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LOVE AND LETTERS. 19 
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education, instead of which young Smith 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 cyes, 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 wes practised by 
Saunders towards the poor boy Deprived of 
