contribute what they could to the support of the family. The youngest
child, Jane, was but eleven years of age, and went to school. Mrs.
Somers's brother, a feeble old man, a soldier in the war of 1812, and a
pensioner of the government, had been a member of the family for twenty
years; and was familiarly known in town as "Gran'ther Green."

Having thus made our readers acquainted with Pinchbrook and the Somers
family, we are prepared to continue our story.

Thomas and John walked down to the Harbor together after dinner. The
latter had listened with interest and approbation to his brother's account
of the "Battle of Pinchbrook," as he facetiously called it; and perhaps he
thought Thomas might need his assistance before he reached the store, for
Fred and his father would not probably be willing to let the matter rest
where they had left it.

We are sorry not to be able to approve all the acts of the hero of this
volume; but John, without asking our opinion, fully indorsed the action of
his brother.

"Fred is a traitor, and so is his father," said he, as they passed out at
the front gate of the little cottage.

"That's so, Jack; and it made my blood boil to hear them talk," replied
Thomas. "And I couldn't help calling things by their right names."

"Bully for you, Tom!" added John, as he turned round, and glanced at the
house to assure himself they were out of the hearing of their mother.
"Between you and me, Tom, there will be music in Pinchbrook to-night."