Meanwhile we lashed hooks to other poles; and along the beach, and on the dock, a number of men were busy with them searching for the body. At last there was a subdued shout-it came from the river, a little south of the boat-house-and the men dropped the poles on the dock, and on the beach, and ran down that way, and we saw a little white object glisten in the arms of the boatmen, and then it was laid tenderly, face downward, on the grass that grew on the parapet of the railway. Poor little fellow! He had been bathing on the beach, and had ventured out beyond his depth in the river. It was too late to recall that little spirit -the slender breath had bubbled up through the water half an hour before. The poor women wrapped up the tiny white death in a warm shawl; and one stout fellow took it in his arms, and carried it softly along the iron road, followed by the concourse of people.

When I came up on the bank again, I thanked God, for the group of small, sad faces I found there-partly for their safety-partly for their sympathy. And we observed that afternoon, how quiet and orderly the young ones were; although the sun went down in splendid clouds, and the

river was flushed with crimson, and the birds sang as they were wont to sing, and the dogs sported across the grass, and all nature seemed to be unconsciously gay over the melancholy casualty; yet our little ones were true to themselves, and to humanity. They had turned over an important page in life, and were profiting by the lesson.

WINTER.

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CHAPTER XIV.

Winter once more-Mr. Sparrowgrass feels as if he would like to Chirp a littleThomas Fuller, D.D.-The Good Wife-Old Dockweed again-A Barrel of Cider-News of the Saddle and Bridle-Superior Tactics of the Village Teamster-Christmas-Great Preparations-Christmas Carols and Masques—A Suggestion of Mrs. Sparrowgrass.

"THE first flurry of snow," said I, making a show of shaking off a few starry flakes from my hat, "the first sky-signals of winter." It is a good thing to have winter in the country. There is something cheery in the prospect of roaring fires; and Christmas trees, glittering with tapers-and golden eggs and sugar-hearts-and wheels-and harps of sparry sweets; and pipes and tabors; and mince pies; and ringing sleigh-bells; and robes of fur, and reeking horses; and ponds with glassy floors, alive with, and rattling under the mercurial heels of skaters. We love to watch the snow shaking down from the clouds; and to rise up some bright morning, when its fine woof is folded over the

backs of mountains, and in the laps of valleys, like a web; and to pass through the colonnaded woods, where the gaunt old trees are feathered to the uttermost twigs; and to drink from the cold springwater, that trickles over a beard of icicles, and pours, with a summer sound, in the rusty tin-cup, that belongs to the old saw-mill in the glen. It is pleasant to think how soon the birds will be about us once more, not birds of summer, but snowbirds; and with what glee those wily freebooterscrows, will croak forth their gratulations that the winter has come, and with it the privilege of picking up an honest livelihood, in spite of Lazarus in the frozen corn-field, with his hat like a pod of cotton. All the poets love winter, why should not everybody?

"Winter's the time to which the poet looks

For hiving his sweet thoughts, and making honey-books."

"I feel as if I would like to chirp a little this evening, Mrs. SparrowG. What shall we have? Lamb? Let me read you 'Dream Children,' or, perhaps, Fuller would be newer-old Fuller! Here he is; the ancient and venerable D. D. Now, my dear, 'The Good Wife.' Mrs. Sparrow

READINGS FROM FULLER. 197

grass bridled up, and was all smiles. Then I read:

"St. Paul to the Colossians (iii. 18), first adviseth women to submit themselves to their husbands, and then counselleth men to love their wives. And sure it was fitting that women should have their lesson given them, because it was hardest to be learned, and, therefore, they need have the more time to con it."

"H'm!" said Mrs. Sparrowgrass, "St. Paul! He was a wise man (ironically). Read on."

"She keeps house if she have not her husband's company (that you always have), or leave, for her patent, to go abroad."

Mrs. Sparrowgrass wished to know what "patent" meant, in that sense. "My dear," said I,

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“patent' is a writ or privilege, given or granted." Then I continued:

"For the house is the woman's centre. It is written: The sun ariseth; man goeth forth unto his work and to his labor until the evening' (Psalm civ. 22); but it is said of the good woman ; 'She riseth while it is yet night' (Prov. xxxi. 15). For man in the race of his work starts from the rising of the sun, because his business is without