shined upon. No longer bondsmen of the soil, they trode it
like masters. They untackled their oxen and let them out, with
the spirit of men whose future work was to be in a larger
field. Only Hope's little hand had lifted the weight from
their heads. And Hope's only resting point was determination.


CHAPTER II.


A quiet smile played round his lips,
As the eddies and dimples of the tide
Play round the bows of ships,
That steadily at anchor ride.
And with a voice that was full of glee,
He answered, "ere long we will launch
A vessel as goodly, and strong, and staunch,
As ever weathered a wintry sea!"
LONGFELLOW.


"The ploughing's all done; thank fortune!" exclaimed Rufus as
he came into the kitchen.

"Well, don't leave your hat there in the middle of the floor,"
said his mother.

"Yes, it just missed knocking the tea-cups and saucers off the
table," said little Asahel.