Year: 1863

He probably forgot that there was Capt.
Puffer who was only too happy to furnish
any sort Of entertainment for his friends
always, and she probably forgot it. for
she very gratefully accepted his polite
invitation for the next day before the
sleighing should be gone Mr.. Cram
was very sure party could be made up
to go, for ride TO Payson's wood to
eat sugar was fashionable form of dis
sipation at Meadows He was quite
right The party was glad to be made
up, ready TO make up itself even. when
once started, like ball OF snow rolled
down hill. And 0, the sweetness and
delight Of that day!


Widow Hazel wore such pretty hood
trimmed with fur (not really mourning.
but then she was gradually passing out
from that, you know that we were all
bewitched to have one like it, and she
promised to give us the pattern and
teach US how to make it up. Even Mr..
Cram felt the power of that hood, (per.
haps it reminded him Of Dot,) and
couldn't help thinking, with a sigh, Of
the lever in the army and of the chances
and dangers Of battle.


The day was done, the sun had gone
to look after his interests in China, and
the moon had come up, full and golden.
by the time Mr.. Cram was ready to take
leave Of Widow Hazel. He had slaid TO
tea at Capt. Puffer's-some town matters
TO talk over. As he was saying good.
night, with much propriety. at the sit
ting.room door, Widow Hazel suddenly
exclaimed, %, Mr., Cram, please wait
one moment ! And running pas, linn
was up stairs and down again in a twink.
ling. So quick and light in her motions
as she was


Mr.. Cram was waiting in the hall for
her.


Excuse me, | hope you won't think
me presumng on your kindness, but il
you would be so good as to drop this
letter in the mail for me shall be great.
ly obliged, as know poor Charley will
be 1t is an army letter. you see, Mr..
Cram, and am afraid ms brother will
fail of getting it unless it goes BY the
next mail


Certainly, certainly replied Mr.
Cram, feeling such relief in learning
that her interest in the welfare Of our
soldiers was only in behalf of brother.
that, if you'll believe me, he proposed
then and there.


What do you mean p said The wild W.
taken entirely by surprise To tell you
the truth she never had thought of ap.
propriating him to herself, only of help
ing parcel him out to his proper owner.
when she should have become sufficient
" acquainted TO decide on which she
was. But when she came TO believe her
ears, being always quick to think and
quick TO act, she concluded she might as
well be sacrificed on this altar Of domes-
tic bliss, as anybody, and consented.-
The acquaintance had been short. it is
true, but both were aware Of their own
merits, and able TO accept the merits Of
the other on the authority OF mutual
friends, you know


So Widow Hazel presently laid aside
her black Grape bonnet and put on one
of white Grape, which was vastly more
becoming, rs You will admit, very nearly
the samo hing, neither being n color.
abstractly considered. To The delight
of US all she lives at Meadows 10 this
very day. Dot is no loser by Ibis ar
rangement on the contrary she gets
twice as much petting. But Mr.. Cram
has given up hir pipe entirely. Not thst
Mrs, Cram disliked the odor OF tobacco.
only the smoke made her cough.


Now Widow Hazel was nowavs pret.
tier. wiser or more desirable ihan the
girls Mr.. Cram had never though, of
falling in love with because they had al
WAYS lived at Meadows


This shows all persons Of ieachabls
dispositions thai, feeling they would be
able TO accomplish mere good in mar
ried than single state, yet hitherto fail.
ing TO meet with an acceptable call into
that field, they should forthwith try The
effect Of new sphere Of action and new
faces.


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