CHAPTER VIII. DISCOURAGED AND ENCOURAGED
In a small village like Rossville news flies fast. Even the distinctionsof social life do not hinder an interest being felt in the affairs ofeach individual. Hence it was that Mr. Frost's determination to enlistbecame speedily known, and various were the comments made upon his planof leaving Frank in charge of the farm. That they were not all favorablemay be readily believed. Country people are apt to criticize theproceedings of their neighbors with a greater degree of freedom than iscommon elsewhere.
As Frank was on his way to school on Saturday morning, his name wascalled by Mrs. Roxana Mason, who stood in the doorway of a small yellowhouse fronting on the main street.
"Good morning, Mrs. Mason," said Frank politely, advancing to the gatein answer to her call.
"Is it true what I've heard about your father's going to the war, FrankFrost?" 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 couragewas a little dampened by her tone.
"What do you know about farming?" inquired the lady, in a contemptuousmanner. "Your father must be crazy!"
"I shall do my best, Mrs. Mason," said Frank quietly, but withheightened color. "My father is willing to trust me; and as I shall haveMr. 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 poormother 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 rightto interfere in his father's arrangements.
"Well, well, we'll see!" said Mrs. Roxana, shaking her headsignificantly. "If you'll look in your Bible, you'll read about 'thehaughty spirit that goes before a fall.' I'm sure I wish you wellenough. I hope that things'll turn out better'n they're like to. Tellyour mother I'll come over before long and talk with her about it."
Frank inwardly hoped that Mrs. Roxana wouldn't put herself to anytrouble to call, but politeness taught him to be silent.
Leaving Mrs. Mason's gate, he kept on his way to school, but had hardlygone half a dozen rods before he met an old lady, whose benevolent faceindicated a very different disposition from that of the lady he had justparted with.
"Good morning, Mrs. Chester," said Frank cordially, recognizing one ofhis mother's oldest friends.
"Good morning, my dear boy," was the reply. "I hear your father is goingto the war."
"Yes," said Frank, a little nervously, not knowing but Mrs. Chesterwould view the matter in the same way as Mrs. Mason, though he felt sureshe 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 Frankmodestly, "but I shall do as well as I can."
"I have no doubt of it, my dear boy," said the old lady kindly. "You cando a great deal, too. You can help your mother by looking out for yourbrothers and sisters, as well as supplying your father's place on thefarm."
"I am glad you think I can make myself useful," said Frank, feelingrelieved. "Mrs. Mason has just been telling me that I am not fit for thecharge, and that discouraged me a little."
"It's a great responsibility, no doubt, to come on one so young," saidthe old lady, "but it's of God's appointment. He will strengthen yourhands, if you will only ask Him. If you humbly seek His guidance andassistance, 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 servingyour country just as much as if you went yourself."
"That's just the way I feel, Mrs. Chester," exclaimed Frank eagerly. "Iwant 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 theRevolutionary war, and the army needed recruits. My father hesitated,for he had a small family depending on him for support. I was only twoyears old at the time, and there were three of us. Finally my brotherJames, who was just about your age, told my father that he would do allhe could to support the family, and father concluded to go. Wedidn't have a farm, for father was a carpenter. My brother worked forneighboring farmers, receiving his pay in corn and vegetables, andpicked 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 broughtpretty close to the wall, but God carried us through. And by and byfather came safely home, and I don't think he ever regretted having leftus. After awhile the good news of peace came, and he felt that he hadbeen abundantly repaid for all the sacrifices he had made in the goodcause."
Frank listened to this narrative with great interest. It yielded himno little encouragement to know that another boy, placed in similarcircumstances, had succeeded, and he just felt that he would have verymuch less to contend against than the brother of whom Mrs. Chester spoke.
"Thank you for telling me about your brother Mrs. Chester," he said. "Itmakes me feel more as if things would turn out well. Won't you come oversoon and see us? Mother is always glad to see you."
"Thank you, Frank; I shall certainly do so. I hope I shall not make youlate to school."
"Oh, no; I started half an hour early this morning."
Frank had hardly left Mrs. Chester when he heard a quick step behindhim. Turning round, he perceived that it was Mr. Rathburn, his teacher.
"I hurried to come up with you, Frank," he said, smiling. "I understandthat I am to lose you from school."
"Yes, sir," answered Frank. "I am very sorry to leave, for I am verymuch interested in my studies; but I suppose, sir, you have heard whatcalls me away."
"Your father has made up his mind to enlist."
"Yes, sir."
"And you are to superintend the farm in his absence?"
"Yes, sir. I hope you do not think me presumptuous in undertaking such aresponsibility?"
He looked up eagerly into Mr. Rathburn's face, for he had a greatrespect for his judgment. But he saw nothing to discourage him. On thecontrary, he read cordial sympathy and approval.
"Far from it," answered the teacher, with emphasis. "I think youdeserving of great commendation, especially if, as I have heard, theplan originated with you, and was by you suggested to your father."
"Yes, sir."
The teacher held out his hand kindly. "It was only what I should haveexpected of you," he said. "I have not forgotten your essay. I am gladto see that you not only have right ideas of duty, but have, what israrer, the courage and self-denial to put them in practice."
These words gave Frank much pleasure, and his face lighted up.
"Shall you feel obliged to give up your studies entirely?" asked histeacher.
"I think I shall be able to study some in the evening."
"If I can be of any assistance to you in any way, don't hesitate toapply. If you should find any stumbling-blocks in your lessons, I may beable to help you over them."
By this time they had come within sight of the schoolhouse.
"There comes the young farmer," said John Haynes, in a tone which wasonly subdued lest the teacher should hear him, for he had no dispositionto incur another public rebuke.
A few minutes later, when Frank was quietly seated at his desk, a paperwas thrown from behind, lighting upon his Virgil, which lay open beforehim. There appeared to be writing upon it, and with some curiosity heopened and read the following:
"What's the price of turnips?"
It was quite unnecessary to inquire into the authorship. He
feltconfident it was written by John Haynes. The latter, of course, intendedit as an insult, but Frank did not feel much disturbed. As long as hisconduct was approved by such persons as his teacher and Mrs. Chester, hefelt he could safely disregard the taunts and criticisms of others. Hetherefore quietly let the paper drop to the floor, and kept on with hislesson.
John Haynes perceived that he had failed in his benevolent purposeof disturbing Frank's tranquillity, and this, I am sorry to say, onlyincreased the dislike he felt for him. Nothing is so unreasonable asanger, nothing so hard to appease. John even felt disposed to regard asan insult the disposition which Frank had made of his insulting query.
"The young clodhopper's on his dignity," he muttered to himself. "Well,wait a few months, and see if he won't sing a different tune."
Just then John's class was called up, and his dislike to Frank was notdiminished by the superiority of his recitation. The latter, undisturbedby John's feelings, did not give a thought to him, but reflected with atouch of pain that this must be his last Latin recitation in school fora long time to come.