come to cheer me, and he certainly succeeded. We talked a little while,
and in his pleasant way he questioned me, trying to learn if I was
feeling prosperous. I didn't like to tell him, but he _made_ me, and
Rose, my cellar is stocked with all the wood and coal that I could use
this Winter. There are winter vegetables, apples, two big hams, a
barrel of flour,--Rose! I never felt so rich in all my life! Think of
it! Winter coming, and my cellar full!"

"Oh, Aunt Judith! Do you wonder that I love him?"

"Who could help it?" was the eager question, "And that's not all, for
with the idea that he hadn't done _enough_, this morning when I opened
my back door a neat looking little maid stood there.

"I'm sent here, m'am, by your relative, Mr. Atherton, who says I'm to
work for you until you get tired of me, which he says m'am, he hopes
won't be soon."

"I was tired this morning and when I found a little maid engaged to
do my work for me, I couldn't speak for a moment, because I was so
full of thanks, that they _almost_ choked me."

"Now, you can stay in the dear little sitting-room, while the work in
the kitchen is being done for you. No wonder you feel rich," cried
Rose.

"And now," said Aunt Judith, "we'll talk about the party."

"Wait just a minute, 'til I get my little stool. There! _Now_ I'll
listen, and I'm _wild_ to hear."