Chapter XVI. Frank Makes a Friend

by Horatio Alger

　　Henry Morton rose with the sun. This was not so early as may besupposed, for already November had touched its middle point, andthe tardy sun did not make its appearance till nearly seveno'clock. As he passed through the hall he noticed that breakfastwas not quite ready."A little walk will sharpen my appetite," he thought. He put onhis hat, and, passing through the stable-yard at the rear,climbed over a fence and ascended a hill which he had observedfrom his chamber window. The sloping sides, which had not yetwholly lost their appearance of verdure, were dotted with trees,mostly apple-trees."It must be delightful in summer," said the young man, as helooked thoughtfully about him.The hill was by no means high, and five minutes' walk brought himto the summit. From this spot he had a fine view of the villagewhich lay at his feet embowered in trees. A narrow river woundlike a silver thread through the landscape. Groups of trees oneither bank bent over as if to see themselves reflected in therapid stream. At one point a dam had been built across from bankto bank, above which the river widened and deepened, affording anexcellent skating-ground for the boys in the cold days ofDecember and January. A whirring noise was heard. The grist-millhad just commenced its work for the day. Down below the dam theshallow water eddied and whirled, breaking in fleecy foam overprotuberant rocks which lay in the river-bed.The old village church with its modest proportions occupied aknoll between the hill and the river. It was girdled about withfirs intermingled with elms. Near-by was a small triangularcommon, thickly planted with trees, each facing a separatestreet. Houses clustered here and there. Comfortable buildingsthey were, but built evidently rather for use than show. Thearchitect had not yet come to the assistance of the villagecarpenter.Seen in the cheering light of the rising sun, Henry Morton couldnot help feeling that a beautiful picture was spread out beforehim."After all," he said thoughtfully, "we needn't go abroad forbeauty, when we can find so much of it at our own doors. Yet,perhaps the more we see of the beautiful, the better we arefitted to appreciate it in the wonderful variety of itsnumberless forms."He slowly descended the hill, but in a different direction. Thisbrought him to the road that connected the village with NorthRossville, two miles distant.Coming from a different direction, a boy reached the stile aboutthe same time with himself, and both clambered over together."It is a beautiful morning," said the young man courteously."Yes, sir," was the respectful answer. "Have you been up lookingat the view?""Yes--and to get an appetite for breakfast. And you?"Frank Frost--for it was he--laughed. "Oh, I am here on quite adifferent errand," he said. "I used to come here earlier in theseason to drive the cows to pasture. I come this morning to carrysome milk to a neighbor who takes it of us. She usually sends forit, but her son is just now sick with the measles.""Yet I think you cannot fail to enjoy the pleasant morning, evenif you are here for other purposes.""I do enjoy it very much," said Frank. "When I read of beautifulscenery in other countries, I always wish that I could visitthem, and see for myself.""Perhaps you will some day."Frank smiled, and shook his head incredulously. "I am afraidthere is not much chance of it," he said."So I thought when I was of your age," returned Henry Morton."Then you have traveled?" said Frank, looking interested."Yes. I have visited most of the countries of Europe.""Have you been in Rome?" inquired Frank."Yes. Are you interested in Rome?""Who could help it, sir? I should like to see the Capitol, andthe Via Sacra, and the Tarpeian Rock, and the Forum--and, infact, Rome must be full of objects of interest. Who knows but Imight tread where Cicero, and Virgil, and Caesar had troddenbefore me?"Henry Morton looked at the boy who stood beside him withincreased interest. "I see you are quite a scholar," he said."Where did you learn about all these men and places?""I have partly prepared for college," answered Frank; "but myfather went to the war some weeks since, and I am staying at hometo take charge of the farm, and supply his place as well as Ican.""It must have been quite a sacrifice to you to give up yourstudies?" said his companion."Yes, sir, it was a great sacrifice; but we must all of ussacrifice something in these times. Even the boys can dosomething for their country.""What is your name?" asked Henry Morton, more and more pleasedwith his chance acquaintance. "I should like to become betteracquainted with you."Frank blushed, and his expressive face showed that he wasgratified by the compliment."My name is Frank Frost," he answered, "and I live about half amile from here.""And I am Henry Morton. I am stopping temporarily at the hotel.Shall you be at leisure this evening, Frank?""Yes, sir.""Then I should be glad to receive a call from you. I have noacquaintances, and perhaps we may help each other to make theevening pass pleasantly. I have some pictures collected abroad,which I think you might like to look at.""I shall be delighted to come," said Frank, his eyes sparklingwith pleasure.By this time they had reached the church, which was distant but afew rods from the hotel. They had just turned the corner of theroad, when the clang of a bell was heard."I suppose that is my breakfast-bell," said the young man. "Itfinds me with a good appetite. Good morning, Frank. I will expectyou, then, this evening."Frank returned home, feeling quite pleased with his invitation."I wish," thought he, "that I might see considerable of Mr.Morton. I could learn a great deal from him, he has seen somuch."His road led him past the house of Squire Haynes. John wassauntering about the yard with his hands in his pockets."Good morning, John," said Frank, in a pleasant voice.John did not seem inclined to respond to this politeness. Onseeing Frank he scowled, and without deigning to make a replyturned his back and went into the house. He had not forgotten thelast occasion on which they had met in the woods, when Frankdefeated his cruel designs upon poor Pomp. There was not muchlikelihood that he would forget it very soon."I can't understand John," thought Frank. "The other boys willget mad and get over it before the next day; John broods over itfor weeks. I really believe he hates me. But, of course, Icouldn't act any differently. I wasn't going to stand by and seePomp beaten. I should do just the same again."The day wore away, and in the evening Frank presented himself atthe hotel, and inquired for Mr. Morton. He was ushered upstairs,and told to knock at the door of a room in the second story.His knock was answered by the young man in person, who shook hishand with a pleasant smile, and invited him in."I am glad to see you, Frank," he said, very cordially."And I am much obliged to you for inviting me, Mr. Morton."They sat down together beside the table, and conversed on avariety of topics. Frank had numberless questions to ask aboutforeign scenes and countries, all of which were answered with theutmost readiness. Henry Morton brought out a large portfoliocontaining various pictures, some on note-paper, representingscenes in different parts of Europe.The evening wore away only too rapidly for Frank. He had seldompassed two hours so pleasantly. At half-past nine, he rose, andsaid half-regretfully, "I wish you were going to live in thevillage this winter, Mr. Morton."The young man smiled. "Such is my intention, Frank," he saidquietly."Shall you stay?" said Frank joyfully. "I suppose you will boardhere?""I should prefer a quieter boarding-place. Can you recommendone?"Frank hesitated."Where," continued Mr. Morton, "I could enjoy the companionshipof an intelligent young gentleman of your age?""If we lived nearer the village," Frank began, and stoppedabruptly."Half a mile would be no objection to me. As I don't think youwill find it unpleasant, Frank, I will authorize you to offeryour mother five dollars a week for a room and a seat at hertable.""I am quite sure she would be willing, Mr. Morton, but I amafraid we should not live well enough to suit you. And I don'tthink you ought to pay so much as five dollars a week.""Leave that to me, Frank. My main object is to obtain a pleasanthome; and that I am sure I should find at your house.""Thank you, sir," said Frank; "I will mention it to my mother,and let you know in the course of to-morrow."