Part 4 (1/2)
The worthy s.h.i.+pmaster was a devout man, which was perhaps the reason why he so much enjoyed his morning walk. It was the pleasantest hour of all the day to him,--a fit time for meditation, and for the contemplation of the beautiful scenery that surrounded his habitation.
The trees looked greener and the lake more limpid then, when his mind was invigorated by the peaceful slumbers of the preceding night; and there, in his favorite retreat, while all nature was smiling upon him, went up his morning prayer to that beneficent Being who had spared him yet another day, and crowned his life with loving-kindness and tender mercies.
It was the morning of the Fourth of July; and the sounds of the booming cannon and the pealing bells, which the westerly breeze bore up the lake, reminded him of the grat.i.tude he owed to G.o.d for the political, social, and religious privileges which had been bequeathed to the country by the fathers of the Revolution. He prayed for his country, that a blessing might always rest upon it.
As he walked along, thus engaged in his inaudible devotions, he heard a footstep behind him. The solitude of his morning walk was seldom disturbed by the intrusion of others. Turning, he recognized the friend of his son.
”You are abroad early, Charles,” said he.
”Yes, sir; this is the Fourth of July.”
”And you feel like a little patriot on the occasion.”
”I feel like having some fun.”
”No doubt of it; I am afraid the boys think more of the smoke and noise of the day than they do of the momentous event it commemorates.”
”We like to have a good time, and the Fourth of July comes but once a year.”
”Probably you will be fully satisfied before night comes.”
”I don't know,” replied Charles, in a tone and with an expression of countenance which attracted the attention of Captain Sedley.
”You don't know! I thought you were depending upon a good time in the city!”
”We _did_ antic.i.p.ate a great deal of pleasure, but we have given it up.”
”Indeed! I have made preparations to take you to Boston.”
”We have given it up, sir,” repeated Charles.
”Frank?”
”Yes, sir.”
”He has not mentioned the fact to me.”
”But he intends to do so.”
”What is the meaning of all this? I am surprised.”
”I knew you would be,” said Charles evasively.
”But why have you given it up?”
”Oh! that's a secret.”
”Is it, indeed? Then, you really are not going?”
”No, sir.”