Mr. Frost had for some years before his marriage been a painter, and had managed to save up from his earnings2 not far from a thousand dollars. Thinking, however, that farming would be more favorable to health, he purchased his fifty-acre farm for twenty-eight hundred dollars, payable3 one thousand down, and the rest remaining on mortgage. At the date of our story he had succeeded in paying up the entire amount within eight hundred dollars, a mortgage for that amount being held by Squire4 Haynes. He had not been able to accomplish this without strict economy, in which his wife had cheerfully aided him.
But his family had grown larger and more expensive. Besides Frank, who was the oldest, there were now three younger children—Alice, twelve years of age; Maggie, ten; and Charlie, seven.
The farmhouse5 was small but comfortable, and the family had never been tempted6 to sigh for a more costly7 or luxurious8 home. They were happy and contented9, and this made their home attractive.
On the evening succeeding that of the war meeting, Frank was seated in the common sitting-room10 with his father and mother. There was a well-worn carpet on the floor, a few plain chairs were scattered11 about the room, and in the corner ticked one of the old-fashioned clocks such as used to be the pride of our New England households. In the center of the room stood a round table, on which had been set a large kerosene-lamp, which diffused12 a cheerful light about the apartment.
On a little table, over which hung a small mirror, were several papers and magazines. Economical in most things, Mr. Frost was considered by many of his neighbors extravagant13 in this. He subscribed15 regularly for Harper's Magazine and Weekly, a weekly agricultural paper, a daily paper, and a child's magazine.
“I don't see how you can afford to buy so much reading-matter,” said a neighbor, one day. “It must cost you a sight of money. As for me, I only take a weekly paper, and I think I shall have to give that up soon.”
“All my papers and magazines cost me in a year, including postage, is less than twenty dollars,” said Mr. Frost quietly. “A very slight additional economy in dress—say three dollars a year to each of us will pay that. I think my wife would rather make her bonnet16 wear doubly as long than give up a single one of our papers. When you think of the comparative amount of pleasure given by a paper that comes to you fifty-two times in a year, and a little extra extravagance in dress, I think you will decide in favor of the paper.”
“But when you've read it, you haven't anything to show for your money.”
“And when clothes are worn out you may say the same of them. But we value both for the good they have done, and the pleasure they have afforded. I have always observed that a family where papers and magazines are taken is much more intelligent and well informed than where their bodies are clothed at the expense of their minds. Our daily paper is the heaviest item; but I like to know what is passing in the world, and, besides, I think I more than defray the expense by the knowledge I obtain of the markets. At what price did you sell your apples last year?”
“At one dollar and seventy-five cents per barrel.”
“And I sold forty barrels at two dollars per barrel. I found from my paper that there was reason to expect an increase in the price, and held on. By so doing I gained ten dollars, which more than paid the expense of my paper for the year. So even in a money way I was paid for my subscription17. No, neighbor, though I have good reason to economize18, I don't care to economize in that direction. I want my children to grow up intelligent citizens. Let me advise you, instead of stopping your only paper, to subscribe14 for two or three more.”
“I don't know,” was the irresolute19 reply. “It was pretty lucky about the apples; but it seems a good deal to pay. As for my children, they don't get much time to read. They've got to earn their livin', and that ain't done by settin' down and readin'.”
“I am not so sure of that,” said Mr. Frost. “Education often enables a man to make money.”
The reader may have been surprised at the ease with which Mr. Frost expressed himself in his speech at the war meeting. No other explanation is required than that he was in the habit of reading, every day, well-selected newspapers. “A man is known by the company he keeps.”
“So you gained the prize, Frank?” said his father approvingly. “I am very glad to hear it. It does you great credit. I hope none were envious20 of your success.”
“Most of the boys seemed glad of it,” was the reply; “but John Haynes was angry because he didn't get it himself. He declared that I succeeded only because I was a favorite with Mr. Rathburn.”
“I am afraid he has not an amiable21 disposition22. However, we must remember that his home influences haven't been the best. His mother's death was unfortunate for him.”
“I heard at the store that you and Squire Haynes had a discussion at the war meeting,” said Frank inquiringly. “How was it, father?”
“It was on the question of voting a bounty23 to our volunteers. I felt that such a course would be only just. The squire objected on the ground that our taxes would be considerably24 increased.”
“And how did the town vote?”
“They sustained my proposition, much to the squire's indignation. He doesn't seem to feel that any sacrifices ought to be expected of him.”
“Four have already enlisted26, but twenty-one are still required. I fear there will be some difficulty in obtaining the full number. In a farming town like ours the young men are apt to go off to other places as soon as they are old enough; so that the lot must fall upon some who have families.”
Frank sat for some minutes gazing thoughtfully into the wood-fire that crackled in the fireplace.
“I wish I was old enough to go, father,” he said, at length.
“I wish you were,” said his father earnestly. “Not that it wouldn't be hard to send you out into the midst of perils28; but our duty to our country ought to be paramount29 to our personal preferences.”
“There's another reason,” he said, after awhile, “why I wish you were older. You could take my place on the farm, and leave me free to enlist27. I should have no hesitation30 in going. I have not forgotten that my grandfather fought at Bunker Hill.”
“I know, father,” said Frank, nodding; “and that's his musket31 that hangs up in your room, isn't it?”
“Yes; it was his faithful companion for three years. I often think with pride of his services. I have been trying to think all day whether I couldn't make some arrangement to have the farm carried on in my absence; but it is very hard to obtain a person in whom I could confide32.”
“If I were as good a manager as some,” said Mrs. Frost, with a smile, “I would offer to be your farmer; but I am afraid that, though my intentions would be the best, things would go on badly under my administration.”
“You have enough to do in the house, Mary,” said her husband. “I should not wish you to undertake the additional responsibility, even if you were thoroughly33 competent. I am afraid I shall have to give up the idea of going.”
Mr. Frost took up the evening paper. Frank continued to look thoughtfully into the fire, as if revolving34 something in his mind. Finally he rose, and lighting35 a candle went up to bed. But he did not go to sleep for some time. A plan had occurred to him, and he was considering its feasibility.
“I think I could do it,” he said, at last, turning over and composing himself to sleep. “I'll speak to father the first thing to-morrow morning.”
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1
situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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earnings
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| n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得 | |
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payable
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| adj.可付的，应付的，有利益的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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farmhouse
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| n.农场住宅（尤指主要住房） | |
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tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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sitting-room
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| n.（BrE）客厅，起居室 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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extravagant
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| adj.奢侈的；过分的；(言行等)放肆的 | |
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subscribe
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| vi.(to)订阅，订购；同意；vt.捐助，赞助 | |
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subscribed
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| v.捐助( subscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；签署，题词；订阅；同意 | |
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bonnet
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| n.无边女帽；童帽 | |
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subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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economize
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| v.节约，节省 | |
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irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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enlisted
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| adj.应募入伍的v.（使）入伍， （使）参军( enlist的过去式和过去分词 )；获得（帮助或支持） | |
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enlist
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| vt.谋取(支持等)，赢得；征募；vi.入伍 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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paramount
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| a.最重要的，最高权力的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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confide
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| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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