RENEWING OLD ACQUAINTANCE. 19 



was heard iu the grass, and a woman's voice sahited 

 me. Al)by Bradford is a bright New England girl, of 

 good family, good education, good manners, and good 

 looks withal. She had held a position under the govern- 

 ment in Glen Mills, just beyond, where the paper used 

 m national bank notes had been made. "When that 

 most convenient medium of exchange, the fractional 

 currency, was so unwisely abolished, Abby's occupa- 

 tion was gone, but an engagement to teach Highwood 

 district school recalled her from her Massachusetts 

 home. After the fashion of the country-side, she must 

 find a home in one of the rural families, and very gladly 

 wife had welcomed her to the Old Farm. Iler presence 

 would relieve the solitude of our counti-y-place, which 

 was our advantage ; and a kindly home with congenial 

 friends was hers. We shall know her better by-and-by, 

 but I may say here that w-e had cause often to con- 

 gratulate ourselves upon the good fortune that brought 

 the school-mistress into our family. 



"What!" she said, when we had exchanged greet- 

 mgs, "ai'eyou sketching? I did not know that you 

 were an artist." 



"I am not an artist," I answered; "but necessity 

 has forced upon me a little rude skill with the pencil. 

 Will you see my work V" I gave her the note-book, 

 and pointed to my subject hanging among the golden 

 rods and grasses at our feet. 



"A spider ? Oh, the ugly creature !" 



The young lady stepped backward a pace with this 

 characteristic exclamation. As though to resent the 



