he lash. I
have no doubt that his conduct may in many instances have been
blameable. I am sorry that he allowed himself at the last to speak
disrespectfully to you, but you must be aware that his provocation
was great, and we must not look for perfection in a boy of thirteen.
Considering all things, I think he had best remain no longer in your
employ; for to subject him longer to a temper so capricious as yours,
would be, I fear, to injure his disposition."

Mr. Judson was unable to gainsay one word my mother had said, and to
conceal his mortification got into a towering passion, and used some
very severe language which deeply wounded my mother's feelings. As he
strode angrily from the room he said, "You need not expect anything else
but to come to beggary if you keep a great fellow like that lazin' round
in idleness, and I, for one, shall not pity you, depend on't." With
these words he left the house, closing the door after him with a loud
bang. It was indeed a welcome relief when he left us alone. My little
sister had crept close to me the moment the angry Farmer entered the
room, where she remained: trembling with fear till he was fairly out of
hearing, when she exclaimed, "I hope that ugly old man will never come
here again. Wasn't you afraid, Mamma?"

"No, dear," replied my mother, with a smile; "and let us hope if ever he
does visit us again he will be in a better temper."

I wished at once to set about looking for another situation; but my
mother advised me to remain at home and rest for a time. Little Flora
was delighted when she found that I was to remain at home, for a time
at least.

CHAPTER VI.

Not far from our humble dwelling stood the residence of Dr. Gray, the
village physician. His only child was a son of nearly the same age as
myself, and we had been firm friends from the days of early childhood.
When of sufficient age we were sent to the same school, where we
occupied the same desk, and often conned our daily lessons from the same
book. The uncommon friendship existing between us had often been
remarked by the villagers. This intimacy was somewhat singular, as
our natures were very dissimilar, it may be this very dissimilarity
attracted us the more strongly to each other. From infancy the
disposition of Charley Gray was marked by peculiarities which will
appear in the course of my story. When at school he made but few friends
among his companions; and the few friendships he did form were