Three Young Pioneers

by John Theodore Mueller

  CHAPTER III

  A NEW BROTHER

  One evening when Mr. Bradley and his happy family were gathered aroundthe fire-side, he seemed to be in a very meditative mood. The familyhad just finished its evening devotion and the open Bible lay upon thehuge table which stood near the hearth.

  "Why are you musing so intently?" Mrs. Bradley asked. "It seems yourforehead is more wrinkled with furrows than ever, and you are altogethertoo young a man to look so worried." This she said with a smile, and asshe said it, she lovingly stroked his cheeks.

  "I am not worrying, my dear," he replied, "but only thinking, and Iwonder whether that which I think, will please you."

  "What pleases you," Mrs. Bradley said, "always pleases me. We are twoof a kind, and I am sure I am going to agree to what you say. Pray,now tell me what troubles you."

  "The matter pertains to another little youngster in our home," hereplied; "though the youngster is not so very young any more. He is ayear older than Fred, and I think, he would prove a good companion tohim."

  Fred listened with much interest, and also Agnes laid aside her book.

  "What about the young lad?" Mrs. Bradley asked. "Is he the son of apoor family in the Colony?"

  "His case is worse," the husband replied. "Yesterday when the goodship 'Hope' came into port, the authorities found a stranger in the band ofimmigrants. He was a stowaway, though some of the people discovered himduring the voyage and supported him with food. Otherwise the poor fellowwould have starved."

  "And what are they going to do with the lad?" Mrs. Bradley inquired.

  "That is the trouble," her husband said. "According to the law the boymust be returned to England. But he has begged the authorities not tosend him back. He comes from a poor family, and his father is dead. InEngland there are no opportunities for him; So he decided to go toAmerica. And now he is here."

  "And you decided to take him into your home!" the woman said smilingly."That looks just like you."

  "Well," the man answered, looking at Fred and Agnes, "you were lucky tofind these, so I must make another contribution."

  "Nor do I object," consented the woman. "The Lord has blessed usabundantly with all good things, and we can surely give him a goodhome. Only, I would ask, is he worthy of it?"

  "That we must see," Mr. Bradley said; "but he seems to be a good piousboy, and he knows his Catechism well. I hardly blame him for leavingEngland."

  "Then the matter is settled," Mrs. Bradley said; "but where is the boynow?"

  "Governor Winthrop has provisionally taken him into his home," the mansaid; "though he cannot very well adopt the lad. But when he spoke tome about it, I promised to ask you, and I have guaranteed the shipcompany to pay his fare."

  "What a fine Samaritan you are!" Mrs. Bradley said, as she kissed him."Surely, the Lord will bless you for it, and we shall be the richer forhaving taken him in."

  Fred who had listened eagerly, could no longer restrain himself.Stepping up to his foster-father he asked: "And what is the boy's name?"

  "His name is Matthew Bunyan," Mrs. Bradley said; "but what about you,Fred? Do you want to have the new brother? And will you treat himkindly?"

  "That I will," Fred responded gladly. "I have always wished for abrother, who could work and play with me. And Matthew Bunyon is such afine name! When can I see him?"

  "You may this very evening, if you care to go to the Governor's house,"said the kind father.

  "Oh, then, let us go, Agnes," Fred said. "It will do him a world ofgood to let him know that he has a sister and a brother."

  "And could he not come over this very evening?" Mrs. Bradley asked."I surely would like to see him. Fred's bed is large enough for two tosleep in."

  "Yes, bring him with you, Fred," Mr. Bradley said. "Only you must waituntil I have written a note to Governor Winthrop, telling him of ourresolution."

  As Mr. Bradley was a merchant, the writing materials were always keptready for use, and in a few moments the note was finished.

  While the man was penning the note, Fred and Agnes dressed themselveswarmly in their furs, for while March had come, the weather was stillcold, and heavy snow had fallen. At that time the winters in NewEngland were much severer than they are now.

  So they strapped on their snow-shoes, and Fred took down his gun fromthe wall. The evening was quiet, and on the way he might see some game.In winter the deer and elk often stole into the village in search offood, and sometimes the settlers could shoot them from their openwindows.

  In a few moments the children were off, having kissed their parentsgood-by. Then they stepped out into the clear, cold night, where theyat once disappeared in the woods.

  "How beautiful it is tonight," Agnes said as she laughingly passed herbrother. "It makes me feel gay. I think I can beat you to theGovernor's house."

  "Stay behind me, Agnes," Fred warned her; "there might be a deer runningout from behind the brush that I might shoot."

  "Do not shoot on such a beautiful night," the girl pleaded; "everythingis so peaceful, and the poor animals ought to enjoy their life, too, andnot always be in danger of being killed by men, beasts, and Indians."

  "You are a little Samaritan," Fred laughed, "and a poet, too; well, ifI don't see anything, I won't shoot."

