and when
(as was often the case) Uncle Nathan rallied me upon the subject, I
replied, with much dignity, (as I thought) that I preferred studying
with Willie and Rose, on account of Mr. Oswald being at hand to assist
us. "It's all right, Walter" he would reply, "you and little Rose will
make a handsome couple ten years from now, and I only hope I may live
to see the day, for it won't do to have too many old bachelors in the
family", and, with a roguish look at Aunt Lucinda, "to say nothing of old
maids." My Aunt would snappishly tell him to "let the boy alone, and not
be always teasing him," adding that at his time of life it ill became
him to talk such nonsense; and, if Uncle Nathan wished to make her
particularly angry he would reply, "if I am old, you are certainly two
years older," and my aunt, who made it a point always to have the last
word would say, as a closing argument, she hoped her years had taught
her a little wisdom at any rate, but as for him he seemed to grow more
foolish and light-minded with each year that was added to his age. I
presume if any one else had dared to make this remark of Uncle Nathan
they would have learned that he had an able defender in the person of
his sister.

The winter passed away, till March came in with its piercing winds; and
to me, if it had been a busy winter, it had also been a very happy one.
With my studies, and companions at my labours at home, time passed
swiftly, and I received frequent letters from my mother and sister, and
also from Charley Gray. But this pleasant state of things was destined
to continue but a short time, a dark cloud was even then hovering over
me, which was soon to burst in terror over my head. Before the winter
was over many of the boys at school began among themselves to accuse our
teacher of an unjust partiality toward me, whether with or without cause
I am unable to say. Mr. Oswald was a very estimable man, but he had very
strong feelings, and was inclined to form his opinion of one at first
sight; if that opinion chanced to be favourable, you were all right; if
the reverse, he sometimes failed to give one credit for whatever of good
there might be in them. I charge it to no superior merit in myself, but
I believe from the very first I was a favourite with our teacher. I
studied hard, and endeavoured to give no trouble by misconduct, though
I doubtless had my faults as well as others. It may be that Mr. Oswald
sometimes allowed his feelings to