CHAPTER XVI. FRANK MAKES A FRIEND
Henry Morton rose with the sun. This was not so early as may besupposed, for already November had touched its middle point, and thetardy sun did not make its appearance till nearly seven o'clock. As hepassed through the hall he noticed that breakfast was not quite ready.
"A little walk will sharpen my appetite," he thought. He put on his hat,and, passing through the stable-yard at the rear, climbed over a fenceand ascended a hill which he had observed from his chamber window.The sloping sides, which had not yet wholly lost their appearance ofverdure, were dotted with trees, mostly apple-trees.
"It must be delightful in summer," said the young man, as he lookedthoughtfully about him.
The hill was by no means high, and five minutes' walk brought him to thesummit. From this spot he had a fine view of the village which lay athis feet embowered in trees. A narrow river wound like a silver threadthrough the landscape. Groups of trees on either bank bent over as ifto see themselves reflected in the rapid stream. At one point a dam hadbeen built across from bank to bank, above which the river widened anddeepened, affording an excellent skating-ground for the boys in the colddays of December and January. A whirring noise was heard. The grist-millhad just commenced its work for the day. Down below the dam the shallowwater eddied and whirled, breaking in fleecy foam over protuberant rockswhich lay in the river-bed.
The old village church with its modest proportions occupied a knollbetween the hill and the river. It was girdled about with firsintermingled with elms. Near-by was a small triangular common, thicklyplanted with trees, each facing a separate street. Houses clustered hereand there. Comfortable buildings they were, but built evidently ratherfor use than show. The architect had not yet come to the assistance ofthe village carpenter.
Seen in the cheering light of the rising sun, Henry Morton could nothelp feeling that a beautiful picture was spread out before him.
"After all," he said thoughtfully, "we needn't go abroad for beauty,when we can find so much of it at our own doors. Yet, perhaps the morewe see of the beautiful, the better we are fitted to appreciate it inthe wonderful variety of its numberless forms."
He slowly descended the hill, but in a different direction. This broughthim to the road that connected the village with North Rossville, twomiles distant.
Coming from a different direction, a boy reached the stile about thesame time with himself, and both clambered over together.
"It is a beautiful morning," said the young man courteously.
"Yes, sir," was the respectful answer. "Have you been up looking at theview?"
"Yes--and to get an appetite for breakfast. And you?"
Frank Frost--for it was he--laughed. "Oh, I am here on quite a differenterrand," he said. "I used to come here earlier in the season to drivethe cows to pasture. I come this morning to carry some milk to aneighbor who takes it of us. She usually sends for it, but her son isjust now sick with the measles."
"Yet I think you cannot fail to enjoy the pleasant morning, even if youare here for other purposes."
"I do enjoy it very much," said Frank. "When I read of beautiful sceneryin other countries, I always wish that I could visit them, and see formyself."
"Perhaps you will some day."
Frank smiled, and shook his head incredulously. "I am afraid there isnot much chance of it," he said.
"So I thought when I was of your age," returned Henry Morton.
"Then you have traveled?" said Frank, looking interested.
"Yes. I have visited most of the countries of Europe."
"Have you been in Rome?" inquired Frank.
"Yes. Are you interested in Rome?"
"Who could help it, sir? I should like to see the Capitol, and the ViaSacra, and the Tarpeian Rock, and the Forum--and, in fact, Rome must befull of objects of interest. Who knows but I might tread where Cicero,and Virgil, and Caesar had trodden before me?"
Henry Morton looked at the boy who stood beside him with increasedinterest. "I see you are quite a scholar," he said. "Where did you learnabout all these men and places?"
"I have partly prepared for college," answered Frank; "but my fatherwent to the war some weeks since, and I am staying at home to takecharge of the farm, and supply his place as well as I can."
"It must have been quite a sacrifice to you to give up your studies?"said his companion.
"Yes, sir, it was a great sacrifice; but we must all of us sacrificesomething in these times. Even the boys can do something for theircountry."
"What is your name?" asked Henry Morton, more and more pleased with hischance acquaintance. "I should like to become better acquainted withyou."
Frank blushed, and his expressive face showed that he was gratified bythe compliment.
"My name is Frank Frost," he answered, "and I live about half a milefrom here."
"And I am Henry Morton. I am stopping temporarily at the hotel. Shallyou be at leisure this evening, Frank?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then I should be glad to receive a call from you. I have noacquaintances, and perhaps we may help each other to make the eveningpass pleasantly. I have some pictures collected abroad, which I thinkyou might like to look at."
"I shall be delighted to come," said Frank, his eyes sparkling withpleasure.
By this time they had reached the church, which was distant but a fewrods from the hotel. They had just turned the corner of the road, whenthe clang of a bell was heard.
"I suppose that is my breakfast-bell," said the young man. "It finds mewith a good appetite. Good morning, Frank. I will expect you, then, thisevening."
Frank returned home, feeling quite pleased with his invitation.
"I wish," thought he, "that I might see considerable of Mr. Morton. Icould learn a great deal from him, he has seen so much."
His road led him past the house of Squire Haynes. John was saunteringabout the yard with his hands in his pockets.
"Good morning, John," said Frank, in a pleasant voice.
John did not seem inclined to respond to this politeness. On seeingFrank he scowled, and without deigning to make a reply turned his backand went into the house. He had not forgotten the last occasion on whichthey had met in the woods, when Frank defeated his cruel designs uponpoor Pomp. There was not much likelihood that he would forget it verysoon.
"I can't understand John," thought Frank. "The other boys will get madand get over it before the next day; John broods over it for weeks.I really believe he hates me. But, of course, I couldn't act anydifferently. I wasn't going to stand by and see Pomp beaten. I should dojust the same again."
The day wore away, and in the evening Frank presented himself at thehotel, and inquired for Mr. Morton. He was ushered upstairs, and told toknock at the door of a room in the second story.
His knock was answered by the young man in person, who shook his handwith a pleasant smile, and invited him in.
"I am glad to see you, Frank," he said, very cordially.
"And I am much obliged to you for inviting me, Mr. Morton."
They sat down together beside the table, and conversed on a variety oftopics. Frank had numberless questions to ask about foreign scenes andcountries, all of which were answered with the utmost readiness. HenryMorton brought out a large portfolio containing various pictures, someon note-paper, representing scenes in different parts of Europe.
The evening wore away only too rapidly for Frank. He had seldompassed two hours so pleasantly. At half-past nine, he rose, and saidhalf-regretfully, "I wish you were going to live in the village thiswinter, Mr. Morton."
The young man smiled. "Such is my intention, Frank," he said quietly.
"Shall you stay?" said Frank joyfully. "I suppose you will board here?"
"I should prefer a quieter boarding-place. Can you recommend one?"
Frank hesitated.
"Where," continued Mr. Morton, "I could enjoy the companionship of anintelligent young gentleman of your age?"
"If we lived n
earer the village," Frank began, and stopped abruptly.
"Half a mile would be no objection to me. As I don't think you will findit unpleasant, Frank, I will authorize you to offer your mother fivedollars a week for a room and a seat at her table."
"I am quite sure she would be willing, Mr. Morton, but I am afraid weshould not live well enough to suit you. And I don't think you ought topay so much as five dollars a week."
"Leave that to me, Frank. My main object is to obtain a pleasant home;and that I am sure I should find at your house."
"Thank you, sir," said Frank; "I will mention it to my mother, and letyou know in the course of to-morrow."