﻿MY VISIT TO THE COUNTRY. 



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cars, as, enjoying the fresh country breeze, we glided out of Boston. 

 Fast as we came to " crossings " the steam-whistle would sound its 

 shrill, " Get out of the way" There seemed to be a peculiar sound 

 about this whistle to-day. It seemed dreadfully hoarse ! William 

 asked the conductor, with whom he seemed well acquainted, if the 

 engine had not got cold? " I don't know about that," he replied ; "I 

 think, however, it will get warm, going at this rate, before we get to 

 Keene." 



On we went, through Cambridge, with its beautiful, cultivated 

 grounds, and elegant houses, and Waltham, where, while the cars 

 stopped a few minutes, we heard the hum from the factories, and, 



having rode some distance further, to station, we alighted. 



A comfortable carriage was waiting. After a ride of a mile, I found 

 myself approaching the home of my friends. As we rode up to the 

 door, I discovered some young heads peering out of a window through 

 a mass of grape foliage, which rendered the blind unnecessary. 



It was not long before I had the whole company of children alone 

 with me in the parlor, and after hearing from the younger portion 

 an account of the chickens, ducks, &c., they begged me to tell them 

 a story. 



"Well," said I, "once upon a time" -isn't that a good begin- 

 ning? " Excellent," little Ann cried, clapping her hands. 



Then before I go any further did you watch my eyes when a 

 young man came round the piazza to take the horse ? He did not 

 see me, and I guess you did not witness the interest with which 1 

 regarded him? They all said " No." 



Now for my story : 



Once upon a time, perhaps eight, perhaps nine, years ago, not 

 longer, for I was an old man then, I remember, I was walking home 

 from East Boston. I recollect well how beautifully the harbor 

 appeared when we crossed the ferry that fine moonlight evening. 

 The loose sails hanging from the shipping seemed, when distant, 

 dke the uplifted wings of snow-white swans. The peaceful influ- 

 ences of the night, I know, had so affected me that I was ill-prepared 

 for what followed. 



For some reasons, although it gave me a longer journey, I went 

 through Ann street. I never had a very exalted opinion of some of 



