s fixed in deep thought upon the ground, made his way
over the hill to Pine Pleasant, as the beautiful grove by the river's
side was called.

The grove extended to the brink of the stream, which in this place
widened into a pond. Near the shore was a large flat rock, which was
connected with the mainland by a log, for the convenience of anglers
and bathers. This was a favorite spot with Harry; and upon the rock he
seated himself, to sigh over the hard lot which was in store for him.
It was not a good way to contend with the trials to which all are
subjected; but he had not yet learned that sorrow and adversity are as
necessary for man as joy and prosperity. Besides, it was a turning
point in his life, and it seemed to him that Jacob Wire's house would
be the tomb of all his hopes.

CHAPTER II

IN WHICH HARRY FINDS A FRIEND, AND A PRACTICABLE SCHEME FOR RESISTANCE

My young readers will probably desire to know something about Harry's
"antecedents"; and while the poor fellow is mourning over the hard
lot which Squire Walker has marked out for him, we will briefly review
his previous history.

Unlike the heroes of modern novels and romances, Harry did not belong
to an ancient, or even a very respectable family. We need not trace
his genealogy for any considerable period, and I am not sure that the
old records would throw much light on the subject if we should attempt
to do so. The accident of birth in our republican land is a matter of
very little consequence; therefore we shall only go back to Harry's
father, who was a carpenter by trade, but had a greater passion for
New England rum than for chisels and foreplanes.

The bane of New England was the bane of Franklin West; for he was a
kind-hearted man, a good husband and a good father, before he was
deformed by the use of liquor. He made good wages, and supported his
little family for several years; but the vile habit grew upon him to
such a degree that the people of Redfield lost all confidence in him.
As his business decreased, his besetting vice increased upon him, till
he was nothing but the wreck of the man he had once been. Poverty had
come, and want stared him in the face.

While everybody was wondering what would become of Franklin West, he
suddenly disappeared, and no one could form an idea of what had become
of him. People thought it was no great matter. He was only a nuisance
to himself and his family. Mrs. West was shocked by this sudden and
my