LOVE AKD LETTERS. 19 



education, instead of whicli joung Smitli was 

 not taught its merest rudiments. Will, owing 

 in great part to his capacity and inclination for 

 study, combined, doubtless, with the combative 

 impulse often accompanying it, resolved, never- 

 theless to become a scholar. Happily, to aid his 

 good intention, he found an instructress, whose 

 amiability and skill rendered the task of learn- 

 ing rather a pleasure than a toil. This was 

 Mattie Saunders, the farmer's daughter. Often 

 Will's eyes would unconsciously wander from 

 the page to her earnest blue eyes, and then 

 would come such sweet gentle tones of remon- 

 strance, that he really could scarcely be sorry 

 for the offence. Still he made rapid progress, 

 and before long the pupil became the teacher. 



In this studious companionship, as time went 

 on, more than letters were learnt, though little 

 did either Mattie or Will imagine how import- 

 ant an influence would be exercised on their 

 destinies, by the hours which glided so swiftly 

 and carelessly by. They loved unconsciously, 

 and the sweet secret of their breast was first 

 made known to them by the father of Mattie, ■ 

 who perceived the condition of affairs, and re- 

 vealed to them their mutual misery. 



From the time of its discovery, the direst 

 tyranny, not to say atrocity was practised by 

 Saunders towards the poor boy. Deprived of 



