Year: 1875

of his fair possessions, ne did not, Tor
some reason, feel that seif-satisfed
complacency which had generally found
so large a place in his heart. His mind
would revert, in spite of surrnunding-at-
fractions, 10 the yearly returns for the
cases of golden butter and tempting
cheese which had so largely increased
the sum that he had with so much self
congratulation been accustomed, in the
past, to attribute to his own pecpniary


prudence and thrift; neither could he
cheat himself into forgetfulness Of the
exact perfection of the household ar
rangements that reigned from garret to
cellar; system and cheerfulness shed


their benign influence in every depart


ment of their prosperous home, and as
he thought and thought, conscience
told him too loudly to be silenced that
she to whom he owed all this assistance
and comfort had never received the
praise so grateful to a truly noble mind,


and he fairly shuddered as his imagina-


ton drew picture of what his life and
financial position might now have been


had his wife been the financial nonen-
tity that women are supposed to be.


Ar fast the rush and hustle of harvest
ing, threshing and marketing the sum-
mer's products was over, and then came
the gathering of the store of delicious
apples and other fruits, when drying,
canning and preserving was the order,
until the bounteOus autumn yielded its
glory to the chill embraces of winter.


One day in the latter part of February
Mr.. Winthrop started to visit friend
who lived few miles from his home
He had gone but short distance when
his horse, which was young and imper-
fectly trained, becoming frightened,
madly reared and plunged, succeeding
at last in freeing himself, and Mr.. Win
throp was thrown with terrific violence
against the projecting corner of strong
and high fence. The frantic animal
Immediately dashed off in the direction
of home, and his sudden return riderless
instantly aroused the whole household.


The hired men, who luckily were at
hand, Mrs. Winthrop dispatched to her
husbands assistance. They soon re-
turned bearing him; though they be-
lieved him dead, he was only uncon-
scious, aud after carefully placing
him on his bed, Mrs Winthrop di-
rected one of the men to go with the
utmost dispatch for physician; in
the meantime, she, with agonizing
fears for the worst, endeavored to
restore him to consciousness. A physi-
clan soon arrived, when he quickly
became aware that the services of a
surgeon were requisite. .-......


1t soon became apparent that his in
juries were very serious; his right leg
was broken, and his head was found to
be dangerously, if not fatally injured, a
fearful incision appearing near the left
] temple. The broken limb was success
fully set, and at last he showed signs OF
returning consciousness, and then fol-
lowed the anxious days of watching,
with fluctuating hopes and fears, as he
wavered between life and death. Of.


All that the devotion of wife and
children could do was wrought in his
behalf, and at length their hearts were
made glad by manifest improvement,
which grew more encouraging each day,
and the bright days of spring had glad
dened the earth once more with sun
shine and verdure ere. Norman Win
throp began to think of his affairs; and
then to his anxious inquiries his wife


would soothingly reply that he mus


not worry about anything, for every
thing would be right.


The spring had slipped into summer


and Mr.. Winthrop received a reluctan


permission from the surgeon to leav'


his bed and occupy an easy lounge il


the CHEEKY sittiug-room. He had ample


leisure to puzzle his brain over the ruin


ousGondition in which he felt certain


that his business affairs had beeI


plunged. He had given orders concern
ing the affairs of the farm since he haG


grown so much stronger, but he wa


sure that all was going wrong. TheI
he noted the taste and delicacy of ever
the slightest arrangement of the room


On rustic stand, near a window open
ing on the piazza, were placed pots con
tanning geraniums, fuchsias, tea roses
and all in perfect glory of blossom
while the more unobtrusive mignonnett
! and heliotrope filed the room with fra
, GRANGE. From the ceiling was sus
pended hanging basket of rustic work
from which crept downward, in sooth
ing GOODNESS, plants that seemed am
: bilious to conceal the workmanship Q
their receptacle from the view of pre-
sumptuous observers. The floor wa
covered by neat rag carpet of subdue
: colors, and as he looked at its humbl
work-a-day appearance, the very war
: and woof seemed fraught with the his
! tory of his noble wife's undaunted Ell
ergy and devotion to the mutual wei
: fare of their domestic peace and pros
perity. 2e os "A. a-.
f During these hours of revery the re
J membranee of the conversation {
! nearly year since came up with all il
calm, convincing argument, and theT