he letter was
directed to me, but he had exercised his right to open and read
it for me. It was from G----, and signed by the four deacons of
the church there, asking explicit answers to the following
questions:--1st. Did you help Deacon Hubbard hive his bees? 2d.
If so, did you receive any remuneration from him for your
services? 3d. Will you state what it was? You are expected to
answer the questions fully.'

'What have you to say to that, young man?' said my father, with
more than usual sternness; and I began to think that I had got
into some kind of difficulty.

I told him that I would answer the letter, so went to my room
and wrote, saying that I _did_ help Deacon Hubbard hive his
bees, and that I _had_ been paid a thousand times by the many
acts of kindness of himself and wife, and should always feel
happy in doing anything for them that I could.

As my father read this letter I had written, I noticed a smile
on his countenance, which lasted but an instant, when he said,
'You may send it; but I want to know what this scrape is, and I
will.'

A few days after the reply was sent, another letter arrived from
the four deacons, stating that I had not been explicit enough in
my answer, and wanted me to say, 1st. Whether I had helped
Deacon Hubbard hive his bees on Sunday. 2d. Whether I had ever
received from him a large pan of honey in the comb? 3d. Whether
my father was a member of the church? 4th. Whether he would give
his consent for me to come to G---- on business of great
importance if they would pay my expenses, and how soon I could
come?

It was cold weather, several months after I left G----, when
this letter came to hand, and I did not fancy a ride of thirty
miles at that time; I however had permission to promise that I
would be there on the first Monday in May, which was the day of
'General Training,' and a great day at that period. In my answer
to the second letter I said that I thought I had answered their
first question sufficiently before; and in answer to the second
I would say, that I had never received any honey from Deacon
Hubbard; to the third, that my father was a member of the
church; and to the fourth, that I would come there on the day
named above.

The first Monday in May was a bright and lovely day, and at an
early hour I mo