Hills of the Shatemuc | Page 5

-- where people know something; where other things are to be done than running plough furrows; where men may distinguish themselves! -- where men may read and write; and do something great; and grow to be something besides what nature made them! -- I want to be in that world."
They both paused.
"But what will you do, Rufus, to get into that world? -- we are shut in here."
"I am not shut in!" said the elder brother; and brow and lip and nostril said it over again; -- "I will live for something greater than this!"
There was a deep-drawn breath from the boy at his side.
"So would I, if I could. But what can we do?"
How difficult it was to do anything, both felt. But after a deliberate pause of some seconds, Rufus answered,
"There is only one thing to do. -- I shall go to College."
"To College! -- Will?"
The changes in the face of the younger boy were sudden and startling. One moment the coronation of hope; the next moment despair had thrown the coronet off; one more, and the hand of determination, -- like Napoleon's, -- had placed it firmly on his brow; and it was never shaken again. But he said nothing; and both waited a little, till thoughts could find words.
"Rufus, -- do papa and mamma know about this?"
"Not yet."
"What will they think of it?"
"I don't know -- they must think of it as I do. My mind is made up. I can't stay here."
"But some preparation is necessary, Rufus, ain't it? -- we must know more than we do before we can go to College, mustn't we? How will you get that?"
"I don't know, I will get it. Preparation! -- yes!"
"Father will want us both at home this summer."
"Yes -- this summer -- I suppose we must. We must do something -- we must talk to them at home about it, -- gradually."
"If we had books, we could do a great deal at home."
"Yes, if, -- But we haven't. And we must have more time. We couldn't do it at home."
"Papa wants us this summer. -- And I don't see how he can spare us at all, Rufus."
"I am sure he will let us go," said the other steadily, though with a touch of trouble in his face.
"We are just beginning to help him."
"We can help him much better the other way," said Rufus quickly. "Farming is the most miserable slow way of making money that ever was contrived."
"How do you propose to make money?" inquired his brother coolly.
"I don't know! I am not thinking of making money at present!"
"It takes a good deal to go to College, don't it?"
"Yes."
And again there was a little silence. And the eyes of both were fixed on the river and the opposite hills, while they saw only that distant world and the vague barrier between.
"But I intend to go, Winthrop," said his brother, looking at him, with fire enough in his face to burn up obstacles.
"Yes, you will go," the younger said calmly. The cool grey eye did not speak the internal "So will I!" -- which stamped itself upon his heart. They got up from the plough beam.
"I'll try for't," was Rufus's conclusion, as he shook himself.
"_You'll get it_," said Winthrop.
There was much love as well as ambition in the delighted look with which his brother rewarded him. They parted to their work. They ploughed the rest of their field: -- what did they turn over besides the soil?
They wended their slow way back with the oxen when the evening fell; but the yoke was off their own necks. The lingering western light coloured another world than the morning had shined upon. No longer bondsmen of the soil, they trode it like masters. They untackled their oxen and let them out, with the spirit of men whose future work was to be in a larger field. Only Hope's little hand had lifted the weight from their heads. And Hope's only resting point was determination.
CHAPTER II.
A quiet smile played round his lips, As the eddies and dimples of the tide Play round the bows of ships, That steadily at anchor ride. And with a voice that was full of glee, He answered, "ere long we will launch A vessel as goodly, and strong, and staunch, As ever weathered a wintry sea!" LONGFELLOW.
"The ploughing's all done; thank fortune!" exclaimed Rufus as he came into the kitchen.
"Well, don't leave your hat there in the middle of the floor," said his mother.
"Yes, it just missed knocking the tea-cups and saucers off the table," said little Asahel.
"It hasn't missed knocking you off your balance," said his brother tartly. "Do you know where your own hat is?"
"It hain't knocked me off anything!" said Asahel. "It didn't touch me!"
"Do you know where your own hat is?"
"No."
"What