Archer, warmly, at the
same time resuming his seat.
"The story I have to tell you came under my immediate observation. I
was quite well acquainted with the principal character.
"Very many years ago, and not far distant from this city, lived an
orphan boy, scarce fifteen years of age--bereaved, at one cruel blow,
by a prevailing epidemic, of both parents, and left to the care of an
uncle (his father's brother), a hard, cruel man.
"A few hundred dollars, quite sufficient, however, to support and
continue the boy's studies, for a few years, was left in the hands of
the uncle. But of this there was no proof--no will or last testament
was left.
"Death came so swiftly there was little time for aught save an
appealing look from son to brother, and the pleading voice murmured:
"'Be a father to my boy, Oh! deal justly, kindly towards him!'
"In a very few days the sensitive mind of the poor boy too truly
perceived that he was not a welcome inmate. Before a month had passed
he was withdrawn from school; his love of study was discouraged; in
fact, made a source of ridicule; and his time so completely taken up
with hard work on the farm, there was no chance for aught else.
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