Join Host Bree Carlile as she reads the thirteenth chapter of Jo's Boys.

Come with us as we release one bite a day of one of your favorite classic novels, plays & short stories. Bree reads these classics like she reads to her daughter, one chapter a day. If you love books or audiobooks and want something to listen to as you're getting ready, driving to work, or as you're getting ready for bed, check out Bite at a Time Books!

Follow, rate, and review Bite at a Time Books where we read you your favorite classics, one bite at a time. Available wherever you listen to podcasts.

Check out our website, or join our Facebook Group!

Get exclusive Behind the Scenes content on our YouTube!

We are now part of the Bite at a Time Books Productions network!

If you ever wondered what inspired your favorite classic novelist to write their stories, what was happening in their lives or the world at the time, check out Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow us on all the socials: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - TikTok

Follow Bree at: Instagram - Twitter - Facebook

San the book and let's see what we can find.

Take it chapter by chapter, one bite at a time so many adventures and mountains we can climb.

Take it word for word, like by line.

One bite at a time.

My name is Brie Carlyle and I love to read and wanted to share my passion with listeners like you.

If you want to know what's coming next and vote on upcoming books, sign up for our newsletter@byetatimebooks.com.

You'll also find our new T shirts in the shop, including podcast shirts and quote shirts from your favorite classic novels.

Be sure to follow my show on your favorite podcast platform so you get all the new episodes.

You can find most of our links in the show notes, but also our website, Bytetimebooks.com includes all of the links for our show, including to our patreon to support the show, and YouTube, where we have special behind the narration of the episodes.

We're part of the bite at a Time books Productions network.

If you'd also like to hear what inspired your favorite classic authors to write their novels and what was going on in the world at the time, check out the Bite at a Time Books Behind the Story podcast.

Wherever you listen to podcasts, please note while we try to keep the text as close to the original as possible, some words have been changed to honor the marginalized communities who've identified the words as harmful and to stay in alignment with Bite at a Time book's brand values.

Today we'll be continuing Joe's Boys by Louisa May Alcott.

Chapter 13 nat's New Year.

I don't expect to hear from Emil yet.

And Nat writes regularly.

But where is Dan?

Only two or three postals since he went.

Such an energetic fellow as he is could buy up all the farms in Kansas by this time, said Mrs.

Joe one morning when the mail came in, and no card or envelope bore Dan's dashing hand.

He never writes often, you know, but does his work and then comes home.

Months and years seem to mean little to him, and he's probably prospecting in the wilderness.

Forgetful of time, answered Mr.

Bear deep in one of Nat's long letters from Leipzig.

But he promised he would let me know how he got on, and Dan keeps his word if he can.

I'm afraid something has happened to him.

Mrs.

Jo comforted herself by patting Don's head as he came at the sound of his master's name to look at her with eyes almost human in their wistful intelligence.

Don't worry, Mum dear, nothing ever happens to the old fellow.

He'll turn up all right and come stalking in someday with a gold mine in one pocket and a prairie in the other.

As jolly as a GRIG, said Ted, who was in no haste to deliver OCTU to a rightful owner.

Perhaps he's gone to Montana and given up the farm plan.

He seemed to like Indians best I thought, and Rob went to help his mother with her pile of letters and his cheerful suggestions.

I hope so.

It would suit him best, but I'm sure he would have told us his change of plan and sent for some money to work with.

No, I feel in my prophetic bones that something is wrong, said Mrs Jo, looking as solemn as fate in a breakfast cap.

Then we shall hear.

Ill news always travels fast.

Don't borrow trouble, Joe, but hear how well Nat is getting on.

I'd no idea the boy would care for anything but music.

My good friend Bomgarten has launched him well, and it will do him good if he lose not his head.

A good lad, but new to the world, and Leipzig is full of snares for the unwary got to be with him.

Professor Rednat's enthusiastic account of certain literary and musical parties he had been to the splendors of the opera, the kindness of his new friends, the delight of studying under such a master as Bergman, his hopes of rapid gain, and his great gratitude to those who had opened this enchanted world to him that now is satisfactory and comfortable.

