Walter Harland | Page 8

only a little boy) of my husband's failings, but
somehow I couldn't help it, and it does me good to talk about my boys.
I don't know as Mr. Judson can help his harsh, stern way, for it seems
to come natural to him; but I can't help thinking he might govern his
temper, if he would only try; as it is I try to do my duty by him, and
make the best of what I cannot help; and every day for years I have
prayed that a better mind may be given him by Him who governs all
things, and that is all I can do."
After the above conversation, I more then ever regarded the old lady
with pity, and sought by every means to lighten her cheerless lot. But
the kindness which his wife evinced toward me only served to render
Mr. Judson more harsh and unfeeling in his treatment. I remember one
day hearing him say to his wife in a tone of much displeasure, "You
spoiled your own boys, and set them agin me, and now you are
beginning to fuss over this lazy chap in the same way; but I'll let you
know who's master here." Hard as was my lot at this time, my anxiety
to lighten the cares of my mother caused me to bear it with a degree of

patience which I have often since wondered at. I was fearful if I left this
place I could not readily obtain another, and I toiled on, never
informing my mother of the trials to which I was daily subjected. For a
whole year I endured the caprice and severity of Farmer Judson. I had
long felt that I could not much longer endure a life, which (to me) had
become almost intolerable; and on the day of the incident noticed in the
opening chapter of my story, my naturally high temper rose above
control, and I left Farmer Judson's and returned to my home.
CHAPTER V.
When I thus returned unexpectedly to my home my mother was at once
aware, from my downcast appearance, that something was wrong, and
when she questioned me I related the difficulty with Mr. Judson exactly
as it took place. My mother listened attentively till I had finished, and
then only said, "you are too much excited to talk of the matter at
present; after a night's rest you will be better able to talk with more
calmness, so we will defer any further conversation upon the subject
until to-morrow morning."
It was a mild evening in June, and slipping out of the house, I went to
my favorite tree in the yard, and, as I lay at full length beneath its
wide-spreading boughs, which were bright with the rays of the full
round moon, my mind was busy with many anxious thoughts. My
anger had by this time cooled down, and when left thus alone I began
to question if I had acted right in returning to my home; hard as Mr.
Judson was to please, he always paid me my wages punctually, and I
feared I had done wrong in thus depriving my kind mother of the
assistance which my earnings (small as they were) afforded her. But
when I called to mind the Farmer's harsh and unkind treatment, I felt
that to remain longer with him was out of the question; for during the
whole year I remained with him, I could not remember one word of
encouragement or kindness, and, to a boy of thirteen, a kind and
encouraging word is worth much. Surely thought I, every one is not
like Farmer Judson, and can I not find some place where, if I do my
best to please, I shall not be continually scolded and blamed; and, after
retiring to rest, I lay awake, revolving all these thing's in my boyish

mind till I mentally decided that, come what would, I could not return
to the Farmer. It was far into the hours of night before I slept, and then
my sleep was harassed by frightful dreams, in all of which Farmer
Judson acted a prominent part. From my earliest recollection, the
counsels and pious example of my mother had exercised a powerful
influence upon my mind and character. She was naturally cheerful and
hopeful, and her heart had long been under the influence of a deep and
devoted piety, which exhibited itself in her every-day life. She never
allowed herself to be too much cast down by the petty annoyances of
life. I am an old man now, and the silver threads are beginning to
mingle in my hair, but I can yet see my mother as I saw her the next
morning when I went down stairs, and in a pleasant cheerful