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,'J

THE BROCK FAMILY.

' THE BROCK FAMILY

A. L. (). M.

T OR ONTO :

WILLIAM iBKiaas,

M<.mi;kam C. W. (.'OATHS. Mam. am S. V. Ill KSTIS.

P/^>7/ -^//? . li V

Entered according to the Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year
one thousand eight hundred and ninety, by William Briggs,
in the office of the Minister of Agriculture, at Ottawa.

CONTENTS.

The old Brock home

A visit to grandpa's home

Christmas

ClIAl'TER I.

CirAi'TKii ir.

CHAI'TKR III.

Chapter IV.
Martha makes dumplings and gets a new dress

Chapter V.
The Brocks resolve to move westward

Chapter VI.
xMartha and Eva meet with trials at school -

Westward

The new home -

Indians

Missionary work begins

The blizzard

Cjiapter VII.
Chapter VIII.
Chapter IX.
Chapter X.
Chapter XI.

9
25
36
62
69

120

141

161

1/,

Vi COX'I'KNTS.

('iiArTi:u Xll.
Visits ..---■-

ClIAl'TKK Xll I.
The prairie fire ;iii«l a lettei' from Oscur ■

ClIAl-TKR XIV.
Death

CllAI-TKR X\'.

Brighter days .-----

CllAriKK X\l.
Conclusion . . . - -

'JOO
211

252

CHAPTER I.

THE OLD BROCK HOME.

DON'T see any sense in grammar. If I were
Minister of Education, I'd east it out entirely,"
said Martha, disdainfully, as she threw her c^rammar on
the sofa, drew a broad pink ribbon from her pocket,
and began arranging a gay bow.

" Oh, we must all have grammar, the Brocks all had;
and we'll never grow up to be ladies if we use ungram-
matical language," returned the sensible Eva, as she
placed the last wiped apple in the pan to roast for tea.

" I admire good language as much as any one, but
it's like climbing the stair of a towering monument to
gain it by learning this book. Besides it's unreason-
able, for if he is a 2^yo — noun because it stands instead
of a noun, why isn't did a i^ro — verb, because it stands
in place of a verb in this example ? ' Who churned ?
I did.' If I've got to learn grammar, I'll write a decent
one for myself, then I can understand it. I've learned
the vocabulary at the back of that old Third Book so

THE BROCK FAMILY.

well, that I think that ought to do instead," as she
placed the finished bow at her throat and walked to
the looking-glass to study the effect.

Myrtle smiled at Martha's vanity, and carelessly
chimed in : " Wait till I pop into that class, I'll give
Mr. Rogers a peach, so he'll let me slide when I miss."

"H-m ! I'd like to see you come thr.t game over his
lordship, he'd poach yon," and turning towards Eva,
Martha continued :

" Now listen to my line flowing language from that
old Third Book, say ' The Vision of Mirza' — here's the
vocabulary: 'vision, that which appears to be seen in
one's sleep; oriental, eastern; imtniijseripts, written
documents ; translated, changed from one language
into another; meditation, thought; melodious, sweet;
soliloquy, a talking to one's self ; prodigious, great ;
sciiiiitar, a sword with a curved blade.' Now, ready-
whip-cut-go, ' In my vision last night I saw a maiden
supporting an oriental candlestick which bore several
lighted candles, by the light of which she translated the
prodigious manuscript. At this point she waved a
shining scimitar over her head, began a soliloquy in a
melodious tone, and then settled down into a peaceful
meditation.' How does that suit your fastidious taste,
Miss Eva ? "

" Eloquent! most eloquent! You might alMost aspire
to Mr. Rogers' situation and twelve hundred a year,"
replied Eva. " But you did use grammar in that
speech ; if you learned it no other way, you learned it
unconsciously from papa and mamma, for you speak

TMK (>M) BllOCK HOME.

very much as they <lo. If mamma said luorser, you
would say worser. So you see we ought to be thank-
ful for the good parents we have. If they were pagans,
we'd he the .same until taught a different belief."

"But," said Mrs. Brock, who had entered unperceived,
in time to hear Eva's last speech, " I'm afraid you do
not divide your attention e([ually among your studies,
for you took ninety per cent, in literature last examina-
tion, while your deficiency in arithmetic caused youi'
failure," and she Ijegan to stitch away at a button-hole
in Martha's new dress.

" I love literature,' expostulated Martha, with enthu-
siasm. "Hear me say canto IF., beginning at XXII.,
please," as she pas.sed the book to her mother.

Mrs. Brock patiently took it, remarking :

" I scarcely need any aid to my memory, for I've
heard you so often, I think I know the poems almost
as well as you do. We had none of this nonsense when
I was a girl, we had to learn the catechism and Psalms.
Very well, begin."

Then Martha began to recite from Sir Walter Scott's
writings :

'• Some feelings are to mortals given

With less of eartli in them than heaven ;

And if there he a human tear

From passion's dross retined and clear,

A tear so limpid and so meek

It would not stain an angel's cheek,

'I'is that which pious fathers shed

(poll a dut(M)Us daughter's head ! "'

THE BROCK FAMILY.

At this she paused in her recitation, and mockingly
patted Eva on the head, repeating " A duteous daugh-
ter," then proceeded with,

" And as the Douglas to his breast
His darling Ellen closely — "

" Where did you get that gaudy bow, Martha ? "
interrupted her mother, anxiously.

" I forgot to tell you. I found an old purse going
to school this morning — "

"Was the purse walking or driving to school?"
inquired Myrtle.

