Spinning-Wheel Story by Louisa M. Alcott
Eli's Education
"My turn now," said Walt, as they assembled again, after a busy dayspent in snow-balling, statue-making, and tumbling in the drifts thatstill continued to rise on all sides.
"Here is just the story for you and Geoff. You are getting ready forcollege, after years of the best schooling, and it will do you good tohear how hard some boys have had to work to get a little learning," saidGrandma, glancing at the slip that Walt drew from the basket which AuntElinor held out to him, and from which Lotty had drawn the story of"Tabby's Table Cloth."
"This is a true tale, and the man became famous for his wisdom, as wellas much loved and honored for his virtue, and interest in all goodthings," added Aunt Elinor, as she began to read the story of
ELI'S EDUCATION.
Many years ago, a boy of sixteen sat in a little room in an oldfarm-house up among the Connecticut hills, writing busily in a bookmade of odd bits of paper stitched together, with a cover formed of twothin boards. The lid of a blue chest was his desk, the end of a tallowcandle stuck into a potato was his lamp, a mixture of soot and vinegarhis ink, and a quill from the gray goose his pen. A "Webster'sSpelling-book," "Dilworth's New Guide to the English Tongue," "Daboll'sArithmetic," and the "American Preceptor," stood on the chimney-pieceover his head, with the "Assembly Catechism," and New Testament, in theplace of honor. This was his library; and now and then a borrowed"Pilgrim's Progress," "Fox's Book of Martyrs," or some stray volume,gladdened his heart; for he passionately loved books, and scoured theneighborhood for miles around to feed this steadily increasing hunger.Every penny he could earn or save went to buy a song or a story from thepeddlers who occasionally climbed the hill to the solitary farm-house.When others took a noon-spell, he read under the trees or by the fire.He carried a book in his pocket, and studied as he went with the cows toand from the pasture, and sat late in his little room, ciphering on anold slate, or puzzling his young brain over some question which no onecould answer for him.
His father had no patience with him, called him a shiftless dreamer, andthreatened to burn the beloved books. But his mother defended him, forhe was her youngest and the pride of her heart; so she let him scribbleall over her floors before she scrubbed them up, dipped extra thickcandles for his use, saved every scrap of paper to swell his littlestore, and firmly believed that he would turn out the great man of thefamily. His brothers joked about his queer ways, but in his sisters hefound firm friends and tender comforters for all his woes. So hestruggled along, working on the farm in summer and in a clock shopduring the winter, with such brief spells of schooling as he could getbetween whiles, improving even these poor opportunities so well that hewas letter-writer for all the young people in the neighborhood.
Now, he was writing in his journal very slowly, but very well, shapinghis letters with unusual grace and freedom; for the wide snow-banks werehis copy-books in winter, and on their white pages he had learned tosweep splendid capitals or link syllables handsomely together. This iswhat he wrote that night, with a sparkle in the blue eyes and a firmfolding of the lips that made the boyish face resolute and manly.
"I am set in my own mind that I get learning. I see not how, but my will is strong, and mother hopes for to make a scholar of me. So, please God, we shall do it."
Then he shut the little book and put it carefully away in the bluechest, with pen and ink, as if they were very precious things; piouslysaid his prayers, and was soon asleep under the homespun coverlet,dreaming splendid dreams, while a great bright star looked in at the lowwindow, as if waiting to show him the road to fortune.
And God did please to help the patient lad; only the next evening camean opportunity he had never imagined. As he sat playing "Over the Hillsand Far Away" on the fiddle that he had himself made out of maple-wood,with a bow strung from the tail of the old farm horse, a neighbor camein to talk over the fall pork and cider, and tell the news.
"Ef you want ter go over the hills and far away, Eli, here's the chance.I see a man down to Woodtick who was askin' ef I knew any likely youngchap who'd like to git 'scribers for a pious book he wants to sell. He'dpay for the job when the names is got and the books give out. That'sruther in your line, boy, so I calk'lated your daddy would spare you, asyou ain't much of a hand at shuckin' corn nor cartin' pummace."
"Haw! haw!" laughed the big brothers, Ambrose Vitruvius and JuniusSolomon, as neighbor Terry spoke with a sly twinkle in his eye.
