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pubOne.info present you this new edition. 'If anyone had told me what wonderful changes were to take place here in ten years, I wouldn't have believed it, ' said Mrs Jo to Mrs Meg, as they sat on the piazza at Plumfield one summer day, looking about them with faces full of pride and pleasure.

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Publié par	Pub One Info
Date de parution	06 novembre 2010
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9782819948810
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0100€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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JO'S BOYS
By Louisa M. Alcott
Chapter 1. TEN YEARS LATER
'If anyone had told me what wonderful changes wereto take place here in ten years, I wouldn't have believed it, 'said Mrs Jo to Mrs Meg, as they sat on the piazza at Plumfield onesummer day, looking about them with faces full of pride andpleasure.
'This is the sort of magic that money and kindhearts can work. I am sure Mr Laurence could have no noblermonument than the college he so generously endowed; and a home likethis will keep Aunt March's memory green as long as it lasts, 'answered Mrs Meg, always glad to praise the absent.
'We used to believe in fairies, you remember, andplan what we'd ask for if we could have three wishes. Doesn't itseem as if mine had been really granted at last? Money, fame, andplenty of the work I love, ' said Mrs Jo, carelessly rumpling upher hair as she clasped her hands over her head just as she used todo when a girl.
'I have had mine, and Amy is enjoying hers to herheart's content. If dear Marmee, John, and Beth were here, it wouldbe quite perfect, ' added Meg, with a tender quiver in her voice;for Marmee's place was empty now.
Jo put her hand on her sister's, and both sat silentfor a little while, surveying the pleasant scene before them withmingled sad and happy thoughts.
It certainly did look as if magic had been at work,for quiet Plumfield was transformed into a busy little world. Thehouse seemed more hospitable than ever, refreshed now with newpaint, added wings, well-kept lawn and garden, and a prosperous airit had not worn when riotous boys swarmed everywhere and it wasrather difficult for the Bhaers to make both ends meet. On thehill, where kites used to be flown, stood the fine college which MrLaurence's munificent legacy had built. Busy students were going toand fro along the paths once trodden by childish feet, and manyyoung men and women were enjoying all the advantages that wealth,wisdom, and benevolence could give them.
Just inside the gates of Plumfield a pretty browncottage, very like the Dovecote, nestled among the trees, and onthe green slope westward Laurie's white-pillared mansion glitteredin the sunshine; for when the rapid growth of the city shut in theold house, spoilt Meg's nest, and dared to put a soap-factory underMr Laurence's indignant nose, our friends emigrated to Plumfield,and the great changes began.
These were the pleasant ones; and the loss of thedear old people was sweetened by the blessings they left behind; soall prospered now in the little community, and Mr Bhaer aspresident, and Mr March as chaplain of the college, saw theirlong-cherished dream beautifully realized. The sisters divided thecare of the young people among them, each taking the part thatsuited her best. Meg was the motherly friend of the young women, Jothe confidante and defender of all the youths, and Amy the ladyBountiful who delicately smoothed the way for needy students, andentertained them all so cordially that it was no wonder they namedher lovely home Mount Parnassus, so full was it of music, beauty,and the culture hungry young hearts and fancies long for.
The original twelve boys had of course scattered farand wide during these years, but all that lived still rememberedold Plumfield, and came wandering back from the four quarters ofthe earth to tell their various experiences, laugh over thepleasures of the past, and face the duties of the present withfresh courage; for such home-comings keep hearts tender and handshelpful with the memories of young and happy days. A few words willtell the history of each, and then we can go on with the newchapter of their lives.
Franz was with a merchant kinsman in Hamburg, a manof twenty-six now, and doing well. Emil was the jolliest tar thatever 'sailed the ocean blue'. His uncle sent him on a long voyageto disgust him with this adventurous life; but he came home sodelighted with it that it was plain this was his profession, andthe German kinsman gave him a good chance in his ships; so the ladwas happy. Dan was a wanderer still; for after the geologicalresearches in South America he tried sheep-farming in Australia,and was now in California looking up mines. Nat was busy with musicat the Conservatory, preparing for a year or two in Germany tofinish him off. Tom was studying medicine and trying to like it.Jack was in business with his father, bent on getting rich. Dollywas in college with Stuffy and Ned reading law. Poor little Dickwas dead, so was Billy; and no one could mourn for them, since lifewould never be happy, afflicted as they were in mind and body.
