72 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



old canal, which the rapid thawing of the 

 snow had refilled. They were all talking 

 at once in the merriest humour possible ; 

 but though I approached quietly, and then 

 stood still, they gradually became conscious 

 of my presence, and, fearful lest I should 

 betray their secrets, one by one fell into 

 silence, until at length all had become as 

 still as mice. Shortly after I had passed 

 on, I heard them take up the tale again, 

 narrating, I suppose, each after his own 

 fashion, how &quot;The frog he would a-woo- 

 ing go.&quot; 



The smaller river is out again over its 

 banks, but the water has run off with sur 

 prising rapidity, and no damage will be done. 

 The frost being all out of the ground, much 

 water has soaked in, to our relief, and we 

 shall begin the season with the springs well 

 filled. 



I brought with me from the city the ar 

 chitect s plans, specifications, etc., for the 

 cottage that is to be, and the business now 

 begins to take on a serious aspect. I have 

 often amused myself as I have looked be 

 tween the uncovered ribs of a skeleton 

 house, with imagining the life that should 

 be lived therein, its joys and sorrows and 

 various incidents, and birth and death. 