I felt that Nat had unsuspected power in him before he went away.

He was so manly and full of excellent plans, said Mrs Joe in a satisfied tone.

We shall see.

He will doubtless get his lesson and be the better for it that comes to us in all our young days.

I hope it will not be too hard for our good youngling, answered the professor with a wise smile, remembering his own student life in Germany.

He was right, and Nat was already getting his lesson in life with a rapidity which would have astonished his friends at home.

The manliness over which Mrs Jo rejoiced was developing in unexpected ways and quiet.

Nat had plunged into the more harmless dissipations of the gay city with all the ARDR of an inexperienced youth taking his first sip of pleasure.

The entire freedom and sense of independence was delicious, for many benefits began to burden him and he longed to stand on his own legs and make his own way.

No one knew his past here, and with a well stocked wardrobe, a handsome at his bankers, and the best teacher in Leipzig, he made his debut as a musical young gentleman, presented by the much respected Professor Baer and the wealthy Mr Lawrence, who had many friends glad to throw open their houses to his protege.

Thanks to these introductions, his fluent German, modest manners and undeniable talent, the stranger was cordially welcomed and launched at once into a circle which many an ambitious young man strove in vain to enter.

All this rather turned Nat's head, and as he sat in the brilliant opera house, chatted among the ladies at some select coffee party, or whisked an eminent Professor's amiable daughter down the room, trying to imagine she was Daisy, he often asked himself.

If this gay fellow could be the poor, homeless little street musician who once stood waiting in the rain at the gates of Plumfield.

His heart was true, his impulse is good and his ambition's high, but the weak side of his nature came uppermost here.

Vanity led him astray, pleasure intoxicated him, and for a time he forgot everything but the delights of this new and charming life.

Without meaning to deceive, he allowed people to imagine him a youth of good family and prospects.

He boasted a little of Mr.

Lori's wealth and influence, of Professor Bear's eminence, and the flourishing college at which he himself had been educated.

Mrs.

Jo was introduced to the sentimental Fraw Lines, who read her books, and the charms and virtues of his own dear maid Chin confided to the sympathetic Mamas.

All these boyish boastings and innocent vanities were duly circulated among the gossips, and his importance much increased thereby to a surprise and gratification, as well as some shame.

But they bore fruit that was bitter in the end for finding that he was considered one of the upper class.

It very soon became impossible for him to live in the humble quarters he had chosen, or to lead the studious, quiet life planned for him.

He met other students, young officers and gay fellows of all sorts, and was flattered at being welcomed among them.

Though it was a costly pleasure and often left a thorn of regret to Vex's honest conscience, he was tempted to take better rooms in a more fashionable street, leaving good fraud Tetzel to lament his loss and his artist's neighbor, Frauline Vogelstein to shake our grey ringlets and predict his return.

A sadder and a wiser man, some placed at his disposal for expenses, and such simple pleasures as his busy life could command seemed a fortune to Nat, though it was smaller than generous.

Mr.

Lorry first proposed Professor Baer wisely counseled prudence as Nat was unused to the care of money, and the good man knew the temptations that a well filled purse makes possible at this pleasure loving age.

So Nat enjoyed his handsome little apartment immensely, and insensibly let many at unaccustomed luxuries creep in.

He loved his music and never missed a lesson, but the hours he should have spent in patient practice were too often wasted at theater, ball, beer, garden or club, doing no harm beyond that waste of precious time and money not his own, for he had no vices and took his recreation like a gentleman.

So far, but slowly.

A change for the worse was beginning to show itself, and he felt it.

These first steps along the flowery road were downward, not upward, and a constant sense of disloyalty, which soon began to haunt him, made Nat feel.

In a few quiet hours he gave himself that all was not well with him, spite of the happy whirl in which he lived.

Another month, and then I'll be steady, he said, more than once, trying to excuse the delay by the fact that all was new to him, that his friends at home wished him to be happy and that society was giving him the polish he needed.

But as each month slipped away, it grew harder to escape.

He was inevitably drawn on, and it was so easy to drift with the tide that he deferred the evil day as long as possible.

Winter festivities followed the more wholesome summer pleasures and Nat found them more costly, for the hospitable ladies expected some return from the stranger and carriages, bouquets, theater tickets and all the little expenses.

A young man cannot escape at such times.

Told heavily on the purse which seemed bottomless at first.

Taking Mr.

Lori for his model, nat became quite a gallant and was universally liked.

For through all the newly acquired heirs and graces the genuine honesty and simplicity of his character plainly shown winning confidence and affection from all who knew him.

Among these was a certain amiable old lady with a musical daughter, well born but poor and very anxious to marry the aforesaid daughter to some wealthy man.

Matt's little fictions concerning his prospects and friends charmed the nyang frau as much as his music and devoted manners did the sentimental Mina.

Their quiet parlor seemed homelike and restful to Nat when tired of Gayer's scenes and the motherly interest of the elder lady was sweet and comfortable to him.

All the tender blue eyes of the pretty girl were always so full of welcome when he came, of regret when he left and of admiration when he played to her that he found it impossible to keep away from this attractive spot.

He meant no harm and feared no danger having confided to the frown mama that he was betrothed.

So he continued to call Little dreaming.

What ambitious hopes the old lady cherished, nor the peril there was in receiving the adoration of a romantic German girl till it was too late to spare her pain and himself great regret.

Of course, some inkling of these new and agreeable experiences got into the voluminous letters.

He never was too gay, too busy, or too tired to write each week.

And while Daisy rejoiced over his happiness and success and the boys laughed at the idea of old Chirper coming out as a society man the elders looked sober and said among themselves he's going too fast.

He must have a word of warning or trouble may come.

But Mr.

Lori said, oh, let him have his fling.

He's been dependent and repressed long enough.

He can't go far with the money he has.

And I've no fear of his getting into debt.

He's too timid and too honest to be reckless.

It is his first taste of freedom.

Let him enjoy it, and he'll work the better by and by.

I know.

And I'm sure I'm right.

So the warnings were very gentle, and the good people waited anxiously to hear more of hard study and less of splendid times.

Daisy sometimes wondered with a pang of her faithful heart if one of the charming Mina's, Hildegards or Lutchens mentioned were not stealing her Nat away from her.

But she never asked, always wrote calmly and cheerfully, and looked in vain for any hint of change in the letters that were worn out with much reading.

Month after month slipped away till the holidays came with gifts, good wishes and brilliant festivities.

Nat expected to enjoy himself very much and did it first, for a German Christmas is a spectacle worth seeing.

But he paid dearly for the abandon with which he threw himself into the gaieties of that memorable week.

And on New Year's Day the reckoning came.

It seemed as if some malicious fairy had prepared the surprises that arrived, so unwelcome were they so magical, the change they wrought, turning his happy world into a scene of desolation and despair as suddenly as a transformation at the pantomime.

The first came in the morning, when, dually armed with costly bouquets and bonbons, he went to thank Mina and her mother for the braces embroidered with forget me knots and the silk socks knit by the old lady's nimble fingers which she had found upon his table that day.

The frown Mama received him graciously, but when he asked for the daughter, the good lady frankly demanded what his intentions were, adding that certain gossip which had reached her ear made it necessary for him to declare himself or come no more, as Mina's peace must not be compromised.

A more panic stricken youth was seldom seen than Nat.

As he received this unexpected demand, he saw too late that his American style of Galleon tree had deceived the artless girl and might be used with terrible effect by the artful mother if she chose to do it.

Nothing but the truth could save him, and he had the honor and honesty to tell it faithfully.

A sad scene followed.

Fernat was obliged to strip off his fictitious splendor, confess himself only a poor student, and humbly ask pardon for the thoughtless freedom with which he had enjoyed their two confiding hospitality.

If he had any doubts of Frau Schomberg's motives and desires, they were speedily set at rest by the frankness with which she showed her disappointment, the vigor with which she scolded him, and the scorn with which she cast him off.

When her splendid castles in the air collapsed, the sincerity of Nat's penitent softened her little, and she consented to a farewell word with Mina, who had listened at the keyhole and was produced, drenched in tears, to fall on Nat's bosom, crying thou dear one, never can I forget thee, though my heart is broken.

This was worse than the Scolding, for the stout lady also wept, and it was only after much German gush and twaddle that he escaped feeling like another worther.

While the deserted lot consoled herself with the bon bonds her mother with the more valuable gifts.

The second surprise arrived as he dined with Professor Baumgarten.

His appetite had been effectually taken away by the scene of the morning.

And his spirits received another damper when a fellow student cheerfully informed him that he was about to go to America and should make it his agreeable duty to call on the Lieber heir, Professor Baer, to tell him how gaily his protege was disporting himself at Leipzig.

Nat's heart died within him, as he imagined the effect these glowing tales would have at Plumfield.

Not that he had willfully deceived them, but in his letters, many things were left untold.

And when Carlson added with a friendly wink that he would merely hint at the coming betrothal of the Pheromina, and his heart's friend, Nat found himself devotedly hoping that this other inconvenient heart's friend might go to the bottom of the sea before he reached Plumfield, to blast all his hopes by these tales of a misfit winter.

Collecting his wits, he cautioned Carlson with what he flattered himself was mephistophelian art, and gave him such confused directions that it would be a miracle if he ever found Professor Bear.

But the dinner was spoilt for Nat, and he got away as soon as possible to wander disconsolately about the streets with no heart for the theatre or the supper he was to share with some gay comrades.

Afterwards, he comforted himself a little by giving alms to sundry beggars, making two children happy with gilded gingerbread, and drinking a lonely glass of beer in which he toasted its daisy and wished himself a better year than the last had been.

Going home at length, he found a third surprise awaiting him in the shower of bills which had descended upon him like a snowstorm, burying him in an avalanche of remorse, despair and self disgust.

Mia's bills were so many and so large that he was startled and dismayed, for, as Mr Bear wisely predicted, he knew little about the value of money.

It would take every dollar at the bankers to pay them all at once and leave him penniless for the next six months, unless he wrote home for more.

He would rather starve than do that, and his first impulse was to seek help at the gaming table whither his new friends had often tempted him.

But he had promised Mr Bear to resist what then had seemed an impossible temptation, and now he would not add another fault to the list already so long borrow.

He would not nor beg.

What could he do?

For these appalling bills must be paid and the lessons go on, or his journey was an ignomious failure.

But he must live meantime.

And how?

Bowed down with remorse for the folly of these months, he sought too late whether he was drifting and for hours paced up and down his pretty rooms, floundering in a slough of despond, with no helping hands to pull him out at least he thought so.

Till letters are brought in, and among fresh bills lay one well worn envelope with an American stamp in the corner.

How welcome it was.

How eagerly he read the long pages, full of affectionate wishes from all at home, for everyone had sent a line, and as each familiar name appeared, his eyes grew dimmer and dimmer, till as he read the last, god bless my boy.

Mother Bear.

He broke down, and laying his head on his arms, blistered that paper with the rain of tears that eased his heart and washed away the boyish sins that now lay so heavy on his conscience.

Near people.

How they love and trust me, and how bitterly they would be disappointed if they knew what a fool I've been.

I'll fiddle in the streets again before I'll ask for help from them.

Cried Nat, brushing away the tears of which he was ashamed, although he felt the good they had done.

Now he seemed to see more clearly what to do, for the helping hand had been stretched across the sea, and Love, the dear Evangelist, had lifted him out of the slough and shown him the narrow gate beyond which deliverance lay when the letter had been reread.

And one corner where a daisy was painted, passionately kissed, nutt felt strong enough to face the worst and conquer it.

Every bill should be paid, every soluble thing of his own sold, these costly rooms given up, and once back with thrifty fraud Tetzel, he would find work of some sort by which to support himself, as many another student did.

He must give up the new friends, turn his back on the gay life, cease to be a butterfly and take his place among the grubs.

It was the only honest thing to do.

Very hard for the poor fellow to crush his little vanities, renounce the delights so dear to the young, own his folly, and step down from his pedestal to be pitied, laughed at and forgotten.

It took all Nat's pride and courage to do this, for his was a sensitive nature.

