Of course you remember the boys, and what an awful
trial it used to be to have Ephraim about the place; well, he settled
down after a while, he always said the whipping his father gave him for
cutting up my clothes-lines and then lying about it was what made a man
of him. He attended school for three years, and then not wishing to work
on the farm, he struck out into the world for himself; he obtained a
situation in a mercantile house in Toronto, and I hear bids fair to make
a successful business man. George Washington has not entirely ceased to
grumble and look sulky; but there has been a wonderful change in one
respect, for there is now no harder working youth in the neighborhood;
he likes farming, and early and late may be found at his work. I don't
know but Nathan may have given him a hint that the old Taylor place may
one day be his own. I don't know how it is, the neighbors say it was
your Uncle Nathan and I who ever made any thing of those children.
Nathan said: 'Silas would never do much any way, and we had better try
and make something of the children,' and I certainly have done my best;
but it was uphill work for a long time; and I am glad that they have
profited by our efforts for their good."

CHAPTER XXIX.

Dr. Oswald was still the teacher of Fulton Academy, and many happy hours
were passed in the interchange of visits during our stay at Uncle
Nathan's; and I suppose I must inform my readers of a sentimental scene
which took place in Mr. Oswald's garden on a delightful evening in
midsummer, when, at my earnest entreaty, lovely Rose Oswald renewed the
promise made to me on that very spot just eight years ago; for my boyish
fancy had ripened into the strong man's love, and I felt that Rose
Oswald, as my wife, was all that was wanting to render me as happy as
one can reasonably expect to be in this world of change and vicissitude.
"If you are willing to resign yourself to my keeping," said I, "there is
no need of a long engagement, and when I leave Fulton I must take you
with me as my wife." "So soon, Walter." "Yes, Rose, _just so soon_. I
have long looked forward to this day, and now I almost count the minutes
till I can claim you as all my own," and so the matter was settled. When
Aunt Lucinda was informed of this arrangement she opened her eyes wide
in astonishment, and when she learned that the marriage was to take
place within a few days, she was highly delighted, "for", said she, "the
sun never