" You think you're smart now, don't you ? Spell
phthisic," and turning to her mother, said, "but wasn't
I lucky ? It had four ten-cent pieces and a five in it.
At first I thought I'd made my fortune and needn't go
to school any more ; but after I came to my senses, I
concluded it wouldn't quite support my gray hairs in
sufficient dignity to satisfy the pride of my aristocratic
Grandmother Brock, were she to take a peep at me
from the past, so I sorrowfully gave up the brilliant
vision of future grandeur and continued on my way to
school."

" You should have tried to find an owner for it, my
dear Martha."

" So I did, mamma, but couldn't. I ran and caught
up to a man with a load of grain, but he hadn't lost it.
Then I thought I'd give it to Mr. Rogers, but then it
occurred to me he'd ask the scholars, and as none of

THE OLD BROCK HOME.

them come up the hill to the country but us, he'd only-
put it in his desk."

" Do you know, mamma, I don't care about tattlinf^,
but I was really ashamed of Martha this morning ;
she started shopping. As I saw she was going to be
late, I went on to school, and it was precisely five
minutes after ten when she came in. At recess, she
showed me just thirty-nine sa^iples of ribbon from no
less than ten stores."

" Martha ! Martha I when will you learn to quit
these shopping expeditions ? "

" I don't know, dear mamma ; " and she folded her
arms, arched her brows, and vainly curled her lip ; " if
ever I get rich, and buy numerous silk dresses and
pearl necklaces, I may get satisfaction ; but you don't
know the real pleasure I enjoy in looking at the pretty
goods in the stores. See these pretty samples," as she
emptied the contents of her pocket into her mother's
apron, and tried to extricate the samples from the
tangled crochet thread and needle, a half-eaten apple,
some plum stones, pencils, and other miscellaneous
articles.

" This blue cloth is only sixty cents and double-
fold, purple velvet only seventy-five cents. Wouldn't
it make me a lovely dress, trimmed with deep bead
trimming ? "

" I think you have inherited this trait of character
— your love of beads and other finery — from your
grandmother's sister, Aunt Becket," remarked her
mother, with a laugh, while she glanced significantly
at the other girls.

THK |}ll()('K FAMILY.

" Mamma, sell a cheese and get me a dress from this
purple piece ; please do. I have the buttons, thread,
lining, and everything but just the dress, the velvet I
mean. Won't — "

" Nonsense ! " interrupted Eva, in a womanly way,
" you've nothing to correspond with it, and you'd just
beg for new boots, purple kids and a feather, so you
are happier as you are. Besides, the cheese has to go
to make up money for tlie taxes and the interest."

Not appreciating Kva's remarks, Martha tossed a
parcel of almonds in her mother's lap, saying :

" Please divide them, I forgot to give them to you
before."

" My dear Martha, I wish you would think less
about finery, and feel more contented in the sphere in
which God has placed you. It grieves your dear
father and me, to think we are not in a position to get
you better clothes ; but you see how hard he has to
work to keep you as comfortable as your are. I fear
we shall not have him very long, for he is getting
frail, though he never speaks of himself. Please
repeat the Tenth Commandment."

" Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou
shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, nor anything — "

" Well, do you think it is any worse to break one
commandment than another ? "

" No, I s'pose not ; but what's the good of putting
beautiful things in the world and setting us beside
them, without a cent to buy anything, and tlien call it
wicked if we send our eyes after them, even when we

THE OLD BROCK HOME.

1.-)

do manage to keep our fingers at home, I'd like to
know?" she said, half in anger, and forgetting her fine,
flowing language,

" Hush ! then bear in mind you are stealing in your
heart when you covet those goods."

" I'll try and be good, mamma, and bo a comfort to
you and papa yet ; maybe I'll teach school some time
and get a high salary, or keep a great herd of cattle in
the west and be worth millions ; then you'll sec my
name in print for being the wealthiest cattle-owner on
the continent. Then, won't I buy you everything — a
lovely mansion, a silk velvet jacket glistening with
bugles ; pa, a seal overcoat and gold-rimmed spectacles ;
and Myrtle, a string of pearls. But, I suppose I must
curb my pride, put a bridle on it, and rein it in this
way," as she threw two yards of crochet lace over
Eva's head and pulled her off' to the pantry, it being
now time for them to set the table.

" But," said the thoughtful Eva, as she counted out
the plates, " the chief object of a teacher ought to be
to train souls for heaven, not to obtain riches. I do
wish I could find one heathen girl to teach."

" Hear, hear ! I'm afraid you'll not live long ; you're
too good for your age. / think the chief object of a
teacher should be to teacli boys not to endorse notes.
There's another cup wanted ; scrape the dough out of
that, and see if it won't bring you down to a level
with the rest of your fannly," and she clasped her
arms about Eva's waist, waltzed her around the cook-
.stove, jerking off the damper, spilling the contents of

THE BROCK FAMILY.

the teapot on the floor, and tearing a yard of braid
from the skirt of her own dress.

While these two are busy preparing tea, we will
take the opportunity of giving our young friends a
description of the family.

On a beautiful farm adjoining the town of Brad-
wardine, in Western Ontario, in 188- when our story
opens, lived Mr. Brock and his family. He was about
forty-five years of age, with his black hair prematurely
sprinkled with white. Not being very strong, and work-
ing continually, he did not look like one destined to
live out the allotted period of three score years and
ten. He was patient and serious, and very fond of
his family and his home.

