The Cabin on the Prairie Part 29

"I want to be an angel, An angel with a stand."

Neither may we linger amid the tender, solemn scenes of the Sabbath following, the last Tom was to spend in the rude frontier sanctuary.

It was evening of a beautiful day in May, when the money-lender's capacious carriage, drawn by his trusty grays, deposited its pa.s.sengers at the landing, to await the steamer. What a lifetime of thought and emotion seemed crowded into that interval of waiting, as Mrs. Jones stood with Tom clasped closely, whispering words of mingled foreboding, hope, and caution!

"To be a _good_ minister of Jesus Christ, how glorious, how sublime!"

said she. "There is nothing I so much desire for you. But you are going into scenes very different from those in which you have been reared--scenes which will have their peculiar and insidious perils. I foresee that you will rise to distinction in your studies. But do not seek high things for yourself. Be not anxious to become what is called a great preacher, nor aspire to a 'brilliant settlement.' Sacrifice not conscience for place and power and the applause of sect. Keep humble. Keep Christ ever before you; and may he watch between me and thee while we are separated from each other;" and she kissed him a fond farewell. Tom stepped aboard the steamer, which rapidly bore him away, carrying in his heart the images of the G.o.dly missionary, fair-haired Alice, and his mother--the little group that stood on the sh.o.r.e gazing so lovingly after him. The young man wept freely as they faded from sight. But, happily, the magical splendor of night on the Mississippi broke in on the tumult of his feelings. Hundreds of lights gleamed from the sh.o.r.e in every direction; from village, and city, and town; from cottage and homestead; while steamer after steamer, illuminated within and without, came sweeping, sounding, thundering on, like some monster leviathan spouting fire. It was as a dream of enchantment to him, and soon stirred his brain wonderfully. With singular vividness the eventful past of his pioneer life flitted before his mental vision, and again he experienced the terrible anxieties and thrills of horror and of heroic resolve connected with the Indian uprising. And now his tears flow as he revisits in imagination the lonely grave of his father on the far-off prairie.

Would the dear ones that survived the fearful outbreak be long safe?

Might they not soon need his aid once more? And the glowing future for which he had so panted, would it be to him all he had fancied?

Would he pa.s.s safely the dangers his far-seeing mother had sketched?

Would he realize her ideal? And the kind missionary and the eccentric money-lender, they had high expectations of what he should become.

Would he disappoint their hopes? Tom, wearied with thought, sought his state-room, and fell asleep, dreaming that he was hearing, as on the morning of his first visit to the fort, the bird-like notes of the song that then floated through the open window, and that fairy Alice looked out and said,--

"Don't forget me, Tom, while you are away."

Thus does divine and human love ever intertwine. How strange, how unvarying the experience! Farewell, Tom! Farewell, Charlie! Good by, Bub! Perhaps we may meet again.

THE LOOKOUT ISLAND CAMPERS

By WARREN L. ELDRED

This is a story of active boys of fifteen or so. They are very fortunate in the friendship of the princ.i.p.al of their school and his friend, an athletic young doctor. Under the care of these two they go into camp on an island well suited to the purpose, and within easy distance of a thronged summer resort. A series of exciting ball games and athletic contests with the boys at the hotel naturally follows, and the boys display as many varieties of human nature as could their elders. The author is a man who knows boys thoroughly, and by his work is known to a very large number of them, and the whole atmosphere of the story is merry, wholesome, and just what boys like.

"Mr. Eldred's book is almost certain to meet with a ready response from young readers, for not only are the boys filled with life and vigor of a true youthful and appreciable variety but their experiences are entertaining in themselves and may perhaps give the young readers ideas for summer plans of their own."--Chicago Tribune.

"This is a capital book for active boys, vigorous, wholesome and sane, written by a man who knows boys and can give them the best kind of vacation."--Defender, Boston.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston

THE BOY WITH THE U. S. SURVEY

By FRANCIS ROLT-WHEELER

First Volume of "U. S. Service Series"

Ill.u.s.trations from photographs taken in work for U. S. Government

This is the first of a series of boys' books along entirely new lines.

Appealing to the boy's love of excitement, this series gives actual experiences in the different branches of United States government work little known to the general public. This story describes the thrilling adventures of members of the U. S. Geological Survey, graphically woven into a stirring narrative that both pleases and instructs. The author enjoys an intimate acquaintance with the chiefs of the various bureaus in Washington, and is able to obtain at first hand the material for the books, and the finished ma.n.u.script is submitted to the chief of the bureau for final approval to ensure accuracy of statement. While the United States bureaus are not allowed to give their official endors.e.m.e.nt to books, yet they are all eager to afford every facility to the author to take up their branch next. These are the very books that will develop boys into well-informed and valuable citizens of these United States, alive to the needs of conservation of the vast resources and energies of their country.

"There is abundant charm and vigor in the narrative which is sure to please the boy readers and will do much toward stimulating their patriotism by making them alive to the needs of conservation of the vast resources of their country."--Chicago News.

"This is a book one can heartily recommend for boys, and it has life enough to suit the most eager of them."--Christian Register, Boston.

"You have made the stories much more interesting than the bare recital of facts by our field men."--Geo. Otis Smith, Director U. S. Geological Survey.

"You have faithfully portrayed many of the aspects of our field work."--Alfred H. Brooks, Chief, Alaskan Division U. S. Geological Survey.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston

WINNING HIS SHOULDER STRAPS

By NORMAN BRAINERD

First Volume of "Five Chums Series"

Ill.u.s.trated by Frank Vining Smith

A rousing story of life in a military school by one who thoroughly knows all the features of such a school, with so much in its life that is so entirely different from the ordinary boarding-school. Bob Anderson, the hero, is a good friend to tie to, and each of his four particular friends is a worthy companion, with well-sustained individuality. The dearest honor to a student is to become an officer, and these coveted honors are secured partly by compet.i.tive rank and partly by popular vote. Among all kinds of dispositions, temperaments, and temptations, Bob has no easy road to the coveted distinction. Athletics are plentifully featured, and every boy, good, bad, and indifferent, is a natural fellow, who talks and acts like a bright, up-to-date lad in real life.

"The story throughout is clean and wholesome, and will not fail to be appreciated by any boy reader who has red blood in his veins."--Kennebec Journal.

"There are school and athletic compet.i.tions, pranks and frolics and all in all a book of which most boy readers will have no criticism to make."--Springfield Republican.

"The story is told with a great deal of power and force, as well as of sympathy and understanding of boy nature."--Buffalo News.

For sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers

LOTHROP, LEE & SHEPARD CO., Boston