But the sisters, Miranda and Pamela, smiled for joy, while the goodmother stopped her busy wheel to listen eagerly. Eli laid down hisfiddle and came to the hearth where the others sat, with such awide-awake expression on his usually thoughtful face that it was plainthat he liked the idea.
"I'll do it, if father'll let me," he said, looking wistfully at theindustrious man, who was shaving axe-handles for the winterwood-chopping, after his day's work was over.
"Wal, I can spare you for a week, mebby. It's not time for the clockshop yet, and sence you've heerd o' this, you won't do your choresright, so you may as wal see what you can make of peddlin'."
"Thank you, sir; I'll give you all I get, to pay for my time," beganEli, glowing with pleasure at the prospect of seeing a little of theworld; for one of his most cherished dreams was to cross the blue hillsthat hemmed him in, and find what lay beyond.
"Guess I can afford to give you all you'll make this trip," answered hisfather, in a tone that made the brothers laugh again.
"Boys, don't pester Eli. Every one hasn't a call to farmin', and it'swal to foller the leadin's of Providence when they come along," said themother, stroking the smooth, brown head at her knee; for Eli always wentto her footstool with his sorrows and his joys.
So it was settled, and next day the boy, in his home-spun and home-madeSunday best, set off to see his employer and secure the job. He got it,and for three days trudged up and down the steep roads, calling at everyhouse with a sample of his book, the Rev. John Flavel's treatise on"Keeping the Heart." Eli's winning face, modest manner, and earnestvoice served him well, and he got many names; for books were scarce inthose days, and a pious work was a treasure to many a good soul whofound it difficult to keep the heart strong and cheerful in troubloustimes.
Then the books were to be delivered, and, anxious to save his smallearnings, Eli hired no horse to transport his load, but borrowed astout, green shawl from his mother, and, with his pack on his back,marched bravely away to finish his task. His wages were spent in a newprayer-book for his mother, smart handkerchief-pins for the faithfulsisters, and a good store of paper for himself.
This trip was so successful that he was seized with a strong desire totry a more ambitious and extended one; for these glimpses of the worldshowed him how much he had to learn, and how pleasantly he could pick upknowledge in these flights.
"What be you a-brewdin' over now, boy? Gettin' ready for the clock shop?It's 'most time for winter work, and Terry says you do pretty wal atputtin' together," said the farmer, a day or two after the boy's return,as they sat at dinner, all helping themselves from the large pewterplatter heaped with pork and vegetables.
"I was wishin' I could go South with Gad Upson. He's been twice withclocks and notions, and wants a mate. Hoadley fits him out and pays hima good share if he does well. Couldn't I go along? I hate that old shop,and I know I can do something better than put together the insides ofcheap clocks."
Eli spoke eagerly, and gave his mother an imploring look which broughther to second the motion at once, her consent having been already won.
The brothers stared as if Eli had proposed to go up in a balloon, for tothem the South seemed farther off than Africa does nowadays. The fatherhad evidently been secretly prepared, for he showed no surprise, andmerely paused a moment to look at his ambitious son with a glance inwhich amusement and reproach were mingled.
"When a hen finds she's hatched a duck's egg, it's no use for her tocackle; that ducklin' will take to the water in spite on her, and paddleoff, nobody know
s where. Go ahead, boy, and when you get enough ofjunketin' 'round the world, come home and fall to work."
"Then I _may_ go?" cried Eli, upsetting his mug of cider in hisexcitement.
His father nodded, being too busy eating cabbage with a wide-bladedgreen-handled knife to speak just then. Eli, red and speechless withdelight and gratitude, could only sit and beam at his family till a sobdrew his attention to sister Pamela, whose pet he was.
"Don't, Pam, don't! I'll come back all right, and bring you news and allthe pretty things I can. I _must_ go; I feel as if I couldn't breathe,shut up here winters. I s'pose it's wicked, but I can't help it,"whispered Eli, with his arm around his buxom eighteen-year old sister,who laid her head on his shoulder and held him tight.
"Daughter, it's sinful to repine at the ways of Providence. I see aleadin' plain in this, and ef _I_ can be chirk when my dear boy isgoin', 'pears to me you ought to keep a taut rein on your feelin's, andnot spile his pleasure."
