Characteristic Traits. 43 



etc. No apples seemed to the little girls so rosy 

 cheeked and juicy as those that grew in grand- 

 father's orchard ; and no butter so golden as the 

 produce of grandmother's dairy. 



In December, the accounts of his father's health 

 were favorable. Months glided into years, and still 

 the evil day was put off — his father's death did not 

 occur until three years later. 



The pastor of St. John's had a keen relish for life. 

 His parishioners delighted to have him share their 

 hospitality; and though he was too busy a worker 

 to spend much time at the table, he gladly accepted 

 a cordial invitation to one of his many homes — and 

 he had almost as many homes as f^imilies in his 

 congregation. He scarcely noticed what his hostess 

 set before him ; in fact, some of the old ladies assert 

 that he would readily partake of a second dinner. 

 As he was a good talker, full of anecdote and ready, 

 harmless wit, we surmise that he did not always get 

 his full share at the first table, so willingly con- 

 cluded the meal at the second. Besides, he was a 

 continuous worker, almost beyond his strength, and 

 needed nourishing food to build him up. He 

 disliked wine, declaring that it never agreed with 

 him ; a cup of tea — and a large one — he enjoyed. 

 In his old age, the good wife would return one of 

 his many little jokes, for while he was talking in an 

 earnest, animated strain, she would slily continue 

 to replace the empty cup with a full one, and when 

 the tea drinking was over, have a laugh at his 

 expense, in which he would join heartily, declaring 



