Chapter XVII. A Shade of Mystery

by Horatio Alger

　　Frank found little difficulty in persuading his mother to acceptyoung Morton's proposition. From her son's description she feltlittle doubt that he would be a pleasant addition to the familycircle, while his fund of information would make him instructiveas well as agreeable.There was another consideration besides which determined her totake him. Five dollars a week would go a great way inhousekeeping, or, rather, as their income from other sourceswould probably be sufficient for this, she could lay aside theentire amount toward paying the mortgage held by Squire Haynes.This plan occurred simultaneously to Frank and his mother."I should certainly feel myself to blame if I neglected so goodan opportunity of helping your father," said Mrs. Frost."Suppose we don't tell him, mother," suggested Frank; "but whenhe gets home surprise him with the amount of our savings.""No," said Mrs. Frost, after a moment's thought, "your fatherwill be all the better for all the good news we can send him. Itwill make his life more tolerable."Frank harnessed his horse to a light wagon and drove down to thetavern.Henry Morton was sitting on the piazza, as the day wasunusually-warm, with a book in his hand."Well," he said, looking up with a smile, "I hope you have comefor me.""That is my errand, Mr. Morton," answered Frank. "If your trunkis already packed, we will take it along with us.""It is quite ready. If you will come up and help me downstairswith it, I will settle with the landlord and leave at once."This was speedily arranged, and the young man soon occupied aseat beside Frank.Arrived at the farmhouse, Frank introduced the new boarder to hismother."I hope we shall be able to make you comfortable," said Mrs.Frost, in a hospitable tone."I entertain no doubt of it," he said politely. "I am easy tosuit, and I foresee that Frank and I will become intimatefriends.""He was very urgent to have you come. I am not quite sure whetherit would have been safe for me to refuse.""I hope he will be as urgent to have me stay. That will be astill higher compliment.""Here is the room you are to occupy, Mr. Morton," said Mrs.Frost, opening a door at the head of the front stairs.It was a large square room, occupying the front eastern corner ofthe house. The furniture was neat and comfortable, though notpretentious."I like this," said the young man, surveying his new quarterswith an air of satisfaction. "The sun will find me out in themorning.""Yes, it will remain with you through the forenoon. I think youwill find the room warm and comfortable. But whenever you gettired of it you will be welcome downstairs.""That is an invitation of which I shall be only too glad to availmyself. Now, Frank, if you will be kind enough to help meupstairs with my trunk."The trunk was carried up between them, and placed in a closet."I will send for a variety of articles from the city to make myroom look social and cheerful," said Mr. Morton. "I have somebooks and engravings in Boston, which I think will contribute tomake it so."A day or two later, two large boxes arrived, one containingpictures, the other books. Of the latter there were perhaps ahundred and fifty, choice and well selected.Frank looked at them with avidity."You shall be welcome to use them as freely as you like," saidthe owner--an offer which Frank gratefully accepted.The engravings were tastefully framed in black walnut. Onerepresented one of Raphael's Madonnas. Another was a finephotograph, representing a palace in Venice. Several othersportrayed foreign scenes. Among them was a street scene in Rome.An entire family were sitting in different postures on theportico of a fine building, the man with his swarthy featureshalf-concealed under a slouch hat, the woman holding a child inher lap, while another, a boy with large black eyes, leaned hishead upon her knees."That represents a Roman family at home," explained Henry Morton."At home!""Yes, it is the only home they have. They sleep wherever nightfinds them, sheltering themselves from the weather as well asthey can.""But how do they get through the winter? should think they wouldfreeze.""Nature has bestowed upon Italy a mild climate, so that, althoughthey may find the exposure at this season disagreeable, they arein no danger of freezing."There was another engraving which Frank looked at curiously. Itrepresented a wagon laden with casks of wine, and drawn by an