Mrs. Brock had not the quiet seriousness which char-
acterized her husband, but was cheerful and sensitive.
She cherished in her heart great hopes for the future
of her daughters.

Maggie, the eldest daughter, closely resembling her
mother in appearance, was then some miles away,
engaged in teaching school.

Next in years was Frank, the only son, a brown-
eyed boy of sixteen years. He was a great pet,
slightly spoiled, but deprived of a good education, be-
cause he was his father's chief help. He thought his
father's character perfect, and in every respect tried to
follow his example.

After him came the twins, Martha and Eva, who
were now fifteen. Martha was tall and willowy
in figure, but lively in disposition and often the ring-
leader in mischief.

til

THE OLD I'.KOCK flo.MK.

)f braid

we will
riends a

)f Brad-
lur story
as about
maturely
nd work-
stined to
ears and
' fond of

lich cbar-
sensitive.
he future

bling her
es away,

la brown-
reat pet,
ation, be-
puiibt his
it tried to

Aa, who
willowy
I the ring-

I Eva was chubby and rosy, and the personification of

good-nature. She was always ready to assist any one,
and to restore peace in the many domestic broils inci-

i dental to young and ardent spirits.

J Then two white stones in tlic cemetery mark the

,' graves of as many little l)oys.

I Last, but in her own opinion, at any rate, not least

I in importance, came Myrtle, a lovely child of eight

I summers.

; Besides these there was little Micliael Carrol, an

odd-looking Irish orphan, whom Mr. Brock had
adopted.

Their farm was situated at the foot of a mountain,

'I from which several gurgling streams of purest spring
water danced and foamed on their way to join the
river. Between the vine-clad house and the street
flourished the great orchard which produced a variety
of choice fruit. One tree in tliis orchard was very
crooked — a freak of nature — the deformity of which
Myrtle attributed to the handicraft of Martha, who,
when innocent, was often blamed. Then there was
always a good garden, which produced, among other
things, luscious melons and strawberries ; these, on
many occasions, tempted the prowling town boys to
break one or two of the commandments. But there
was a shadow over this farm. It was not a cloud that
'; would break over it and leave it richer than before,
but a dark cloud of debt which kept the father care-
worn and ill at ease meeting the interest. Owing to
this debt, Martha's wardrob(j included onlv comfort-

THE RROCK FAMILY.

able, plain clothes. This mortgai,'e Mr. Brock had
inherited with the farm from hi.s father, who, thnnif^li
kindness, endorsed a note, reachin<^ up into the thou-
sands, for an old .schoolmate. The unfi^ratefnl man
absconded, and the benevolent old jjentleman was
obliged to mortgage the homestead to pay the debt.
Grandfather Brock did not long survive this reverse.
The present Mr. Brock, with the increasing expense of
his family, and inferior crops, had been unable to
reduce the principal.

Tea being now announced, the family sat down in the
plain but cosy dining-room, where the bright lamp
reflected equally bright faces. They reverently brAved
their heads while their father fervently asked God to
bestow His blessing upon them. The evening meal
consisted of good bread and butter, cheese, and baked
apples with cream and sugar.

After an interval of silence, in the course of the
meal, Mr. Brock suddenly said :

" I believe this North-West prairie is much better
than is generally supposed."

"Yes?" inquired Mrs. Brock, "but I feel we are far
enough north now."

" I have just been reading a letter in the Times from
a farmer who w^ent out there some four years ago, and
he and his two boys now own two sections of land,
free from all encumbrance. Now, you know, that is
two square miles. Each of the three men homesteaded
one hundred and sixty and pre-empted one hundred
and sixty, making nine h;mdred and sixty acres ; and

th(

TFIK OF.D BROCK HOME.

ck bad

e tbou-
,il man
an was
Ke (U'bt.
reverse,
pense of
nable to

Nn in tlie
;lit lamp
,ly hf»wed
d Ood to
inpj meal
nd baked

\e of the

ch better

[e are far

hmes from
Is ago, and
of land,
T, that is
lesteaded
hundred
2res ; and

besides this he bought three hundred and twenty

acres.

"Far-away l>irds have fine feathers," demurred Mrs.
Brock.

" That's all very true, my dear, })ut this letter appears
to be quite plausible. He has a hundred hea<l of
cattle, tifty sheep, and a number of horses. In summer
the pasture is better in quality than any we have ever
seen, while there is almost no lindt to its extent. The
hay for winter only costs the labor of cuttiniif and
stackinfj. Then wheat, he writes, produces forty
bushels to the acre, and other grain accordingly, while
for potatoes, it is an Irishman's paradisa"

" Faith, an' if it'll grow peraties widout rent, what
fur do they grow whate at all, at all ? " cried Mike.

" So far," continued Mr. Brock, " he has had no
trouble in Hnding a ready market for all his produce.
What do you say to our emigrating ?" and h/ east an
amused glance at his wife, knowing her opinion on
the subject too well to rec^uire a verbal answer.

Then Martha, who had no idea they would ever
emigrate, took up the subject by saying at random :

" I suppose ive could get that much land if we went
there, and we could take all our stock. Now, suppos-
ing we sold the wheat off twelve hundred and eighty
acres at a dollar a bushel, that would be forty times
twelve hundred and eighty ; nought's nought, four
nought's nought, four eights — fifty-one thousand two
hundred dollars. Oh, my ! Just fancy! Why, by
good management we'd soon be rich as Crd'sus, and be
happy."

THE BROCK FAMILY.

" But there might be a Solon, and a Cyrus," said
Eva.

" We'd be uiillion^Y^r.s' then," sufrirested Myrtle.

"And pray what would you <lo with a million ears'i
Stiinj: them witli diamonds ? But we could invite
tlie President and his wife from Washington, the Prince
of Wales and Ins wife, and the old Sultan of Turkey,
you know, he'd give us ])resents of carriages with
golden spokes and diamond hubs in the wheels. We'd
entertain them in first-class style, somethini; like the
Earl of Leicester entertained Queen Elizabeth, only
we'd behave ourselves rather better than he did, and be
benefited by the latest injprovements, such as electric
light and spring mattresses."

" Now," said Mrs. Brock, " I don't mind receiving a
visit from respectable people like the President and
the English royal family ; but when you come to the
Sultan, I cannot lower my family to such a degree as
to be on visiting terms with him, even should we
become rich."

" Then," continued ^Fartha, " they might invite us to
visit them. Of course, we would not go so far as
Turkey. But it would be grand to spend six weeks at
Washington, in the White House."

Speculation monopolized the conversation until the
fi3mily rose from the table.

After tea, their mother seated herself in the familiar
old rocking-chair with her mending. ]\lyrtle placed a
plate of grapes and apples on the table, and Mr. Brock
read aloud from " Half-Hours with the Best Authors,"

th(

Tlir. n|,|» i;i!(»('K lloMK.

us,

said

rtle.

ion ears ?
Id invite
the Prince
f Turkey,
I'Tcs with
.fs. We'd
r like the
ibeth, only
did, and be
as electric

receiving a
si dent and

jme to the
iegree as
should we

b (

invite us to
so far as
ix weeks at

n until the

the familiar
tie placed a
d Mr. Brock
st Authors,"

with so niucli expression tliat he couhl not fail to
fascinate the most inattentive listener.

Before retiring, Kva took her })ljice at the organ,
while thev all joined in sinuini; their favorite hvnuis.
Mrs. Brock's voice always rang out clearly in Toplady's
" Rock of Aires." When they wer(3 all seated, the
father took the well-worn Bible on his knees, and
opened it where the faded green ribbon marked the
place. He rea<l a chapter, and kindly advised his
faniily to attend to the one thing needful, trying to
impress upon their minds the text, " But lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal." Then followed the earnest petition
in which he placed his family and himself in his
Father's care, and, making a s})ecial plea for his absent
daughter, he finished with the Lord's Prayer.

The gfirls wished the others " Good-niiiht " : Frank
wished pleasant dreams, and soon they were all enjoy-
ing sweet sleep.

It seemed to tlie children a very short time until
they heard thjir father calling :

" Come, girls ; come, Frank ; come, come."

Eva turned over for a little more sleep, but Martha
sprang out of bed and tugged away at the other girls,
threw a pillow at the head of one, a scribbling-book
at the other, until they decided there was not much
comfort while she was teasinor. So it was not lonir
until all three took their pails to help milk the twenty-

THE lUKMK FAMILV.

five cows, that did so much towunls supportiii;^' tlic
Brock family.

As tliey milked away, one ^drl saii^, anotlier repeated
a proposition in i^conu'try, wliili^ Myrtle talked to the
cow that she was milkinn^, and imai;in<Ml she received
comt'ortinix answers. While thr <'irls were lau^hin<;
over the vat, antl the last ])ail of foamin<^^ milk was
tipped into the j^reat stiainer, their mother, wt-arin^^ a
clean collar and apron, o))ened the; factory door and
smilingly said :

" Please come to breakfast, i^irls,"

"Yes, yes, dear mamma."

When Mr. Brock was openin*^ the Bihle for family
worship after breakfast, Martha whispered to her
mother, as she glanced at the clock :

" Mamma, I'm afraid we shall be late for school; I
wish papa wouldn't bother reading this morning."

" Hush, dear ! God's Word will .speed rather than
retard you."

There was a general conuiiotion in preparing for
school after prayer.

Eva asked, " Wliat'll I get for our dinner, mamma ?"

Myrtle shouted, " Where's my pink hair-ribbon ? "

"I saw it round Kitty's neck, with a bell on it,"
rewlied Eva.

Martha tossed books, combs and hats promiscuously
about as she called out :

" Who saw two stray leaves of the ' Lady of the
Lake ? ' and picking up some tiny, twisted paper, she.

TIIK OKI) IJIUMK HOME

ill

•• the

I to the
rt'ceivyd

lilk was
(•iirin!4 a
loor and

>r i'jiiiuly
1 to ber

school ; I

)»
iin*;.

her than

paring for

Ipamma?"
Ibbon ? "
;11 on it,"

liiscuously

ly of the
)aper, she,

witli u forlorn look, continiKMl : " Tliore, now, if tliut
ain't too bad ! Kva's just used them for curl papers
for those daudv baiij^s. ra])a said we'd be taUin<( a
leaf fiom thf family Bil)l(» to curl our hair with, next
thinir, ami sure en()U<rh Kva's i^ot those dear leaves
twisted Up, with her brown threads lu)ldin<x them ti^dit,"
as slu! l)eL^'ln iiickin;!' ot!" tlie odd hairs and straifjliten-
inir out the leaves of lier favorite })Ook. ' (jiuess I'll
make a little curl of the hair, and take it to your
favored Walter as a keepsake ; he can put in liis
locket."

