Hope Deferred. 53 



say to the twins, father wants them to make haste 

 and grow fat. Your loving father, J. B. 



P. S. Dear }] ife : Let chanticleer rather be locked 

 up than give offense to your neighbors. I am sorry 

 for the loss of the geraniums and the ducks ; but it 

 would help neither, were I to cry my eyes out, and 

 I hope that you will not make yourself unhappy 

 about these trifling things. My love to your mother, 

 and thanks to all who helped you nurse our Ellen. 

 Remember me to John Schwartz ; tell him when he 

 goes to the postoffice to-morrow, he will find a letter 

 from me. Your affectionate husband, J. B. 



The morrow came, but did not bring the promised 

 letter. Little Harriet and the rest of the loving 

 household watched and waited the absent one 

 came not. He was lying ill, almost unto death, in 

 New York, from a fever contracted on the lakes. 



