Boys that run away from home don't often amount to much.

Take my advice, and go home," added Bobby.
"To such a home as mine!" said Tom, gloomily.

"If I had such a home as yours, I would not have left it." Bobby got a further idea from this remark of the true state of the case, and the consideration moved him.

Tom's father was a notoriously intemperate man, and the boy had nothing to hope for from his precept or his example.

He was the child of a drunkard, and as much to be pitied as blamed for his vices.