CHAPTER XII.
THE YOUNG MIDSHIPMAN.
When hands are link'd that dread to part, And heart is met by throbbing heart; Oh! bitter, bitter is the smart Of them that bid farewell.
Heber.
Next Monday morning, at an early hour, Frank had again found his waywith great difficulty to the house of Widow Mackay, where he spent allhis pocket money on two fine scarlet geraniums. If they had been nettlesor cabbages, he would have felt the same pleasure in buying them; andhis eyes sparkled with animation when he entered uncle David's room,carrying them in his hand, and saying, "I was so glad to have somemoney! I could spare it quite well. There is no greater pleasure inbeing rich than to help such poor people as Evan Mackay and his poorsick mother!"
"Yes, Frank, I often wonder that any enjoyment of wealth can beconsidered equal to the exercise of kind feelings, for surely the mostdelightful sensation in this world is, to deserve and receive thegrateful affection of those around us," replied Major Graham. "What awretched being Robinson Crusoe was on the desert island alone, though hefound chests of gold, and yet many people are as unblessed in the midstof society, who selfishly hoard fortunes for themselves, unmindful ofthe many around who ought to be gratefully receiving their dailybenefits."
"I was laughing to read lately of the West India slaves, who collectedmoney all their lives in an old stocking," said Frank, "and who watchedwith delight as it filled from year to year; but the bank is only agreat stocking, where misers in this country lay up treasures forthemselves which they are never to enjoy, though too often they lay upno treasures for themselves in a better world."
"I frequently think, Frank, if all men were as liberal, kind, andforbearing to each other as the Holy Scriptures enjoin, and if we livedas soberly, temperately, and godly together, what a paradise this worldwould become, for many of our worst sufferings are brought on by our ownfolly, or the unkindness of others. And certainly, if we wished to fancythe wretchedness of hell itself, it would only be necessary to imaginewhat the earth would become if all fear of God and man were removed, andevery person lived as his own angry, selfish passions would dictate.Great are the blessings we owe to Christianity, for making the worldeven what it is now, and yet greater would those blessings be, if weobeyed it better."
"That is exactly what grandmama says, and that we must attend to theGospel from love and gratitude to God, rather than from fear ofpunishment or hope of reward, which is precisely what we saw in poorwidow Mackay and Evan, who seemed scarcely to expect a recompense forbehaving so honestly."
"That was the more remarkable in them, as few Christians now are abovereceiving a public recompense for doing their duty to God. Men of theworld have long rewarded each other with public dinners and pieces ofplate, to express the utmost praise and admiration, but of late I neveropen a newspaper without reading accounts of one clergyman or another,who has been 'honoured with a public breakfast!' when he is presentedby an admiring circle with 'a gold watch and appendages!' or a Biblewith a complimentary inscription, or a gown, or a pair of bands, workedby the ladies of his congregation! and all this, for labouring among hisown people, in his own sphere of duty! What would Archbishop Leightonand the old divines have said to any one who attempted to rouse theirvanity in this way, with the praise of men?"
"What you say reminds me, uncle David," said Frank, "that we have beenasked to present our Universal-Knowledge-Master with a silver snuff-box,as a testimonial from the scholars in my class, because he is going soonto Van Dieman's Land, therefore I hope you will give me half-a-crown tosubscribe, or I shall be quite in disgrace with him."
"Not one shilling shall you receive from me, my good friend, for anysuch purpose! a snuff-box, indeed! your master ought to show hisscholars an example of using none! a filthy waste of health, money, andtime. Such testimonials should only be given, as Archbishop Magee says,to persons who have got into some scrape, which makes theirrespectability doubtful. If my grocer is ever publicly presented with apair of silver sugar tongs, I shall think he has been accused ofadulterating the sugar, and give over employing him directly."
"Laura," said Frank, "you will be having a silver thimble voted to youfor hemming six pocket-handkerchiefs in six years!"
"I know one clergyman, Dr. Seton, who conscientiously refused a piece ofplate, which was about to be presented in this way," continued MajorGraham; "he accidentally heard that such a subscription was begun amongthe rich members of his congregation, and instantly stopped it, saying,'Let your testimonial consist in a regular attendance at church, and letmy sole reward be enjoyed hereafter, when you appear as my crown of joyand rejoicing in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.'"