Kva, feelin*,^ .^^dlty and desirin<; to keep tin; peace,
said she was sorry. Just then, Mike opened the front
door and sliouted :

" A roide ! a roide to school ! yous'll all git a roide !
there's an omnibus comin' aroun' Jardon's corner,

shure."

"Nonsense," responded Eva, "that's a threshing

machine."

" Faith, if it can handle the shillelaj'h loike owld

Rogers, I'll wait till it goes by."

" We're off, now, mamma ; enjoy yourself," said

Myrtle, and her eyes beamed with the satisfaction that

her worried mother would at least have the best of the

day to herself.

Fifteen minutes after eight found the children on

their way to school, having their pockets well rounded

out from the products of the orchard ; and Mrs. Brock

in the rocking-chair, thinking and resting before she

returned alone to her work.

24.

TIIK r,l?0('K FA MI F.N.

" Now," .she niuscc], " the}^ are away for the day ;
they're a o-reat trial in one respect, but I would almost
rather lose my own life than sntfer the loss of even
the most trouhiesome of them. Well, to-morrow's
Saturday, and I promised them that they all might go
up to their grandpa's for nuts, so I must lengthen
Myrtle's check dress. She grows out of her clothes
very fast."

e day;
almost
)f even
orrow's
i<rht go
•niithen
clothes

CHAPTER 11.

A VISIT TO GRANDPAS HOME.

^| INK o'clock the t'ollowinu^ morning found all the
^ 3'oung Brocks <lressed for a visit to Grandpa
Gladstone's pleasant country home. They expected
to gather nuts in company with their Boston cousins,
Oscar an<l Emma, who were then spending a few
weeks at their grandpa's farm. Frank drove the
prancing liorses up to the gate amid the usual con-
fusion on such an important occasion.

" Eva," said Frank, " bring out my other hat and
coat please, I can't leave these horses."

" Yes," returned Eva, laughing over her shoulder as
she turned towards the house, " I hope you'll get a
wife with ten hands, for you've been used to that many
waiting on you, and if you settle down with only two
you'll be disappointed in your lady-love."

" I'm glad you have such a tine day, children," re-
marked their father, as he smiled over the gate under
the great maple trees, and almost wishetl he were again

TUK I'.KOCK FAMII-V.

a lioy, tliat l»e ini_L;lit join tliLMii in tlioir youtljl'ul
pleasuro.

" (i(K)«l-by<\ papa!" " ( Jo()<l-l»y»\ nianniia!" "(Jood-
byo, all !" ran*; throufj^li tin' air, as the iiii])ati('nt horses
pawed and tossed their heads wildly i'roni sidt^ t() side.
As the words " Mind the horses" readied Kraidv's cars,
away tliey W(Mit at a lively pace down the sliaded lane
to the e;ate at the road.

Myrtle, l)eanun«]j witli deliujht, jumped out and
opened tlie ijate, once more climbed into tlu; carrian^^i!,
and on they drove <lown the steep liilhover the bridge
hy the mill, up the other lonijr slopiuij^ hill. an<l j)ast the
Hay Horse Hotel, where Mike's poor father had spent
his waijjes an<l his life.

" Well, here we are,' and they turiKMl in at the
white i^ate under the shade of the willows. The two
little city cousins popped up from behind the hedge,
shontiiiij^ :

" Hello, there ! "

•' Hello, yourself ! " was promptly returned.

" Good for you. I always thoufT^ht you country folks
behind the times, but you seem to have been alive this

mornniii'.

Then they clambered in, and a happier load never
came laui^hinj.^ and sinofinij: up their ijjrandpa's ])retty
lane to the old stone house amoiiiX the trees.

" Good morninu;, <;randpa."

" Well, children, <;lad to see you."

The children sprani^ out, and Lhe little Brocks went
to ijreet their dear little old tjrandma.

A VISIT TO (;i{ANI)l'AS MOMK.

tlil'ul

'dooil-

, horses
to s'kU'.
c's cars,
led lane

>ut and
•arria,L;«\
i» l)ri<l}^o
past the
fid spi^nt

I at th(^
The two
lu'dgo,

,ry folks
ilive this

id never
])retty

cks went

" Mannr.a sent her love and this lac<! cap to you, and
paj)a W('i;jfhed these two pippins, otn* is nineteen pounds
—

"Ounces," corrected I'iVa.

" Mayhe it was oiiiic(!s, and tiie oth(;r twenty, and
lie wants to know it' you can l»eat that," and Myrth;
looked iiKpiirini^dy at ht!r sisters to hv.o it' she had
delivenMJ her parcels and niessa^a\s correctly.

The cap, alter heinir tri(Ml on and admired, was
placed for safety in the 1ow(T drawer of the old wal-
nut hureau and lockecl up, M,nd the two apphis w(!re
put on the sideboard heside the silver.

Tluur <^'ra?id[)a was fe:edin(r what he calhid his royal
family — ^tlu; larjjje Hock of hens, turkeys and <^^;e.se.
The children lauj^duMl lu^artily as Oscar stooped down
and mimicked, almost to perf(!ction, th<; old ^'ohliler
struttiuL' proudly ahout. Grandpa lauf^died and talked
to the fowl as if they understood hiiri as they followed
him about the lane and l)arnyard.

Ah the pr()cossi<jn of <(randchildren startcsd away to
the woods, the ohl <]jentleman jokingly remarked :

" I must have a tenth of the nuts you <;ather, for
toll."

" I'm sure you'll «^et that and inore, too," re})lied one.

