THE FIBST VISIT TO THE FARM 19 



the public road as hard as the path-master will 

 permit, is incongruous and unsightly. With all 

 outdoors to choose from, why ape the crowded 

 city streets ? With much to apologize for in 

 barn and pigsty, why place them in the seat of 

 honor ? Moreover, many things which take place 

 on the farm gain enchantment from distance. It 

 is best to leave some scope for the imagination 

 of the passer-by. These and other things will 

 change as farmers' lives grow more gracious, and 

 more attention is given to beautifying country 

 houses. 



The house, whose gables looked up and down 

 the street, was two stories in height, twenty-five 

 feet by forty in the main, with a one-story ell 

 running back. Without doubt there was a parlor, 

 sitting room, and four chambers in the main, with 

 dining room and kitchen in the ell. 



" That will do for the head man's house, if we 

 put it in the right place and fix it up," said 

 Polly. 



" My young lady, I propose to be the < head 

 man ' on this farm, and I wish it spelled with a 

 capital H, but I do not expect to live in that 

 house. It will do first-rate for the farmer and 

 his men, when you have placed it where you 

 want it, but I intend to live in the big house 

 with you." 



We'll not disagree about that, Mr. Head- 

 man." 



The barns were fairly good, but badly 



