But Laura had grown to be almost a woman in these few years, to the end of which we have now come--years which had seen Judge Hawkins pass through so many trials.
When the judge's first bankruptcy came upon him, a homely human angel intruded upon him with an offer of $1,500 for the Tennessee Land.

Mrs.
Hawkins said take it.

It was a grievous temptation, but the judge withstood it.

He said the land was for the children--he could not rob them of their future millions for so paltry a sum.

When the second blight fell upon him, another angel appeared and offered $3,000 for the land.