refused his protection for her son.

"'The Lord Jesus Christ,' added she, 'is the dear Friend I spoke of, my
dear madam, and the One I am afraid to offend by accepting Mr. Blake's
offer. You are welcome to tell Mr. Blake all I say.'

"Mrs. Blake made no answer, but got up, and, wishing Marten's mother
and Mrs. Short a good-morning, went away very much offended.

"When Mrs. Short was left with the sick woman she failed not to speak
her mind to her, and that very plainly, by telling her that she
considered her little better than a fool for what she had done.

"Marten's mother answered: 'I am willing to be counted a fool for
Christ's sake.'

"The next day Marten's mother sent for Squire Broom; and when she had
told him all that had passed between herself and Mrs. Blake, she asked
him if he would take charge of poor little Marten when she was dead,
and also of what little money she might leave behind her; and see that
the child was put to a good school. Squire Broom promised that he would
be a friend to the boy to the best of his power, and Marten's mother
was sure that he would do what he promised, for he was a good man. And
now, not to make our story too long, I must tell you that Marten's
mother grew weaker and weaker, and about three weeks after she had had
this conversation with Mrs. Blake she was found one morning dead in her
bed; and it was supposed she died without pain, as Susan, the maid, who
slept in the same room, had not heard her move or utter a sigh. She was
buried in Tenterden churchyard, and Squire Broom, as he had promised,
took charge of all her affairs.

"And now, after having done with little Marten's good mother, I shall
give you the history of the little boy himself, from the day when he
was awoke and found his poor mother dead; and you shall judge whether
God heard his mother's prayer, and whether He took care of the poor
little orphan.

"Marten's mother was buried on Saturday evening. On Sunday little
Marten went and stood by his mother's grave, and no one but Susan could
persuade him to come away. On Monday morning Squire Broom came in a
one-horse chaise to take him to school at Ashford. The master of the
school at that time was a conscientious man but Squire Broom did not
know that he was so severe in the management of children as he proved
to be.

"Little Marten cried very much when he was put into the one-horse
chaise with Squire Broom.

"'Oh, let me stay with Susan! let me live with