Year: 1869

years, and remembered now as matter Of conve-
nience, for he reasoned that, during his sojourn
there, he would be at no expense, and Thought at


fairs at home might not yet have reached the crisis
he wished them to attain before his return. Thus
it was that three months had passed away, when
one autumn evening, just as the twilight shadows
were gathering, Mr.. Skinaint stepped upon the
platform at the village station, two miles from his
Own dwelling There was no one to meet him, for
be had sent no word, Of bis coming, to the family,
thinking to take them by surprise; and as he
walked briskly down the road, the grass, crisp
with FROST cracked beneath his feet, and leaves
rustled about him, his thoughts took the following
shape ....-.


"Three months they're certainly pretty well
tired out by this time. Let me see The flour
would be gone three weeks ago. but there's plenty
Of wheat and corn-meal, enough to keen anarmy
from starving. Lots Of potatoes and vegetables,
but fancy the groceries WILDE rather low; took
care not to leave super-abundance, and neither
Simms nor Crowly would give any on trust, after
my telling them it would be at their own risk if
they did sod never pay cent for anything got
in that way All, Mrs. Skinaint, I think you have
been outwitted."


These reflections afforded Aminidab so much
comfort, that he contemplated the reunion With
his family in very complaceDt mood, and antici-
pated the triumph be would enjoy upon meeting
his wife, and her reproaches with the same amia;
bic nonchalance, that coming, from her had so ex.
asperated him. Quickening his pace, it was not
long until he turned an angle in the road that
brought him in sight of his own dwelling, and he
stopped short in astonishment as he beheld the
building ablaze with light from basement to attic
What could it mean, he pondered, slowly pursuing
his path, but when he reached the lane leading to
the house. he again paused as if uncertain wheth-
er he had lost his way, and mistaken stranger
habitation for his own. The moon, that for some
time had been gimmering through the tree-tops,
now rose full and clear, and by the light brilliant
almost as day. he saw that the place was really his
own, but vastly changed since last he saw it. Of
the old rail fence that had enclosed the grounds not
vestge remained and in its place was neat
white paling, while the bars that had been the
only place of ingress and egress, were superseded
by substantial gateway; the lane itself was clear
ed and widened into pleasant carriage drive nor
did the alterations stop even here. The house had
not escaped Instead Of the old square porch, a
verandah ran across the front, and the windows
opening upon it had been cut down to the very
floor; vines newly set out gave promise of future
luxuriance and shade and hanging baskets filled
with trailing plants dangled here and there from
the arches Half dazed, Aminidab ascended the
steps and entered the house. through the half:
open door he could see that the parlor which was
newly fitted up and furnished, was filled with
guests from the surrounding neighborhood. Sounds
of laughter and mirth proclaimed their enjoyment,
and the leading spirit among them was bis wife.
A moment later she had caught sight Of the mo-
tionless figure in the hall, and excusing herself to
her guests she left the room, closing the door after
her.


"Come!" said she, touching her husband upon
the arm, and mechanically he followed her tother
own room. 1t had evidently been used for dres-
sing room during the evening, and bright fire was
blazing on the hearth-an extravaganza Aminidab
had never allowed even in the most bitter erweather.
The room had been frightened by few tasteful
decorations but the furniture remained the same,
and finding himself again among familiar things
he felt his old spirits returning.


"We were not expecting you," remarked his
wife.


"What have you been doing with my house p
demanded he without noticing her speech.


my house, if you please, Mr.. Skinfintl You
will remember that have the deed giving me
complete possession and control Of the homestead,
and I have only used my right in making altera.
tions. You doubtless wonder how became pos
sessed of the means to accomplish so much, but a
few words will explain. You know that for more
than year there has been great deal of talk
about the branch railway to 60 directly through the
village; well, the very day after you left, the road
was staked, and I received one thousand dollars
for the right of way through the farm. There
were seventeen acres cut off by it from the main
tract, so I sold that to Mr.. Potter, who has long
wanted the land, and was willing to take the whole
at any price, for one hundred dollars per acre. thus
you see received, altogether, twenty-seven hun
dred dollars; four hundred Of which [ have used
in making Improvements upon the house and
grounds; of the remainder three hundred shall be
divided between Willie and Julia, to procure them
each term at an excellent academy, where they
may receive valuable additions to their not very
liberal education They are to leave home to-mor-
row, and this party is given in their honor. The
remaining two thousand dollars I have deposited
in the county bank, subject only to my order. And
now, must return to my guests; as you are not
in fit guise to make your appearance, would sug-
gest that you keep your room for the night"


Indeed, madam, I shall do nothing of the sort.
I'll order them all from the house !-TD pitch all
your new tangled things outof doorsl-Tl-I'u-'
But Mrs. Skinhint did not wait to hear him qui-
etly leaving the room she closed the door, the key
turned in the lock, and he was prisoner. In vain
he raved, stamped, and called for release, but no
attention was paid to him, and at last from sheer
exhaustion he subsided into silence He was both
tired and hungry from his Journey and when later
in the evening, the fragrant aroma Of coffee and
rattle of dishes, informed him that the company
below were enjoying repast, it seemed to taunt
him with his helplessness. As the clock struck
twelve, Mrs Skinfint again made her appearance


"Our visitors are about to depart, and as they
must come to this room for their wrappings, you
had better step into the closet until they are
gone" "


Aminidab seemed inclined to offer decided oppo-