184 THE FAT OF THE LAND 



would lead him astray whenever there was op- 

 portunity. Polly and I had many talks about 

 this matter. She was growing timid under his 

 driving, and yet she was attached to him for long 

 and faithful service. 



" Let's chance it," she said. If we get him 

 away from these people who lead him astray, he 

 may brace up and become a man again." 



But what about the boys, Polly ? " said I. 



" We ought to be able to find something for 

 the boys to do on the farm, and they can go to 

 school at Exeter. Can't they drive the butter- 

 cart out each morning and home after school? 

 They're smart chaps, you know, and used to 

 doing things." 



Polly had found a way, and I was heartily 

 glad of it, for I did not feel like giving up my 

 hold on the man and the boys. Lars was glad 

 of the chance to make good again, and he will- 

 ingly agreed to go. He was to receive $23 a 

 month. This was less than he was getting in 

 the city, but it was the wage which we were 

 paying that year at the farm, and he was con- 

 tent ; for the boys were each to receive $ 5 a 

 month, and to be sent to school eight months 

 a year for three years. 



This matter arranged, we began to plan for 

 the moving. I had five horses in my stable, a 

 span of blacks for the carriage and three single 

 drivers. Besides the horses, harness, and equip- 

 ment, there was a large carriage, a brougham, a 



