The planter's life
was too indolent, too full of small cares and anxieties; his whole
crop might be ruined by an army of worms that he could not fight. But
on the frontier, if there was loss or danger, he could defy it or
punish it.
He talked to Phyllis of the healthy, happy life of the prairies;
of the joy of encamping in forests, and seeing the sun rise between
the leaves; of wandering without hinderance; of being satisfied with
little. It was these sweet, unplanted places of earth, these grand
wastes of green, unpartitioned off into squares of mine and thine,
that attracted John and charmed Phyllis: for her heart was with his.
She thought of the little home that was to have a look southward and
eastward, and which she was to make beautiful; and no grand dame, with
the prospect of royal favor and court splendor, was ever half so glad
in her future as Phyllis in her dream of a simple and busy Arcadia.
It cannot be said that Richard shared her enthusiasm. In his heart
he thought Phyllis "too good" for such a life, and to the Bishop he
once permitted himself a little lament on the subject.
"But, son Richard," was the answer, "what kind of men build up new
States and lead the van of the onward march? Are they not the heroes
of the republic? brave men of large souls and large views, that go
naturally to the front because they are too big for the ranks?"
"I suppose so.
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