CHAPTER I — THE MINISTER'S SON
“I wish we were not so terribly poor, Grant,” said Mrs. Thornton, in a discouraged tone.
“Is there anything new that makes you say so, mother?” answered the boy of fifteen, whom she addressed.
“Nothing new, only the same old trouble. Here is a note from Mr. Tudor, the storekeeper.”
“Let me see it, mother.”
Grant took a yellow envelope from his mother's hand, and drew out the inclosure, a half sheet of coarse letter paper, which contained the following lines:
“July 7, 1857.
REV. JOHN THORNTON: