Our Flome. 195

 

a good-conduct stripe already on his arm. He
means to be a sergeant by the time he returns from
India, he says; and then he shall marry, and send
his boys to me to bring up. “You won't beat them,
Reuben, I'll be bound.”

“No,” said 1; “1 will treat them as you did me—
all kindness.”

“That’s the way,” said Tommy. “Not foolish,
you know, but wise kindness ; that’s what pays.”

Then I gave him my little pocket Bible, which he
will not like the worse for being scored in various
places ; and he wrung both my hands with a force
which belied the smile still on his face, and was gone.
I believe that with his sober, steady ways he stands
as good a chance as any one, for it is the drink that
makes such wild work of the men in that climate ;
but I do not like to think how long it may be before
I shall see his broad, bright, honest face again.

Time was when I have envicd Tommy his chance
of seeing distant countries, and taking part in stir-
ring scenes ; but I see now that we each have that
which suits us best, and I should be thankless in-
deed if I could not echo my master’s words of the
other day, when I asked him whether there was
anything still wanting to complete the comfort of his
sitting-room—*“T have all,and abound.” That sitting-
room is the brightest spot in the house—warm and