" You'll get none of mine, you and your old straw
hat," muttered O.scar.

This shocked the young Brocks so much that Eva
said, " He is our dear old grandfather and should he
treated with respect. He does not want the nuts, but
is childish. You know he'll be eighty the tenth of
May."

rUF-: I'.KorK FAMILY.

" You '^o mIoiil; with your <;rani 1 father and the tenth
of May. It' he had treated you as he did nie, you
wouMn't stick up so for him."'

" Why, tliat's somethiiiLj now I Wliat's happened
you, poor fellow ^ "

" Oh, nothing, only the old man's so crusty, I can't
do anythini^ to please him. I came out to the country
for a lark, you know ; and yesterday when we were
swinf^ino- on the gate, aU of a sudden smash it went.
Then he sent us Hying into the house, saying, ' You're
bad chihlren, I'll take you to the station first market
day, mark my word.'

" Next thing, I was shooting at a target I set up
against the horse stable, and he told me I shouldn't
shoot there, for fear I'd kill the horses. What do you
think I wanted to kill the horses for ? They don't
amount to a row of pins, any way. If he'd see some
of our Boston horses he'd get his eyes open. However,
I did'nt pay any attention to him, but fired away.
And what do you b'lieve he said next ? ' Get off this
farm in fifteen minutes.' As the farm was his'n I said,
' Farewell, Elder Gladstone,' but I only whispered it,
for there's a good deal of force in the toe of the old
man's boot ; it would almost land me on the station
platform, and save me walking that humbuggin' six
miles. By the way, I don't see what tempts people
to get away out here in the mud, so far from the
station. I went in to bundle up my dry goods, and
tell Ennna, when grandma took my part for once ; so
he agreed to let me stav till I could get a ride to the
station."

A VrSFT TO fJRAXDPAS HOME.

" Well, Oscar, it's too bad that you and rrrandpa are
not ijjettincr alon<^ better, but you shouM be pati<'nt
with him. He'll not live much longer, and we'll be
sorry after he's gone for beinn* unkind to him," said
Frank.

" Come, yoimix iustice, vou needn't side in with him,
for he thinks as little of you as he does of me, and
that's precious little, mind, I tell you ; for every time
I'm here he shows me the binf F you scratched on the
end of the piano when you was a younf];ster."

"I know I'm as bad as the next one. and don't
deserve his kindness, but I'm always try in o- to improve.
Let's wait till the girls get even, and race from here to
that stone at the foot of the hill."

"All right, hurry up, girls."

"Toes to the mark, ready ; one, two, three, go."

Away the half-dozen went. One after another fell
behind ; Myrtle tripped and fell, raised a doud of dust,
and sprang up with a scratched nose.

Oscar tossed his basket in the air and shouted, " My
innings."

On they chatted, and sang, and skipped, and saun-
tered, and (juarrelled, until they reached the wood, and
began to gathei' nuts. The wood was delightful on
that lovely Indian summer day, with its bed of red,
yellow and brown leaves, rustling beneath their feet,
and the cunning little sfjuirrels scampering ofi' to their
nests, bearing hickory nuts for tlieir wnnter food.

" Now, girls," said Oscar, as he began the ascent of a
butternut tree, " Frank and I'll knock the luits down.

THE BROCK FAMILY.

you can gather them up in a pile, and we'll divide
them afterwards. Will that do, Frc^-nk ?

" Oh, yes," answered Frank, while he thought, " It
might be safer to make a settled bargain at the
beginning, to prevent a quarrel in the division," but
he did not mention it, as he feared it would offend
Oscar.

They showered down nuts like hail, and the girls
gathered away until they had a great pile on the red-
and-vellow carpet of leaves. Then thev sat dow^n to
rest and chat after their hard work. Thev threw nuts
at one another, compared their brown stained hands,
and built pyramids of nuts. While the others chatted
away, Eva slipped around to her coarse cousin Oscar,
sat down beside him, and said, as she raised her mild,
pleading eyes to his :

" Oscar, I'm sorry you and grandpa are not on better
terms. He's so old that your next visit here may be
to his funeral, and it would be too late to make up.
Besides, your mother will feel sad when she hears of
it, so please make it up when we go back, and he'll be
proud of you."

" I'm not so soft as you country girls are ; he has
offended me, and I can't get over it."

" Yes, but it's all about a trifle, and it was your
place to obey him, my dear cousin. You know God
says, ' Have peace one with another.' When we go
back, just meet the dear old man outside alone, and
tell him you are sorry you disobeyed him. It will
make you and him happy, and set the rest of us at our

divide

ht, "It

at the

an," but

I offend

he sirls
the red-
lown to
'ew nuts
1 hand.s,
} chatted
in Oscar,
ler mild,

)n better
may be
ake up.
lears of
he'll be

; he has

ras your
low God
1 we go
one, and
It will
lis at our

A VISIT TO GUA^'I)PAS IIOMK.

ease. You know if a stranj^er spoke a word against
yovi he'd stand up bravely for you ; he evc^n likes you
now, for all your little disa<^'ree?nents. Won't you,
( )scar ;• "

" You are (juite a little preacher, but I suppose for
the sake of peace and quietness I had better apologize,
thoui,di it's not in my veins to knuckle down."

" I'm afraid we'll be keeping dinnei- waiting, for
grandma is preparing an extra superfine one, and she
said it would be ready at two," reniarkt'd Knuna.

" Oh, if that's the case, I'm her man,' said Oscar,
rising to his feet, followed by the others.

