CHAPTER V.
BRIGHTER DAYS.
Arthur was never lonely now; for Rover was constantly at his side,except in school, and he always went to the school-room door with him inthe morning, and often when Arthur came out of school at night, he wouldfind Rover standing by the door, waiting for him. A happy dog was Rover,in his new home. Mrs. Martin fed him with her own hand, and many a nicedainty did he get, which he was not accustomed to. Arthur was such asweet-tempered, obliging boy, so ready to obey her, and had such gentle,respectful manners, that the good old lady was glad to make Rover happyfor his sake. Obliging little boys almost always find that those theylive with, are obliging too; while quarrelsome boys usually find ittheir fortune to fall among quarrelsome companions; for good temper andbad temper are both contagious and infect all those who come in contactwith them.
On bright, cold winter mornings, after eating his nice breakfast, Roverwould scamper off to school with Arthur. He was in too fine spirits towalk by his side, so he would bound off before him, plunging into thesnow drifts up to his neck; then bound back again, with a short quickbark, shaking himself from the feathery snow; and away again for anothermerry race. If he was separated for an hour from Arthur, he would leapup at his return, and almost overwhelm him with his rough embraces. Butthis seldom happened out of school hours, for let Arthur go where hewould, to the barn, the brook, of an errand, or on a visit to his friendTheodore, there Rover was sure to follow. Arthur would sometimes takehim into his room at night and let him lie there, but Mrs. Martin didnot approve of this, but as she was always up by day-light, she wouldopen the door and Rover would go scampering up the stairs ready for agreat frolic on Arthur's bed.
As the school continued, Arthur became attached to his teacher and wasquite a favorite with his schoolmates. "_Little_ Arthur Hamilton"he was always called by them, not because there were not many other boyssmaller than he, but from his gentleness and timid softness, he seemedone to be protected by them; and the roughest boy never thought ofpushing and striking _him_.
Arthur made a visit of two days at home in the spring vacation. Hismother's heart was cheered by the visible improvement in her boy; andshe told him he had done much to make her happy, by rising above hisweakness and gaining the victory over his besetting sin. "Nothing," shetold him, "could ever grieve his mother's heart like seeing her childrendo wrong; nothing ever make her so happy as their doing right."
Henry was still at the Academy, hoping to enter College the ensuingCommencement; Lucy with her aunt; and James at Captain L's. Arthur didnot see them, but he had a pleasant visit with the rest. He went to allhis favorite places of resort; the orchard, the "old pasture," and thelittle brook in the meadow. He led Charlie in one hand, and Emma in theother out on the green grass in the lot, and picked for them the prettywild-flowers which were springing up everywhere among it, while Roverran along by their side, or bounded off in a merry frolic. They were allglad to see Rover once more, and never was a dog so petted and caressed,as he was on this visit to his old friends.
When Arthur returned home, he found that the spring had brought avariety of labors with it. Mr. Martin was a farmer, and there were manythings to do, suited to his age and strength. He did all that wasrequired of him with alacrity, but he often found at night that hislimbs were very weary when he lay down in bed. Mr. Martin soon found hecould not endure so much as most boys of his age; but said he to hiswife,
"Out-of-door work will do him good, and make him hearty; a woman nevercan bring up a boy properly!"
Mrs. Hamilton also hoped that exercise in the open air would give toneand vigor to his somewhat delicate system, and develope his slenderframe into manly strength and symmetry. She wished nothing better forher sons than to become intelligent, industrious, and honest farmers;and such with God's blessing she hoped Arthur would in time be.