Sir Edward Graham's particular friend, Captain Gordon, at last wrote tosay, that the Thunderbolt, 74, having been put in commission for threeyears, was about to sail for the African station, therefore he wishedFrank to join without delay; and as a farther mark of his regard, hepromised that he would endeavour to keep his young protege employeduntil he had served out his time, because a midshipman once paid off,was like a stranded whale, not very easily set afloat again.
Lady Harriet sighed when she read the letter, and looked paler all thatday, but she knew that it was right and necessary for Frank to go,therefore she said nothing to distress him on the occasion, only in herprayers and explanations of the Bible that evening, there was a deepertone of feeling than ever, and a cast of melancholy, which had rarelybeen the case before, while he spoke much of that meeting in a betterworld, which is the surest hope and consolation of those Christians whoseparate on earth, and who know not what a day, and still less what manyyears, may bring forth.
Major Graham tried to put a cheerful face on the matter also, though heevidently felt very sorry indeed about parting with Frank, and took himout a long walk to discuss his future prospects, saying, "Now you are anofficer and a gentleman, entitled therefore to be treated with newrespect and attention, by all your brother officers, naval or military,in his Majesty's service."
Frank himself, being a boy of great spirit and enterprize, felt gladthat the time had really come for his being afloat, and examining allthe world over with his own eyes; but he said that his heart seemed asif it had been put in a swing, it fell so low when he thought of leavinghis dear happy home, and then it rose again higher than ever at the veryidea of being launched on the wide ocean, and going to the countries hehad so often read of, where battles had been fought and victories won.
"Frank!" said Peter Grey, who was going to join the Thunderbolt, inabout a fortnight afterwards, "you have no idea how beautiful I lookedin uniform to-day! I tried mine on, and felt so impatient to use mydirk, I could have eat my dinner with it, instead of employing a commonknife."
"You never forget to be hungry, Peter," said Frank, laughing. "But nowyou are like the old Lord Buchan, who used to say he could cook hisporridge in his helmet, and stir it with his broad-sword."
"I hope," said Major Graham, "you both intend to become verydistinguished officers, and to leave a name at which the world growspale."
"Certainly," answered Peter. "All the old heroes we read of shall bemere nobodies compared to me! I mean to lose a leg or an arm in everybattle,"----
"Till nothing is left of you but your shirt-collar and shoe-strings,"interrupted Frank, laughing.
"No! No! What remains of me at last shall die a Peer of the realm,"continued Peter. "We must climb to the top of the tree, Frank! Whattitle do you think I should take?"
"Lord Cockpit would suit you best for some time, Peter! It will not beso easy a business to rise as you think. Every one can run a race, butvery few can win," observed Major Graham. "The rarest thing on earth isto succeed in being both conspicuous and respectable. Any dunce mayeasily be either the one or the other, but the chief puzzle with mostmen is, how to be both. In your profession there are greatopportunities, but at the same time let me warn you, that the sea is nota bed of roses."
"No, uncle
David! but I hope it will become a field of laurels to us,"replied Frank, laughing. "Now tell me in real earnest who you think wasthe greatest of our naval heroes till now, when Peter is to cut them allout."
"He must wait a few years. It is a long ladder to run up before reachingthe top. In France, the king's sons are all born Field Marshals, butnobody in this country is born an Admiral. The great Lord Duncan servedduring half-a-century before gaining his most important victory, butprevious to that, he paved the way to success, not by mere animalcourage alone, but by being so truly good and religious a man, that hisextraordinary firmness and benevolence of character gained theconfidence and respect of all those who served with him, and thereforehalf his success in battle was owing to his admirable conduct duringpeace."
"So I have heard!" replied Frank; "and when there was mutiny in everyother ship, the Admiral's own crew remained faithful to him. How muchbetter it is to be obeyed from respect and attachment than from fear,which is a mean feeling that I hope neither to feel myself, nor toexcite in others. I wish to be like Nelson, who asked, 'What is fear? Inever saw it.'"