" Here's Uncle Fred, according to agreement ; we'll
throw our bags on his load of wood and start off."

Soon they were all trudging homeward, feeling tired
and hungry, although the forenoon had been extremely
eniovable.

Then they began to talk about the division of the
nuts, Oscar claiming more than half, which none but
Martha disputed. She did not value the nuts, but she
did strongly object to Oscar's domineering ways. The
two shot back and forth some stinging epithets, before
Frank and Eva succeeded in convincinor Martha that
peace was preferable to nuts or even gold. So Oscar
took the lion's share ; but though the Brocks did not
care for the nuts, they afterwards thought that even
relations should not neglect to make a definite agree-
ment as to division in a case of this kind.

Upon reaching the house, the welcome sound of
grandma's voice was heard, saying : " Now, children,

'I'lir, l?l{<MK I AMI I, V.

-■3

you must l)(' IniTiijfry ; come U^ your dinner! " a suin-
nions wliioli was olx-yccl witli .'ilju'iily, and tlio keen
appetites of yontli and liealtli stum made sncb inroads
on tlie i'at i:;oose niid ))Ium juid^linn as to tlireateii total
destruction of tiiose dainties and I'ully sntist'y tlu^ lios-
pitaMe anxiety of tlieir i^ood old i^n-and mother. After
dinner, when Mr. (Jlndstone entered tlie lihrary, Oscar
shyly followed him, takinuf his pnwder, shot and caps
aloTiijf. Closinij^ the door ln'hind him, h«> said :

" (}i'and))a, I know [ on^ht to mind you; it's hard to
keel) strai.dit, l)Ut I'm (jfoinii- to try this time, so here's
Uiv ammunition, if you lock it u]) for me i cannot
fret it, even if 1 do take a notion for it."

His grandfather liad only time to L>ive him a friendly
clap on the shoulder, hefore lie hounced out of the
room. He slannned the door after him i!i liis usual
rouiih wav, which left the ohl uenthMnan savinjx to
himself :

"That l)ov will have tlie last door oti' its hinjjes.
My own ten children never broke a hinoe in the house
yet, anil it's a funny thing if that boy is to come here
and ruin thinos."

Eva, suspectinj^ that Oscar had soui^ht and obtained
pardon, i^ave him a friendly smile, as much as to say,
" Now you are approacliin*,' the ri<>ht road."

Soon the old people and oirls went into the parlor
to rest and talk. ''Mieir grandma seated herself in the
rocking-chair which Oscar's mother had given her last
Christmas. Their grandpa took the arm-chair, while
the children all crowded on to the large, old-fashioned

I
1

A VISIT To «;HAN'I>I'A S llnMK

:\:\

a sum-
ho keen

inroads

Xvn total

tlio hos-

r. After

IV, ^ )scar

ami caps

's hard to

so here's

. I cannot

a friendly
,ut of the
I his usual
saving to

its hinges.

the house

Icouie here

Id o\)tained
as to say,

[the parlor
tself in the
len her last
[hair, while
ll -fashioned

liairclotli sofa. Knniia took one of the cusliions on
her lap to make mor«' room, and as slic glancril at it,
inquired :

"(Jrandma, is tliis the cusliion mamimi worked V

" Yes, slu! worked it sliortiy hrfore 1; r sisarriage,
and I well remember how happy slu! was in ])lanning
an<l makiuijf lier weddini; dress(>s that summer ! One
day she tliought slie would hemarriefl in hlue, another
day pink, and so on. 1 almost fancy now 1 heai* her
merry laugli and lier sweet songs ringing tlirough the
house, and she was pretty, too, with rosy cheeks and
golden curls. The neigldiors called her Gladstone's
beauty."

" You must liavo something to remind you of all the
th(i fannly," remarked H^va.

" I believe we have," and the old lady glanced
thoughtfully about the room. " Thost^ two oil paint-
inirs vour Aunt Catharine did when she was at Miss
McAuley's academy. Aunt Frances did those three
drawings the sunnner she taught school. Uncle Fred
painted that picture with th'j man shaded so cuiuiingly
in the clouds, and Uncle George made the pick<'t fence
enclosing the garden, just after he had finished his
college course."

"I remember that well," interrupted their grand-
father. " Professor Peters wrote to me at that very
time, stating that George would be an ornament to the
ministry. How proud I felt as I carried the letter out
to him ! There are not many men as good as your
Uncle George ; he has spent his life, so far, trying to
serve his Maker. "

THK IJIUK'K FAMILY.

" A great many (|ue('r thin;^^s must have liappfned
wliil*': your larf,^' family was ^I'owini;' up."

"Yes, many indeed," retujiicd tlicir ^iMndiiiotlier,
witli a sijLjl), and she raised her s])eetacles, wiped lier
eyes, and lie^an: " It seems to iiit- almost like yestrr-
day, that, one Sun<hiy mornin«;(it was .-aerament Sun-
day, too, and we were particularly anxious to 1m' early
at church), I dressed Freddie first, and told him to sit
down until we were ready — "

"Grandma! Grandpa! Oscar's killed ! " inteirupted
Frank as he threw open the door. All lusheil out
in a state of great excitement ; and as they approached
the old well, with its wooden cui'h, long sweep, chain
and bucket, tliey became terror-stricken on beholding
O.scar motionle.ss on the ixround, near the loni; end of
the sweep. Eunna's grief was uncontrollable, as she
cried :

"I'e's dead ! he's dead !"