The good mother's eyes were full of tears as she spoke, but she caughtup the end of her short gown and wiped them quickly away to smile onEli, who thanked her with a loving look.
"It's so lonesome when he's not here. What will we do evenings withoutthe fiddle, or Eli to read a piece in some of his books while we spin?"said poor Pam, ashamed of her grief, yet glad to hide her tears byaffecting to settle the long wooden bodkin that held up her coils ofbrown hair.
"Obed Finch will be comin' along, I guess likely, and he'll read to youout uv Eli's book about keepin' the heart, and you'll find your'n gone'fore you know it," said Junius Solomon, in a tone that made pretty Pamblush and run away, while the rest laughed at her confusion.
So it was settled, and when all was ready, the boy came home to show hisequipment before he started. A very modest outfit,--only two tin trunksslung across the shoulders, filled with jewelry, combs, lace, essences,and small wares.
"I hate to have ye go, son, but it's better than to be mopin' to hum,gettin' desperut for books and rilin' father. We'll all be workin' forye, so be chipper and do wal. Keep steddy, and don't disgrace yourfolks. The Lord bless ye, my dear boy, and hold ye in the holler of hishand!"
Her own rough hand was on his head as his mother spoke, with wet eyes,and the tall lad kissed her tenderly, whispering, with a choke in histhroat:--
"Good-by, mammy dear; I'll remember."
Then he tramped away to join his mate, turning now and then to nod andsmile and show a ruddy face full of happiness, while the family watchedhim out of sight with mingled hopes and doubts and fears.
Mails were slow in those days, but at length a letter came; and here itis,--a true copy of one written by a boy in 1820:--
NORFOLK, VA., December 4th.
"HONORED PARENTS: I write to inform you I am safe here and to work. Our business is profitable, and I am fast learning the Quirks and Turns of trade. We are going to the eastern shore of Va., calculating to be gone six weeks. The inhabitants are sociable and hospitable, and you need not fear I shall suffer, for I find many almost fathers and mothers among these good folks.
"Taking our trunks, we travel through the country, entering the houses of the rich and poor, offering our goods, and earning our wages by the sweat of our brows. How do you think we look? Like two Awkward, Homespun, Tugging Yankee peddlers? No, that is not the case. By people of breeding we are treated with politeness and gentility, and the low and vulgar we do not seek. For my part, I enjoy travelling more than I expected. Conversation with new folks, observing manners and customs, and seeing the world, does me great good.
"I never met a real gentleman till I came here. Their hospitality allows me to see and copy their fine ways of acting and speaking, and they put the most Bashful at ease. Gad likes the maids and stays in the kitchen most times. I get into the libraries and read when we put up nights, and the ladies are most kind to me everywhere.
"I'm so tall they can't believe I'm only sixteen. They aren't as pretty as our rosy-faced girls, but their ways are elegant, and so are their clothes, tell Pam.
"When I think how kind you were to let me come, I am full of gratitude. I made some verses, one day, as I waited in a hovel for the rain to hold up.
"To conduce to my own and parents' good, Was why I left my home; To make their cares and burdens less, And try to help them some. 'Twas my own choice to earn them cash, And get them free from debt; Before that I am twenty-one It shall be done, I bet. My parents they have done for me What I for them can never do, So if I serve them all I may, Sure God will help me through. My chief delight, therefore, shall be To earn them all I can, Not only now, but when that I At last am my own man.
"These are the genuine Sentiments of your son, who returns thanks for the many favors you have heaped upon him, and hopes to repay you by his best Endeavors. Accept this letter and the inclosed small sum as a token of his love and respect.
"Your dutiful son,
"Tell the girls to write. ELI."
In reply to this, came a letter from the anxious mother, which shows notonly the tender, pious nature of the good woman, but also how much needof education the boy had, and how well he was doing for himself:--
"AFFECTIONATE SON: We was very glad to receave your letter. I feal very anctious about you this winter, and how you are a doing. You cannot know a mother's concern for her boy wen he is fur away. Do not git into bad habbits. Take the Bible for your rule and guide to vartue. I pray for your prosperity in all spiritall and temporrall things, and leave you in the care of Him who gave you breath and will keep you safe.
