章节正文
eagles, worth twenty dollars. You will need them
when I am gone. Use them for Grace and yourself.
I saved these for my children. Take them, Frank,
for I have nothing else to give you. The furniture
will pay the debt I owe Deacon Pinkerton. There
ought to be something over, but I think he will take
all. I wish I had more to leave you, dear Frank,
but the God of the Fatherless will watch over you--
to Him I commit you and Grace. Your affectionate
mother, RUTH FOWLER.''
Frank, following the instructions of the letter,
found the gold pieces and put them carefully into
his pocketbook. He did not mention the letter to
Grace at present, for he knew not but Deacon Pinkerton
might lay claim to the money to satisfy his debt
if he knew it.
``I am ready, Frank,'' said Grace, entering the
room. ``Shall we go?''
``Yes, Grace. There is no use in stopping here any
longer.''
As he spoke he heard the outer door open, and a
minute later Deacon Pinkerton entered the room.
None of the deacon's pompousness was abated as
he entered the house and the room.
``Will you take a seat?'' said our hero, with the
air of master of the house.
``I intended to,'' said the deacon, not acknowledging
his claim. ``So your poor mother is gone?''
``Yes, sir,'' said Frank, briefly.
``We must all die,'' said the deacon, feeling that it
was incumbent on him to say something religious.
``Ahem! your mother died poor? She left no property?''
``It was not her fault.''
``Of course not. Did she mention that I had
advanced her money on the furniture?''
``My mother told me all about it, sir.''
``Ahem! You are in a sad condition. But you will
be taken care of. You ought to be thankful that
there is a home provided for those who have no
means.''
``What home do you refer to, Deacon Pinkerton?''
asked Frank, looking steadily in the face of his visitor.
``I mean the poorhouse, which the town generously
provides for those who cannot support themselves.''
This was the first intimation Grace had received
of the possibility that they would be sent to such a
home, and it frightened her.
``Oh, Frank!'' she exclaimed, ``must we go to the
poorhouse?''
``No, Grace; don't be frightened,'' said Frank,
soothingly. ``We will not go.''
``Frank Fowler,'' said the deacon, sternly, ``cease
to mislead your sister.''
``I am not misleading her, sir.''
``Did you not tell her that she would not be obliged
to go to the poorhouse?''
``Yes, sir.''
``Then what do you mean by resisting my authority?''
``You have no authority over us. We are not paupers,''
and Frank lifted his head proudly, and looked
steadily in the face of the deacon.
``You are paupers, whether you admit it or not.''
``We are not,'' said the boy, indignantly.
``Where is your money? Where is your property?''
``Here, sir,'' said our hero, holding out his hands.
``I have two strong hands, and they will help me
make a living for my sister and myself.''
``May I ask whether you expect to live here and
use my furniture?''
``I do not intend to, sir. I shall ask no favors of
you, neither for Grace nor myself. I am going to
leave the house. I only came back to get a few
clothes. Mr. Pomeroy has invited Grace and me to
stay at his house for a few days. I haven't decided
what I shall do afterward.''
``You will have to go to the poorhouse, then. I
have no objection to your making this visit first. It
will be a saving to the town.''
``Then, sir, we will bid you good-day. Grace, let
us go.''
CHAPTER V
A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING
``Have you carried Frank Fowler to the
poorhouse?'' asked Tom Pinkerton, eagerly, on his
father's return.
``No, said the deacon, ``he is going to make a visit
at Mr. Pomeroy's first.''
``I shouldn't think you would have let him make
a visit,'' said Tom, discontentedly. ``I should think
you would have taken him to the poorhouse right
off.''
``I feel it my duty to save the town unnecessary
expense,'' said Deacon Pinkerton.
So Tom was compelled to rest satisfied with his
father's assurance that the removal was only deferred.
Meanwhile Frank and Grace received a cordial
welcome at the house of Mr. Pomeroy. Sam and Frank
were intimate friends, and our hero had been in the
habit of calling frequently, and it seemed homelike.
``I wish you could stay with us all the time, Frank
--you and Grace,'' said Sam one evening.
``We should all like it,'' said Mr. Pomeroy, ``but we
cannot always have what we want. If I had it in my
power to offer Frank any employment which it
would be worth his while to follow, it might do. But
he has got his way to make in the world. Have you
formed any plans yet, Frank?''
``That is what I want to consult you about, Mr.
Pomeroy.''
``I will give you the best advice I can, Frank. I
suppose you do not mean to stay in the village.''
