appeared to be disconcerted at this pointed attack of uncle Jacob.

"Amanda, I will talk so, I must talk so," said poor uncle, rising. "How
can ye reconcile it to religion, to justice, or to charity, the snares
and plots laid by you, miss, in company with those _men of God_, to rob
that poor child Paul, and his little sister and brothers, of their
ancient, noble, and holy religion? Fie, fie, fie! Is it such conduct you
call religion? It is the very reverse. It resembled more the conduct of
the serpent in paradise, than that of the meek disciples of Jesus
Christ. It was more like the religious profession of Herod, to get the
Child at Bethlehem into his clutches, than anything else we read of,
your conduct was. There is more Bible for you, Mr. Grinoble," said he,
slamming the door after him, and retiring to his room.

"'Tis not much use attempting to convert such an old hardened sinner,"
said Grinoble, smothering his mortification at the rebuff of uncle
Jacob.

"That Paul has ruined him," said Amanda. "I would not be a bit
surprised if he died a Papist yet."

"Sure you would not let the Popish priest visit him, on any account?"
said the tolerant parson.

"I fear pa would, for you know uncle Jacob left him this farm, and more
than half what he possesses in money and stock. Come, tea is ready."

Poor uncle Prying, as we have said already, was the senior brother of
Ephraim and Reuben Prying, and was now about seventy-two years of age.
During the last twenty years of his life he labored under a slight