` No ; I do n't think so in your case . So far I 'm sure the free life was best . Now that you are a man you can control that lawless nature better ; but as a boy only great activity and much adventure could keep you out of mischief . Time is taming my colt , you see , and I shall yet be proud of him , whether he makes a pack-horse of himself to carry help to the starving or goes to ploughing as Pegasus did . ' Dan liked the comparison , and smiled as he lounged in the sofa-corner , with the new thoughtfulness in his eyes . ` Glad you think so . The fact is it 's going to take a heap of taming to make me go well in harness anywhere . I want to , and I try now and then , but always kick over the traces and run away . No lives lost yet ; but I should n't wonder if there was some time , and a general smash-up . ' ` Why , Dan , did you have any dangerous adventures during this last absence ? I fancied so , but did n't ask before , knowing you 'd tell me if I could help in any way . Can I ? ' And Mrs Jo looked anxiously at him ; for a sudden lowering expression had come into his face , and he leaned forward as if to hide it . ` Nothing very bad ; but ` Frisco is n't just a heaven on earth , you know , and it 's harder to be a saint there than here , ' he answered slowly ; then , as if he had made up his mind to '' fess ' , as the children used to say , he sat up , and added rapidly , in a half-defiant , half-shamefaced way , ' I tried gambling , and it was n't good for me . ' ` Was that how you made your money ? ' ` Not a penny of it ! That 's all honest , if speculation is n't a bigger sort of gambling . I won a lot ; but I lost or gave it away , and cut the whole concern before it got the better of me . ' ` Thank heaven for that ! Do n't try it again ; it may have the terrible fascination for you it has for so many .
Keep to your mountains and prairies , and shun cities , if these things tempt you , XXXXX .
Dan Frisco Jo Pegasus colt fess money pack-horse smash-up sofa-corner