" he replied, with emphasis, "He was her
idol. No mother ever loved a son with more self-devotion than Mrs.
Hammond loved her beautiful, fine-spirited, intelligent, affectionate
boy. To say that she was proud of him, is but a tame expression.
Intense love--almost idolatry--was the strong passion of her heart. How
tender, how watchful was her love! Except when at school, he was
scarcely ever separated from her. In order to keep him by her side, she
gave up her thoughts to the suggestion and maturing of plans for
keeping his mind active and interested in her society--and her success
was perfect. Up to the age of sixteen or seventeen, I do not think he
had a desire for other companionship than that of his mother. But this,
you know, could not last. The boy's maturing thought must go beyond the
home and social circle. The great world, that he was soon to enter, was
before him; and through loopholes that opened here and there he
obtained partial glimpses of what was beyond. To step forth into this
world, where he was soon to be a busy actor and worker, and to step
forth alone, next came in the natural order of progress. How his mother
trembled with anxiety, as she saw him leave her side! Of the dangers
that would surround his path, she knew too well; and these were
magnified by her fears--at least so I often said to her. Alas! how far
the sad reality has outrun her most fearful anticipations.

"When Willy was eighteen--he was then reading law--I think I never saw
a young man of fairer promise. As I have often heard it remarked of
him, he did not appear to have a single fault. But he had a dangerous
gift--rare conversational powers, united with great urbanity of manner.
Every one who made his acquaintance became charmed with his society;
and he soon found himself surrounded by a circle of young men, some of
whom were not the best companions he might have chosen. Still, his own
pure instincts and honorable principles were his safeguard; and I never
have believed that any social allurements would have drawn him away
from the right path, if this accursed tavern had not been opened by
Slade."

"There was a tavern here before the 'Sickle and Sheaf' was opened?"
said I.

"Oh, yes. But it was badly kept, and the bar-room visitors were of the
lowest class. No respectable young man in Cedarville would have been
seen there. It offered no temptations to one moving in Willy's circle.
But the opening of the 'Sickle and Sheaf' formed a