this kind. With this
intention I came to this village, and when I purchased my ticket for
Walden I had but one dollar remaining in my purse, which, with the
clothing and other articles contained in my trunk is all I possess in
the world. But this matters little to me now, for I feel that my days on
earth are numbered. I am unable to reward you for your exceeding
kindness to myself and child; but I pray Heaven to reward and bless you,
both temporally and spiritually. It is hard for me to leave my dear
child, but I now feel resigned to the will of Heaven, knowing that
whatever He wills is for the best."

CHAPTER IV.

And so the little orphan boy found a home and friends to love and
cherish him.

Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey felt a tender love for the lovely and engaging
orphan. Mrs. Humphrey, in particular, seemed almost to idolize him.

She had many years before lost, by death, a little boy, when of about
the same age which little Ernest was when thus strangely cast upon her
bounty; and this circumstance may have attached her more strongly to the
child.

Mr. Humphrey was equally fond of the boy, but his disposition was less
demonstrative than was that of his wife he was, therefore not so much
inclined to indulge, the child in a manner which would prove injurious
to him as he grew older.

Although the child had a very affectionate disposition he yet possessed
a will that liked not to yield to that of another. Young as the child
was, his mother had discovered this trait in his character and had,
previously to her death, spoken of the matter to Mrs. Humphrey, and
besought her--as she valued her own happiness and that of the child--to
exact strict obedience from him when he should be left solely to her
care.

"Even," said she, "should it require severe measures to break that will,
it must be done. Remember it is for the best good of the child."

Had Mrs. Humphrey strictly followed the counsels of the dying mother in
the early training of her child it might have spared her much
after-sorrow.

Mr. Humphrey treated the child very kindly, but made it a point that he
should yield to him a ready obedience in all things. But the little
fellow was quick to notice that when Mr. Humphrey was not present he
could usually, either by dint of coaxing or noisy rebellion, carry his
point with Mrs. Humphrey.

Her husband often remonstrated with her upon the course she was pursuing
in the management of the child. She used often