I don't
know what we have done that father should treat us so; he seems almost
to hate the sight of us, and it is better that we should go before his
harshness provokes us to some act of rebellion. I am older than Reuben,
and will do my best to care for him, and we will never forget you,
mother; but I believe it to be for the best that we should leave home.'
I had long feared this; and I begged of them to stay and try and bear
it, at any rate till they should be older; but talking was of no use,
the boys had made up their minds, and go they would. They each took a
change of clothing in a small bundle, and prepared to leave the home
which had sheltered them from their infancy. When I saw they _would_ go,
I divided the little money I had of my own between them that they might
not go forth into the world entirely destitute. I could not really blame
the boys, for their father's harsh words, day by day, was like the
continual dropping which wears the stone, and the poor boys were fairly
tired and worn out with being continually censured and blamed.
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