wrote often to my friends at Elmwood as well as to Charley Gray, and
received long letters in return which afforded me much pleasure. My
mother's letters often enclosed one also from my sister, which gave me
many choice scraps of news concerning my old school-companions, and many
trifling matters which doubtless possessed more interest for me than
they would have done for any one else. I presume Charley felt our
separation more keenly than I, our natures were so unlike.

Hurrying along Great St. James Street one afternoon with a heavy package
of goods under my arm, I struck against a youth, who was walking in the
opposite direction, with such seeming rudeness that I paused to
apologize, and when I raised my eyes found myself standing with my old
friend and companion at Fulton Academy, Robert Dalton. Our meeting was
not more unexpected than joyful: he had been in Montreal for the past
six months, but had failed to inform me, indeed Robert was not a good
correspondent, it was no lack of friendship but for some reason or
other, writing letters was always a task to him. Meeting unexpectedly as
we did our former intimacy was soon renewed. He was employed in a large
druggist's shop in Notre Dame Street, and boarded with another clerk
whose home was in the city, and we were much together when released from
the business of the day. Learning from Robert's employer that he was a
young man of good principles, Mr. Baynard did not object to our intimacy,
indeed he looked upon him as a kind of safe-guard to me, owing to his
being three years my senior and possessing more experience and knowledge
of the world; and from what he had learned of the young man, he was
aware if he exercised any influence over me it would be for good; and
many pleasant evenings we passed together in Mr. Baynard's family;
Robert was fond of music, and was considered a good singer and often his
rich voice mingled with the notes of the piano in Mr. Baynard's parlor.
Since then, in looking back to that time, I have often thought if
business men, who often have young men in their employ whose homes are
far distant, would be at a little pains to afford them social pleasures
of an elevating nature, it might have a decided effect for good upon
their characters, in after life.

It is unnecessary and would prove tedious to the reader as well as to
myself, were I to give a detailed account of the two first years of my
residence in the city of Montreal. It had been un