For  all  these  reasons  Uncle  Fliakim  was  often  dealt  with  af
one  of  good  intentions,  but  wanting  the  wisdom  which  is  prodl*'
able  to  direct  One  year  his  neighbors  thought  to  employ  hit
Buperfluoas  activity  by  appointing  him  tithing-man ;  and  great
indeed  in  this  department  were  his  zeal  and  activity ;  but  it  was
soon  found  that  the  dear  man's  innocent  sincerity  of  heart  made
him  the  prey  of  every  village  good-for-naught  who  chose  to  take
him  in.  All  the  naughty  boys  in  town  were  agog  with  expec*
tancy  when  Joe  Valentine  declared,  with  a  wink,  that  he  'd  drive
a  team  Sunday  right  by  Uncle  Fly's  house,  over  to  Hopkinton,
with  his  full  consent  Accordingly,  the  next  Sunday  he  drove
leisurely  by,  with  a  solemn  face  and  a  broad  weed  on  his  hat.
Uncle  Fly  ran  panting,  half  dressed,  and  threw  himself  distract-
edly on  the  neck  of  the  horse.  ^  My  young  friend,  I  cannot  per-
mit it     You  must  turn  right  back."

^  My  dear  sir,"  said  Joe,  ^  have  n't  you  heard  that  my  mother
IB  lying  dead  in  Hopkinton  at  this  very  moment  ?  "

**  Is  it  possible  ?  "  said  my  uncle,  with  tears  in  his  eyes.  **  I
beg  your  pardon.  I  had  n't  heard  it  Proceed,  by  all  means.
