m visited home but seldom. Even when at Burnsville, he came over
scarcely once in three months. Often, when expecting him, his mother
would sit by the window the whole afternoon, watching for her son to
arrive. Many a time was supper kept hot for him till late into the
night, while she sat up alone to greet him; but he did not come. I
hardly know how to record it, but I am forced to say that Hiram cared
very little about his mother. Could he have possibly cared much for
anybody, he would probably for her, for he knew how her heart was bound
up in him. He knew it, and, I think, rather pitied the old lady for her
weakness. His manner toward her was all that could be desired--very
dutiful, very respectful. So it was to his father. For Hiram did not
forget the statement of his Sunday-school teacher, which was made when
he was a very young child, about the 'commandment _with promise_.' Thus
his conduct toward his parents was, like his conduct generally,
unexceptionable.

For Frank, the eldest, however, Hiram felt a peculiar aversion. It was a
long time before the former entertained any other feeling for his
'little brother' than one of the most affectionate regard. By many years
the youngest of the family, Hiram, while a child, was the pet and
plaything of the older ones, and especially of Frank, who in his college
vacations took pleasure in training the little fellow, who was just
learning his letters, and in teaching him smart sayings and cunning
expressions. As Hiram grew up and began to display the characteristics I
have already so fully described, Frank, who was quick and sensitive in
his appreciation of qualities, could not, or at least did not, conceal
the disgust he felt for these exhibitions. He took occasion on his
visits home to lecture the youngster soundly. Hiram was not
demonstrative in return, but Mrs. Meeker gave way to undue warmth and
excitement in taking his part. This was when Hiram was at the village
academy. From that time, there was coolness between the brothers,
increased by the total difference of their notions, which ripened in
time to settled aversion. After Hiram went to Burnsville, they did not
meet. Dr. Frank, after spending his year abroad, had returned and
accepted the appointment of demonstrator of anatomy in a medical school
in Vermont. Thence he was called to a chair, in what was then the only
medical college in the city. He was at the time about thirty-six years
old, and a splendid fellow.