Chapter II: Dick at Home

"I'D give a hundred dollars if my boy had been here to see Dick," said Mr. Follinsby. "He'll make his mark in the world. He's got the true grit."

"I'd give ten thousand if I had one like him," said the other. "The idea of Christmas decorations on this hot day!" And he ha-ha'd, till the ceiling rang with his mirth.

"We shall hear of Mr. Richard Monroe Stuart again; or I'm mistaken," he added presently.

In the mean time Dick, who had accompanied a neighbor to the city, hurried back to the main street to be in time to ride home with him in the covered wagon. But finding by the clock on the great steeple that he had still an hour, he set off on a tour of inspection through the streets.

In a small purse at the bottom of his pocket there was a fourpence-ha'penny, an old fashioned coin for which the half dime and a penny have long been substituted. This had been given him by his mother to spend as he pleased, and it was a matter of grave importance with him, that it should be well expended. He passed up and down the main street, gazing in at the windows, smiling at the many objects of interest, laughing outright at the swarthy figure of a man holding cigars at a shop door, laughing again at the toys displayed in a large window; but never dreaming of changing his coin for any thing he saw. He held it tightly in his hand, walking back and forth until it was time for him to meet the neighbor at the stable, and then with a smile concluded to give it back to his mother again.

Once more inside the wagon, he pulled from under the cushion a small paper bundle, and taking out a cake said, as he ate it with a relish—

"Nobody makes such good ginger snaps as mother does."

At home there were three boys younger than Dick all of whom were daily taking lessons of industry and thrift, as well as lessons in practical godliness.

Richard, though only a few months past twelve, had already made up his mind to be on the Lord's side. To be sure he knew little of the great army of foes arrayed against the Captain of his Salvation; the world, the flesh and the Devil; but he knew well the iniquity of his own heart. He knew how much easier it was to do wrong, to be lazy and selfish and unkind to his brothers when his interest crossed theirs, than to be diligent, generous, and thoughtful of their wishes; but he had also learned by a happy experience the delight of conquering himself, for the sake of pleasing his dear Saviour.

Richard being the eldest, somehow did not regard himself as a boy. He had always taken care upon himself, so as to relieve his mother, and though the merriest fellow alive, singing or whistling at his work, he had never within his recollection spent a whole day in play. "The fact is," said his father watching him as he took the milk pail, the night after his visit to Mr. Jones, and went out to do the barn chores, "the fact is, our Dick makes play of his work."

Mr. Stuart was a scholar, naturally absorbed in the duties of his profession. He betook himself to his study at an early hour and midnight very often found his lamp still burning. His wife was competent to manage the affairs of the little household, and he wisely left them to her, often wondering, however, how she made the small salary cover even their frugal expenses. Happily freed from this charge, he gave himself entirely to his work, and brought forth to his people deep, hidden treasures. As a pastor he was unwearied and almost unrivalled. Like a true shepherd he cared for his flock, leading them unto green pastures, and beside the still waters. In sickness he was by their side. In sorrow he wept with them. In all circumstances of life, their firm, faithful and sympathizing friend, leading them through prosperity or adversity to look beyond this world to the mansions above the skies.

The minister's family lived in small house which they owned; and connected with it was a farm of fourteen acres. They kept a horse, cow, pig and chickens. In the spring a man was hired to plough, and assist in planting the corn and potatoes; and he generally came again in the fall to help get in the harvest. The hoeing and weeding of the vegetable garden was done mainly by Richard; his long summer vacation coming just in the time he was most needed. Eddy, the boy next in age, not yet ten, had this year assumed the responsibility of the chicken house and with his little saw and hatchet could cut kindlings as well as any body; but Richard was the one on whom his mother mainly depended.

After his visit to the city, the church decorations and the probability of his securing the job, were often the subject of discussion between himself and his mother. But Dick was shrewd as well as industrious.

"I'd better not tell the school boys," he said one day. "If I do, they'll be pulling all the evergreen in Mr. Pond's pasture; and there isn't any more within half a mile. How many wreaths can I make in a day?"

"I don't know, Dick. You may go, over some afternoon to Mr. McIntosh's and learn how; then you can teach me and I'll help you."

"Thank you, mother. I do hope the church wont be too poor to decorate. Mr. Jones was real kind about it."