AN ENCHANTING SCENE.--THE PARTING.
"The hearth is swept, the fire is made,
The kettle sings for tea."
It was the clear, honest voice of Deacon Palmer that fell on Tom's
ear, and which he now heard for the hundredth time. Year in and out,
at morning and night, the good man had sung this, his favorite
song,--bachelor though he was, with silver-streaked hair,--as if his
heart yearned for the wifely waiting, and the sweet home-joys it
pictured. Why were they not his? Do all have their longings for
something brighter and better than the present brings? something for
which they must wait and wait, and perchance never attain?
Tom knocked modestly at the storekeeper's door. A moment, and the
money-lender opened it, saying, heartily,--
"Walk in; walk in!"
"No, I thank you," answered Tom; "I called to say, that as I am to
start on Monday to begin study at the east,"--and the young man's
tones grew tremulous,--"General and Mrs. McElroy and mother are to be
at the missionary's to-day, and they desire the pleasure of your
company at dinner."
"Well, well, young man, you _have_ brought a message--haven't you?"
exclaimed the grocer, fidgeting about. "A pretty mixed-up company that
would be--wouldn't it? Old Cowles sitting down to table with a
minister of the gospel, and a student for that sacred calling, and
such like folks. No, no; that wouldn't be consistent. Tell them that I
am much obliged, but--"
"Now, Mr. Cowles," exclaimed Tom, seizing his hand, "you must come. I
shall feel dreadfully hurt if you refuse,--and they all want you to so
much. And, you know that if it was not for your kindness--"
"There, there, boy," interrupted the storekeeper, his black eyes
flashing through tears, "don't talk in that way. All is, if it will
please you, I'll come. But how do you go to the river, Monday?"
"O, the missionary is to get a team."
"Well, just say to him that my horses are at his service."
We will not dwell upon the dinner in the log-cabin parsonage, during
which "irrepressible" Bub--his clerical tastes sharpened by Tom's
example--took clandestine possession of the attic study, and,
constituting himself preacher, audience, and choir, undertook to
conduct divine service. Having given out the first hymn, he drowned
the missionary's words, as the latter said grace, by stoutly
singing,--
"I want to be an angel,
An angel with a stand."
Neither may we linger amid the tender, solemn scenes of the Sabbath
following, the last Tom was to spend in the rude frontier sanctuary.
It was evening of a beautiful day in May, when the money-lender's
capacious carriage, drawn by his trusty grays, deposited its
passengers at the landing, to await the steamer. What a lifetime of
thought and emotion seemed crowded into that interval of waiting, as
Mrs. Jones stood with Tom clasped closely, whispering words of mingled
foreboding, hope, and caution!
"To be a _good_ minister of Jesus Christ, how glorious, how sublime!"
said she. "There is nothing I so much desire for you. But you are
going into scenes very different from those in which you have been
reared--scenes which will have their peculiar and insidious perils. I
foresee that you will rise to distinction in your studies. But do not
seek high things for yourself. Be not anxious to become what is called
a great preacher, nor aspire to a 'brilliant settlement.' Sacrifice
not conscience for place and power and the applause of sect. Keep
humble. Keep Christ ever before you; and may he watch between me and
thee while we are separated from each other;" and she kissed him a
fond farewell. Tom stepped aboard the steamer, which rapidly bore him
away, carrying in his heart the images of the godly missionary,
fair-haired Alice, and his mother--the little group that stood on the
shore gazing so lovingly after him. The young man wept freely as they
faded from sight. But, happily, the magical splendor of night on the
Mississippi broke in on the tumult of his feelings. Hundreds of lights
gleamed from the shore in every direction; from village, and city, and
town; from cottage and homestead; while steamer after steamer,
illuminated within and without, came sweeping, sounding, thundering
on, like some monster leviathan spouting fire. It was as a dream of
enchantment to him, and soon stirred his brain wonderfully. With
singular vividness the eventful past of his pioneer life flitted
before his mental vision, and again he experienced the terrible
anxieties and thrills of horror and of heroic resolve connected with
the Indian uprising. And now his tears flow as he revisits in
imagination the lonely grave of his father on the far-off prairie.
Would the dear ones that survived the fearful outbreak be long safe?
Might they not soon need his aid once more? And the glowing future
for which he had so panted, would it be to him all he had fancied?
Would he pass safely the dangers his far-seeing mother had sketched?
Would he realize her ideal? And the kind missionary and the eccentric
money-lender, they had high expectations of what he should become.
