accomplished, though from the same western sky the declining sun shone
brightly in my face. But I was calm and not depressed. Turning to the
village, so dim and dream-like at my last view, I saw the white houses
and brick stores, the intermingled trees, the footpaths with their wide
borders of grass, and the dusty road between; all a picture of peaceful
gladness in the sunshine.

"'Why have I never loved my home before?' thought I, as my spirit
reposed itself on the quiet beauty of the scene.

"On the side of the opposite hill was the graveyard, sloping towards the
farther extremity of the village. The sun shone as cheerfully there as
on the abodes of the living, and showed all the little hillocks and the
burial-stones, white marble or slate, and here and there a tomb, with
the pleasant grass about them all. A single tree was tinged with glory
from the west, and threw a pensive shade behind. Not far from where it
fell was the tomb of my parents, whom I had hardly thought of in bidding
adieu to the village, but had remembered them more faithfully among the
feelings that drew me homeward. At my departure their tomb had been
hidden in the morning mist. Beholding it in the sunshine now, I felt a
sensation through my frame as if a breeze had thrown the coolness of
September over me, though not a leaf was stirred, nor did the thistle-
down take flight. Was I to roam no more through this beautiful world,
but only to the other end of the village? Then let me lie down near my
parents, but not with them, because I love a green grave better than a
tomb.

"Moving slowly forward, I heard shouts and laughter, and perceived a
considerable throng of people, who came from behind the meeting-house
and made a stand in front of it. Thither all the idlers in the village