"Yes, Frank! Nelson was said to be 'brave as a lion, and gentle as alamb.' Certainly both he and Lord Duncan were pre-eminently great; butneither Lord Duncan, nor any other enlightened Christian, would havesaid what Lord Nelson did, with his latent breath--'I have not been agreat sinner!' No mortal could lift up his eyes at the day of judgment,and repeat those words again; for every man that breathes the breath oflife is a great sinner. We are living in God's own world withoutremembering him, continually; and amidst thousands of blessings wedisobey him. The chief purpose for which men are created, is to glorifyGod, and to prepare for entering his presence in a better world; butinstead of doing so, we live as if there were no other object to livefor, than our own pleasures and amusements on earth. How, then, can webe otherwise than great sinners? I hope, Frank, that you will endeavourto be, like Lord Duncan, not merely a good officer, but also a goodChristian; for, besides fighting the battles of your country, you mustgain a great victory over yourself, as all men must either conquer theirown evil dispositions, or perish for ever."
Lady Harriet was particularly earnest in entreating Frank to writefrequently home; observing, that she considered it a religious duty inall children, to shew their parents this attention, as the Bible saysthat "a wise son maketh a glad father," and that "the father of therighteous shall greatly rejoice;" but on the contrary, too many youngpersons leave their parents to mourn in suspense and anxiety, as to thehealth and happiness of those whom they love more than they can everlove any one else.
"Tell us of every thing that interests you, and even all about thespouting whales, flying fish, and dying dolphins, which you will ofcourse see," said Laura. "Be sure to write us also, how many albatrossesyou shoot, and whether you are duly introduced to Neptune at the Cape."
"Yes, Laura! but Bishop Heber's Journal, or any other book describing avoyage to the Cape, mentions exactly the same thing. It will quite bringme home again when I speak to you all on paper; and I shall be able tofancy what everybody will say when my letter is read. Mrs. Darwin sentfor me this morning on particular business; and it was to say that shewished me, in all the strange countries where the Thunderbolt touched,to employ my spare moments in chasing butterflies, that as many aspossible might be added to her museum."
"Capital! How like Mrs. Darwin!" exclaimed Major Graham, laughing. "Youwill of course be running all over Africa, hat in hand, pursuing paintedbutterflies, till you get a _coup de soleil_, like my friend Watson, whowas killed by one. Poor fellow! I was with him then, and it was afrightful scene. He wheeled round several times, in a sort ofconvulsion, till he dropped down dead in my arms."
"I shall gild the legs and bills of some ducks before leaving home, andsend them to her as a present from Sierra Leone," said Peter. "The wingsmight be died scarlet, which would look quite foreign; and if anelephant falls in my way, it shall be stuffed and forwarded by express."
"Uncle David! Do you remember what fun we had, when you sent Mrs. Darwinthat stuffed bear in a present! I was desired to announce that aforeigner of distinction had arrived to stay at her house. What a bustleshe was in on hearing that he brought letters of introduction from you,and intended to remain some time. Then we told her that he could notspeak a word of English, and brought 'a Pole' with him; besides which hehad once been a great dancer. Oh! how amusing it was, when she at lastventured into the passage to be introduced, and saw her fine stuffedbear."
"Whatever people collect," said Peter, "every good-natured personassists. I mean to begin a collection of crooked sixpences immediately;therefore, pray never spend another, but give me as many as you canspare; and the more crooked the better."
"Sing a song a sixpence!" said Frank, laughing. "Laura should begin tocollect diamonds for a necklace, and perhaps it might be all readybefore she comes out. I shall return home on purpose to see you then,Laura."
"Pray do, Master Frank," said Mrs. Crabtree, with more than usualkindness; "we shall have great rejoicings on the occasion of seeing youback--an ox roasted alive, as they do in England, and all them sort ofTom-fooleries. I'll dance a jig then myself for joy--you certainly are awonderful good boy, considering that I had not the managing of you."
Frank's departure was delayed till after the examination of his school,because Mr. Lexicon had requested that, being the best scholar there, hemight remain to receive a whole library of prize-books, and a wholepocketful of medals; for, as Peter remarked, "Frank Graham deserved anyreward, because he learned his lessons so perfectly, that he could notsay them wrong even if he wished!"
Harry and Laura were allowed to attend on the great occasion, that theymight witness Frank's success; and never, certainly, had they seen anything so grand in their lives before! A hundred and forty boys, alldressed in white trowsers and yellow gloves, were seated in rows,opposite to six grave learned-looking gentlemen, in wigs and spectacles,who seemed as if they would condemn all the scholars to death!
