Year: 1871

baked and cleaned house, aud been through the
regular routine of every day labor, I have
darned the last stocking and sewed on the last
button, and row draw long breath of relief.
have an hcar TO call my own, without infringing
on my regular sleeping hours. l will improve
this tirae by taking flying trip to my old home
and Visit, In imagination, some Of the scenes of
ssy childhood. As | walk through the streets,
everything seems familiar. The signs over the
doors have the same names upon them here on
tie corner, is the jewelers. Store over there is
the bank, and little farther is the Post or
nee and Merchants Hotel. ] see the large elm
trees that have been standing there many
years, and it seems that they have not grown
one inch taller the limbs have the same curious
shapes. The sidewalks are ceanly swept and
nothing seems changed hurry on, through
the streets, up to the Falls on the Yantic River ;
the waters flow on, on, on, with the same scath
ing, foaming, boiling motion. Here is the DAM
there is the Lovers Rock, and away down in
the foam is the DEVILS Dinner-pot. pass on
above the Dam, and there is our Ii tie boat, tied
to the same bush here meet some of my school
mates and we paddle our boat 10 the other side
Of the river, where we spend an hour in gather
ing wild flowers aud wintergreen and lounge
while 10 the cool shade of the trees. 1t is get
ting late and we reirace our steps, each TO
her own home. l pass through the hall and
into the parlor the chairs stand in the same
places and ou the wall hangs my paintings, not
even fly dares to light on their smooth surface;
the lamp-mats chair-tidies aud shelf-oruaments
are all there and seem not to have been touched
since | left.


now make my annual visit 10 my friends in
the country. On my arrival, meet Sarah and
Frances at The door. After the usual greeting
we talk over every incident that has happened
in our families since our last meeting Next
must run down and see old Ms Rud she
knows of my arrival and has prepared lots OF
nice things for us girls when cali. Her son
Daniel, her boy as she calls him. is no less
than fifty FIVE years Of age; think he is au
old boy, but say nothing. The old lady is al
the gate waiting for us, while Daniel stands be.
hind her with huge bouquet of roses in one
band and in the other is a dish OF fresh honey
just taken from the hive. The old lady takes
US all over The house, into every room, TO see
the wonderful changes she has wrought since
last year, while Daniel is in the kitchen making
iced honey, which he passes to us in The tiniest
little gold gobets, about the size OF a thimble
We decide to 60 to the pond fishing our indis-
pensbe Daniel has come with the bait and we
are off. On our way, we go through fields Of
green grass, where there are haze bushes loaded
with nuts that we are TO pick tomorrow. am
the irst to get bite" but it must he an
enormous fish, for can't raise it TO the surface
We all give shout which brings Daniel to our
rescue he succeeded in raising it up far enough
TO see it was large turtle and concluded TO
wade 10 II little ways in order TO secure The prize,
but he had gone only few steps when he slip
ped and down went Daniel, turtle and all into
the deep water the turtle was lost, while Dan
iel came out sale with the exception of wet
ting this ended our sports for that day. Next
day we ready bright and early to 90 nut
ting. Daniel shook the trees while we filled the
baskets. In the evening we had social gather
ing of all the lads and lasses had n Jolly lime
playing blind mans bluff and " hunt the
squirrel, and broke up nj IL O'Clock all well
satisfied with our evenings pleasure. Then
came our day for riding horseback this was
my first attempt, while the others were good
riders. felt AS though | was sitting on the
limb Of a very small Tree and that some giant
was striving fuIiously TO shake me off. How
ever, | managed TO kee? my seat and Daniel en-
couraged me by saying that he thought must
have ridden before. The following day was
Sunday and we went 10 the old.fashioned meet
ing'house. The pews. MS they called them, were
almost as large as small-szed parlors, with high
railings around them, and were arranged that
part of the congregation sit with their backs to
the minister. thought it was grand idea, es-
pecial'y for those who were in the habit of sleep
ing during service. They had no choir but
when the minister read the hymn all Joined in
singing aud it seemed to me that some sang
Que time aud some another, but they all appea red
to enjoy it and was obliged to think of some-
thing very serious 10 keep from laughing. Ia
this way spent a pleasant week in the country


Again Am home end the anniversary of nv
birthday is approaching am TO celebrate il
by giving an evening party to my circle of ac-
quaintances. Ny brother has presented me with
beautiful silk for dress and although have
bat one day TO spare, the dress must be made
and must wear ii on this certain occasion.
send for our dress-maker aud we hide ourselves
away 10 room seldom used in order that we
may not be surprised by unexpected callers, for
no one must see my dress as | wish to surprise
them all when we meet. We toed hard al dav
not giving ourselves time TO eat at IL o'clock
At night the last stitch is taken. the dress is
complete and we lay ourselves away for few
hours rest. Al last am ready to receive nv
guests and my sister comes to put the finishing
touch to my toilet by placing around my waist
an elegant embroidered sa sh and on nv neck
long chain curioYsly woven with very small beads
OF every color an in the center was our fam
lily name wrouehtin small gold heads. These
were old family relics; had never seen them
before aud was consequently filled with admira.