He climbed in at the window , unlocked the door , and delivered me up to the foe . Nay , he even defended the base act , and helped bear the struggling culprit to imprisonment . That nearly broke my heart , for I believed he would stand by me as staunchly as I always stood by him . It was a sad blow , and I could n't love or trust him any more . Peanuts and candy , ginger-snaps and car-rides were unavailing ; even foot-ball could not reunite the broken friendship , and to this day I recollect the pang that entered my little heart when I lost my faith in the loyalty of my first boy . The second attachment was of quite a different sort , and had a happier ending . At the mature age of ten , I left home for my first visit to a family of gay and kindly people in -- well why not say right out ? -- Providence . There were no children , and at first I did not mind this , as every one petted me , especially one of the young men named Christopher . So kind and patient , yet so merry was this good Christy that I took him for my private and particular boy , and loved him dearly ; for he got me out of innumerable scrapes , and never was tired of amusing the restless little girl who kept the family in a fever of anxiety by her pranks . He never laughed at her mishaps and mistakes , never played tricks upon her like a certain William , who composed the most trying nicknames , and wickedly goaded the wild visitor into all manner of naughtiness . Christy stood up for her through everything ; let her ride the cows , feed the pigs , bang on the piano , and race all over the spice mill , feasting on cinnamon and cloves ; brought her down from housetops and fished her out of brooks ; never scolded , and never seemed tired of the troublesome friendship of little Torment . In a week I had exhausted every amusement and was desperately homesick . It has always been my opinion that I should have been speedily restored to the bosom of my family but for Christy , and but for him I should assuredly have run away before the second week was out . He kept me , and in the hour of my disgrace stood by me like a man and a brother . One afternoon , inspired by a spirit of benevolence , enthusiastic but short-sighted , I collected several poor children in the barn , and regaled them on cake and figs , helping myself freely to the treasures of the pantry without asking leave , meaning to explain afterward . Being discovered before the supplies were entirely exhausted , the patience of the long-suffering matron gave out , and I was ordered up to the garret to reflect upon my sins , and the pleasing prospect of being sent home with the character of the worst child ever known . My sufferings were deep as I sat upon a fuzzy little trunk all alone in the dull garret , thinking how hard it was to do right , and wondering why I was scolded for feeding the poor when we were expressly bidden to do so . I felt myself an outcast , and bewailed the disgrace I had brought upon my family . Nobody could possibly love such a bad child ; and if the mice were to come and eat me then and there -- à la Bishop Hatto -- it would only be a relief to my friends .
At this dark moment I heard XXXXX say below , ` She meant it kindly , so I would n't mind , Fanny ; ' and then up came my boy full of sympathy and comfort .
Christopher Christy Hatto Providence figs first foot-ball ginger-snaps left naughtiness