However, he looked pleasant and good-natured, and Mr.
Frost accounted himself fortunate in securing his services.
The harvest had been got in, and during the winter months there
would not be so much to do as before. Jacob, therefore, "hired
out" for a smaller compensation, to be increased when the spring
work came in.
Frank had not been idle. He had accompanied his father about the
farm, and received as much practical instruction in the art of
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.
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