His sister, Josephine, who was rather more than
twelve years old, possessed a more amiable disposition. The pastor's
wife took much interest in this child, who could not help seeing that
her parents were not guided by the Spirit of God. Peter, the
youngest, was but ten years of age, but his brother's wicked example
counteracted all the good which he might have received from that of
his more amiable sister.
About the end of May, there was to be, in a village not far distant,
a match at rifle-shooting. It was a public fete, at which all the
people in the neighborhood assembled.
On the morning of this day, Mark had answered his father with great
insolence, at which he was so much enraged, that he punished him
severely, and forbad him, besides, to go to the fete. The father
went thither himself, and Mark, after a moment's indecision,
determined not to heed the command he had received, but to follow him
to the shooting-match.
He therefore took advantage of his mother's absence, who, according
to her usual custom, was gone to gossip with some of her neighbors,
and notwithstanding the remonstrances of Josephine, he hastened over
fields and hedges, to the scene of the match.
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