28 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
there in the corner, leaving me to play the dig¬ 
nified with the old folks. Perhaps, if you do 
not use some expedition in seeking the com¬ 
panionship of bears and buffaloes, you may find 
yourself tethered, and your wanderings restricted 
to the regions about Willow Brook.” 
“ Don’t let yourself be alarmed,” was the re¬ 
ply, “ though, to tell the truth, I did spend a 
delightful evening, and found Miss Minnie Dean 
charming company. I w^as fearful that I should 
find the Misses Dean regular blue-stockings of 
the straightest order, prim with propriety, and 
tagging on a moral to every sentence; but they 
are quite the reverse, and I could almost think 
that the world has something worth living for 
could I be persuaded that there are many such 
green spots in life’s wastes. Truly, Lew, I do 
most heartily thank you for introducing me to 
such a family.” 
“I am delighted,” was Rudolph’s rejoinder, 
“to hear of your enjoyment, and hope that a 
few repetitions of such pleasant hours may cure 
your despondency and give you more cheering 
views of life.” 
“Yes, yes, thank you,” said Davidson, “but 
the beginning is too bright to last, I fear. I am 