Would he disappoint their hopes? Tom, wearied with thought, sought his
state-room, and fell asleep, dreaming that he was hearing, as on the
morning of his first visit to the fort, the bird-like notes of the
song that then floated through the open window, and that fairy Alice
looked out and said,--
"Don't forget me, Tom, while you are away."
Thus does divine and human love ever intertwine. How strange, how
unvarying the experience! Farewell, Tom! Farewell, Charlie! Good by,
Bub! Perhaps we may meet again.
THE LOOKOUT ISLAND CAMPERS
By WARREN L. ELDRED
Illustrated by Arthur O. Scott--Large 12mo--Cloth $1.50
[Illustration]
This is a story of active boys of fifteen or so. They are very fortunate
in the friendship of the principal of their school and his friend, an
athletic young doctor. Under the care of these two they go into camp on
an island well suited to the purpose, and within easy distance of a
thronged summer resort. A series of exciting ball games and athletic
contests with the boys at the hotel naturally follows, and the boys
display as many varieties of human nature as could their elders. The
author is a man who knows boys thoroughly, and by his work is known to a
very large number of them, and the whole atmosphere of the story is
merry, wholesome, and just what boys like.
"Mr. Eldred's book is almost certain to meet with a ready response from
young readers, for not only are the boys filled with life and vigor of a
true youthful and appreciable variety but their experiences are
entertaining in themselves and may perhaps give the young readers ideas
for summer plans of their own."--Chicago Tribune.
"This is a capital book for active boys, vigorous, wholesome and sane,
written by a man who knows boys and can give them the best kind of
vacation."--Defender, Boston.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
publishers
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston
THE BOY WITH THE U. S. SURVEY
By FRANCIS ROLT-WHEELER
First Volume of "U. S. Service Series"
Illustrations from photographs taken in work for U. S. Government
Large 12mo Cloth $1.50
[Illustration]
This is the first of a series of boys' books along entirely new lines.
Appealing to the boy's love of excitement, this series gives actual
experiences in the different branches of United States government work
little known to the general public. This story describes the thrilling
adventures of members of the U. S. Geological Survey, graphically woven
into a stirring narrative that both pleases and instructs. The author
enjoys an intimate acquaintance with the chiefs of the various bureaus in
Washington, and is able to obtain at first hand the material for the
books, and the finished manuscript is submitted to the chief of the bureau
for final approval to ensure accuracy of statement. While the United
States bureaus are not allowed to give their official endorsement to
books, yet they are all eager to afford every facility to the author to
take up their branch next. These are the very books that will develop boys
into well-informed and valuable citizens of these United States, alive to
the needs of conservation of the vast resources and energies of their
country.
"There is abundant charm and vigor in the narrative which is sure to
please the boy readers and will do much toward stimulating their
patriotism by making them alive to the needs of conservation of the vast
resources of their country."--Chicago News.
"This is a book one can heartily recommend for boys, and it has life
enough to suit the most eager of them."--Christian Register, Boston.
"You have made the stories much more interesting than the bare recital of
facts by our field men."--Geo. Otis Smith, Director U. S. Geological
Survey.
"You have faithfully portrayed many of the aspects of our field
work."--Alfred H. Brooks, Chief, Alaskan Division U. S. Geological
Survey.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by
the publishers
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston
WINNING HIS SHOULDER STRAPS
By NORMAN BRAINERD
First Volume of "Five Chums Series"
Illustrated by Frank Vining Smith
12mo Cloth $1.25
[Illustration]
A rousing story of life in a military school by one who thoroughly knows
all the features of such a school, with so much in its life that is so
entirely different from the ordinary boarding-school. Bob Anderson, the
hero, is a good friend to tie to, and each of his four particular friends
is a worthy companion, with well-sustained individuality. The dearest
honor to a student is to become an officer, and these coveted honors are
secured partly by competitive rank and partly by popular vote. Among all
kinds of dispositions, temperaments, and temptations, Bob has no easy road
to the coveted distinction. Athletics are plentifully featured, and every
boy, good, bad, and indifferent, is a natural fellow, who talks and acts
like a bright, up-to-date lad in real life.
"The story throughout is clean and wholesome, and will not fail to be
appreciated by any boy reader who has red blood in his veins."--Kennebec
Journal.
"There are school and athletic competitions, pranks and frolics and all in
all a book of which most boy readers will have no criticism to
make."--Springfield Republican.
"The story is told with a great deal of power and force, as well as of
sympathy and understanding of boy nature."--Buffalo News.
For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the
publishers
LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston