Franz was with a merchant kinsman in Hamburg , a man of twenty-six now , and doing well . Emil was the jolliest tar that ever ` sailed the ocean blue ' . His uncle sent him on a long voyage to disgust him with this adventurous life ; but he came home so delighted with it that it was plain this was his profession , and the German kinsman gave him a good chance in his ships ; so the lad was happy . Dan was a wanderer still ; for after the geological researches in South America he tried sheep-farming in Australia , and was now in California looking up mines . Nat was busy with music at the Conservatory , preparing for a year or two in Germany to finish him off . Tom was studying medicine and trying to like it . Jack was in business with his father , bent on getting rich . Dolly was in college with Stuffy and Ned reading law . Poor little Dick was dead , so was Billy ; and no one could mourn for them , since life would 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 former as gentle as any sheep that ever baaed . Mrs Jo called him ` my daughter ' , and found him the most dutiful of children , with plenty of manliness underlying the quiet manners and tender nature . But in Ted she seemed to see all the faults , whims , aspirations , and fun of her own youth in a new shape . With his tawny locks always in wild confusion , his long legs and arms , loud voice , and continual activity , Ted was a prominent figure at Plumfield . He had his moods of gloom , and fell into the Slough of Despond about once a week , to be hoisted out by patient Rob or his mother , who understood when to let him alone and when to shake him up . He was her pride and joy as well as torment , being a very bright lad for his age , and so full of all sorts of budding talent , that her maternal mind was much exercised as to what this remarkable boy would become . Demi had gone through College with honour , and Mrs Meg had set her heart on his being a minister -- picturing in her fond fancy the first sermon her dignified young parson would preach , as well as the long , useful , and honoured life he was to lead . But John , as she called him now , firmly declined the divinity school , saying he had had enough of books , and needed to know more of men and the world , and caused the dear woman much disappointment by deciding to try a journalist 's career . It was a blow ; but she knew that young minds can not be driven , and that experience is the best teacher ; so she let him follow his own inclinations , still hoping to see him in the pulpit . Aunt Jo raged when she found that there was to be a reporter in the family , and called him ` Jenkins ' on the spot . She liked his literary tendencies , but had reason to detest official Paul Prys , as we shall see later .
XXXXX knew his own mind , however , and tranquilly carried out his plans , unmoved by the tongues of the anxious mammas or the jokes of his mates .
California Demi Despond Hamburg Jenkins John Nat Ned Rob Stuffy