" This was even better than I had dared to hope, for, on more
than one former occasion, I had borne blows from Mr. Judson when his
anger was excited. As I turned to leave the room the quick eye of the
farmer fell upon the book which before had escaped his notice. Stepping
hastily toward me he said:
"I see how it is, your head is so filled with the crankums you get out
o' them books, that you are good for nothing else, but I'll stop this
work once for all;" and, ere I was aware of his intention, he
snatched the book from my hand, and threw it upon the wood-fire which
burned in the kitchen fire-place. I sprang forward to rescue my book
from the flames, but, before I could reach it, it was burned to ashes.
As I have before stated I was then about thirteen years old, tall and
strong for my age. I was usually quiet and respectful, but for all this
I possessed a high spirit. I could easily be controlled by kindness and
mild persuasion, but never by harsh and unkind treatment, and this act
of Mr. Judson's enraged me beyond all control, and in a moment all the
smouldering anger occasioned by his past harshness shot up as it were in
a sudden blaze.
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