Esteem was very precious to him, failure very bitter, and nothing but the inborn contempt for meanness and deceit kept him from asking help or trying to hide his need by some dishonest device.

As he sat alone that night, mr Bear's words came back to him with curious clearness, and he saw himself a boy again at Plumfield, punishing his teacher as a lesson to himself when Timidity had made him lie.

He shall not suffer for me again, and I won't be a sneak.

If I am a fool, I'll go and tell Professor Baumgarten all about it and ask his advice.

I'd rather face a loaded cannon, but it must be done.

Then I'll sell out, pay my debts, and go back where I belong.

Better be an honest popper than a jackdaw among peacocks.

Annatte smiled in the midst of his trouble as he looked about him at the little elegancies of his room, remembering what he came from.

He kept his word.

Manfully and was much comforted to find that his experience was an old story to the professor, who approved his plan, thinking wisely that the discipline would be good for him, and was very kind in offering help and promising to keep the secret of his folly from his friend Bear till Nat had redeemed himself.

The first week of the New Year was spent by our prodigal in carrying out his plan with penitent dispatch and his birthday found him alone in the little room high up at Frau Tetzel's, with nothing of his former splendor but sundry unsoliable keepsakes from the buxom maidens who mourned his absence deeply.

His male friends had ridiculed pitied and soon left him alone, with one or two exceptions, who offered their purses generously and promised to stand by him.

He was lonely and heavy hearted, and sat brooding over his small fire as he remembered the last New Year's Day at Plumfield, when at this hour he was dancing with his daisy.

A tap of the door roused him, and with a careless you're in, he waited to see who had climbed so far for his sake.

It was the good FROW, proudly bearing a tray, on which stood a bottle of wine and an astonishing cake bedecked with sugar plums of every hue and crowned with candles.

Rawline Vogelstein followed, embracing a blooming rose tree above which her great curls waved and her friendly face beamed joyfully as she cried, dear Ere Black, we bring you greetings and a little gift or two in honor of this ever to be remembered day.

Best wishes, and may the New Year bloom for you as beautifully as we, your heartwarm friends, desire.

Yes, yes, in truth we do.

Dear heir, added Rautzel, eat of this with joy, made Kuchin, and drink to the health of the faraway beloved ones in the good wine.

Amused yet touched by the kindness of the good souls, nat thanked them both and made them stay to enjoy the humble feast with him.

This they gladly did, being motherly women, full of pity for the dear youth whose straits they knew, and having substantial help to offer, as well as kind words and creature comforts.

Proud Tetzel, with some hesitation, mentioned a friend of hers who, forced by illness to leave his place in the orchestra of a second rate theater, would gladly offer it to Nat if he could accept so humble a position, blushing and toying with the roses like a shy girl.

Good old Vogelstein asked if in his leisure moments he could give English lessons in the young lady's school where she taught painting, adding that a small but certain salary would be paid him.

Gratefully.

Nat accepted both offers, finding it less humiliating to be helped by women than by friends of his own sex.

This work would support him in a frugal way, and certain musical drudgery promised by his master, assured his own teaching.

Delighted with the success of their little plot, these friendly neighbors left him with cheery words, warm hand grasps and faces beaming with feminine satisfaction at the hearty kiss.

Nat put on each faded cheek as the only return he could make for all their helpful kindness.

It was strange how much brighter the world looked after that.

For hope was a better cordial than the wine, and good resolutions bloomed as freshly as the little rose tree that filled the room with fragrance as Nat woke the echoes with the dear old heirs, finding now, as always, his best comforter in music to whom henceforth he swore to be a more loyal subject.

Thank you for joining Bite at a Time books today while we read a bite of one of your favorite classics.

Again, my name is Brie Carlyle and I hope you come back tomorrow for the next bite of Joe's Boys.

Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter@bytetimebooks.com and check out the shop.

You can check out the show notes or our website bytitimebooks.com for the rest of the links for our show.

We'd love to hear from you on social media as well.

Take a look and a book and let's see what we can find.

Taking chapter by chapter, one at a time so many adventures and mountains we can climb take it word for word, line by line, one bite at a time close us.