The colour mounted into Harry's cheeks with delight, and the tearsrushed into his eyes, when he saw Frank, whose face was radiant withgood-humour and happiness, take his place as head boy in the school. Allhis companions had crowded round Frank as he entered, knowing that thiswas his last appearance in the class; while he spoke a merry or a kindword to each, leaning on the shoulder of one, and grasping the hand ofanother with cordial kindness, for he liked everybody, and everybodyliked him. No one envied Frank being dux, because they knew how hard heworked for that place, and how anxious he had been to help every otherboy in learning as cleverly as himself; for all the boobies would havebecome duxes if Frank could have assisted them to rise, while many anidler had been made busy by his attention and advice. No boy everreceived, in one day, more presents than Frank did on this occasion fromhis young friends, who spent all their pocket-money in pen-knives andpencil-cases, which were to be kept by Frank, in remembrance of them, aslong as he lived; and some of his companions had a tear in their eye onbidding him farewell, which pleased him more than all their gifts.
Major Graham took his place, with more gravity than usual, among thejudges appointed to distribute the prizes; and now, during more thantwo hours, the most puzzling questions that could be invented were putto every scholar in succession, while Frank seemed always ready with ananswer, and not only spoke for himself, but often good-naturedlyprompted his neighbours, in so low a tone that no one else heard him.His eyes brightened, and his face grew red with anxiety, while even hisvoice shook at first; but before long Frank collected all his wits abouthim, and could construe Latin or repeat Greek with perfect ease, till atlength the whole examination concluded, and the great Dr. Clifford, whohad lately come all the way from Oxford, was requested to present theprizes. Upon this he rose majestically from his arm-chair, and made along speech, filled as full as it could hold with Latin and Greek. Hepraised Homer and Horace for nearly twenty minutes, and brought inseveral lines from Virgil, after which he turned to Frank, saying,
in atone of great kindness and condescension, though at the same timeexceedingly pompous,
"It seems almost a pity that this young gentleman--already so veryaccomplished a scholar--who is, I may say, a perfect _multum in parvo_,should prematurely pause in his classical career to enter the navy; butin every situation of life his extraordinary activity of mind, goodtemper, courage and ability, must render him an honour to his countryand his profession."
Dr. Clifford now glanced over the list of prizes, and read aloud--"Firstprize for Greek--Master Graham!"
Frank walked gracefully forward, coloured and bowed, while a few wordsof approbation were said to him, and a splendidly-bound copy ofEuripides was put into his hands by Dr. Clifford, who then hastily readover the catalogue of prizes to himself, in an audible voice, and in atone of great surprise.
"First prize for Latin!--Master Graham! First for algebra,--first forgeography,--first for mathematics,--all Master Graham!!!--and last, notleast, a medal for general good conduct, which the boys are allowed tobestow upon the scholar they think most deserving,--and here stands thename of Master Graham again!!"
Dr. Clifford paused, while the boys all stood up for a moment andclapped their hands with enthusiasm, as a token of rejoicing at thedestination of their own medal.
For the first time Frank was now completely overcome,--he coloured moredeeply than before, and looked gratefully round, first at hiscompanions, then at his master, and last at Major Graham, who had a tearstanding in his eye when he smiled upon Frank, and held out his hand.
Frank's lip quivered for a moment, as if he would burst into tears, butwith a strong effort he recovered himself, and affectionately graspinghis uncle's hand, hastily resumed his place on the bench, to remainthere while his companions received the smaller prizes awarded to them.
Meanwhile, Harry had been watching Frank with a feeling of joy andpride, such as he never experienced before, and could scarcely refrainfrom saying to every person near him, "That is my brother!" He looked atFrank long and earnestly, wishing to be like him, and resolving tofollow his good example at school. He gazed again and again, with newfeelings of pleasure and admiration, till gradually his thoughts becamemelancholy, while remembering how soon they must be separated; andsuddenly the terrible idea darted into his mind, "Perhaps we never maymeet again!" Harry tried not to think of this; he turned his thoughts toother subjects; he forced himself to look at anything that was going on,but still these words returned with mournful apprehension to his heart,"Perhaps we never may meet again!"
Frank's first action, after the examination had been concluded, washastily to gather up all his books, and bring a sight of them to Harryand Laura; but what was his astonishment when, instead of looking atthe prizes, Harry suddenly threw his arms round his neck, and burst intotears.
