t. He had
been pitying him because he was obliged to leave his home, to live with
his uncle among strangers; and now he himself was to have just such an
experience. He little thought, when he was conversing with Charlie about
this unpleasant feature of Marcus' life, that he would be obliged to try
it himself so soon. But it was so. Marcus came to reside with his uncle
in a community of strangers, and now Nat is going to reside with _his_
uncle, where faces are no more familiar. It was a singular circumstance,
and Nat could but view it in that light.

We have no space to devote to this part of Nat's life. We can only say,
that it was decided to send him to his uncle's, and that he went at the
earliest opportunity. It would be interesting to trace his interviews
with his bosom companions before his departure--the sad disappointment
that was felt by each party at the separation--the regrets of Charlie
over frustrated plans in consequence of this step--the preparations for
the journey--his leave of his native village--the long ride, by private
conveyance, with his parents, to his new residence--and his introduction
to a new sphere of labor.

He was absent three years, in which time he added several inches to his
stature, and not a little to his stock of information. We will only say
of this period, however, that his leisure hours were spent in
self-improvement, and he was supplied with books, and had some other
sources of information, such as public lectures, opened to him in the
place. On the whole, these three years were important ones to him, so
that there was a gain to set over against the loss he sustained in
bidding adieu to well-laid plans for improvement in his birth-place.

CHAPTER XVI.

FINDING A LOST OPPORTUNITY.

It was a few weeks after Nat's return to his native place, where he was
most cordially welcomed by his old companions, Charlie and Frank in
particular. He was now an apprentice in the machine-shop, a stirring,
healthy youth of about seventeen years.

"What have you there?" said Charlie to him, as he saw Nat take a book
from his pocket to spend a leisure moment over it.

"My grammar," answered Nat, smiling.

"Have you discovered that you can't write a letter with propriety
without it?" inquired Charlie, referring rather jocosely to a scene we
have sketched.

"I am pretty thoroughly convinced of that," responded Nat. "At any rate,
I shall find that lost opportunity if I can. Better now