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Updated: June 22, 2025
"It is very strange you will believe what others say against your sister," retorted his mother, with flashing eye. "I think it is time your father subdued you." "Father is a sensible man," argued Jack. "He would not wrong a dog. Where IS Frado?" he continued. "Mother gave her a good whipping and shut her up," replied Mary. Just then Mr. Bellmont entered, and asked if Frado was "shut up yet."
Jack was pleased with James's innovations of table discipline, and would often tarry in the dining-room, to see Nig in her new place at the family table. As he was thus sitting one day, after the family had finished dinner, Frado seated herself in her mistress' chair, and was just reaching for a clean dessert plate which was on the table, when her mistress entered.
She would tell her she could not go where James was; she need not try. If she should get to heaven at all, she would never be as high up as he. HE was the attraction. Should she "want to go there if she could not see him?" Mrs. B. seldom mentioned her bereavement, unless in such allusion to Frado.
"She's gone, Aunt Abby, she's gone, fairly gone;" and jumped up and down, till Aunt Abby feared she would attract the notice of her mistress by such demonstrations. "Well, she's gone, gone, Aunt Abby. I hope she'll never come back again." "No! no! Frado, that's wrong! you would be wishing her dead; that won't do."
Such dark forebodings as visited her as she lay, solitary and sad, no moans or sighs could relieve. The family physician pronounced her case one of doubtful issue. Frado hoped it was final. She could not feel relentings that her former home was abandoned, and yet, should she be in need of succor could she obtain it from one who would now so grudgingly bestow it?
Next morning she told Frado she "should not go out of the house for one while, except on errands; and if she did not stop trying to be religious, she would whip her to death." Frado pondered; her mistress was a professor of religion; was SHE going to heaven? then she did not wish to go. If she should be near James, even, she could not be happy with those fiery eyes watching her ascending path.
They chatted awhile until Frado seemed cheerful; then James led her to her room, and waited until she retired. "Are you glad I've come home?" asked James. "Yes; if you won't let me be whipped to- morrow." "You won't be whipped. You must try to be a good girl," counselled James. "If I do, I get whipped," sobbed the child. "They won't believe what I say.
"Hard are life's early steps; and but that youth is buoyant, con- fident, and strong in hope, men would behold its threshold and despair." THE sorrow of Frado was very great for her pet, and Mr. Bellmont by great exertion obtained it again, much to the relief of the child.
He could not walk far from the house for want of strength; but he loved to sit with Aunt Abby in her quiet room, talking of unseen glories, and heart-experiences, while planning for the spiritual benefit of those around them. In these confidential interviews, Frado was never omitted.
Frado felt so happy in his presence, so safe from maltreatment! He was to her a shelter. He observed, silently, the ways of the house a few days; Nig still took her meals in the same manner as formerly, having the same allowance of food. He, one day, bade her not remove the food, but sit down to the table and eat.
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