Some forty students attended the academy, mostly from the town of Rossville. Mr. Rathburn, however, received a few boarders into his family.
There were three classes in the Latin language; but the majority of those who had taken it up stopped short before they had gone beyond the Latin Reader. One class, however, had commenced reading the Aeneid of Virgil, and was intending to pursue the full course of preparation for college; though in regard to one member of the class there was some doubt whether he would be able to enter college. As this boy is to be our hero we will take a closer look at him.
Frank Frost is at this time in his sixteenth year. He is about the medium size, compactly made, and the healthful color in his cheeks is good evidence that he is not pursuing his studies at the expense of his health. He has dark chestnut2 hair, with a slight wave, and is altogether a fine-looking boy.
At a desk behind him sits John Haynes, the son of Squire3 Haynes, introduced in our last chapter. He is nearly two years older than Frank, and about as opposite to him in personal appearance as can well be imagined. He has a thin face, very black hair is tall of his age, and already beginning to feel himself a young man. His manner is full of pretension4. He never forgets that his father is the richest man in town, and can afford to give him advantages superior to those possessed5 by his schoolfellows. He has a moderate share of ability but is disinclined to work hard. His affectation of Superiority makes him as unpopular among his schoolfellows as Frank is popular.
These two boys, together with Henry Tufts, constitute the preparatory class of Rossville Academy. Henry is mild in his manners, and a respectable student, but possesses no positive character. He comes from a town ten miles distant, and boards with the principal. Frank, though the youngest of the three, excels the other two in scholarship. But there is some doubt whether he will be able to go to college. His father is in moderate circumstances, deriving6 a comfortable subsistence from a small farm, but is able to lay by a very small surplus every year, and this he feels it necessary to hold in reserve for the liquidation7 of the mortgage held by Squire Haynes. Frank's chance of attaining8 what he covets-a college education-seems small; but he is resolved at least to prepare for college, feeling that even this will constitute a very respectable education.
The reader is introduced to the main schoolroom of the Rossville Academy on the morning of the day of which the war meeting takes place.
At nine o'clock the bell rang, and the scholars took their seats. After the preliminary devotional exercise, Mr. Rathburn, instead of calling up the first class at once, paused a moment, and spoke9 as follows:
“Scholars, I need not remind you that on the first day of the term, with the design of encouraging you to aim at improvement in English composition, I offered two prizes-one for the best essay written by a boy over fourteen years of age; the other for the best composition by any one under that age. It gives me pleasure to state that in most of those submitted to me I recognize merit, and I should be glad if it were in my power to give three times as many prizes. Those of you, however, who are unsuccessful will feel repaid by the benefit you have yourselves derived10 from the efforts you have made for another end.”
During this address, John Haynes looked about him with an air of complacency and importance. He felt little doubt that his own essay on the “Military Genius of Napoleon” would win the prize. He did not so much care for this, except for the credit it would give him. But his father, who was ambitious for him, had promised him twenty-five dollars if he succeeded, and he had already appropriated this sum in imagination. He had determined11 to invest it in a handsome boat which he had seen for sale in Boston on his last visit to that city.
“After careful consideration,” continued the teacher, “I have decided12 that the prize should be adjudged to an essay entitled 'The Duties of Boys on the Present National Crisis,' written by Frank Frost.”
There was a general clapping of hands at this announcement. Frank was a general favorite, and even his disappointed rivals felt a degree of satisfaction in feeling that he had obtained the prize.
There was one exception, however. John Haynes turned pale, and then red, with anger and vexation. He scowled13 darkly while the rest of the boys were applauding, and persuaded himself that he was the victim of a great piece of injustice14.
Frank's face flushed with pleasure, and his eyes danced with delight. He had made a great effort to succeed, and he knew that at home they would be very happy to hear that the prize had been awarded to him.
“Frank Frost will come forward,” said Mr. Rathburn.
Frank left his seat, and advanced modestly. Mr. Rathburn placed in his hand a neat edition of Whittier's Poem's in blue and gold.
The second prize was awarded to one of the girls. As she has no part in our story, we need say nothing more on this point.
At recess16, Frank's desk was surrounded by his schoolmates, who were desirous of examining the prize volumes. All expressed hearty17 good-will, congratulating him on his success, with the exception of John Haynes.
“You seem mighty18 proud of your books, Frank Frost,” said he with a sneer19. “We all know that you're old Rathburn's favorite. It didn't make much difference what you wrote, as long as you were sure of the prize.”
“For shame, John Haynes!” exclaimed little Harvey Grover impetuously. “You only say that because you wanted the prize yourself, and you're disappointed.”
“Disappointed!” retorted John scornfully. “I don't want any of old Rathburn's sixpenny books. I can buy as many as I please. If he'd given 'em to me, I should have asked him to keep 'em for those who needed 'em more.”
Frank was justly indignant at the unfriendly course which John chose to pursue, but feeling that it proceeded from disappointed rivalry20, he wisely said nothing to increase his exasperation21. He put the two books carefully away in his desk, and settled himself quietly to his day's lessons.