"My dear--dear boy! what has happened!" exclaimed Frank, affectionatelyembracing him, and looking much surprised. "Tell me, dear Harry, has anything distressed you?"
"I don't know very well, Frank! but you are going away,--and--and--Iwish I had been a better boy! I would do any thing you bid me now!--butI shall never be so happy again--no! never, without you!"
"But, dear Harry! you will have Laura and grandmama, and uncle David,all left, and I am coming back some day! Oh! what a happy meeting weshall have then!" said Frank, while the tears stood in his eyes; anddrawing Harry's arm within his own, they walked slowly away together.
"I am very--very anxious for you and Laura to be happy," continuedFrank, in the kindest manner; "but, dear Harry, will you not take morecare to do as you are bid, and not always to prefer doing what you like!Mrs. Crabtree would not be half so terrible if you did not provoke herby some new tricks every day. I almost like her myself; for as the oldproverb says, 'her bark is worse than her bite;' and she often remindsme of that funny old fable, where the mice were more afraid of the loud,fierce-looking cock, than of the sleek, smooth-looking cat, for thereare people carrying gentler tongues yet quite as difficult to deal with.At the same time, seeing how uncomfortable you and Laura both feel withMrs. Crabtree, I have written a letter to papa, asking, as my last andonly request on leaving home, that he will make a change of ministry,and he is always so very kind, that I feel sure he will grant it."
"How good of you, Frank!" said Harry. "I am sure it is our own faultsvery often when we are in disgrace, for we are seldom punished till wedeserve it; but I am so sorry you are going away, that I can think ofnothing else."
"So am I, very sorry indeed; but my best comfort, when far from home,would be, to think that you and Laura are happy, which will be the casewhen you become more watchful to please grandmama."
"That is very true, Frank! and I would rather offend twenty Mrs.Crabtrees than one grandmama; but perhaps uncle David may send me toschool now, when I shall try to be like you, sitting at the top of theclass, and getting prizes for good behaviour."
"Well, Harry! my pleasantest days at school have been those when I wasbusiest, and you will find the same thing. How delightful it was, goingover and over my tasks till they were quite perfect, and then rushingout to the play-ground, where my mind got a rest, while my body wasactive; you know it is seldom that both mind and body work at once, andthe best way of resting the one is, to make the other labour. That isprobably the reason, Harry, why games are never half so pleasant asafter hard study."
"Perhaps," replied Harry, doubtfully; "but I always hate any thing thatI am obliged to do."
"Then never be a sailor, as I shall be obliged to do fifty things a-daythat I would rather not; for instance, to get up in the middle of thenight, when very likely dreaming about being at home again; but, asgrandmama says, it is pleasant to have some duties, for life would notget on well without them."
"Yes--perhaps--I don't know!--we could find plenty to do ourselves,without anybody telling us. I should like to-morrow, to watch the boysplaying at cricket, and to see the races, and the Diorama, and in theevening to shoot our bows and arrows."
"My good Sir! what the better would you, or anybody else, be of such alife as that! Not a thing in this world is made to be useless, Harry;the very weeds that grow in the ground are for some serviceable purpose,and you would not wish to be the only creature on earth living entirelyfor yourself. It would be better if neither of us had ever been born,than that the time and opportunities which God gives us for improvingourselves and doing good to others, should all be wasted. Let me hope,Harry, when I am away, that you will often consider how dull grandmamamay then feel, and how happy you might make her by being very attentiveand obedient."
"Yes, Frank! but I could never fill your place!--that is quiteimpossible! Nobody can do that!"
"Try!--only try, Harry! grandmama is very easily pleased when people dotheir best. She would not have felt so well satisfied with me, if thathad not been the case."
"Frank!" said Harry, sorrowfully, "I feel as if ten brothers were goingaway instead of one, for you are so good to me! I shall be sure tomention you in my prayers, because that is all I can do for you now."
"Not all, Harry! though that is a great deal; you must write to meoften, and tell me what makes you happy or unhappy, for I shall be moreinterested than ever, now that we are separated. Tell me everythingabout my school-fellows, too, and about Laura. There is no corner of thewide world where I shall not think of you both every day, and feelanxious about the very least thing that concerns you."
