nly because I was a favorite with Mr. Rathburn."

"I am afraid he has not an amiable disposition. However, we must
remember that his home influences haven't been the best. His mother's
death was unfortunate for him."

"I heard at the store that you and Squire Haynes had a discussion at the
war meeting," said Frank inquiringly. "How was it, father?"

"It was on the question of voting a bounty to our volunteers. I felt
that such a course would be only just. The squire objected on the ground
that our taxes would be considerably increased."

"And how did the town vote?"

"They sustained my proposition, much to the squire's indignation. He
doesn't seem to feel that any sacrifices ought to be expected of him."

"What is the prospect of obtaining the men, father?"

"Four have already enlisted, but twenty-one are still required. I fear
there will be some difficulty in obtaining the full number. In a farming
town like ours the young men are apt to go off to other places as soon
as they are old enough; so that the lot must fall upon some who have
families."

Frank sat for some minutes gazing thoughtfully into the wood-fire that
crackled in the fireplace.

"I wish I was old enough to go, father," he said, at length.

"I wish you were," said his father earnestly. "Not that it wouldn't
be hard to send you out into the midst of perils; but our duty to our
country ought to be paramount to our personal preferences."

"There's another reason," he said, after awhile, "why I wish you were
older. You could take my place on the farm, and leave me free to enlist.
I should have no hesitation in going. I have not forgotten that my
grandfather fought at Bunker Hill."

"I know, father," said Frank, nodding; "and that's his musket that hangs
up in your room, isn't it?"

"Yes; it was his faithful companion for three years. I often think with
pride of his services. I have been trying to think all day whether
I couldn't make some arrangement to have the farm carried on in
my absence; but it is very hard to obtain a person in whom I could
confide."

"If I were as good a manager as some," said Mrs. Frost, with a smile,
"I would offer to be your farmer; but I am afraid that, though my
intentions would be the best, things would go on badly under my
administration."

"You have enough to do in the house, Mary," said her husband. "I should
not wish you to undertake the additional responsibility, even if you
were thoroughly competent. I a