A MARCH EVENING IN EDEN


At length we were fast at the Maizeville Landing, although long
after the usual hour of arrival. I was anxious indeed to learn
whether John Jones would meet us, or whether, believing that we
would not come in such a storm, and tired of waiting, he had gone
home and left us to find such shelter as we could.

But there he was, looking in the light of the lanterns as grizzled
as old Time himself, with his eyebrows and beard full of snow-
flakes. He and I hastily carried the three younger children ashore
through the driving snow, and put them in a corner of the
storehouse, while Merton followed with his mother.

"Mr. Jones," I exclaimed, "you are a neighbor to be proud of
already. Why didn't you go home and leave us to our fate?"

"Well," he replied, laughing, "'twouldn't take you long to get
snowed under to-night. No, no; when I catch fish I mean to land 'em.
Didn't know but what in such a buster of a storm you might be
inclined to stay on the boat and go back to the city. Then where
would my bargain be?"

"No fear of that. We're in for it now--have enlisted for the war.
What shall we do?"

"Well, I vow I hardly know. One thing first, anyhow--we must get
Mrs. Durham and the kids into the warm waiting-room, and then look
after your traps."