"My dear boys!" said Major Graham, who had joined them some momentsbefore, "it is fortunate that you have both lived always in the samehome, for that will make you love each other affectionately as long asyou live. In England, children of one family are all scattered todifferent schools, without any one to care whether they are attached ornot, therefore their earliest and warmest friendships are formed withstrangers of the same age, whom they perhaps never see again, afterleaving school. In that case, brothers have no happy days of childhoodto talk over in future life, as you both have,--no little scrapes toremember, that they got into together--no pleasures enj
oyed at the samemoment to smile at the recollection of, and no friction of their tempersin youth, such as makes every thing go on smoothly between brothers whenthey grow older; therefore, when at last grown up and thrown together,they scarcely feel more mutual friendship and intimacy than any othergentlemen testify towards each other."
"I dare say that is very true," said Frank. "Tom Brownlow tells me whenhis three brothers come home from Eton, Harrow, and Durham, they quarrelso excessively, that sometimes no two of them are on speaking terms."
"Not at all improbable," observed Major Graham. "In every thing we seehow much better God's arrangements are than our own. Families wereintended to be like a little world in themselves--old people to governthe young ones--young people to make their elders cheerful--grown-upbrothers and sisters to show their juniors a good example--and childrento be playthings and companions to their seniors, but that is all at anend in the present system."
"Old Andrew says that large families 'squander' themselves all over theearth now," said Frank, laughing.
"Yes! very young children are thrust into preparatory schools--olderboys go to distant academies--youths to College--and young men areshipped off abroad, while who among them all can say his heart is in hisown home? Parents in the meantime, finding no occupation or amusement ineducating their children, begin writing books, perhaps theories ofeducation, or novels; and try to fill up the rest of their useless hourswith plays, operas, concerts, balls, or clubs. If people could only knowwhat is the best happiness of this life, it certainly depends on beingloved by those we belong to; for nothing can be called peace on earth,which does not consist in family affection, built upon a strongfoundation of religion and morality."
Sir Edward Graham felt very proud of Frank, as all gentlemen are oftheir eldest sons, and wrote a most affectionate letter on the occasionof his going to sea, promising to meet him at Portsmouth, and lamentingthat he still felt so ill and melancholy he could not return home, butmeant to try whether the baths in Germany would do him any good. In thisletter was enclosed what he called "Frank's first prize-money," thelargest sum the young midshipman had ever seen in his life, and beforeit had been a day in his possession, more than the half was spent onpresents to his friends. Not a single person seemed to be forgottenexcept himself; for Frank was so completely unselfish, that Peter Greyonce laughingly said, "Frank scarcely remembers there is such a personas himself in the world, therefore it is astonishing how he contrives toexist at all."
"If that be his worst fault, you shew him a very opposite example,Peter," said Major Graham, smiling; "number one is a great favouritewith you."
"Frank is also very obliging!" added Lady Harriet; "he would do anythingfor any body."
"Ah, poor fellow! he can't help that," said Peter, in a tone of pity."Some people are born with that sort of desperate activity--flying toassist every one--running up stairs for whatever is wanted--searchingfor whatever is lost--and picking up whatever has been dropped. I haveseen several others like Frank, who were troubled with that sort ofturn. He is indulging his own inclination in flying about everywhere foreverybody, as much as I do in sitting still!--it is all nature!--youknow tastes differ, for some people like apples and some like onions."
Frank had a black shade of himself, drawn in uniform and put into agilt frame, all for one shilling, which he presented to his grandmama,who looked sadly at the likeness when he came smiling into herdressing-room, and calling Harry to assist in knocking a nail into thewall, that it might be hung above the chimney-piece. "I need nothing toremind me of you, dear Frank," observed Lady Harriet, "and this is a sadexchange, the shadow for the substance." Frank gave a handsome new redmorocco spectacle-case to uncle David, and asked leave to carry away theold one with him as a remembrance. He bought gowns for all the maids,and books for all the men-servants. He presented Mrs. Crabtree with anelegant set of tea-cups and saucers, promising to send her a box of teathe first time he went to China; and for Laura and Harry he produced amagnificent magic lanthorn, representing all the stars and planets,which cost him several guineas. It was exhibited the evening beforeFrank went away, and caused great entertainment to a large party of hiscompanions, who assembled at tea to take leave of him, on which occasionPeter Grey made a funny speech, proposing Frank's health in a bumper ofbohea, when the whole party became very merry, and did not disperse tillten.
