"
"I had not thought of parting," answered Middleton, endeavouring to
seek some relief from the uneasiness he felt, by turning his eyes on
the sympathising countenances of his friends; "on the contrary, I had
hoped and believed that you would have accompanied us below, where I
give you a sacred pledge, nothing shall be wanting to make your days
comfortable."
"Yes, lad, yes; you would do your endeavours; but what are the
strivings of man against the working of the devil! Ay, if kind offers
and good wishes could have done the thing, I might have been a
congress man, or perhaps a governor, years agone. Your grand'ther
wished the same, and there are them still lying in the Otsego
mountains, as I hope, who would gladly have given me a palace for my
dwelling. But what are riches without content! My time must now be
short, at any rate, and I hope it's no mighty sin for one, who has
acted his part honestly near ninety winters and summers, to wish to
pass the few hours that remain in comfort. If you think I have done
wrong in coming thus far to quit you again, Captain, I will own the
reason of the act, without shame or backwardness.
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