone.
"What do you know about farming?" inquired the lady, in a contemptuous manner. "Your father must be crazy!"
"I shall do my best, Mrs. Mason," said Frank quietly, but with heightened color. "My father is willing to trust me; and as I shall have Mr. Maynard to look to for advice, I think I can get along."
"The idea of putting a boy like you over a farm!" returned Mrs. Roxana, in an uncompromising tone. "I did think your father had more sense.
It"s the most shiftless thing I ever knew him to do. How does your poor mother feel about it?"
"She doesn"t seem as much disturbed about it as you do, Mrs. Mason,"
said Frank, rather impatiently; for he felt that Mrs. Mason had no right to interfere in his father"s arrangements.
"Well, well, we"ll see!" said Mrs. Roxana, shaking her head significantly. "If you"ll look in your Bible, you"ll read about "the haughty spirit that goes before a fall." I"m sure I wish you well enough. I hope that things"ll turn out better"n they"re like to. Tell your mother I"ll come over before long and talk with her about it."
Frank inwardly hoped that Mrs. Roxana wouldn"t put herself to any trouble to call, but politeness taught him to be silent.
Leaving Mrs. Mason"s gate, he kept on his way to school, but had hardly gone half a dozen rods before he met an old lady, whose benevolent face indicated a very different disposition from that of the lady he had just parted with.
"Good morning, Mrs. Chester," said Frank cordially, recognizing one of his mother"s oldest friends.
"Good morning, my dear boy," was the reply. "I hear your father is going to the war."
"Yes," said Frank, a little nervously, not knowing but Mrs. Chester would view the matter in the same way as Mrs. Mason, though he felt sure she would express herself less disagreeably.
"And I hear that you are going to try to make his place good at home."
"I don"t expect to make his place good, Mrs. Chester," said Frank modestly, "but I shall do as well as I can."
"I have no doubt of it, my dear boy," said the old lady kindly. "You can do a great deal, too. You can help your mother by looking out for your brothers and sisters, as well as supplying your father"s place on the farm."
"I am glad you think I can make myself useful," said Frank, feeling relieved. "Mrs. Mason has just been telling me that I am not fit for the charge, and that discouraged me a little."
"It"s a great responsibility, no doubt, to come on one so young," said the old lady, "but it"s of G.o.d"s appointment. He will strengthen your hands, if you will only ask Him. If you humbly seek His guidance and a.s.sistance, you need not fear to fail."
"Yes," said Frank soberly, "that"s what I mean to do."
"Then you will feel that you are in the path of duty. You"ll be serving your country just as much as if you went yourself."
"That"s just the way I feel, Mrs. Chester," exclaimed Frank eagerly. "I want to do something for my country."
"You remind me of my oldest brother," said the old lady thoughtfully.
"He was left pretty much as you are. It was about the middle of the Revolutionary war, and the army needed recruits. My father hesitated, for he had a small family depending on him for support. I was only two years old at the time, and there were three of us. Finally my brother James, who was just about your age, told my father that he would do all he could to support the family, and father concluded to go. We didn"t have a farm, for father was a carpenter. My brother worked for neighboring farmers, receiving his pay in corn and vegetables, and picked up what odd jobs he could. Then mother was able to do something; so we managed after a fashion. There were times when we were brought pretty close to the wall, but G.o.d carried us through. And by and by father came safely home, and I don"t think he ever regretted having left us. After awhile the good news of peace came, and he felt that he had been abundantly repaid for all the sacrifices he had made in the good cause."
Frank listened to this narrative with great interest. It yielded him no little encouragement to know that another boy, placed in similar circ.u.mstances, had succeeded, and he just felt that he would have very much less to contend against than the brother of whom Mrs. Chester spoke.
"Thank you for telling me about your brother Mrs. Chester," he said. "It makes me feel more as if things would turn out well. Won"t you come over soon and see us? Mother is always glad to see you."
"Thank you, Frank; I shall certainly do so. I hope I shall not make you late to school."
"Oh, no; I started half an hour early this morning."
Frank had hardly left Mrs. Chester when he heard a quick step behind him. Turning round, he perceived that it was Mr. Rathburn, his teacher.
"I hurried to come up with you, Frank," he said, smiling. "I understand that I am to lose you from school."
"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "I am very sorry to leave, for I am very much interested in my studies; but I suppose, sir, you have heard what calls me away."
"Your father has made up his mind to enlist."
"Yes, sir."