  But nothing came in sight, and so within half an hour the children wererapping at the door of the Governor's home. Here they were kindly,received by the Governor and his wife, who urged them at once to layoff their wraps and make themselves at home.

  "We do not care to stay this evening, kind sir," Fred said; "for athome father and mother are waiting for Matthew."

  He handed the Governor the note, which he took and read.

  "I see," he said; "so your father has declared his willingness to adoptMatthew. That is very fine of him. I shall see him tomorrow and drawup the papers."

  "Where is Matthew now?" Agnes asked a little impatiently.

  "He is at the home of the Reverend Mr. Davenport," Mr. Winthrop said;"the good parson wanted to examine him with respect to his religiousopinions. But I trow they will be back soon, for they left quite atime ago."

  Fortunately the children did not have to wait long for Matthew, whowith the Governor's son John had gone to the pastor's manse. In themeanwhile Mrs. Winthrop regaled them with baked apples and sweet cider.

  "Well, Father," John said, as he came in, "Matthew has passed the test,and the parson has found him efficient in faith and morals."

  "Good, my son," Governor Winthrop replied; "it pleases me to hear that.Come forward, Matthew, for I have good news for you."

  Fred and Agnes looked with deep interest at the boy. He was somewhattaller than Fred, but did not seem to be as strong as he. Evidently thelad had starved a good deal on the voyage, for he looked haggard andwan. Also he was dressed quite poorly. The visit to the minister had,no doubt, been a great strain on him. He was timid and bashful, and asthe Governor addressed him, his cheeks became scarlet.

  "Come on, my son," Governor Winthrop said, "and be not afraid. We shallnot send you back, for you will have a good home with the Bradleys. Godhas provided for you a dwelling place."

  Fred liked his new brother right away, for his blue eyes had an honestand straight forward look.

  "You will go with us right now to your new home" he told him after hehad shaken hands with him. "Here is my sister Agnes," he added.

  Agnes was a bit timid for a moment, but her sweet good nature asserteditself.

  "I believe we must carry you," she said smilingly, "since you have nosnow-shoes. Where we live is a good ways off, and we must wade throughheavy snow."

  "I cannot walk on snow-shoes," Matthew said bashfully, "but I wilt trymy best to follow you."

  "The snow is frozen pretty hard," Fred mused, "and I do not think youwill break through. So let us go."

  With a word of caution the Governor sent them on their way, and soonthey were lost from view in the dark woods.

  The chi
ldren traveled slowly in order that their young friend mightfollow them with ease. He seemed to be very tired, and no wonder, forthe trip across the ocean and the rude experiences after landing on thestrange shore had worn him out. Nevertheless, he walked bravelythrough the deep snow, happy to be in company of children so kind andgood.

  But he was very glad when finally the lights of Mr. Bradley's large loghouse greeted them and the weary trip was over.

  Mr. and Mrs. Bradley greeted the new-corner warmly, and soon he had losthis fear, and felt quite at home.

  After a cup of refreshing tea he related his story, Which explained whyhe had left England and come to America.

  "You see," he said, "my father died, and it was hard for me to securework, so that I was only a burden to my dear mother, who had all she,could do to feed the other children who are smaller than I. A friend ofmy father's had promised to advance the fare, but when my parent died,he withdrew the offer. My mother was willing that I should go. As soonas I have earned enough money, I shall send it to England and have hercome here."

  "That is a fine boy," Mrs. Bradley encouraged him; "but in the meanwhileyou will stay with us and shall be like a son to us."

  "But by all means write to your mother in England," Mr. Bradley said,and the lad at once promised to do so, being happy to be able to reportso wondrous an outcome of the venture.

  However, the children were not allowed much time for conversation, forby this time it had become quite late, and they had to repair to bed.So they bade their elders good-night, and hurried off to their room.

  Fred was glad when the new-comer after undressing and jumping into bed,folded his hands and prayed his evening prayer.

  "I am pleased that you do this," he said after he had finished his ownprayer; "now I can trust you the more and feel much more cordial towardyou."

  "Father always insisted that we pray and read the Bible," Matthewresponded, "and when one has passed through the many experiences whichwere crowded of late into my life, he needs no prompting. There is somuch comfort in it."

  Soon the boys were fast asleep, each anxious to know what the next daywould bring to them. Only Agnes did not at once fall asleep. It wasMrs. Bradley's custom to accompany her to her sleeping chamber and topray with her and cover her with the warm bed clothes. It was usuallyat this time that the girl voiced whatever wish she had to communicate.

  So when Mrs. Bradley kissed her good-night, she clasped her head andwhispered into her ear: "Will you not also get a little baby sister forme, so that I can play with her?"

  Mrs. Bradley smiled as she answered, "If the good Lord will sendanother little orphan, we shall surely adopt her."

  Then with a happy smile on her face the girl fell asleep.