A n U N T E II ' s r, I F E . 69 



would probably have made yon pay for all tlie damage 

 done to the mule." 



After supper, the girls, Jesse, aud myself, went into an- 

 other room, where we spent almost the whole evening in 

 relating past occurrences ; as well those which had hap- 

 pened to myself in the far West, as it was then called, as 

 what had happened during my absence in the two neigh- 

 borhoods in which I had formerly resided. I carefully 

 avoided all inquiry about the McMuUens, and expected an 

 allusion to Mary every minute. 



At length Lina remarked, " Well, cousin, you have 

 asked after all your associates, and have not mentioned 

 your little bird. You need not think to slip oflF that way, 

 for we all know what you mean." 



" Well, Lina," said I, " I was waiting for Jesse to say 

 something about her ; for, don't you know, I left him in 

 charge of that pretty little girl, telling him to take care 

 of her, and if I ever could, I would do the same kindness 

 for him." 



Jesse replied that he had not seen her, but that lie had 

 heard that she was improving in her looks every day. 



"Well," said Lina, "if yon say much more about her 

 he will leave us, and start oflF to-night, in order to be there 

 soon in the morning ; for you can see how uneasy he is 

 getting. " 



" Indeed, girls," said I, "it would be a cold-hearted bo> 

 who, at my age, would not love to see such a girl as 

 she is." 



Having run me as far on that score as they wished, the 

 conversation was turned to other subjects, and time passed 

 very pleasantly till a late hour, when it was proposed that 

 we should go to bed. Jesse and I occupied the same room ; 

 and, after we lay down, we continued talking till nearly 

 daylight. The first thing we heard in the morning was 

 the old gentleman calling the l)uys to get up ; " For," said 



