ARTHUR HAMILTON,
AND HIS DOG.
Written for the Massachusetts Sabbath School Society, andapproved by the Committee of Publication.
BOSTON:
MASSACHUSETTS SABBATH SCHOOL SOCIETY,
Depository, No. 13 Cornhill.
1851.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851,
BY CHRISTOPHER C. DEAN,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts.
ARTHUR HAMILTON.
CHAPTER I.
LEAVING HOME.
One pleasant October evening, Arthur Hamilton was at play in front ofthe small, brown cottage in which he lived. He and his brother James,were having a great frolic with a large spotted dog, who was performinga great variety of antics, such as only well-educated dogs understand.But Rover had been carefully initiated into the mysteries of making abow while standing on his hind legs, tossing pieces of bread off hisnose, putting up his fore-paws with a most imploring look, and piteouswhine, which the boys called "begging for money," and when a chip hadbeen given him, he uttered a most energetic bow-wow-wow, which theyregarded as equivalent to "thank you, sir," and walked off.
While they were thus amusing themselves, their mother was sitting on therude piazza which ran along the front of the cottage, now looking at themerry children, and then thoughtfully gazing at the long shadows whichwere stretching across the road. Mrs. Hamilton was a woman of wonderfulstrength, and energy, both of body and mind; and she had been sustainedfor many years by the Christian's hope; but there was now a heavy burdenresting on her soul, which even her native energy and Christian trustwere unable to remove. She had known many days of worldly prosperity,since she had resided in that little cottage; but of late, trials hadmultiplied; and days and nights of heart-crushing sorrow had beenappointed unto her. He who should have shared life's trials andlightened their weight, had proved recreant to his trust, and was nowwandering, she knew not whither; and poverty was staring the desertedfamily in the face. Debts had accumulated, and though Mrs. Hamilton haddone all that could be done to meet the emergency, though she hadlabored incessantly, and borne fatigue and self-denial, with a brave andcheerful spirit, it had been found necessary to leave the home so dearto her,--the home where she had been brought a fair and youthful bride;where she had spent many happy years, and which was endeared to her byso many sweet and hallowed, as well as painful, associations. Every footof the green meadow, the orchard on the hill, and the pasture lyingbeyond, was dear to her; and it was painful to see them pass into otherhands. But that heaviest of all the trials which poverty brings to themother's heart, was hers also. The conviction had been forced upon her,that she must separate the children, and find other homes for such aswere old enough to do any thing for themselves. This necessaryseparation had now taken place. Her eldest son had gone to a distantsouthern state, carrying with him, his mother's prayers and blessings;and a strong arm, and stout heart, with which to win himself a name anda place in his adopted home. John, the second, still remained with her,assisting, by his unceasing toil, to earn a supply for their dailywants. Henry, the third son, a bright-eyed youth of sixteen, hadattracted the notice of his pastor, and by his advice and assistance,had been placed on the list of the beneficiaries of the AmericanEducation Society, and was now at an Academy, preparing for College.J