Hanz had always held to the opinion that men with too much
learning were dangerous to the peace of a neighborhood, inasmuch as it
caused them to neglect their farms and take to pursuits in which the
devil was served and honest people made beggars. He had, however, sent
Tite to school, and now the young gentleman could read, write, and
cypher; and this, he declared, was learning enough to get a man safe
through the world if he but followed an honest occupation and saved his
money. In addition to so much learning, the young gentleman had early
discovered an enterprising spirit, and a remarkable taste for
navigation. When only six years old he had his tiny sloops and
schooners, rigged by himself, on every duck-pond in the neighborhood.
And he could sail them with a skill remarkable in one so young. Indeed,
these duck-ponds were a source of great annoyance to Angeline, for
whenever one of Tite's crafts met with an accident he would wade to its
relief, no matter what the condition or color of the water.
Hanz shook his head, and felt that no good would come of this taste for
the sea on the part of Tite.
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