Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-05-01
tossing his head with affected indifference,
he answered:
oh, very well! very well! Just as you

| 'Oh, very well! very well! Just as you
like aaE ,rass ia'aa.
Then came long silence, broken by
sobs from Hannah, who after having tried
in vain, to control her feelings, burst in-
10 fit Of crying.-Neither husband nor
uncle said anything to soothe her distress.
In little while she left the room; and the
two men separated. s=. ..-......
Next morning, Uncle Ben announced at
breakfast his purpose of leave for home af-
ter dinner. Peter felt sorry for having
exhibited SO much angry impatience,
though he partly justified himself on the
plea Of great provocation. The declara-
tion that he was not good farmer, was
one that he could not bear. II there was
anything that he did know, it was how to
farm. tie had prided himself for years
on being athorough practical agriculturist,
and no upstart theoretic book farmer who,
as he said, wouldn't know, except for
books and newspapers, whether potatoes
grew above or below ground. Still Peter
felt sorry for having lost his temper. But
men OF his character are not apt to own a
fault. 1t takes man Of some stamina.
besides good degree of self-knowledge
and true elevation of character, to do this.
tie felt sorry, but not prepared to say SO.
Il thought you were going to spend a
week with us said Peter.-Ifdid think
Of doing So, when left home, But Eve
changed my mind. ,..s. ........ -.
Hannah looked sadly into Uncle Ben's
face, and then glanced towards her hus-
band. She did not speak her heart was
too full. Nothing more was said during
the meal. After breakfast Peter went 10
look after the cattle and horses, and Uncle
Ben went into the spare room. Hannal,
came in, and drawing chair close up to
the old gentlemen, said in choking voice,
as she took his hand and looked into his
tace-'Dont be angry with Peter, uncle.
God bless you, child! replied the old
man quickly, betraying considerable emo.
tion as he spoke, i am not angry with Pc.
ter -.- -...... d..
'Oh yes, you are. and l Idon't much won-
der. lie didn't speak right. But YOU
know how he prides himself on being a
good farmer
i know-I know. can excuse him.
Bat you are going off home sooner than
you would have gone, if thi. hadn't hap
pened.'
Perhaps am child but no natter
I'm not angry with Peter, and would do as
much for him as if this hadn', happened.
'Ah, said she, Uncle Ben if you could
help him a li,tls"-He voice trembled -
'He works very hard and tries to get along
But its so diseouraging TO be always un-
der pressure--to see no light ahead
Hannah's feelings overcame her, and she
leaned her face upon Uncle Ben's shoulde,
and sohSea vieiently. .-'Don't take on so
child don't ! said the old man in tender
encouraging voice. Hope for the best
The darkest hour, you know, is Just be-
fore daybreak. won't forget Peter
Perhaps l can help him. I'll 60 home and
think about it,
Hes very kind TO us all Uncle sob
bed Hannah. And can't bear to see him
so troubled ...
Ii he were not quite so set in his ways,
replied Uncle Ben. III he were only a
little more ready TO learn, it would be a
great deal better for all of you. II know
he's stiff about some things Uncle; but
then he means we'll. l.'-'No doubt of that
Hannah. But no matter how good a man S
intentions are, they will not heip him much
unless guided by well enlightened juig-
ment. And there lies Peters defect. -
But will see what can be DONE
This was enough to inspire Hannah
with hope After he had departed, she
medtated on what he had said, and Aer
heart took courage. Uncle was in good
circumstances, and fully able to help them
if he would. A few hundred dollars nigh,
be spared. And how much good few
hundred dollars would do them Her
hopes were soon whispered in the ear OF
Peter. At first he said it was all nom
sense to think of anything from Uncle Ben
did find lurking place in his heart Be-
fore the day closed Peter several times
caught himself musing on the vague prom
ise OF the old gentleman, and even making
some calculations thereon. Since the
mortgage of his farm he had experienced
pressure on his feelings that robbed him
Of all true peace OF mind. Before, he
seemed at least to be standing still if not
progressing. Now, the first downward
step having been taken, final ruin seemed
inevitable. A man who feels himself
sinking is ready TO catch at anything that
promises to bear him above the surface.
| The act is instructive, rather than from a
determination of the will. Thus it was
with Peter; he felt that he WAS in deep
water, and caught at the first straw which
floated near him. 1t was in vain that he
reasoned agains, this hope, and sought TO
turn from it. Its power over him was not
in the least abated by the struggle against
il. A, length Peter ceased to struggle for
argument. against the probabilities in
volved in Hannah's suggestion, and to let
his mind rest pleasantly on the certainty of
receiving substantial aid from Uncle Ben.
Regret for his unhandsome treatment Of the
old gentlemen came with this state, min
, gled with fear lest he had in the unrea-
soGabeness Of his anger, done himself and
family serious injuay.
Il shouldn't wonder if we heard from
Uncle Ben Tomorrow said Hannah, on
New Years eve, as they sat talking over
their future prospects.
Peter shook his head douhtingly, al
| though the expectation Of a communica-