NEW TENANTS AND OLD FRIENDS. 449 



our subjects ; I will enlarge the list no further lest 

 some unpitying publisher should be enamored of it, 

 and lure me to write another book ! The Conversa- 

 tions were prolonged far into the summer, and had a 

 new element of interest in the fact that we could 

 follow our insect friends to the fields and ply our study 

 of their curious habits there. 



At last the time came to close our pleasant con- 

 ferences. The prescription of the medical man had 

 this time, at least, wrought a cure. Eest, change of 

 scene and habit, life in the pure country air, gave tone 

 to shattered nerves, and brought once more the joy of 

 health. Our year's lease of the Old Farm expired as 

 tlie golden days of October fell upon the landscape. 

 It was not without pain that we bade adieu to our 

 rural friends and returned to the city. Our hearts 

 had sent out many strong rootlets around the Old 

 Farm which we were loth to break. But we left new 

 tenants in the dear old place, and that comforted us. 

 Shall I tell who the tenants are ? 



Love, which breaks through iron bars, can prevail 

 even over the stronger barriers of religious prejudice. 

 It was long before Aunt Hannah gave way, but at last 

 she bowed to the inevitaljle, and Penn Townes married 

 Abby Bradford. It was agreed that Penn would not 

 forsake the Meeting, even though he should be " turned 

 out,'" and that was some mitigation of the good 

 woman's trial. There was one condition which the 

 Mistress and I had named that was at length conceded. 

 The young people were married at the Old Farm just 



