TAKING REINS IN HAND 



ing, and crowned by a gaunt pine tree, and a 

 bowering elm. 



The same hospitable occupant, to whom I 

 have referred, had made additions to the home 

 itself, so as to divest it of the usual, stereo- 

 typed farm-house look, by a certain quaintness 

 of outline. This he had done by extending 

 the area of the lower story some ten feet, in 

 both front and rear, while the roof of this 

 annex was concealed by a heavy balustrade, 

 perched upon its eaves; thus giving the effect 

 of one large cube, surmounted by a lesser one ; 

 the uppermost was topped with a roof of sharp 

 pitch, through whose ridge protruded two 

 enormous chimney stacks. But this altera- 

 tion was of so old a date as not to detract 

 from the venerable air of the house. Even 

 the jaunty porch which jutted in front of all, 

 showed gaping seams, and stains of ancient 

 leakage, that forbade any suspicion of new- 

 ness. 



Within, the rooms had that low-browed 

 look which belongs to country farm-houses; 

 and I will not disguise the matter by pretend- 

 ing that they are any higher now. I have 

 occasional visitors whom I find it necessary to 

 caution as they pass under the doorways; and 

 the stray wasps that will float into the open 



53 



