"I do not know what to do about John. He appears so resolute in his
determination not to go with us, that I fear he will run away into the
woods at the time of our departure. He is now continually with Malachi
and Martin, and appears to have severed himself from his family."
"It is hard to decide, Campbell; I have more than once thought it would
be better to leave him here. He is our youngest son. Henry will, of
course, inherit the estate, and we shall have to provide for the others
out of our savings. Now this property, by the time John is of age, will
be of no inconsiderable value, and by no means a bad fortune for a
younger son. He appears so wedded to the woods and a life of nature,
that I fear it would only be the cause of continual regret and
discontent if we did take him to England, and if so, what comfort or
advantage should we gain by his returning? I hardly know what to
advise."
"I have serious thoughts of leaving him here, under the charge of Martin
and Malachi," replied Mr Campbell. "He would be happy; by-and-bye he
would be rich. What could he obtain more in England? But it must be
for you to decide, my dear Emily. I know a mother's feelings, and
respect them."
"I cannot decide at once, my dear husband. I will first talk with John,
and consult Alfred and Henry."
The result of Mrs Campbell's communicating with her sons was a decision
that John should remain in Canada under the charge of Martin and
Malachi, who were to superintend the farm and watch over him. Martin
was to take charge of the farm. Malachi was to be John's companion in
the woods, and old Graves, who had their mill under his care, engaged to
correspond with Mr Campbell and let them know how things went on. When
this was settled, John walked at least two inches higher, and promised
to write to his mother himself. The Colonel, when he heard the
arrangement, pledged himself that, as long as he was in command of the
fort, he would keep a watchful eye, not only over John, but the whole of
the settlement, and communicate occasionally with Mr Campbell.
A month after the receipt of the letter the whole family, with the
exception of John, embarked in two _bateaux_ and arrived at Montreal,
where they remained a day or two, and then proceeded to Quebec.
At Quebec, their agent had already taken all the cabins of one of the
finest ships for their passage, and, after a ran of six weeks, they once
more found themselves at Liverpool, from which town they posted to
Wexton Hall, Mrs Douglas Campbell having retired to a property of her
own in Scotland.
We have now finished our tale, and have only to inform our little
readers what were the after-lives of the Campbell family.
Henry did not return to college, but remained with his father and mother
at the Hall, employing himself in superintending for his father the
property to which he afterwards succeeded.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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