ken of on
his death-bed. It was written by the clergyman living in Longville at the
time of old Martha Fern's death, to certify that she had settled, and
maintained her settlement on the hillside, without paying rent, or having
her fences destroyed, for upwards of twenty years, and that the land was
her own by the usages of the common.

'I don't know what use it will be,' said Mr. Lockwood, 'but I will take
legal advice upon it; that is, I will tell my lawyer all about it, and
see what we had best do. You may leave the case in my hands, Stephen. But
to-morrow morning we start for the south of France, where my daughter
must live all the winter for the benefit of the warm climate; and I must
go with her, for she is my only treasure now. Can you live in your cabin
till we come home? Will you trust yourself to me, Stephen? I will not see
a son of my old servant wronged.'

'Please, sir,' said Stephen, 'the cabin is good enough for us, and we are
nearer church and the night-school; only I didn't like to break my word
to father, besides losing the old home: we can stay all winter well. I'll
trust you, sir; but my work is dangersome, and please God I should get
killed, will you do the same for Martha and little Nan?'

'Ay!' answered Mr. Lockwood, coughing down his emotion at the young boy's
forethought and care for his sisters. 'If it pleases God, my boy, you
will live to make a right good, true-hearted Christian man; but if He
should take you home before me, I'll befriend your sisters as long as I
live. I like your Miss Anne, Stephen; but your master is a terrible
rascal, I fear.'

'Yes, sir,' said Stephen quietly.

'You don't say much about him, however,' replied Mr. Lockwood, smiling at
his few words.

'Please, sir, I am trying to love my enemies,' he answered, with a
feeling of shyness; 'if I was to call him a rascal, or any other bad
word, it 'ud throw me back like, and it's very hard work anyhow. I feel
as if I'd like to do it sometimes.'

'You are right, Stephen,' said Mr. Lockwood; 'you are wise in keeping
your tongue from evil speaking: for "therewith bless we God, even the
Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude
of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing." You have
taught an old parson a lesson, my boy. You had better leave your money
with me until my lawyer gives us his opinion. Now go home in peace, and
serve your master faithfully; but if you should need a