Then he told me of the farewell, of her standing on the porch, and his going over the down, turning now and then to wave his handkerchief, to which she replied with hers, and at last going over a little hillock, the house was out of sight, when he ran back to the top and saw her still looking. Then the final waving of farewells. He spoke of the almost daily letters full of loving counsels, and then of one from a friend with a black margin, saying that the mother had gone. The tears came freely as he finished his narrative. “Charles,” said he, “I know you will forgive my tears, for I cannot prevent them nor would I, when I think of the loss of such a mother.” I was crying too and could not help saying “Would to God I had such a mother to remember.” After our emotion had subsided, he took down the other photograph. “This,” said he, “is a picture of my affianced, my loved one. She was all my heart and mind could wish. I loved her first because she was so like my dear mother, her very counter-form, and I know had they both lived, my mother, with the love she had for me, would have loved her, we both alike would have been her children, as we are now. She is mine still and I am hers, not until death do part, but forever our hearts are one. I have never failed to look upon these pictures in the morning, and they always say ‘Robert, we are with you, watching over you and will guide you the best we can.’ That is the impression the sight of the pictures have upon me, and whether they do guide directly or not, might be questioned, but indirectly they have greatly influenced my life. Can I go wrong when I think each morning of those two pure spirits watching over me? I trust not willingly.” I got from this the key of his life and I could interpret many things I had heard and seen. This revelation of his inner life, the secrets of his soul, which he told me he had never mentioned to any one else, had a great effect upon me. To have known such a man, and to have been trusted by him, made me love him more than ever, and further inspired me with a reverence for him. With all due charity for mankind one cannot but regret that there are so few, really pure, noble upright men in the world whom we can respect and admire. I cannot help asking, if after all the centuries of civilization, has the growth of mankind in purity and honesty, kept pace with the progress in other respects? After this conversation he showed that he felt I was nearer to him than ever before as I knew he was dearer to me. Next to trusting in God is to have a true friend in whom one can confide and feel that all is safe and sacred. CHAPTER XI.