Unhappily, at that time my father slipped, one night, into the mill pond and was drowned; and when his affairs came to be wound up, it was found that he had speculated disastrously in wheat; and that, after paying all claims, there was nothing left.
"My mother took a little village shop, and I went to the village school.

At first, I think I did not work very hard; but fortunately there was a change in masters, and the new one turned out one of the best friends a boy ever had.

He pushed me on greatly and, when I was apprenticed to a mill wright, he urged me to continue my education by working of an evening.

I stuck to it hard, and with his help learned, therefore, a good deal more than was usual, in my station of life.

My mother was always particular about my speaking and, what with that and the books, I suppose I talk better than they generally do." "And is your mother alive ?" "Yes, sir." "But how came you to think of emigrating, at your age; when indeed, you cannot have served out your full time ?" "That, sir," Reuben said gravely, "I cannot tell you.