48 MY TINETARD. 



the care they received, had been scattered upon the lawn, 

 and in appropriate places about the buildings. The 

 brown-haired boy was no longer alone. Another one, 

 with darker eyes, now gathered with us at the daily board. 

 Thus the years passed on, bearing with them satisfaction 

 and contentment. Occasionally there were dark days, 

 tinged with discouragement and melancholy; but they 

 passed away, and the next morning's sun shone as cheeri- 

 ly as ever. 



A VISIT TO HERMANN. 



Three years had passed since we were sat down at the 

 door of the old log house at Lakeview. The crops of the 

 third season were good, and promised sufficient returns 

 to clear the mortgage from the house, and leave a small 

 balance besides. So we thought it well to go out on a 

 little journey from home, and see what was doing in the 

 busy world outside. As both of us could not leave at the 

 same time, it was arranged that I should go first, and af- 

 terwards my wife. For myself, I chose a trip to the 

 West. Not least among the enjoyments of a journey, is 

 the pleasure of the return ; home, with its enjoyments and 

 its contentment, seems all the dearer. 



Bob, the friend and companion in the days of my 

 apprenticeship, had become connected with a paper in a 

 flourishing town in Central Missouri. So I determined to 

 make a visit to him one of the features of my journey. 