"We are all well, and your father enjoys his helth better than last year. I visited Uncle Medad a spell last week. I am provided with a horse and shay to ride to meatin. Mr. Eben Welton took our cow and give us his old horse. Captain Stephen Harrington was excommunicated last Sabbath. Pamely goes away to learn dressmakin soon. I mistrust Mirandy will take up with Pennel Haskell; he is likely, and comes frequent. I wish you had been here a Christmas. We had a large company to dinner, and I got some wheat flower and made a fine chicken pye. Eli, I hope you attend meatin when you can. Do not trifle away the holy day in vane pleasures, but live to the glory of God, and in the fear of your parents. Father sold the white colt. He was too spirity, and upsat Ambrose and nigh broke his head. His nose is still black. Dear son: I miss you every time I set a platter in your place. Is your close warm and suffitient? Put your stockin round your throat if sore. Do you git good cyder to drink? Take the Pennyryal if you feal wimbly after a long spell of travil. The girls send love. No more now. Wright soon.
"Your mother, HANNAH GARDENER"
"P. S.--Liddy Finch is married. Our pigs give us nine hunderd pound of prime pork."
Many such letters went to and fro that winter, and Eli faithfullyreported all his adventures. For he had many, and once or twice was indanger of losing his life.
On one occasion, having parted from his mate for a day or two, wishingto try his luck alone, our young peddler found himself, late in theafternoon, approaching the Dismal Swamp. A tempest arose, adding to theloneliness and terror of the hour. The cypresses uprooted by the blastfell now and then across the road, endangering the poor boy's head. Asluggish stream rolled through tangled junipers and beds of reeds, andthe fen on either side was full of ugly creatures, lizards, snakes, andtoads; while owls, scared by the storm, flew wildly about and hooteddismally. Just at the height of the tumult, Eli saw three men comingtoward him, and gladly hastened to meet them, hoping to have theircompany or learn of them where he could find a shelter. But their badfaces daunted him, and he would have
hurried by without speaking if theyhad not stopped him, roughly demanding his name and business.
The tall stripling was brave, but his youthful face showed him to be buta boy, and the consciousness of a well-filled purse in his pocket madehim anxious to escape. So he answered briefly, and tried to go on. Buttwo men held him, in spite of his struggles, while the third rifled hispockets, broke open his trunks, and took all that was of any value inthe way of watches and jewelry. Then they left him, with a cruel jokeabout a good journey, and made off with their booty. It was the firsttime poor Eli had met with such a mishap, and as he stood in the rainlooking at his wares scattered about the road, he felt inclined to throwhimself into the creek, and forget his woes there among the frogs andsnakes. But he had a stout heart, and soon decided to make the best ofit, since nothing could be done to mend the matter. Gathering up hisbedraggled laces, scattered scent-bottles, and dirty buttons, pins, andneedles, he trudged sadly on, feeling that for him this was indeed aDismal Swamp.
"I told you we'd better stick together, but you wanted to be so dre'dfulsmart, and go travellin' off alone in them out'n the way places. Might'a' known you'd get overhauled somers. I always did think you was agump, Eli, and now I'm sure on't," was all the comfort Gad gave him whenthey met, and the direful tale was told.
"What shall I do now?" asked the poor lad. "My notions aren't worthselling, and my money's gone. I'll have to pay Hoadley somehow."
"You'd better foot it home and go to choppin' punkins for the cows, orhelp your marm spin. I vow I never did see such a chap for gettin' intoa mess," scolded Gad, who was a true Yankee, and made a successfultrader, even in a small way.
"We'll sleep on it," said Eli, gently, and went to bed very low in hismind.
Perhaps a few tears wet his pillow as he lay awake, and the prayers hismother taught him were whispered in the silence of the night; for hoperevived, comfort came, and in the morning his serene face and sensibleplan proved to his irate friend that the "gump" had a wise head and amanly heart, after all.
"Gad, it is just the time for the new almanacs, and Allen wants men tosell 'em. I thought it was small business before, but beggars mustn't bechoosers, so I'm going right off to offer for the job 'round here. Itwill do for a start, and if I'm smart, Allen will give me a betterchance maybe."
"That's a fust-rate plan. Go ahead, and I'll say a good word for you.Allen knows me, and books is in your line, so I guess you'll do wal ifyou keep out'n the mashes," answered Gad, with great good will, havingslept off his vexation.
