humour than
usual I mustered up courage, and told him what the boys had written,
but my sakes' alive, Walter, if you'd a seen the storm it raised in our
house; it fairly took my breath away, and I didn't know for a while,
Walter, if my head was off or on; you may think you have seen Mr. Judson
angry, but you never saw him any thing like what he was that day. I must
not repeat all he said, to you, but he concluded by saying: 'The boys
went away without my consent; you connived to get them off, and if ever
you mention their names to me again you'll wish you hadn't, that's all;'
and from that day to this their names have never been mentioned between
us. They still write often to me and some day I'll show you their
letters. I suppose it was wrong for me to speak so freely to you (who
are only a little boy) of my husband's failings, but somehow I couldn't
help it, and it does me good to talk about my boys. I don't know as Mr.
Judson can help his harsh, stern way, for it seems to come natural to
him; but I can't help thinking he might govern his temper, if he would
only try; as it is I try to do my duty by him, and make the best of what
I cannot help; and every day for years I have prayed that a better mind
may be given him by Him who governs all things, and that is all I can
do."

After the above conversation, I more then ever regarded the old lady
with pity, and sought by every means to lighten her cheerless lot. But
the kindness which his wife evinced toward me only served to render Mr.
Judson more harsh and unfeeling in his treatment. I remember one day
hearing him say to his wife in a tone of much displeasure, "You spoiled
your own boys, and set them agin me, and now you are beginning to fuss
over this lazy chap in the same way; but I'll let you know who's master
_here_." Hard as was my lot at this time, my anxiety to lighten the
cares of my mother caused me to bear it with a degree of patience which
I have often since wondered at. I was fearful if I left this place I
could not readily obtain another, and I toiled on, never informing my
mother of the trials to which I was daily subjected. For a whole year I
endured the caprice and severity of Farmer Judson. I had long felt that
I could not much longer endure a life, which (to me) had become almost
intolerable; and on the day of the incident noticed in the opening
chapter of my story, my naturally high temper rose above control, and
I left Farmer Judson's and returned to