CHAPTER XVIII.
THE TWO MAJORS.
Tom wanted to sail the Belle a while, in order to ascertain her points; and though it was now dark, he unmoored her, and stood up the lake. After I had called upon the gentleman who had engaged the Belle, to explain the change in my arrangements—which, as the person knew Tom very well, were entirely satisfactory—I went home. My father had just returned from the other side; and I found our family in the most cheerful frame of mind. Our star appeared to be in the ascendant again.
“I have been warned out of town, father,” said I, as we sat down to supper.
“Who warned you?” asked my father, with a smile which indicated that he did not consider the warning as of any great consequence.
“Tommy Toppleton. He halted his battalion, and pitched into me as though he intended to crush me beneath the hoofs of his pony.”
I went on to explain what the little major had said; but none of us were alarmed. My mother counseled moderation, as she had always done, and father thought we could make the most by minding our own business.
“I told Tommy I would rather serve him than injure him; and if I know myself, I spoke the truth,” I added.
“That’s right, Wolfert! I’m glad you said that, for I know you meant it,” said my good mother. “While we do our duty, and endeavor to serve the Lord faithfully and patiently, we shall triumph in the end. It does not make much difference if we are cast down for a time, or if wicked men seem to have conquered us, we shall prosper if we are good and true. We can afford to wait for success as long as we do our duty. As the minister said last Sunday, God does not always call that success which passes for such in this world. Real success is being ever faithful to God and conscience.”
I believed what my mother affirmed; but it always did me good to hear her repeat the lesson of wisdom and piety. It always strengthened my soul, and helped me to maintain my standard of duty. My father was not a religious man, though he always went to church, and had a high respect for sacred things. He always listened in silence to the admonitions of my mother; but I was sure he approved them, and believed in them.
Before we rose from the table, the door-bell rang, and my mother, who answered the summons, informed me that Major Toppleton desired to see me immediately at his own house.