farming as the time would admit. He was naturally a quick
learner, and now felt impelled by a double motive to prepare
himself as well as possible to assume his new responsibilities.
His first motive was, of course, to make up his father's loss to
the family, as far as it was possible for him to do so, but he
was also desirous of showing Mrs. Roxana Mason and other
ill-boding prophets that they had underrated his abilities.

The time came when Mr. Frost felt that he must leave his family.
He had enlisted from preference in an old regiment, already in
Virginia, some members of which had gone from Rossville. A number
of recruits were to be forwarded to the camp on a certain day,
and that day was now close at hand.

Let me introduce the reader to the farmhouse on the last evening
for many months when they would be able to be together. They were
all assembled about the fireplace. Mr. Frost sat in an armchair,
holding Charlie in his lap--the privileged place of the youngest.
Alice, with the air of a young woman, sat demurely by her
father's side on a cricket, while Maggie stood beside him, with
one hand resting on his knee. Frank sat quietly beside his
mother, as if already occupying the place which he was in future
to hold as her counselor and protector.

Frank and his mother looked sober. They had not realized fully
until this evening what it would be to part with the husband and
father--how constantly they would miss him at the family meal and
in the evening circle. Then there was the dreadful uncertainty of
war. He might never return, or, if spared for that, it might be
with broken constitution or the loss of a limb.