82 The Illumination of Joseph Keeler, Esq. 



pleased with her sunny smiles, were delighted to fulfil her every 

 wish. Simple yet modern city conveniences were installed from 

 kitchen to bathrooms and Joseph Keeler was greatly pleased on 

 his occasional visits to see his two children revelling in the nov- 

 elty of a new home after their own tastes. 



John had to supervise the men engaged in the varied employ- 

 ments of the Farm; but his office training made it quite easy for 

 him to conduct both indoor and outdoor operations in a prompt 

 and business-like manner. The cutting of the timber, the draw- 

 ing of the logs, the careful cutting and piling of the brush-wood, 

 all engaged his attention, while this outdoor life gave the strength 

 and tone to his whole system, which made him no longer 

 desire to indulge in habits and practices, now with him a thing 

 of the past. The several works on agriculture and farming 

 journals served for his daily literature and gradually he became 

 interested in farming as a worthy occupation. It was all new 

 to him; but with a student's habits he soon came to understand 

 something of the wide meaning of the science of agriculture. 

 The weather, the soil, the varied crops suitable to the locality 

 developed a growing capacity for observation of the things of 

 Nature, to which he had hitherto been a stranger. 



Both Fanny and John took much pleasure in keeping their 

 student landlord informed on the weekly progress of operations, 

 and Ernest entertained them with accounts of all the things he 

 was observing and learning at the college and amused them by 

 relating the numerous improvements he was going to introduce 

 during the next season. Limited to their rural neighbours, both 

 Fanny and John gradually found themselves getting on friendly 

 terms with all who, from time to time, almost timidly, found 

 opportunity for visiting the new house and examining with much 

 curiosity the household conveniences to which most were stran- 

 gers. Such became, of course, the occasion of much comment 

 in their own homes, and unconsciously each began to think that 

 they too might enjoy water laid on in their houses and at least 

 some of the simpler conveniences, which they saw would make 

 homelife more comfortable and enjoyable. 



In the summer months the family had spent their Sundays 

 in enjoying the pleasant scenes on lake and on the Farm; but 

 as the weather grew wintry and stormy and acquaintance ex- 



