We were free, happy,
roving children on father's farm, unchained by the forms of
fashionable life. We had no costly dresses to spoil, and were
permitted to play in the green fields without a servant's eye, and to
bathe in the clear shallow stream without fear of drowning. As I have
said before, these were happy days; and when I think of them gone, I
often express my regret that we did not improve them more for the
cultivation of the mind and the affections. In the next story you will
see that there were some passing clouds in our early summer days.
* * * * *
MARGARET AND HERBERT.
In a large family there are often diversity of character and varieties
of mood and temper, which bring some clouds of sorrow. In our little
Eden of innocence there were storms now and then. Miles was a little
wild and head-strong from his babyhood, and Margaret, though very
beautiful, was often wilful and vain. For five years the twins had
grown up together the same in beauty and health One day an accident
befel Herbert, and the dear child rose from his bed of sickness a pale
and crippled boy.
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