44 MY VINETAKD. 



services of a lad about fifteen years old, the son of a neigh- 

 boring farmer. By paying the father all the wages he 

 demanded, and giving the boy an extra amount besides, 

 and treating him with kindness, he was satisfied and con- 

 tented, and proved to be very valuable help. 



A GLANCE AT OTHER THINGS. 



My wife's flower-garden was a great success. She took 

 upon herself its whole care and management, only avail- 

 ing herself of the assistance of Harry, the hired boy, in 

 performing the heavier work. Some of the Balsams and 

 Asters were very fine. Because they were more attractive 

 and showy, they gave much satisfaction to our neighbors, 

 who occasionally dropped in. Still these flowers were 

 by no means the favorites of my wife. I had learned this 

 in earlier years, when she and I were young together. I 

 was in the habit of observing such things from a notion 

 that the flowers which the softer sex admire, may be tak- 

 en as an index of their tastes and disposition. My wife 

 had a great fondness for Sweet Violets, and most adtnira- 

 bly did she succeed with them by keeping them mostly 

 in the shade. Day after day was our tea-table adorned 

 with a little bunch of these flowers, freshly picked. Near- 

 ly every pleasant morning my wife might be seen, with 

 gloves and trowel, working among the flowers ; and there 



