Chapter III. Frank at Home

by Horatio Alger

　　Mr. Frost's farm was situated about three-quarters of a mile fromthe village. It comprised fifty acres, of which twenty weresuitable for tillage, the remainder being about equally dividedbetween woodland and pasture.Mr. Frost had for some years before his marriage been a painter,and had managed to save up from his earnings not far from athousand dollars. Thinking, however, that farming would be morefavorable to health, he purchased his fifty-acre farm fortwenty-eight hundred dollars, payable one thousand down, and therest remaining on mortgage. At the date of our story he hadsucceeded in paying up the entire amount within eight hundreddollars, a mortgage for that amount being held by Squire 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. BesidesFrank, who was the oldest, there were now three youngerchildren--Alice, twelve years of age; Maggie, ten; and Charlie,seven.The farmhouse was small but comfortable, and the family had neverbeen tempted to sigh for a more costly or luxurious home. Theywere happy and contented, and this made their home attractive.On the evening succeeding that of the war meeting, Frank wasseated in the common sitting-room with his father and mother.There was a well-worn carpet on the floor, a few plain chairswere scattered about the room, and in the corner ticked one ofthe old-fashioned clocks such as used to be the pride of our NewEngland households. In the center of the room stood a roundtable, on which had been set a large kerosene-lamp, whichdiffused a cheerful light about the apartment.On a little table, over which hung a small mirror, were severalpapers and magazines. Economical in most things, Mr. Frost wasconsidered by many of his neighbors extravagant in this. Hesubscribed regularly for Harper's Magazine and Weekly, a weeklyagricultural 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. Asfor me, I only take a weekly paper, and I think I shall have togive that up soon.""All my papers and magazines cost me in a year, includingpostage, is less than twenty dollars," said Mr. Frost quietly. "Avery slight additional economy in dress--say three dollars a yearto each of us will pay that. I think my wife would rather makeher bonnet wear doubly as long than give up a single one of ourpapers. When you think of the comparative amount of pleasuregiven by a paper that comes to you fifty-two times in a year, anda little extra extravagance in dress, I think you will decide infavor of the paper.""But when you've read it, you haven't anything to show for yourmoney.""And when clothes are worn out you may say the same of them. Butwe value both for the good they have done, and the pleasure theyhave afforded. I have always observed that a family where papersand magazines are taken is much more intelligent and wellinformed than where their bodies are clothed at the expense oftheir minds. Our daily paper is the heaviest item; but I like toknow what is passing in the world, and, besides, I think I morethan 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 frommy paper that there was reason to expect an increase in theprice, and held on. By so doing I gained ten dollars, which morethan paid the expense of my paper for the year. So even in amoney way I was paid for my subscription. No, neighbor, though Ihave good reason to economize, I don't care to economize in thatdirection. I want my children to grow up intelligent citizens.Let me advise you, instead of stopping your only paper, tosubscribe for two or three more.""I don't know," was the irresolute reply. "It was pretty luckyabout the apples; but it seems a good deal to pay. As for mychildren, they don't get much time to read. They've got to earntheir livin', and that ain't done by settin' down and readin'.""I am not so sure of that," said Mr. Frost. "Education oftenenables 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. Noother explanation is required than that he was in the habit ofreading, every day, well-selected newspapers. "A man is known bythe company he keeps.""So you gained the prize, Frank?" said his father approvingly. "Iam very glad to hear it. It does you great credit. I hope nonewere envious of your success.""Most of the boys seemed glad of it," was the reply; "but JohnHaynes was angry because he didn't get it himself. He declaredthat I succeeded only because I was a favorite with Mr.Rathburn.""I am afraid he has not an amiable disposition. However, we mustremember that his home influences haven't been the best. Hismother's death was unfortunate for him.""I heard at the store that you and Squire Haynes had a discussionat the war meeting," said Frank inquiringly. "How was it,father?""It was on the question of voting a bounty to our volunteers. Ifelt that such a course would be only just. The squire objectedon the ground that our taxes would be considerably 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 expectedof him.""What is the prospect of obtaining the men, father?""Four have already enlisted, but twenty-one are still required. Ifear there will be some difficulty in obtaining the full number.In a farming town like ours the young men are apt to go off toother places as soon as they are old enough; so that the lot mustfall upon some who have families."Frank sat for some minutes gazing thoughtfully into the wood-firethat 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 itwouldn't be hard to send you out into the midst of perils; butour duty to our country ought to be paramount to our personalpreferences.""There's another reason," he said, after awhile, "why I wish youwere older. You could take my place on the farm, and leave mefree to enlist. I should have no hesitation in going. I have notforgotten that my grandfather fought at Bunker Hill.""I know, father," said Frank, nodding; "and that's his musketthat hangs up in your room, isn't it?""Yes; it was his faithful companion for three years. I oftenthink with pride of his services. I have been trying to think allday whether I couldn't make some arrangement to have the farmcarried on in my absence; but it is very hard to obtain a personin whom I could confide.""If I were as good a manager as some," said Mrs. Frost, with asmile, "I would offer to be your farmer; but I am afraid that,though my intentions would be the best, things would go on badlyunder my administration.""You have enough to do in the house, Mary," said her husband. "Ishould not wish you to undertake the additional responsibility,even if you were thoroughly competent. I am afraid I shall haveto give up the idea of going."Mr. Frost took up the evening paper. Frank continued to lookthoughtfully into the fire, as if revolving something in hismind. Finally he rose, and lighting a candle went up to bed. Buthe 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 andcomposing himself to sleep. "I'll speak to father the first thingto-morrow morning."