Major Graham intended accompanying Frank to Portsmouth, and they were toset off by the mail next evening. That day was a sad one to Harry andLaura, who were allowed a whole holiday; but not a sound of merrimentwas heard in the house, except when Frank tried to make them cheerful,by planning what was to be done after he came back, or when Major Grahaminvented droll stories about the adventures Frank would probably meetwith at sea. Even Mrs. Crabtree looked more grave and cross than usual;and she brought Frank a present of a needle-case made with her ownhands, and filled with thread of every kind, saying, that she heard all"midshipmites" learned to mend their things, and keep them decent, whichwas an excellent custom, and ought to be encouraged; but she hoped hewould remember, that "a stitch in time saves nine."
Lady Harriet stayed most of that day in her dressing-room, and tried toconceal the traces of many tears when she did appear; but it was onlytoo evident how sadly her time had been passed alone.
"Grandmama!" said Frank, taking her hand affectionately, and trying tolook cheerful; "we shall meet again; perhaps very soon!"
Lady Harriet silently laid her hand upon the Bible, to show that thereshe found the certain assurance of another meeting in a better world;but she looked at Frank with melancholy affection, and added, verysolemnly and emphatically,
"'There is no union here of hearts, That finds not here an end.'"
"But, grandmama! you are not so very old!" exclaimed Laura, earnestly."Lord Rockville was born ten years sooner, and besides, young peoplesometimes die before older people."
"Yes, Laura! young people may die, but old people must. It is notpossible that this feeble aged frame of mine can long remain in thevisible world. 'The eye of him that hath seen me shall me no more.' Ihave many more friends under the earth now, than on it. The streets ofthis city would be crowded, if all those I once knew and still remember,could be revived; but my turn is fast coming, like theirs, and Frankknows, as all of you do, where it is my hope and prayer that we maycertainly meet again."
"Grandmama!" said Frank, in a low and broken voice, "it wants but anhour to the time of my departure; I should like much if the servantswere to come up now for family prayers and if uncle David would read usthe 14th chapter of St. John."
Lady Harriet rung the bell, and before long the whole household hadassembled, as not one would have been absent on the night of MasterFrank's departure from home, which all were deeply grieved at, and evenMrs. Crabtree dashed a tear from her cheek as she entered the room.
Frank sat with his hand in Lady Harriet's, while Major Graham read thebeautiful and comforting chapter which had been selected, and when thewhole family kneeled in solemn prayer together, many a deep sob, whichcould not be conquered, was heard from Frank himself. After all wasover, he approached the servants, and silently shook hands with each,but could not attempt to speak; after which Lady Harriet led him to herdressing-room, where they remained some time, till, the carriage havingarrived, Frank hastened into the drawing-room, clasped Harry and Laurain his arms, and having, in a voice choked with grief, bid them both along farewell, he hurried out of their presence.
When the door closed, something seemed to fall heavily on the ground,but this scarcely attracted any one's attention, till Major Grahamfollowed Frank, and was shocked to find him lying on the staircaseperfectly insensible. Instead of calling for assistance, however, uncleDavid carefully lifted Frank in his own arms, and carried him to thecarriage, where, after a few moments, the fresh air, and the rapidmotion revived his recollection, and he burst into tears.
"Poor grandmama! and Harry and Laura!" cried he, weeping convulsively."Oh! when shall I see them all agai
n!"
"My dear boy!" said Major Graham, trying to be cheerful; "do you thinknobody ever left home before? One would suppose you never expected tocome back! Three years seem an age when we look forward, but are nothingafter they have fled. The longer we live, the shorter every yearappears, and it will seem only the day after to-morrow when you arerushing into the house again, and all of us standing at the door towelcome you back. Think what a joyous moment that will be! There is awide and wonderful world for you to see first, and then a happy homeafterwards to revisit."
"Yes, dear, good, kind uncle David! no one ever had a happier home; andtill the east comes to the west, I shall never cease to think of it withgratitude to you and grandmama. We shall surely all meet again. I mustlive upon that prospect. Hope is the jewel that remains wherever we go,and the hope to which grandmama has directed me, is truly compared to arainbow, which not only brightens the earth, but stretches to heaven."