Frank remained in Vanceborough and slept well that night, which really put him in “fighting trim.”
It was with great difficulty that he repressed his impatience the following morning. It seemed hard to wait for the steamer, and he was tempted to try to reach Forest City by land. However, the landlord advised him to go by water, and so he waited.
Just before time for the steamer to sail, Frank, who was standing on the upper deck, watching the freight as it was taken on board, saw a handsome young lady and a ministerial-looking young man come down the plank. The young lady was scarcely more than a girl, for she was not over eighteen or nineteen. She had red lips, dark hair and eyes, a stunning figure, and was dressed in a stylish gown. In her arms she carried a tiny black and tan dog.
Frank was struck by the appearance of this girl, for, despite her stylish clothes and decidedly “swagger” appearance, there was that about the healthy tint on her checks that told she was not merely a common rusticator from a city, who had ventured out in the sunshine for the sole purpose of getting a “tan” that would tell her friends she had been spending her vacation in the country. Besides that, although she seemed demure enough at first glance, Frank instantly decided that she was rather reckless in her ways and “had a temper of her own.”
The ministerial-looking young man was dressed in black clothes, with a long coat and silk hat. He carried a cane. His face was rather long and solemn. Plainly he was the girl’s companion and escort.
These two passengers took a seat aft, and, a little later, as Frank was strolling around, the man was saying to the girl:
“I feel that I have been called to carry the Word to these out-of-the-way places. It is my mission, and I am performing it according to my light. I have been blessed wonderfully in my labors up this way, for I have won the hearts of many sinners by my methods of traveling from house to house and calling the people to repentance. I am certain I shall yet be able to prevail upon your father to make a move on the road that leads to everlasting life.”
“Well, you may,” said the girl; “but I have my doubts, Elder Jones.”
“You must assist me in my efforts to soften his heart.”
Frank passed on, so he was unable to hear more of the conversation, but now he was satisfied that the young man was a minister, just as he appeared.