Year: 1877

Behind Squire IIilton's house was patch
of cleared and well-kept woodland, known
to all the neighborhoOd as "The Grove"
Whenever the Sunday School desired
picnic, the squire was waited upon, and as
matter of course, consented to its being
used. At other times, any one had the
privilege of walking there, and the chill
dren came in the spring to gather wild
flowers, or in the autum to gather nuts
Therefore the boy who sat upon the rough
wooden bench fitted between two trees,
with his head upon his hands, was not
trespassing.


lie was tall, gaunt boy, with his six
tecnth birthday close before him. His
clothes were threadharr, but he had a
decent look. He was past the age at which
boys generally indulge in tears, but lie was
crying. Indeed, he had come TO that place
for the express purpose of indulging his
feelings unobserved. His hope Of solitude
proved a vain one, however. Engrossed in
his grief, he had not heard the sound of
footsteps, when, looking up, he saw stand.
ing before him girl of fifteen. Squire
Hilton's only daughter, horn when his days
were on the very verge of winter-herself
the perfect embodiment of spring.


She was happy creature, who had
never known care, who never thought i;
possible that she could wish for anything
she might not have; one who knowing her
self rich and beautiful, but without pride
or vanity, loving her father and mother
intensely, and with good will for world
in which she as yet knew not that there
was any harm. A girl who, in virtue of
aristOcratic position in that New England
village, was as much under espionage as
any French girl ever was. Yet with this
advantage, she had no idea she was guard
ed or that there was anything not to be
known by her, or any one she might not
know. Therefore, knowing no reason why
she should not address any one, and know
ing the boy by name, she stood looking at
him moment, and then said softly,-


"Why, Edward Burr what is the
matter? Oh, know; I heard of it; your
father is dead. | am very sorry"


It's not very manly to cry, Miss Hilton"
said the boy, standing up, and composing
his features as well as he could "but
could not help it he was all l had, and it
was SO sudden. l didn't mean any one
should see me, though


Boys and men must have feelings as
well as girls and women," said Phemie
Hilton. 4" 1 should break my heart if dear
papa should die; and you haven't any
mother, have you?''


81 have nobody" said the boy, "and
hate the place. l couldn't work here now,
since I've seen father cut down by that
horrible machine. am going to the city
to New York, Miss Hilton I'm going to
walk there. Do you know how long it will
take?"


" How long !" cried Phemie "why you
could never walk there it takes days by
the cars and boat and why do you go to
New York p


must" said the boy. 1" can make
my fortune there; father always said so"


Yes, my father says New York is the
place to make money" said Picnic; "but
you must have some money to begin with.
Have you any?'


twenty-five CENTS" said the boy,


Then you'd starve to death where you
had no friends said the young girl, with
an air OF great wisdom and experience.
But papa knows everything Come home
with me and ask his advice; he'll tell you
what to do. If anybody can tell you what
to do, it is my papa"


But / haven't any business to bother
him about myself" said the boy. :"
don't think he'll like it. He'll think me
forward"


IN tell him l made you come. You
needn't be afraid Of papa; he's as kind as
kind can be. Come, now"


Much against his will, Edward Burr
followed Miss Hilton through the woods
and across the lawn that encircled the
squires mansion. More against his will
he entered the broad hall and the study
door.


"lf the squire kicks me out, deserve