10 Turnaside Cottage.

because he'thought I looked neglected and lonely;
but though I learned not to run away when his
good-natured face appeared above the garden hedge,
I never could be persuaded to trust myself outside
our gate with him, and always felt relieved when he
left me to my accustomed solitude.

I kept out of Nance’s way as much as I could,
playing in the garden in fine weather, and in the
cart-shed when it was wet. Only winter’s cold
could drive me in to her company and that of the
fire. My father I never saw much of, for he was
generally out all day, and sometimes until late at
night. He owned a horse and cart, very respectable
ones, with his name, “ John Bramble, Turnaside,”
painted in full on the cart ; and he employed him-
self in driving coal and culm from the neighbouring
coal-pits to Rhydewm and other places round. He
also acted as carrier or general carter whenever his
services were required ; and he was seldom in want
of a job. We were not badly off, for we had always
enough to eat; and we kept two pigs, so that the
kitchen roof was seldom without a bit of bacon in
reserve for any sudden need. To this live-stock,
when I was about six years old, was added a cow,

This was a great event in my life. Hitherto I
had been forbidden to go beyond our own garden ;
and, as long as I did not dirty myself more than