``No, sir. There is nothing for me to do here. I
must go somewhere where I can make a living for
Grace and myself.''
``You've got a hard row to hoe, Frank,'' said Mr.
Pomeroy, thoughtfully. ``Have you decided where to
go?''
``Yes, sir. I shall go to New York.''
``What! To the city?''
``Yes, sir. I'll get something to do, no matter
what it is.''
``But how are you going to live in the meantime?''
``I've got a little money.''
``That won't last long.''
``I know it, but I shall soon get work, if it is only
to black boots in the streets.''
``With that spirit, Frank, you will stand a fair
chance to succeed. What do you mean to do with
Grace?''
``I will take her with me.''
``I can think of a better plan. Leave her here till
you have found something to do. Then send for her.''
``But if I leave her here Deacon Pinkerton will
want to put her in the poorhouse. I can't bear to
have Grace go there.''
``She need not. She can stay here with me for
three months.''
``Will you let me pay her board?''
``I can afford to give her board for three months.''
``You are very kind, Mr. Pomeroy, but it wouldn't
be right for me to accept your kindness. It is my
duty to take care of Grace.''
``I honor your independence, Frank. It shall be
as you say. When you are able-mind, not till then
--you may pay me at the rate of two dollars a week
for Grace's board.''
``Then,'' said Frank, ``if you are willing to board
Grace for a while, I think I had better go to the city
at once.''
``I will look over your clothes to-morrow, Frank,''
said Mrs. Pomeroy, ``and see if they need mending.''
``Then I will start Thursday morning--the day
after.''
About four o'clock the next afternoon he was walking
up the main street, when just in front of Deacon
Pinkerton's house he saw Tom leaning against a
tree.
``How are you Tom?'' he said, and was about to
pass on.
``Where are you going?'' Tom asked abruptly.
``To Mr. Pomeroy's.''
``How soon are you going to the poorhouse to
live?''
``Who told you I was going?''
``My father.''
``Then your father's mistaken.''
``Ain't you a pauper?'' said Tom, insolently. ``You
haven't got any money.''
``I have got hands to earn money, and I am going
to try.''
``Anyway, I advise you to resign as captain of the
baseball club.''
``Why?''
``Because if you don't you'll be kicked out. Do
you think the fellows will be willing to have a pauper
for their captain?''
``That's the second time you have called me a
pauper. Don't call me so again.''
``You are a pauper and you know it.''
Frank was not a quarrelsome boy, but this
repeated insult was too much for him. He seized Tom
by the collar, and tripping him up left him on the
ground howling with rage. As valor was not his
strong point, he resolved to be revenged upon Frank
vicariously. He was unable to report the case to his
father till the next morning, as the deacon did not
return from a neighboring village, whither he had
gone on business, till late, but the result of his
communication was a call at Mr. Pomeroy's from the
deacon at nine o'clock the next morning. Had he
found Frank, it was his intention, at Tom's request,
to take him at once to the poorhouse. But he was
too late. Our hero was already on his way to New
York.
CHAPTER VI
FRANK GETS A PLACE
``So this is New York,'' said Frank to himself, as
he emerged from the railway station and looked
about him with interest and curiosity.
``Black yer boots? Shine?'' asked a bootblack,
seeing our hero standing still.
when I am gone. Use them for Grace and yourself.
I saved these for my children. Take them, Frank,
for I have nothing else to give you. The furniture
will pay the debt I owe Deacon Pinkerton. There
ought to be something over, but I think he will take
all. I wish I had more to leave you, dear Frank,
but the God of the Fatherless will watch over you--
to Him I commit you and Grace. Your affectionate
mother, RUTH FOWLER.''
Frank, following the instructions of the letter,
found the gold pieces and put them carefully into
his pocketbook. He did not mention the letter to
Grace at present, for he knew not but Deacon Pinkerton
might lay claim to the money to satisfy his debt
if he knew it.
``I am ready, Frank,'' said Grace, entering the
room. ``Shall we go?''
``Yes, Grace. There is no use in stopping here any
longer.''
As he spoke he heard the outer door open, and a
minute later Deacon Pinkerton entered the room.
None of the deacon's pompousness was abated as
he entered the house and the room.
``Will you take a seat?'' said our hero, with the
air of master of the house.
``I intended to,'' said the deacon, not acknowledging
his claim. ``So your poor mother is gone?''
``Yes, sir,'' said Frank, briefly.
``We must all die,'' said the deacon, feeling that it
was incumbent on him to say something religious.
``Ahem! your mother died poor? She left no property?''
