Year: 1865

known he could do we'll. He would be at
home at the end of three months. He was
enjoying himself very much; he mingled
in the best society frequently he met old
friends-it was surprising he had not
thought of this business before.


When he came back he was in high spir-
its. He had fattened up, and seemed al
most to fill up the room. How broad he
was across the back. He had sold vast
amount of tea. His employers were snrpris-
ed at his success. It must be a wonderful
country out West or he must be the best
of agents. They would raise his salary
His family congratulated him. They new
er were tired Of talking to each other about
his great abilities, what he could do for
them, and how handsome he was. They
held their heads high. But as regards 60
ing to town they must wait till the debt
was paid. Something might happen-he
might be taken sick, he might be killed
They were contented to wait, and they
were happy in thinking how much they
would soon enjoy. Then he went off on
| another trip.


At the end Of three months he returned.
Still he prospered. Better than all, he
had bought house and lot in town, where
there were several celebrated schools
He would rent the farm; it was days
Journey to the town he would help them
move, see them well settled, and then start
on his travels.


All these things came TO pass. They
had beautiful cottage in a beautiful town.
There were shade trees, shrubbery, flowers
nice rooms, water was handy; there was
stable they could keep cow and horse
everything was us they wished. Then the
town was so neat. so shady and pleasant;
there were so many large two story white
houses. half hidden by trees, there were so
| many stores where goods were sold cheap.
Then the society, Oh dear how much they
had lost during the long years they we're
living on the farm. Harry had never seen
such nice girls at first he was little shy
OF them, but he soon got used to them, as
well as to his new clothes. He was about
sixteen, smart, straight and handsome
enough one of his sisters was younger,
the other older, and they had fine times,
for the young men soon came round. There
were several churches; every Sunday,
dressed as we'll as the best, they went to
meeting, and they were happy.


Harry's business was to provide, to take
care of the horse and COW, to get wood, to
work in the garden, and see that everything
was in order. He had been used to work
his father thought it best that he should
do these things. So it was.


The school they went to was we'll con-
Quoted there were many scholars, mostly
from abroad. Our young folks went to
school, anxious to make up for lost time.
The girls learned needle-work and music,
and when money could be spared their
father got them a piano. He would not
allow them TO run in debt a cent
Their progress was not all it should have
been, for they had to spend some time in
dress and in receiving and paying visits, so
that they might know something. Still
they learned. In such school they would
have learned sooner if they only listened
to others. With many young persons the
idea of school is not where much study
ing or thinking is to be done, but where
learning is to be poured into them through
the eyes and ears. Such are noticed to
keep their mouths open, as if they could
get some down their throats, for they are
very anxious to learn. Some really do
write down their lessons on the palms of
their hands and on their finger nails, and
then they are ready to recite them
The great defect with large schools is, they
afford hiding places for shirEs--some make
shrks. But the Brooks family was happy,
there was so much to enjoy. Mrs. Brooks
would have enjoyed more if it had not been
| for two accidents. She thought she had
| got through, but she made the best she
| could Of the business. 1t was not the ex-
pense she cared about, but it was the trou-
BILE the little fellow made.


Come TO think oft, one or two things
more troubled her. Harry began TO ne
glect things. Sometimes there was not q
stick Of wood, and it was hard work to ges
him up in the morning, for the reason that
he went to bed late. He was out nights.
AS for working in the garden, he got quite
above it, and they bought all their vegeta-
bles but his mother raised lettuce. Some
how the girls got a notion that it was not
genteel Ito do housework, and it took so much
time to get their music and other lessons
that their mother did not like to call on
them. Once week an Irish woman was
hired to do the washing, and they would
have hired girl to do the housework if
they dared, but they knew their father
thought them fully competent to do their
own work. About the time Mr.. Brooks
would be expected home they all became
smart, and put things in order-the mother
to see if she could rub the wrinkles out OF
her face, the girls to study new pieces OF
music. and Harry to get some wood on
haud.


One time, year or so after they had
been living this way, Mr.. Brooks came
home as usual and was looking around
Soon he wanted to know Of Harry what
was the matter with the horse he did not
seem to have enough to eat, for he was
poor enough. Yes, Harry had fed him we'll.
That might be, but something was wrong.
Again what was the reason they had no
garden, it was all weeds The truth was,
his studies drove him So His father look
ed at him pretty sharp; he saw we'll
dressed young man looking very uneasy,
and with a strange expression about his
mouth and eyes He thought he showed
something reckless-or worse. This must
be inquired into.


Harry's mother had to tell his father
how it was though he implored of her not
to do it; he promised by everything good
he would do better. No; he had promls
ed before TO tell the truth, then, she was
plagued to death to get wood; he was out
late nights, sometimes till two or three
o'clock in the morning; and about the
horse, some days it was neither fed or wa
tered unless she did it, and when Harry
used him he would drive through the town
as fast as he could She had talked to
him he told her she knew nothing about
horses, and he was far from being respect
full to her. More than this, he was after
money, money; what he did with it she
could not tell, but he always wanted it, and
she had let him have so much that she had
to borrow. Well, she must pay it, but it
was contrary to his orders to borrow or run
in debt cent. How much did she want
for the next three months She namod q
large sum. He was surprised, and asked
her how it was. Well, the girls had to
have SO many things-they were not con-
tented unless their bonnets and dresses