few times when the children had been taken for rides behind the large team
of oxen. But he had never been away from the poorhouse farm, and when they
passed from the driveway on to the public highway, he remembered that the
children had been forbidden to leave the place, and he wondered what it all
meant. He was not troubled, however, for Mr. Engler knew of his going, and
he reasoned that since he was not going of his own accord, it must be all
right.

As there was nothing else for him to do as he and his uncle rode along, he
began to look about at the many interesting things. The herds in the large
meadow-lands reminded him of the poorhouse cattle, and as he saw the little
"jumper-men" skipping about in the tall grass, so many pleasant
recollections were brought to his mind that he laughed aloud. They met
other horses and buggies similar to their own as well as covered carriages,
and passed some horses quite like his uncle's tied to hitching-racks in
front of houses or running about in the rich pasturelands.

The musical birds also added much to the boy's enjoyment when he heard them
now and then singing in some tree-top or bower, but all that he thought
about any of the beautiful things around him was unexpressed and securely
fastened within his little mind for future meditation. His small store of
knowledge had been gained in this way, but it seemed to be God's method of
teaching him the lessons that in later years would be the most useful to
him.

Occasionally he turned to look at the "big man" by his side, and each time
beneath the poverty-branded garments there throbbed a heart full of the
deepest esteem, and his desire to do his very best to win the confidence
and friendship of his new companion was strong. This was not a new impulse
in Edwin, for he had always endeavored to please every one, and in doing