I spoke of her excellent deportment and her useful life, dwelt upon the extenuating circumstances of her error and of her sincere and hearty repentance.
"'Doctor,' said he, at length, with a hesitating and embarrassed manner, 'what should you think if I should tell you that, after all that has passed, I have half made up my mind to ask her to become my wife ?' "'I should think better of it if you had wholly made up your mind,' said I; 'and if you were my own son, I wouldn't ask for you a better wife than Julia Atkins.

Don't hesitate, Robert, on account of what some ill- natured people may say.

Consult your own heart first of all.' "'I don't care for the talk of all the busybodies in town,' said he; 'but I wish father and mother could feel as you do about her.' "'Leave that to me,' said I.

'They are kindhearted and reasonable, and I dare say will be disposed to make the best of the matter when they find you are decided in your purpose.' "I did not see him again; but a few days after I learned from his parents that he had gone on another voyage.

It was now autumn, and the most sickly season I had ever known in Peewawkin.