a situation for my
father in the city, his brother Charles was apprenticed to learn the art
of printing. He had, it seemed, entertained a dislike to the employment
from the first, which increased to such a degree that he ran away from
his employer; and instead of returning to his former home, he left the
city. He was then fifteen years of age. My father had never been able to
gain any tidings from him, and at length came to the conclusion that he
must be dead. I know not why it was, but of late this circumstance had
haunted my mind continually. The idea seemed to fix itself in my mind
that I should yet see this long-lost uncle. I tried to banish the
thought as an absurdity, but was unable to do so. As the idea returned
to my mind with such frequency, I ceased trying to banish it, and prayed
that what I now thought to be an idle fancy might prove a happy reality.

How cheering to us is the return of spring, after the deep snows and
severe frosts of winter.

I very much enjoyed the sugar-making season at my uncle's farm. I
derived all the more pleasure from its being to me such a novelty.

Although quite happy in my uncle's home, I still wished to carry out my
former design of teaching, and as the season advanced, I again spoke to
my uncle and aunt upon the subject. They were at first very unwilling to
yield their consent; but, as they perceived that I was really anxious
about the matter, they yielded their assent to my wishes.

About five miles west of my uncle's farm was the small village of Mill
Town, so called from the number of different mills erected on the fine
water-privilege it contained. As the village was small, it contained but
two schools; one a public school, and the other a select school, which
had for three years been taught by a young lady from the State of Maine,
who had relatives residing at Mill Town. But Miss Landon, for such was
the lady's name, intended returning to her home in Maine in the month of
June. I had formed a very pleasant acquaintance with this young lady
during the winter, and she strongly advised me to secure her pupils, if
I wished to teach, promising to use her influence to aid me in obtaining
pupils; and, owing to her kindness, I had no difficulty in obtaining a
sufficient number of pupils for opening a school. I was very glad to
obtain a situation so near my home, that I might be able to visit my
uncle and aunt at least once every week, and spend my Sabbaths with
them.

"After