Chapter 23
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
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.
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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
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.
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For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers
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WINNING HIS SHOULDER STRAPS
By NORMAN BRAINERD
First Volume of "Five Chums Series"
Illustrated by Frank Vining Smith
12mo Cloth $1.25
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.
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