LIFE m THE COUNTRY. 



Us fife in iU €nx\\ix^: 



OR, CHRONICLES OF OAKLAND HOME. 



BY FRANK HAZLETON. 



CHAPTER I. 



DETERMINES TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY. 



Our large cities are enlarging their borders and daily becoming more crowded by 

 the industrious and earnest pursuers of wealth ; yet there are few in this eager crowd 

 who are not looking forward to the happy time when the accumulations of skill and 

 toil shall enable them to possess a home in the country, where they can enjoy their 

 well earned treasures. The merchant, confined to his counting-room, his mind ab- 

 sorbed and wearied by business cares, longs ardently for the time when he can leave 

 stocks and markets, to other and younger heads and hands, and breathe once more 

 the pure air of the country, and drink again at the bubbling brook, as in earlier and 

 happier days. This thought lightens his toils by day, and fm'nishes pleasant dreams 

 by night. Even now, in imagination, he walks the green fields, climbs the hill-side, 

 and reposes in shadowy groves, where gentle zephyrs cool his heated brow. 



"Mid the crowds I need must linger, 



Aye, and labor day by day; 

 But I send my thoughts to wander, 



And my fancies far away. 

 ****** 

 Little wot you, looking upward 



At the smoke wreaths low'ring there, 

 That my vision is not bounded 



By this dull and murky air ; 

 That those thick, close streets and alleys 



At my bidding vanish quite. 

 And the meadows ope before me, 



And the green hills crowned with light." 



Many, impatient of delay, are possessing themselves of suburban residences, near 

 enough to the city to allow them to attend in a measure to daily business. Here they 

 can enjoy most of the pleasures of country life. Many more are compelled "'mid 

 the crowds" to "labor day by day" with little prospect of release; yet the imagin- 

 ation is free — hope is still in the ascendant; — there is an earnest waiting for the 

 " good time coming." 



All who are thus eagerly longing to enjoy the pleasures and endure the toils of a 

 country life have not a very perfect idea of the former, and of the latter their notions 

 are not more clear. Few who desire a country residence are prepared to enjoy a 

 COUNTRY HOME. If the relation of my experience in adapting myself to such 

 home, and in forming a place to meet somewhat my wants and wishes, shall 



