Rambles about Portsmouth. Sketches of persons, localities, and incidents of two centuries: principally from tradition and unpublished documents. By Charles W. Brewster.

MY BROTHER BOB. 309
tion upon the North Mill Pond at such times, and Bob was as
well pleased in their sport as though he were not to receive
the dime, or less, in payment. Grave and busy men, often, in
referring to those times, make mention of that dear delightful
sail upon the little pond, then, however, larger considerably
than the Atlantic, and speak of Bob in the kindliest spirit
of remembrance, recalling him by some amusing anecdote
that gave a zest to the good old time. But there were
times when he would swear like a tornado, if such expression may be employed, when juvenile depredators attempted
to overreach him; and it has been said that in his earlier
days there was more profanity in him to the square inch
than in any one around. This, however, has changed for
the subdued temper that years bring with them, and but
moderate scope is allowed for passion.
Speaking of this, I was wont to try him fearfully in the
olden time, and well did I rue it in the lofty indignation
that fired him; but now, a right philosophy that submits,
murmurless, to destiny, governs his conduct to me, This
must be the case, else would he denounce me for my failure
to answer his letters, and the other indignities of neglect
and silence. Even when he called upon me in town in the
drive of business, and I begged him, for heaven's sake, to
go till I was at leisure-a rudeness which I repented of in
dust and ashes-he turned without a complaint, and I did
not see him again for six months. In reply to an abject
apology I mado, he said it was all right; he knew me well
enough to believe that I was actuated by right motives, and
he had no cause to fret about it. I wish, for myself, that
such understanding could more universally prevail; that,
when in our honesty we use a friend in this manner, he
might not imagine an offence and abuse us for the virtue of
candor, which may be the only one we have.
Candor is a virtue which Bob especially possesses. He
was entrusted for many years with the care of the Court