It was not until evening that John and his father met. Both had been chafed—the first by his disappointment, the second by the failure of his effort to prevent the town's voting bounties22 to volunteers. In particular he was incensed23 with Mr. Frost, for his imputation24 of interested motives25, although it was only in return for a similar imputation brought against himself.
“Well, father, I didn't get the prize,” commenced John, in a discontented voice.
“So much the worse for you,” said his father coldly. “You might have gained it if you had made an effort.”
“No, I couldn't. Rathburn was sure to give it to his favorite.”
“And who is his favorite?” questioned Squire Haynes, not yet siding with his son.
“Frank Frost, to be sure.”
“Frank Frost!” repeated the squire, rapidly wheeling round to his son's view of the matter. His dislike of the father was so great that it readily included the son. “What makes you think he is the teacher's favorite?”
“Oh, Rathburn is always praising him for something or other. All the boys know Frank Frost is his pet. You won't catch him praising me, if I work ever so hard.”
John did not choose to mention that he had not yet tried this method of securing the teacher's approval.
“Teachers should never have favorites,” said the squire dogmatically. “It is highly detrimental26 to a teacher's influence, and subversive27 of the principles of justice. Have you got your essay with you, John?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You may sit down and read it to me, and if I think it deserving, I will take care that you sha'n't lose by the teacher's injustice.”
John readily obeyed. He hurried up to his chamber28, and, opening his writing-desk, took out a sheet of foolscap, three sides of which were written over. This he brought down-stairs with him. He began to hope that he might get the boat after all.
The squire, in dressing-gown and slippers29, sat in a comfortable armchair, while John in a consequential30 manner read his rejected essay. It was superficial and commonplace, and abundantly marked with pretension, but to the squire's warped31 judgment32 it seemed to have remarkable33 merit.
“It does you great credit, John,” said he emphatically. “I don't know what sort of an essay young Frost wrote, but I venture to say it was not as good. If he's anything like his father, he is an impertinent jackanapes.”
“He grossly insulted me at the town meeting to-day, and I sha'n't soon forget it. It isn't for his interest to insult a man who has the power to annoy him that I possess.”
“Haven't you got a mortgage on his farm?”
“Yes, and at a proper time I shall remind him of it. But to come back to your own affairs. What was the prize given to young Frost?”
“A blue-and-gold copy of Whittier's Poems, in two volumes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Very well. The next time I go to Boston, I will buy you the same thing bound in calf37. I don't intend that you shall suffer by your teacher's injustice.”
“It wasn't so much the prize that I cared for,” said John, who felt like making the most of his father's favorable mood, “but you know you promised me twenty-five dollars if I gained it.”
“And as you have been defrauded38 of it, I will give you thirty instead,” said the squire promptly39.
John's eyes sparkled with delight. “Oh, thank you, sir!” he said. “I wouldn't change places with Frank Frost now for all his prize.”
“I should think not, indeed,” said the squire pompously40. “Your position as the son of a poor farmer wouldn't be quite so high as it is now.”
As he spoke he glanced complacently41 at the handsome furniture which surrounded him, the choice engravings which hung on the walls, and the full-length mirror in which his figure was reflected. “Ten years from now Frank Frost will be only a common laborer42 on his father's farm—that is,” he added significantly, “if his father manages to keep it; while you, I hope, will be winning distinction at the bar.”
Father and son were in a congenial mood that evening, and a common hatred43 drew them more closely together than mutual44 affection had ever done. They were very much alike—both cold, calculating, and selfish. The squire was indeed ambitious for his son, but could hardly be said to love him, since he was incapable45 of feeling a hearty love for any one except himself.
As for John, it is to be feared that he regarded his father chiefly as one from whom he might expect future favors. His mother had been a good, though not a strong-minded woman, and her influence might have been of advantage to her son; but unhappily she had died when John was in his tenth year, and since then he had become too much like his father.
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1
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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6
deriving
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| v.得到( derive的现在分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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7
liquidation
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| n.清算，停止营业 | |
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8
attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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10
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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11
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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13
scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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recess
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| n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处） | |
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hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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rivalry
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| n.竞争，竞赛，对抗 | |
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exasperation
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| n.愤慨 | |
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bounties
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| （由政府提供的）奖金( bounty的名词复数 )； 赏金； 慷慨； 大方 | |
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23
incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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imputation
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| n.归罪，责难 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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26
detrimental
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| adj.损害的，造成伤害的 | |
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subversive
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| adj.颠覆性的，破坏性的；n.破坏份子，危险份子 | |
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28
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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consequential
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| adj.作为结果的，间接的；重要的 | |
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31
warped
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| adj.反常的；乖戾的；（变）弯曲的；变形的v.弄弯，变歪( warp的过去式和过去分词 )；使（行为等）不合情理，使乖戾， | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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defrauded
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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pompously
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| adv.傲慢地，盛大壮观地；大模大样 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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42
laborer
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| n.劳动者，劳工 | |
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43
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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44
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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45
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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