thirteen, a kind and encouraging word is worth much. Surely thought I,
every one is not like Farmer Judson, and can I not find some place
where, if I do my best to please, I shall not be continually scolded and
blamed; and, after retiring to rest, I lay awake, revolving all these
thing's in my boyish mind till I mentally decided that, come what would,
I _could not_ return to the Farmer. It was far into the hours of night
before I slept, and then my sleep was harassed by frightful dreams, in
all of which Farmer Judson acted a prominent part. From my earliest
recollection, the counsels and pious example of my mother had exercised
a powerful influence upon my mind and character. She was naturally
cheerful and hopeful, and her heart had long been under the influence of
a deep and devoted piety, which exhibited itself in her every-day life.
She never allowed herself to be too much cast down by the petty
annoyances of life. I am an old man now, and the silver threads are
beginning to mingle in my hair, but I can yet see my mother as I saw her
the next morning when I went down stairs, and in a pleasant cheerful
voice she enquired if I had slept well. I gave an evasive reply, for I
did not like to tell her what a restless, miserable night I had passed.
When the breakfast things were cleared away, my mother seated herself by
my side, and said: "Upon reflection, my son, I have decided that you had
best not return to Mr. Judson." These were joyful words to me, for I had
feared my mother would decide otherwise, and I had never disobeyed her,
but it would have been hard, _very_ hard for me to obey had she wished
me to return to my employer. Little Flora was, if possible, more pleased
than myself at the decision; with a low cry of joy, she threw her arms
around my neck, saying "Oh! Walter, I am _so_ glad that Mamma will not
send you back to that old man." Poor child, she had never before been
separated from her brother, and she had sadly missed her playmate during
the past year. "Although," continued my mother "you may not have been
free from blame, I think Mr. Judson acted very wrong. If, as I trust, is