16 WILD DICK AND 40 Richard would return it in the same manner, after he had satisfied himself, that neither his father nor mother was observing him. Dick, with all his failings, was a generous boy. A portion of his apples and nuts was frequently seen, in the morning, under Robert’s window, where he. had placed them over night, not daring to venture over in the day time. Nevertheless, he was becoming daily an dbject of increasing dislike, through the whole village. Although there were some who pitied the poor boy, and. thought Uis parents much moie to blame, through whose example he had un- doubtcdly acquired that ruinous relish Tor ardent spirit; yet the villagers generally considered the whole family as a nuisance, and likely, before long, to come upon the town. Squire Hawk, the chairman of the selectmen, who kept the grog-shop in front of the meeting-house, concluding that farmer Wild was completely down at heel, and had no . - more money, refused to let him ha’ more liquor at his store, and proposet him, as a common drunkard. But
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