The plan did go well, and for weeks the rosy-faced, gentle-voiced youthmight have been seen mildly offering the new almanacs at doors andshops, and at street corners, with a wistful look in his blue eyes, anda courtesy of manner that attracted many customers and earned many adollar. Several mates, envying his fine handwriting and pitying his hardluck, took lessons in penmanship of him and paid him fairly, whereat herejoiced over the hours spent at home, flat on the kitchen floor, orflourishing splendid capitals on the snow-banks, when his nose was bluewith cold and his hands half-frozen.
When the season for the yellow-covered almanacs was over, Eli, havingwon the confidence of his employer, was fitted out with more notions,and again set forth on his travels, armed, this time, and in companywith his townsman. He prospered well, and all winter trudged to and fro,seemingly a common peddler, but really a student, making the world hisbook, and bent on learning all he could. Travel taught him geography andhistory, for he soon knew every corner of Virginia; looked longingly atthe ancient walls of William and Mary College, where Jefferson andMonroe studied; where young George Washington received his surveyor'scommission, and in his later years served as Chancellor. In Yorktown, heheard all about the siege of 1781; saw Lord Cornwallis's lodgings andthe cave named for him; met pleasant people, whose fine speech andmanners he carefully copied; read excellent books wherever he could findthem, and observed, remembered, and stored away all that he saw, heard,and learned, to help and adorn his later life.
By spring he set out for home, having slowly saved enough to repayHoadley for the lost goods. But as if Providence meant to teach himanother lesson, and make him still more prudent, humble, and manly, asad adventure befell him on his way.
While waiting for the coaster that was to take them home, he one daywent in swimming with Gad; for this was one of the favorite pastimes ofthe Connecticut boys, who on Saturday nights congregated by the score ata pond called Benson's Pot, and leaped from the spring-board like circustumblers, turning somersaults into the deep water below.
It was too early for such sport now; the water was very cold, and poorGad, taken with cramp, nearly drowned Eli by clinging to his legs as hewent down. Freeing himself with difficulty, Eli tried to save hisfriend; but the current swept the helpless man away, and he was lost.Hurriedly dressing, Eli ran for aid, but found himself regarded withsuspicion by those to whom he told his story; for he was a stranger inthe place and certain peddlers who had gone before had left a bad namebehind them.
To his horror, he was arrested, accused of murder, and would have beentried for his life, if Mr. Allen of Norfolk had not come to testify tohis good character, and set him free. Poor Gad's body was found andburied, and after a month's delay, Eli set out again, alone,heavy-hearted, and very poor, for all his own little savings had beenconsumed by various expenses. Mr. Hoadley's money was untouched, but notincreased, as he hoped to have it; and rather than borrow a penny of it,Eli landed barefooted. His boots were so old he threw them overboard,and spent his last dollar for a cheap pair of shoes to wear when heappeared at home, for they were not stout enough to stand travel. So,like Franklin with his rolls, the lad ate crackers and cheese as hetrudged through the city, and set out for the far-away farm-house amongthe hills.
A long journey, but a pleasant one, in spite of his troubles; for springmade the world lovely, habit made walking no hardship, and all he hadseen in his wanderings passed before him at will, like a panorama fullof color and variety.
Letters had gone before, but it was a sad homecoming, and when all wastold, Eli said:--
"Now, father, I'll go to work. I've had my wish and enjoyed it a sight;and would go again, but I feel as if I ought to work, as long as I can'tpay for my time."
"That's hearty, son, and I'm obleeged to ye. Hear what mother's got tosay, and then do whichever you prefer," answered the farmer, with a nodtoward his wife, who, with the girls, seemed full of some pleasant newswhich they longed to tell.
"I've sold all the cloth we made last winter for a good sum, and fathersays you may hev the spendin' on't. It will be enough to pay your boarddown to Uncle Tillotson's while you study with him, so 's 't you kin begettin' ready for college next year. I've sot my heart on't, and youmusn't disapp'int me and the girls," said the good woman, with a facefull of faith and pride in her boy, in spite of all mishaps.
"Oh, mammy, how good you be! It don't seem as if I ought to take it. ButI _do_ want to go!" cried Eli, catching her round the neck in an ecstasyof boyish delight and gratitude.