oxand a donkey yoked together. Underneath was a descriptive phrase,"Caro di vino.""You don't see such teams in this country," said Mr. Morton,smiling. "In Italy they are common enough. In the background younotice a priest with a shovel-hat, sitting sideways on a donkey.Such a sight is much more common there than that of a man onhorseback. Indeed, this stubborn animal is found very useful inascending and descending mountains, being much surer-footed thanthe horse. I have ridden down steep descents along the verge of aprecipice where it would have been madness to venture onhorseback, but I felt the strongest confidence in the donkey Ibestrode."Frank noticed a few Latin books in the collection. "Do you readLatin, Mr. Morton?" he inquired."Yes, with tolerable ease. If I can be of any assistance to youin carrying on your Latin studies, it will afford me pleasure todo so.""I am very much obliged to you, Mr. Morton. I tried to go on withit by myself, but every now and then I came to a difficultsentence which I could not make out.""I think we can overcome the difficulties between us. At anyrate, we will try. Have no hesitation in applying to me."Before closing this chapter, I think it necessary to narrate alittle incident which served to heighten the interest with whichFrank regarded his new friend, though it involved the latter in ashadow of mystery.Mrs. Frost did not keep what in New England is denominated"help." Being in good health, she performed the greater part ofher household tasks unassisted. When washing and house-cleaningdays came, however, she obtained outside assistance. For thispurpose she engaged Chloe to come twice a week, on Monday andSaturday, not only because in this way she could help the womanto earn a living, but also because she found her a valuable andefficient assistant.Henry Morton became a member of the little household at the farmon Thursday, and two days later Chloe came as usual to "cleanhouse."The young man was standing in the front yard as Chloe, with awhite turban on her head, for she had not yet laid aside herSouthern mode of dress, came from the street by a little pathwhich led to the back door. Her attention was naturally drawn tothe young man. No sooner did she obtain a full view of him, thanshe stopped short and exclaimed with every appearance ofsurprise, "Why, Mass' Richard, who'd'a' thought to see you here.You look just like you used to do, dat's a fac'. It does my oldeyes good to see you."Henry Morton turned suddenly."What, Chloe!" he exclaimed in equal surprise. "What brings youup here? I thought you were miles away, in Virginia.""So I was, Mass' Richard. But Lor' bless you, when de Linkumsogers come, I couldn't stay no longer. I took and runned away.""And here you are, then.""Yes, Mass' Richard, here I is, for sure.""How do you like the North, Chloe?""Don't like it as well as de Souf. It's too cold," and Chloeshivered."But you would rather be here than there?""Yes, Mass' Richard. Here I own myself. Don't have no oberseer tocrack his whip at me now. I'se a free woman now, and so's mylittle Pomp."The young man smiled at the innocent mistake."Pomp is your little boy, I suppose, Chloe.""Yes, Mass' Richard.""Is he a good boy?""He's as sassy as de debble," said Chloe emphatically. "I don'tknow what's goin' to 'come of dat boy. He's most worried my lifeout.""Oh, he'll grow better as he grows older. Don't trouble yourselfabout him. But, Chloe, there's one favor I am going to ask ofyou.""Yes, Mass' Richard.""Don't call me by my real name. For some reasons, which I can'tat present explain, I prefer to be known as Henry Morton, forsome months to come. Do you think you can remember to call me bythat name?""Yes, Mass'--Henry," said Chloe, looking perplexed.Henry Morton turned round to meet the surprised looks of Frankand his mother."My friends," he said, "I hope you will not feel distrustful ofme, when I freely acknowledge to you that imperative reasonscompel me for a time to appear under a name not my own. Chloe andI are old acquaintances, but I must request her to keep secretfor a time her past knowledge concerning me. I think," he addedwith a smile, "that she would have nothing to say that woulddamage me. Some time you shall know all. Are you satisfied?""Quite so," said Mrs. Frost. "I have no doubt you have good andsufficient reason.""I will endeavor to justify your confidence," said Henry Morton,an expression of pleasure lighting up his face.