``It was not her fault.''
``Of course not. Did she mention that I had
advanced her money on the furniture?''
``My mother told me all about it, sir.''
``Ahem! You are in a sad condition. But you will
be taken care of. You ought to be thankful that
there is a home provided for those who have no
means.''
``What home do you refer to, Deacon Pinkerton?''
asked Frank, looking steadily in the face of his visitor.
``I mean the poorhouse, which the town generously
provides for those who cannot support themselves.''
This was the first intimation Grace had received
of the possibility that they would be sent to such a
home, and it frightened her.
``Oh, Frank!'' she exclaimed, ``must we go to the
poorhouse?''
``No, Grace; don't be frightened,'' said Frank,
soothingly. ``We will not go.''
``Frank Fowler,'' said the deacon, sternly, ``cease
to mislead your sister.''
``I am not misleading her, sir.''
``Did you not tell her that she would not be obliged
to go to the poorhouse?''
``Yes, sir.''
``Then what do you mean by resisting my authority?''
``You have no authority over us. We are not paupers,''
and Frank lifted his head proudly, and looked
steadily in the face of the deacon.
``You are paupers, whether you admit it or not.''
``We are not,'' said the boy, indignantly.
``Where is your money? Where is your property?''
``Here, sir,'' said our hero, holding out his hands.
``I have two strong hands, and they will help me
make a living for my sister and myself.''
``May I ask whether you expect to live here and
use my furniture?''
``I do not intend to, sir. I shall ask no favors of
you, neither for Grace nor myself. I am going to
leave the house. I only came back to get a few
clothes. Mr. Pomeroy has invited Grace and me to
stay at his house for a few days. I haven't decided
what I shall do afterward.''
``You will have to go to the poorhouse, then. I
have no objection to your making this visit first. It
will be a saving to the town.''
``Then, sir, we will bid you good-day. Grace, let
us go.''
CHAPTER V
A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING
``Have you carried Frank Fowler to the
poorhouse?'' asked Tom Pinkerton, eagerly, on his
father's return.
``No, said the deacon, ``he is going to make a visit
at Mr. Pomeroy's first.''
``I shouldn't think you would have let him make
a visit,'' said Tom, discontentedly. ``I should think
you would have taken him to the poorhouse right
off.''
``I feel it my duty to save the town unnecessary
expense,'' said Deacon Pinkerton.
So Tom was compelled to rest satisfied with his
father's assurance that the removal was only deferred.
Meanwhile Frank and Grace received a cordial
welcome at the house of Mr. Pomeroy. Sam and Frank
were intimate friends, and our hero had been in the
habit of calling frequently, and it seemed homelike.
``I wish you could stay with us all the time, Frank
--you and Grace,'' said Sam one evening.
``We should all like it,'' said Mr. Pomeroy, ``but we
cannot always have what we want. If I had it in my
power to offer Frank any employment which it
would be worth his while to follow, it might do. But
he has got his way to make in the world. Have you
formed any plans yet, Frank?''
``That is what I want to consult you about, Mr.
Pomeroy.''
``I will give you the best advice I can, Frank. I
suppose you do not mean to stay in the village.''
``No, sir. There is nothing for me to do here. I
must go somewhere where I can make a living for
Grace and myself.''
``You've got a hard row to hoe, Frank,'' said Mr.
Pomeroy, thoughtfully. ``Have you decided where to
go?''
``Yes, sir. I shall go to New York.''
``What! To the city?''
``Yes, sir. I'll get something to do, no matter
what it is.''
``But how are you going to live in the meantime?''
``I've got a little money.''
``That won't last long.''
``I know it, but I shall soon get work, if it is only
to black boots in the streets.''
``With that spirit, Frank, you will stand a fair
chance to succeed. What do you mean to do with
Grace?''
``I will take her with me.''
``I can think of a better plan. Leave her here till
you have found something to do. Then send for her.''
``But if I leave her here Deacon Pinkerton will
want to put her in the poorhouse. I can't bear to
have Grace go there.''
``She need not. She can stay here with me for
three months.''
``Will you let me pay her board?''
``I can afford to give her board for three months.''
``You are very kind, Mr. Pomeroy, but it wouldn't
be right for me to accept your kindness. It is my
duty to take care of Grace.''
``I honor your independence, Frank. It shall be
as you say. When you are able-mind, not till then
--you may pay me at the rate of two dollars a week
for Grace's board.''
``Then,'' said Frank, ``if you are willing to board
Grace for a while, I think I had better go to the city
at once.''
