180 BOONEVILLE TO SAKATOGA. 



morning and during the day, when John was absent, all 

 combining lo make me shake ofT flic lethargy of luxury and 

 go forth to new tields and fortunes. 



It was a delicate matter; l>ut one day i unpacked my big 

 bundle and brought forth to John's ga/c the tent I had 

 brought, and the camp-stove Hat as a pan-cake that I 

 had with much self gratulation, invented and caused to be 

 constructed; and then, diving down into the depths of the 

 navy-bag, brought forth also the. tin pail which contained 

 a complete "kit" for stove and table. I spread them all 

 out before him. John looked at them, and I looked at 

 John, awaiting in silence his verdict. Of course it was my 

 right to order my own coming and going, and hi>. too; but 

 I loved John, and I wanted to please him. and did not 

 want to drag an unwilling guide through the woods, what 

 ever my rights were. He said not a word, hut I saw that 

 the hope he had cherished had gone out of his heart. I 

 thought I perceived, also, a respectful and internal snilf at 

 my pet and pride, the wonderful camp stove. However, 

 it was at length agreed that the next morning we should 

 pack up and begin our wanderings. 



It was half-past ten o'clock when John put, the big key 

 over the door and before we were finally oft' we three, and 

 our entire luggage consisting of house and home as well as 

 food-supply and personal clVects, all stowed snugly away 

 in John's boat. It was like leaving home. And the good 

 roof and comfortable beds, the verandah with its memories 

 of evening chats, the shady pines and spruces and hemlocks, 

 the knolls and grass-plots where we had lounged, the 



