!(» FORTy-F«»UU V K. A K S OF 



he, "boys, we have a great deal of hay down, nnd we 

 mnst have it secured while it is in good order." 



After breakfast was over, I staid to help witli the hay 

 till it was all safe in the mows. This was a fine frolic ; 

 girls, boys, and old people all being at it, each one trying 

 to surpass the other in skill and activity, till all was done. 

 The evening was our own, and we enjoyed it with the 

 greatest glee, singing songs, of which I had learned per- 

 haps half a dozen new ones wliile I was away. 



The ne.xt day I left for the "Blooming Hose;" and as 

 my cousins had i)iformed me of the death of uncle Jolm's 

 little daughter, I thought I ought to visit his family before 

 calling on any of my acquaintances, for I knew tlieir al- 

 fliction was very great. Accordingly, I spent a week or 

 two with them. They were very anxious that I sliould 

 live with them again ; but this offer T declined, by telling 

 them that I had promised to live with my mother, at least 

 till I should marry a wife — if ever I did take one ; for 

 that was an uncertain business, as the one that I wanted I 

 could not get ; and I never would have any girl upon 

 whom my affections were not fixed. 



In the mean time, I visited many of my friends; but 1 

 did not go to Mr. McMuUen's, as I had not been apprised 

 of his being from home, and as I well knew my presence 

 would be unwelcome to him. 1 wished to see Mary be- 

 fore I attempted to pay another visit to the family. 



Some days passed thus, till at length there was a fune- 

 ral, to which I went with uncle and aunt, and there I met 

 Mrs. McMnllen and Mary. After the funeral service was 

 over, uncle, aunt, Mrs. McMnllen, and Mary, together with 

 several others, walked about a mile in company over the 

 same road. I took Mary's hand, and walked by her side 

 unfl the others had all turned off at different roads ; wlien 

 she her mother, and myself were the only persons left. 

 The old lady stopped a little while with my aunt, but 