Here Miranda and Pamela appeared, bringing their homely gifts of warmhose, and new shirts made from wool and flax grown by the father, andspun and woven by the accomplished housewife.
A very happy youth was Eli when he again set off to the city, with hishumble outfit and slender purse, though father still looked doubtful,and the brothers were more sure than ever that Eli was a fool to preferdry books to country work and fun.
A busy year followed, Eli studying, as never boy studied before, withthe excellent minister, who soon grew proud of his best pupil. Lesspreparation was needed in those days, and perhaps more love and industrywent to the work; for necessity is a stern master, and poor boys oftenwork wonders if the spark of greatness is there.
Eli had his wish in time, and went to college, mother and sisters makingit possible by the sale of their handiwork; for the girls were famousspinners, and the mother the best weaver in the country around. Howwillingly they toiled for Eli!--rising early and sitting late
, cheeringtheir labor with loving talk of the dear lad's progress, and anunfailing faith in his future success. Many a long ride did that goodmother take to the city, miles away, with a great roll of cloth on thepillion behind her to sell, that she might pay her son's college bills.Many a coveted pleasure did the faithful sisters give up that they mightkeep Eli well clothed, or send him some country dainty to cheer thestudies which seemed to them painfully hard and mysteriously precious.Father began to take pride in the ugly duckling now, and brothers tobrag of his great learning. Neighbors came in to hear his letters, andwhen vacation brought him home, the lads and lasses regarded him with acertain awe; for his manners were better, his language purer, thantheirs, and the new life he led refined the country boy till he seemed agentleman.
The second year he yielded to temptation, and got into debt. Beinganxious to do credit to his family, of whom he was secretly a littleashamed about this time, he spent money on his clothes, conscious thathe was a comely youth with a great love of beauty, and a longing for allthat cultivates and embellishes character and life. An elegant gentlemanastonished the hill folk that season, by appearing at the little churchin a suit such as the greatest rustic dandy never imagined in hiswildest dreams,--the tall white hat with rolling brim, Marseilles vestwith watch-chain and seals festooned across it, the fine blue coat withits brass buttons, and the nankeen trousers strapped over boots so tightthat it was torture to walk in them. Armed with a cane in thewell-gloved hand, an imposing brooch in the frills of the linen shirt,Eli sauntered across the green, the observed of all observers, proudlyhoping that the blue eyes of a certain sweet Lucinda were fixedadmiringly upon him.
The boys were the first to recover from the shock, and promptly resentedthe transformation of their former butt into a city beau, by jeeringopenly and affecting great scorn of the envied splendor. The poorjackdaw, somewhat abashed at the effect of his plumes, tried to provethat he felt no superiority, by being very affable, which won thelasses, but failed to soften the hearts of the boys; and when he securedthe belle of the village for the Thanksgiving drive and dance, the youngmen resolved that pride should have a fall.
Arrayed in all his finery, Eli drove pretty Lucinda in a smart borrowedwagon to the tavern where the dance was held. Full of the airs andgraces he had learned at college, the once bashful, awkward Eli was theadmired of all eyes, as he pranced down the long contra-dance in theagonizing boots, or played "threading the needle" without the leastreluctance on the part of the blushing girls to pay the fine of a kisswhen the players sung the old rhyme:--
"The needle's eye no one can pass; The thread that runs so true-- It has caught many a pretty lass, And now it has caught you."
But his glory was short-lived; for some enemy maliciously drew out thelinchpin from the smart wagon, and as they were gayly driving homewardover the hills, the downfall came, and out they both went, to the greatdamage of Eli's city suit, and poor Lucinda's simple finery.
Fortunately, no bones were broken, and picking themselves up, they sadlyfooted it home, hoping the mishap would remain unknown. But the roguestook care that Eli should not escape, and the whole neighborhood laughedover the joke; for the fine hat was ruined, and the costly coat splitdown the back, in the ignominious tumble.
Great was the humiliation of the poor student; for not only was heridiculed, but Lucinda would not forgive him, and the blue eyes smiledupon another; worst of all, he had to confess his debts and borrowmoney of his father to pay them. He meekly bore the stern rebuke thatcame with the hard-earned dollars, but the sight of the tears his mothershed, even while she comforted him, filled him with remorse. He wentback to his books, in a homespun suit, a sadder and a wiser boy, andfell to work as if resolved to wash out past errors and regain theconfidence he had lost.
