A hunter's LIFE. 2^ 



and my uncle signed me for three months, and, to my great 

 pleasure, Mr. McMullen signed Mary and Hugh. This 

 was just as I wished it to be, for they had to pass by our 

 house on their way to and from school. In a short time 

 they came, and oil' we went together, all merry and play- 

 ful. All was as it should be for weeks and weeks, while I 

 done everything I could to get into her favor, until the 

 school broke up, for which I was very sorry. 



I had learned tinely, and Mary had taken every oppor- 

 tunity to assist me in my lessons, for she had been three 

 months at school before the time we commenced together ; 

 and when we left school, I could read and write as well aa 

 she could. But never did a boy exert himself with more 

 ambition than I did on that occasion, for I was determined 

 to be as fast as herself at all events, and either Mary or I 

 would be at the head of the class almost every night. 

 This caused an intimacy between us that convinced ma 

 that my kind attention to her, as well as towards hei 

 brother Hugh, had made a very favorable impression on 

 her young heart. I believe that her father had some 

 idea of our friendship getting stronger than he wished to 

 see it, and he took care to keep us at a distance as much as 

 he could ; but her mother and all the children were my 

 friends. Mary and myself were at this time about fifteen 

 years old, and had passed many pleasant hours in social 

 pastime, unknown to her fathei*. I would watch his move- 

 ments closely, and, when I knew he would be from home 

 at nights, I would go to see her and the family generally. 

 But I am free to confess that if Mary had not been there, 

 I should have saved myself the trouble of making those 

 visits to the family. This was kept up until I was very 

 nearly found out by her father. 



He had gone from home, as I thought, for all night, 

 and I concluded 7 would see Mary that night once more, 

 and have a chat Off I went, heart in hand, but beinj? 



