on, and he had studied at Fulton Academy for the
past three years, and, having obtained an education which fitted him for
the business he intended to follow, he expected to return to Fulton no
more. His father was a merchant in one of the cities of the Upper
Province, and in the fall Robert was to enter the store, in order to
obtain a practical knowledge of business, as his tastes also led him
to mercantile pursuits. When I entered the school, a stranger to all,
Robert Dalton was the first youth who bestowed kind attentions upon me,
and we soon became firm friends; together we studied and mutually
assisted each other, and always shared in the same sports and
recreations. I could not help sometimes thinking it was well that
Charley Gray was attending another institution, for I felt certain (were
he there) that the friendship existing between myself and Robert would
irritate his fiery and jealous nature beyond measure. Poor Charley, it
was a pity that he possessed that unhappy temper; for there was much
suffering in store for himself and others arising from this source. Much
had he yet to endure before that jealous, exclusive spirit would be
brought under subjection. During the summer evenings a ramble to
"Beechwood" had been a favourite recreation with Robert and I, and
thither we took our way the last evening we expected to spend together
at Fulton. We lingered long there that evening, and, seated upon a mossy
rock beneath the shade of those old trees, we talked of our coming
separation, as well us of our individual plans for the future, till the
gathering darkness hastened our departure. The next morning we parted,
each to meet the friends who were looking for us with the anxious eyes
of love.

I knew not how much I had learned to love my kind relatives till the
time drew nigh when I was to bid them adieu for a season. The day
before I was to start for home, Aunt Lucinda made a most unexpected
announcement, which was no less than she had made up her mind to
accompany me to Elmwood. She had never before visited my mother since
her marriage, and she thought she might not again have so good an
opportunity of visiting the sister whom she had not seen for so many
years. My aunt and I were by this time the best of friends, and I was
pleased when she declared her intention to accompany me to my home. It
did not matter to me that my aunt was odd and old-fashioned in her
dress, and still more odd and eccentric in her manner and