Henry was still at the Academy, hoping to enter College the ensuing Commencement; Lucy with her aunt; and James at Captain L’s.  Arthur did not see them, but he had a pleasant visit with the rest.  He went to all his favorite places of resort; the orchard, the “old pasture,” and the little brook in the meadow.  He led Charlie in one hand, and Emma in the other out on the green grass in the lot, and picked for them the pretty wild-flowers which were springing up everywhere among it, while Rover ran along by their side, or bounded off in a merry frolic.  They were all glad to see Rover once more, and never was a dog so petted and caressed, as he was on this visit to his old friends.

When Arthur returned home, he found that the spring had brought a variety of labors with it.  Mr. Martin was a farmer, and there were many things to do, suited to his age and strength.  He did all that was required of him with alacrity, but he often found at night that his limbs were very weary when he lay down in bed.  Mr. Martin soon found he could not endure so much as most boys of his age; but said he to his wife,

“Out-of-door work will do him good, and make him hearty; a woman never can bring up a boy properly!”

Mrs. Hamilton also hoped that exercise in the open air would give tone and vigor to his somewhat delicate system, and develope his slender frame into manly strength and symmetry.  She wished nothing better for her sons than to become intelligent, industrious, and honest farmers; and such with God’s blessing she hoped Arthur would in time be.

CHAPTER VI.

SAD NEWS.

It was a hot Saturday in August, when Henry Hamilton left school to go home and spend the Sabbath with his mother.  This he frequently did, as it was but ten miles distant, and such a walk was only pastime to the vigorous youth, now glowing with health and strength in every vein.  On this day however, the walk appeared unusually long to him; and he sat down twice by the road-side to rest himself.  This was very uncommon; but he said nothing of fatigue when he reached home about sunset.  He met them with his usual cheerful smile, and had a laugh and pleasant words for the children as they crowded round him.  Of all Mrs. Hamilton’s children, Henry was the most sanguine and light-hearted, and when at home, he was always the life of the family circle.  He was sincerely desirous of gaining a thorough education, and of doing credit to his patrons and friends, and he hoped to be permitted to accomplish much good in the world, when he had acquired his profession.  There was much enthusiasm in his character, and much of generous impulse; yet they were modified by Christian principle.  Henry was a sincere Christian.  There was little of noisy pretension, or loud profession; but in his soul was a deep and abiding sense of obligation to God; a supreme desire to do his will, and a fervent