``I will look over your clothes to-morrow, Frank,''
said Mrs. Pomeroy, ``and see if they need mending.''
``Then I will start Thursday morning--the day
after.''
About four o'clock the next afternoon he was walking
up the main street, when just in front of Deacon
Pinkerton's house he saw Tom leaning against a
tree.
``How are you Tom?'' he said, and was about to
pass on.
``Where are you going?'' Tom asked abruptly.
``To Mr. Pomeroy's.''
``How soon are you going to the poorhouse to
live?''
``Who told you I was going?''
``My father.''
``Then your father's mistaken.''
``Ain't you a pauper?'' said Tom, insolently. ``You
haven't got any money.''
``I have got hands to earn money, and I am going
to try.''
``Anyway, I advise you to resign as captain of the
baseball club.''
``Why?''
``Because if you don't you'll be kicked out. Do
you think the fellows will be willing to have a pauper
for their captain?''
``That's the second time you have called me a
pauper. Don't call me so again.''
``You are a pauper and you know it.''
Frank was not a quarrelsome boy, but this
repeated insult was too much for him. He seized Tom
by the collar, and tripping him up left him on the
ground howling with rage. As valor was not his
strong point, he resolved to be revenged upon Frank
vicariously. He was unable to report the case to his
father till the next morning, as the deacon did not
return from a neighboring village, whither he had
gone on business, till late, but the result of his
communication was a call at Mr. Pomeroy's from the
deacon at nine o'clock the next morning. Had he
found Frank, it was his intention, at Tom's request,
to take him at once to the poorhouse. But he was
too late. Our hero was already on his way to New
York.
CHAPTER VI
FRANK GETS A PLACE
``So this is New York,'' said Frank to himself, as
he emerged from the railway station and looked
about him with interest and curiosity.
``Black yer boots? Shine?'' asked a bootblack,
seeing our hero standing still.
- commit [kə´mit]
vt.犯(罪)；把...判处 (初中英语单词) - steadily [´stedili] ad.坚定地；不断地 (初中英语单词)
- possibility [,pɔsə´biliti] n.可能(性)；希望；前途 (初中英语单词)
- proudly [´praudli] ad.骄傲地；傲慢地 (初中英语单词)
- objection [əb´dʒekʃən] n.反对；异议；缺点 (初中英语单词)
- eagerly [´i:gəli] ad.渴望地，急切地 (初中英语单词)
- intimate [´intimit] a.亲密的 n.知己 (初中英语单词)
- employment [im´plɔimənt] n.工作；职业；雇用 (初中英语单词)
- consult [kən´sʌlt] v.商量；磋商；请教 (初中英语单词)
- independence [,indi´pendəns] n.独立，自主，自立 (初中英语单词)
- willing [´wiliŋ] a.情愿的，乐意的 (初中英语单词)
- advise [əd´vaiz] vt.忠告；建议；通知 (初中英语单词)
- resign [ri´zain] v.辞职；放弃；委托 (初中英语单词)
- insult [in´sʌlt, ´insʌlt] n.&vt.侮辱；损害 (初中英语单词)
- collar [´kɔlə] n.衣领；(狗等的)项圈 (初中英语单词)
- unable [ʌn´eibəl] a.不能的；无能为力的 (初中英语单词)
- neighboring [´neibəriŋ] a.邻近的；接壤的 (初中英语单词)
- intention [in´tenʃən] n.意图；打算；意义 (初中英语单词)
- standing [´stændiŋ] n.持续 a.直立的 (初中英语单词)
- thankful [´θæŋkfəl] a.感激的；欣慰的 (高中英语单词)
- sternly [´stə:nli] ad.严厉地；坚定地 (高中英语单词)
- assurance [ə´ʃuərəns] n.保证；自信；信任 (高中英语单词)
- removal [ri´mu:vəl] a.可移动的；可去除的 (高中英语单词)
- thoughtfully [´θɔ:tfuli] ad.深思地；体贴地 (高中英语单词)
- decided [di´saidid] a.明显的；决定的 (高中英语单词)
- resolved [ri´zɔlvd] a.决心的；坚定的 (英语四级单词)
- deacon [´di:kən] n.(教会的)执事 (英语六级单词)
- pocketbook [´pɔkitbuk] n.袖珍本；皮夹子；财力 (英语六级单词)
- holding [´həuldiŋ] n.保持，固定，存储 (英语六级单词)
- calling [´kɔ:liŋ] n.点名；职业；欲望 (英语六级单词)
文章标签:名著
章节正文
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