All that winter the wheels turned and the loom jangled, that the rollsof cloth might be increased; and never was the day too cold, the way toolong, for the good mother's pious pilgrimage.
That summer, a man came home to them, shabby enough as to his clothes,but so wonderfully improved in other ways, that not only did the womenfolk glow with tender pride, but father and brothers looked at him withrespect, and owned at last there was something in Eli. "No vacation forme," he said; "I must work to pay my debts; and as I am not of much usehere, I'll try my old plan, and peddle some money into my emptypockets."
It was both comic and pathetic to see the shoulders that had worn thefine broadcloth burdened with a yoke, the hands that had worn kid glovesgrasping the tin trunks, and the dapper feet trudging through dust anddew in cow-hide boots. But the face under the old straw hat was amanlier one than that which the tall beaver crowned, and the heart underthe rough vest was far happier than when the gold chain glittered aboveit. He did so well that when he returned to college his debts were paid,and the family faith in Eli restored.
That was an eventful year; for one brother married, and one went off toseek his fortune, the father mortgaging his farm to give these sons afair start in life. Eli was to be a minister, and the farmer left hisfortunes in the hands of his wife, who, like many another good mother,was the making of the great man of the family, and was content with thatknowledge, leaving him the glory.
The next year, Eli graduated with honor, and went home, to be receivedwith great rejoicing, just twenty-one, and a free man. He had longed forthis time, and planned a happy, studious life, preparing to preach thegospel in a little parsonage of his own. But suddenly all was changed;joy turned to sorrow, hope to doubt, and Eli was called to relinquishliberty for duty,--to give up his own dreams of a home, to keep a roofover the heads of the dear mother and the faithful sisters. His fatherdied suddenly, leaving very little for the women folk besides theindependence that lay in the skill of their own thrifty hands. The elderbrothers could not offer much help, and Eli was the one to whom the poorsouls turned in their hour of sorrow and anxiety.
"Go on, dear, and don't pester yourself about us. We can find food andfirin' here as long as the old farm is ours. I guess we can manage topay off the mortgage by-and-by. It don't seem as if I _could_ turn out,after livin' here ever sense I was married, and poor father so fondon't."
The widow covered her face with her apron, and Eli put his arms abouther, saying manfully, as he gave up all his fondest hopes for her dearersake--
"Cheer up, mother, and trust to me. I should be a poor fellow if Iallowed you and the girls to want, after all you've done for me. I canget a school, and earn instead of spend. Teaching and studying can go ontogether. I'm sure I shouldn't prosper if I shirked my duty, and Iwon't." The three sad women clung to him, and the brothers, looking athis brave, bright face, felt that Eli was indeed a man to lean on and tolove in times like this.
"Well," thought the young philosopher, "the Lord knows what is best forme, and perhaps this is a part of my education. I'll try to think so,and hope to get some good out of a hard job."
In this spirit he set about teaching, and prospered wonderfully, for hisown great love of learning made it an easy and delightful task to helpothers as he had longed to be helped. His innocent and tender naturemade all children love him, and gave him a remarkable power over them;so when the first hard months were past, and his efforts began to bearfruit, he found that what had seemed an affliction was a blessing, andthat teaching was his special gift. Filial duty sweetened the task, asubmissive heart found happiness in self-sacrifice, and a wise soulshowed him what a noble and lovely work it was to minister to littlechildren,--for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
For years Eli taught, and his school grew famous; for he copied thefashions of other countries, invented new methods, and gave himself soentirely to his profession that he could not fail of success. Themortgage was paid off, and Eli made frequent pilgrimages to the dearold mother, whose staff and comfort he still was. The sisters marriedwell, the brothers prospered, and at thirty, the schoolmaster found anobler mate than pretty Lucinda, and soon had some little pupils of hisvery own to love and teach.
There his youth ends; but after the years of teaching he began to preachat last, not in one pulpit, but in many all over the land, diffusinggood thoughts now as he had peddled small wares when a boy; stilllearning as he went, still loving books and studying mankind, stillpatient, pious, dutiful, and tender, a wise and beautiful old man, till,at eighty, Eli's education ended.