Rob and Teddy were called the 'Lion and the Lamb';for the latter was as rampant as the king of beasts, and the formeras gentle as any sheep that ever baaed. Mrs Jo called him 'mydaughter', and found him the most dutiful of children, with plentyof manliness underlying the quiet manners and tender nature. But inTed she seemed to see all the faults, whims, aspirations, and funof her own youth in a new shape. With his tawny locks always inwild confusion, his long legs and arms, loud voice, and continualactivity, Ted was a prominent figure at Plumfield. He had his moodsof gloom, and fell into the Slough of Despond about once a week, tobe hoisted out by patient Rob or his mother, who understood when tolet him alone and when to shake him up. He was her pride and joy aswell as torment, being a very bright lad for his age, and so fullof all sorts of budding talent, that her maternal mind was muchexercised as to what this remarkable boy would become.
Demi had gone through College with honour, and MrsMeg had set her heart on his being a minister— picturing in herfond fancy the first sermon her dignified young parson wouldpreach, as well as the long, useful, and honoured life he was tolead. But John, as she called him now, firmly declined the divinityschool, saying he had had enough of books, and needed to know moreof men and the world, and caused the dear woman much disappointmentby deciding to try a journalist's career. It was a blow; but sheknew that young minds cannot be driven, and that experience is thebest teacher; so she let him follow his own inclinations, stillhoping to see him in the pulpit. Aunt Jo raged when she found thatthere was to be a reporter in the family, and called him 'Jenkins'on the spot. She liked his literary tendencies, but had reason todetest official Paul Prys, as we shall see later. Demi knew his ownmind, however, and tranquilly carried out his plans, unmoved by thetongues of the anxious mammas or the jokes of his mates. UncleTeddy encouraged him, and painted a splendid career, mentioningDickens and other celebrities who began as reporters and ended asfamous novelists or newspaper men.
The girls were all flourishing. Daisy, as sweet anddomestic as ever, was her mother's comfort and companion. Josie atfourteen was a most original young person, full of pranks andpeculiarities, the latest of which was a passion for the stage,which caused her quiet mother and sister much anxiety as well asamusement. Bess had grown into a tall, beautiful girl lookingseveral years older than she was, with the same graceful ways anddainty tastes which the little Princess had, and a rich inheritanceof both the father's and mother's gifts, fostered by every aid loveand money could give. But the pride of the community was naughtyNan; for, like so many restless, wilful children, she was growinginto a woman full of the energy and promise that suddenly blossomswhen the ambitious seeker finds the work she is fitted to do well.Nan began to study medicine at sixteen, and at twenty was gettingon bravely; for now, thanks to other intelligent women, collegesand hospitals were open to her. She had never wavered in herpurpose from the childish days when she shocked Daisy in the oldwillow by saying: 'I don't want any family to fuss over. I shallhave an office, with bottles and pestle things in it, and driveround and cure folks. ' The future foretold by the little girl theyoung woman was rapidly bringing to pass, and finding so muchhappiness in it that nothing could win her from the chosen work.Several worthy young gentlemen had tried to make her change hermind and choose, as Daisy did, 'a nice little house and family totake care of'. But Nan only laughed, and routed the lovers byproposing to look at the tongue which spoke of adoration, orprofessionally felt the pulse in the manly hand offered for heracceptance. So all departed but one persistent youth, who was sucha devoted Traddles it was impossible to quench him.
This was Tom, who was as faithful to his childsweetheart as she to her 'pestle things', and gave a proof offidelity that touched her very much. He studied medicine for hersake alone, having no taste for it, and a decided fancy for amercantile life. But Nan was firm, and Tom stoutly kept on,devoutly hoping he might not kill many of his fellow-beings when hecame to practise. They were excellent friends, however, and causedmuch amusement to their comrades, by the vicissitudes of this merrylove-chase.
Both were approaching Plumfield on the afternoonwhen Mrs Meg and Mrs Jo were talking on the piazza. Not together;for Nan was walking briskly along the pleasant road alone, thinkingover a case that interested her, and Tom was pegging on behind toovertake her, as if by accident, when the suburbs of the city werepast— a little way of his, which was part of the joke.
Nan was a handsome girl, with a fresh colour, cleareye, quick smile, and the self-poised look young women with apurpose always have. She was simply and sensibly dressed, walkedeasily, and seemed full of vigour, with her broad shoulders wellback, arms swinging freely, and the elasticity of youth and healthin every motion. The few people she met turned to look at her, asif it was a pleasant sight to see a hearty, happy girl walkingcountryward that lovely day; and the red-faced young man steamingalong behind, hat off and every tight curl wagging with im