Stories of Life and Love (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 Excerpt: ...in such matters. Robert liked to call attention to the small beginnings some of them had risen from, and Aunt Anna would always try to spite him by saying that he need not let his mind hanker after these folks, for he was to be a farmer, and farm the Little-Ings land. From fourteen to eighteen Robert went on fretting, fidgetting, and working, until one day there was a rumor of a grand new bridge to be built over the Alster, about eleven miles above our house. Neither good words nor ill words would keep Robert from going up there day after day and staying till nightfall. It was in the time of hay harvest, and my father was often angry at his absence. One day he said to him in a rage--little thinking his words would be taken in earnest: "If any of these engineering machine fellows will take thee, Robert, thou may bind thyself to them for life. I never want to see thy idle face again." Robert did not come back that night, but the next morning he fetched his clothes when his father was out in the fields. My mother wanted Robert to go without seeing him, but the lad said, "Nay, I've my father's leave," and he stood up, with his bonnie young face all glowing and brave, fearing none of us. "When I'm a man Mary shall come and keep my house," he said, --"won't you, Mary?" I promised him. We were amazed to see how father took it when he was told that Robert was set on going, and that nothing would stay him. The two took a long look at each other, then they shook hands. My mother cried to see it. "If the lad will go, let him go in peace," said my father. "I can make nothing of him," and turning to Robert he said, "Thou shalt not go with a curse at thy back, my lad." And so Robert left us. I was twent...