Middletown transcript., 1910-06-11
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though he partly justified himself
on the plea of provocation. The
declaration that he was not a
good farmer, was one that he
could not bear. If there was any
thing that he did know, it was
how to farm. He had prided him
self for years on being q thorough
practical sgriculturist, and no
s'upstart theoretic book.farmer,
who, Us he said, wouldn't know,
except for books aud 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 q fault. 1t takes
q man Of some stamina, besides a
eeod deal of self.knoWledge and
1rue eiayatiun Of character, 10 10 de &c
this. He felt sorry, but not pre-
pared to say so.
/ thought you we're going to
spend o week with usH said Peter.
I did think of doing so, when /
left home, but I've changed my
mind.
Hannah looked sadly into Uncle
Ben's face, and then glanced to-
wards her husband. She did not
speak-her heart was too full.
Nothing more was said during
the meal. After breakfast Peter
went to look after the cattle and
horses, and Uncle Ben went into
the spare room. Hannah came in
and drawing a chair close up to
the old gentleman, said in a chok-
ing voice, as she took his hand
and looked into his face:
Don't be angry with Peter,
ncle.
God bless you child! replied the
old mar quickly, betraying con-
siderable emotion as he spoke,
I'm not angry with Peter.
Oh, yes, you are, and / don't
much wonder. He didn't speak
right. But you know how he
prides himself on being good
farmer.
I Iknow-I know. lean excuse
him.
But you are going off home
sooner than you would have gone
If this hadn't happened.
Perhaps I an, child; but no
matter. I'm not angry with
Peter, and would do as much for
him as if this hadn't happened.
Alb, said she, Uncle Ben, if you
could help him q little! Her voice
trembled. he works very hard,
and tries 10 get along. But it's
so discoursging to be always
under q pressure-to see no light
ahead.
Hannah's feelings overcame
her, and she leaned her face upon
Uncle Ben's shoulder and sobbed
violently.
Don't take on so, child-don't!
said the old man in a tender, en-.
coursging voice, hope for the
best. The darkest hour, you
know, is just before dsybreak. I
won't forget Peter. Perhaps I
can help him. I'll go home and
think about it.
He's very kind to US all, uncle,
sobbed Hannah, and | cant bear
to see him so troubled.
IT he we're not so set in his
ways, replied Uncle Ben. If he
were only Q little more ready to
learn, it would be q great deal
better for all Of you.
/ know he's stiff about some-
things, uncle, but then he means
well.
No doubt OF that, Hannah. But
no matter how good p mans in
tentions are, they will not help
him much unless guided by .
well enlightened Judgment. And
there lies Peters defect. But !
win see what can be done.
This was enough to inspire
Hannah with hope. After he
bad departed, she meditated on
what he had said, and her heart
took courage. Uncle was in good
circumstances, and fully able to
help them If he would. a few
hundred dollars might be spared.
And how much good a few hun.
sase4 ta0iiiiars a0iiiiars would would do them. hie Her Her
hopes were soon whispered in
the ear of Peter. AT first he said
that it was all nonsense to think
OF anything from Uncle Hen, and
called him an old miser. Still,
hope did find a lurking place in
MS heart. Before the day closed, |
Peter several times caught him.
self musing onthe vague promise
of the old gentleman, and even
making some calculations there
N.