“That’s a music I never get tired of,” said Uncle Lawrence. “It beats the best playing I ever heerd on the spinet, even Katie’s here,” and his face relaxed as he looked at her. “Then those spangles in the grass are handsomer than any diamonds. I’ve heerd that, after one of them grand parties in town, where the music plays and jewels sparkle, that people go home worn out and often ill-humored; but I thank God that I never listen to the birds, or see the rain-drops shine in this way, without feeling glad.”
When Major Gordon, having placed Kate in the saddle, offered his hand to the old man, preparatory to mounting, Uncle Lawrence said—
“If you stay in our parts long, Major, and would like to hunt, I’ll go out with you a’most any time. I think we may be certain of a fine doe, or even a buck, if you’d rather.”
Thanking his host heartily for the offer, which was evidently a sincere one, Major Gordon bowed to the good dame, and cantered after Kate.
“What a grand specimen of an honest, simple-hearted old Nestor that is,” he said, addressing his companion, as soon as they were out of hearing.
“I knew you would like him,” answered Kate, highly pleased. “And he has taken a fancy to you, or he wouldn’t have asked you to hunt with him. Father always said, in any difficulty, ‘I wonder what Uncle Lawrence thinks,’ for though he has read few books, except his Bible, he has ten times the wisdom of many a lettered man. I don’t know what the neighborhood would do without Uncle Lawrence. He is the general peace-maker; yet no man can be firmer, when a great principle is at stake.”
“He has the air of one who could become a martyr, if need were, even to dying at the stake.”
“And he would,” said Kate, her fine eyes glistening with enthusiasm, for in this her own character sympathized with that of the old man. “He told you he was out in the Trenton campaign, but he was too modest to add that he walked to head-quarters in little more than twenty-four hours. There are few men over sixty years of age, who could or would have done that.”
The conversation continued till they parted at Sweetwater, for Major Gordon had to return to the Forks to dinner, and could not accept Mrs. Warren’s invitation to alight.