Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog - 6

"Well, Arthur," said she, "it will be only six weeks to Thanksgiving,
and Mr. Martin has promised you shall come home then; and how glad we
shall all be to see you!"

It was a sunny, autumn morning. The white frost lay on the grass and the
fences, and the north-wind was chilly, as the boys drove on. Rover
persisted in following them, and finally Arthur begged John to take him
in, and carry him over. Rover was delighted, and laid himself down in
the bottom of the wagon, and looked affectionately into Arthur's face.

"Poor Rover," said he, "you will miss me I know; and I shall miss you a
great deal more. I wonder if Mr. Martin has a dog?"

"I guess not," said John, "for he took no notice of Rover, and every
body who likes dogs speaks to Rover, because he is so large and
handsome. I am afraid you will be homesick at first over there, but we
must do the best we can, for these are hard times. I don't see how we
can do any thing more than pay the rent this year, after all my summer's
work; for the dry weather ruined the potatoes, and corn won't bring more
than fifty cents a bushel; and how we are to live, I don't see. I am not
afraid for myself, but it is too bad for mother, and the little ones;
so, if you are homesick, you must try to get over it again, and not come
back, or let mother know it, for she has just as much trouble as she can
bear already."

"Oh, no," said Arthur, "I won't be homesick, I _will_ be a brave
boy, as mother calls it, and never complain, let what will come; but I
do wish we were not so poor."

"I don't know," said John, "I think poor folks that work hard, enjoy
about as much as anybody, after all. It isn't a disgrace to be poor, if
we are only honest, and do what is right; and you know the minister said
last Sabbath, that Jesus Christ when he lived on the earth was a poor
man, and worked with his hands for a living. He won't despise the poor
now he has gone into heaven again; for he will remember how he was poor
once. Mother says, nothing will break her heart but living to see us do
some wicked deed, and that she could not survive that. We must be
careful not to break her heart, musn't we, Arthur?"

Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog - 5

"It is quite as painful to me, Arthur,"  said his mother, "to part from
you, as it can be to you; but I think it is best for you; and I am sure
you will not increase my trials by complaining. Be a brave boy, Arthur,
and learn to submit cheerfully to what God sends upon you. Trust in Him,
and he will bless you wherever you are. Always remember He watches over
you, and loves you. I think Mr. and Mrs. Martin will be kind to you, and
I hope you will make yourself very useful to them. They are quite aged,
and a pair of young hands and feet can be of great service to them.
Always do cheerfully whatever they wish of you, even if not quite so
agreeable at the moment. Always be respectful in your manners to them,
and to all others with whom you come in contact, and try to make them
happier. A little boy may do a good deal to make others happy, or
unhappy. I hope you will try to do what is right at all times, and I
doubt not you will be contented and happy there, after you become
accustomed to it."

Arthur had dried his tears, but his heart was heavy as he laid down in
his bed that night, and when he was alone, his sobs burst forth afresh.
It seemed to him very cruel to send him among strange people, and he
thought he should rather go without much to eat or wear, than to leave
home.

About ten days after, John carried Arthur to Mr. Martin's. Mrs. Hamilton
had made his clothes look as neat and tidy as possible, by thoroughly
washing and mending them, (for she could not afford to get any new
ones), and John had made him a nice box, in which they were all
carefully placed.

Arthur tried to be a brave boy, as his mother wished; but he could not
eat his breakfast that morning. Every mouthful seemed to choke him; and
when he bade his mother and the children good-bye, the tears would come
fast and thick into his eyes, in spite of all he could do to prevent it.
Tears were in his mother's eyes too, but she spoke cheerfully.

Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog - 4

Mrs. Hamilton knew that this was no time for the indulgence of
sentiment;  she knew that _duty_ must be done, even though every
chord of her heart quivered with agony. After much consideration and
earnest prayer, she had concluded to let him go, and the thought of
sending him away from her, and all he loved, among entire strangers, was
what made her so sorrowful. She strove to calm herself by the
reflection, that she had done what seemed to be right, and by
remembering the blessed promises of God's Holy Word to the fatherless,
and to all those who put their trust in Him. With a cheerful voice, she
called the boys, telling James it was time for him to go home, as
Captain L., with whom he lived, was a very particular man, and would be
displeased if he staid out beyond the proper time.

Arthur Hamilton, and His Dog - 3.5

(We accidentally cut our last excerpt short.  Sorry, won't happen again!)

Mrs. Hamilton's sons

had been trained to obedience, and James never thought of lingering and
loitering for half an hour, as I have seen some boys do, after being
told to go. He just gave Rover a good pat on the back, and saying a
hasty "good-night" to his mother and Arthur, he ran home.

Arthur was alone with his mother, and she told him of the arrangement
she had made for him, and the reasons for it. Arthur was quite overcome
at the idea of a separation from the mother he loved so dearly, and
exclaimed--

"Oh, mother, don't send me away from home, I can earn something, and
will work very hard if you will only let me stay. Please mother, let me
stay with you!"