Frank's Campaign; Or, The Farm and the Camp by Jr. Horatio Alger (short novels in english .TXT) π
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- Author: Jr. Horatio Alger
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As Frank was on his way to school on Saturday morning, his name was called by Mrs. Roxana Mason, who stood in the doorway of a small yellow house fronting on the main street.
βGood morning, Mrs. Mason,β said Frank politely, advancing to the gate in answer to her call.
βIs it true what I've heard about your father's going to the war, Frank Frost?β she commenced.
βYes, Mrs. Mason; he feels it his duty to go.β
βAnd what's to become of the farm? Anybody hired it?β
βI am going to take charge of it,β said Frank modestly.
βYou!β exclaimed Mrs. Roxana, lifting both hands in amazement; βwhy, you're nothing but a baby!β
βI'm a baby of fifteen,β said Frank good-humoredly, though his courage was a little dampened by her tone.
βWhat do you know about farming?β inquired the lady, in a contemptuous manner. βYour father must be crazy!β
βI shall do my best, Mrs. Mason,β said Frank quietly, but with heightened color. βMy father is willing to trust me; and as I shall have Mr. Maynard to look to for advice, I think I can get along.β
βThe idea of putting a boy like you over a farm!β returned Mrs. Roxana, in an uncompromising tone. βI 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?β
βShe doesn't seem as much disturbed about it as you do, Mrs. Mason,β said Frank, rather impatiently; for he felt that Mrs. Mason had no right to interfere in his father's arrangements.
βWell, well, we'll see!β said Mrs. Roxana, shaking her head significantly. βIf 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.β
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.
βGood morning, Mrs. Chester,β said Frank cordially, recognizing one of his mother's oldest friends.
βGood morning, my dear boy,β was the reply. βI hear your father is going to the war.β
βYes,β 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.
βAnd I hear that you are going to try to make his place good at home.β
βI don't expect to make his place good, Mrs. Chester,β said Frank modestly, βbut I shall do as well as I can.β
βI have no doubt of it, my dear boy,β said the old lady kindly. βYou 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.β
βI am glad you think I can make myself useful,β said Frank, feeling relieved. βMrs. Mason has just been telling me that I am not fit for the charge, and that discouraged me a little.β
βIt's a great responsibility, no doubt, to come on one so young,β said the old lady, βbut it's of God's appointment. He will strengthen your hands, if you will only ask Him. If you humbly seek His guidance and assistance, you need not fear to fail.β
βYes,β said Frank soberly, βthat's what I mean to do.β
βThen 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.β
βThat's just the way I feel, Mrs. Chester,β exclaimed Frank eagerly. βI want to do something for my country.β
βYou remind me of my oldest brother,β said the old lady thoughtfully. βHe 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 God 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.β
Frank listened to this narrative with great interest. It yielded him no little encouragement to know that another boy, placed in similar circumstances, had succeeded, and he just felt that he would have very much less to contend against than the brother of whom Mrs. Chester spoke.
βThank you for telling me about your brother Mrs. Chester,β he said. βIt 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.β
βThank you, Frank; I shall certainly do so. I hope I shall not make you late to school.β
βOh, no; I started half an hour early this morning.β
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.
βI hurried to come up with you, Frank,β he said, smiling. βI understand that I am to lose you from school.β
βYes, sir,β answered Frank. βI 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.β
βYour father has made up his mind to enlist.β
βYes, sir.β
βAnd you are to superintend
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