His fo ehead and wrists were gently batlied with
cold water, and all were much relieved wlu'Ji Ins eye-
lids .sliffhtlv moved, and a few^ indistinct words were
muttered. Sliortlv alter he became conscious, and
they carried him, writhing in pain, into the house, and
laid him carefully on a sofa, to aw^ait the doctor's
arrival.

Upon examination, he found that his arm was
broken and his shoulder dislocated, besides which he
had received internal injui-ies so serious as to cause
the doctor to give them little hope of his recovery.

When the excitement had somewhat subsided, Mrs.

A VISIT T(» (illANDl'AS liOMK.

:3o

uother,
)f«l ber

nt Sun-
l)(« early
in to isit

L'lrupted
shell out
proaclied
L-|), cluiin
.L'hoMinj^

(r v\\i\ of

,—1

c, as she

i('<l with
his eye-
ds were
)\is, aii'l
iiise, and
doctor's

arm was
which he

to cause
)very.

diMl, Mrs.

Gladstone asked tlie other hoys liow the accident had
happened. After some hesitation, Fred reluctantly
answered:

" I was drMwin""- water at the well for the horses
when the boys came ui) to inc. Oscar was hoastinir
about his dexterity, and reinarUe<l that the ndnister's
son could nevei- have liveii in IJoston, oi" he wouldn't
have fallen oH" the sweep like a hahy. And he said he
could monnt the idle end of it and no as hi<di as the
roof of the carriaL;e house, spi-ini^ ri^ht over on to the
roof and wave his rr<\ handkeichief from the ridi^e.
Frank told him that it wc)uld take a smarter man than
he was to come that name, when Oscar said, * I'll show
you how it's douf,' ariii jumped astride the end of the
sweep with an air of supeiiority. I told him, several
times, to i^et off, hut in \ain, and as I had to jj^et more
water, I lowered tlu; bucket into the well. He held
on bravelv until he was about as hiuh as the roof, when
his bodv beL,^an to swmv from side to side, and before I
could think, Master Oscar was on the around, while
his end of the sweej) tlew away up and .sent the bucket
-splashini;" into the water."

Fred was despatched to send a messaye regarding-
the accident to Oscar's parents, while the frii;'htened
young Brocks were hurried home to acc^uaint their
parents of the sad tcniiiiiation of the loie^- looked-for
holiday.

>/aPA

CHAPTER III.

CHRISTMAS.

THE V)a]niy days of autumn had pas.sed away, and
the birds that had twittered and suna' .so mer-
rily in the tree-tops, liad tlown to the sunny south,
and all nature had undergone a chancre. Thetrlooniy-
lookincf iJi'ound was covered with the siiarkHni; snow,
the merry tinkle of .sleigh-bells had been welcomed,
and laughing boys and girls were eagerly looking
forward to Christmas and its accompaniments.

Preparations for the holidays had not been neglected
at the Brock home. The house had be ^n cleaned from
cellar to tjarret, Maggie's former room DUt in order, and
brightened up with new lace curtains, and evergreens
were gracefully festooned about them and the pictures,
while a choice geranium bloomed invitingly on a
small table. The turkey was ready to roast, and a
great cupboard was packed with various kinds of
pastry. Besides, the cellar-bins were full of the pro-
liucts of the farm.

gh
do
bo:

aboi
dres

CHRISTMAS.

'ay, and

so mer-

ly south,

(flooiuy-

<r snow,
elcomed,

looking

[leglected
Ined from
irder, and
ergreens
pictures,
fly on a
st, and a
kinds of
the pro-

On Christmas-eve, while tea was waitin;;^ Mr.
Brock's ivturn — for lie had (jfoiw to ln'iiiijf Ma^ujie. the
youn^ teacher, home on a visit — Myrtle exclaimed in
delii,'ht :

"I wonder wliat AFanr'ne'll <dve me! I'd like a
doll that could cry. I'd have it dressed magnifyin<:j in
pink silk."

" Magnify inf^ ? you mean magnificently," corrected
Eva.

" I won<ler now if you can't cry enough yourself,
without craving assistance ? Who's (jjoing to dress
your doll ? Ami where is your pink dress coming
from, pray, madam ?" inipiired Martha, fearing Myrtle
was wishing for her own pretty piece of silk.

" I was thinking mebby you'd dress it, you're so
handy," replied Myrtle, meekly; and casting a sly
glance at Eva, she proceeded, " and if it's a very pretty
doll, mebby you'd lend me that pink silk in your work-
box, till you get little, like me, again, and want it."

" You were, eh ! and how did you know which of
my boxes it was in, I'd like to know. Besides, you'd
better wait till you get your doll, for she may give
you a granwiar, or she may not give you anything,"
remonstrated the tantalizing Martha ; " but I'd like
about a ton of black bugles to trim my new cloth
dress."

" What cloth dress ?" in(juired two or three in a
surprised tone.

" The one mamma's going to got mo when she sells
the cheese."

THE BROCK KAViILY.

"A likely story, it' .she gets one for you she'll get
one for me, too," said Kva, diihiously.

"And me too," said Aiyi'tle, as she jumped up and
frisked ahout tlie room. She accidentally whirled
against Martha, and sent a saucer of small beads from
he»' lap to seek shelter in the crevices of the rag carpet.
Although Martha felt a little annoyed at the damper
cast (m her cloth (,ress prospect, she could have
recovered from that if her heads had not been scat-
tered over the floor, hut such a condiination of calami-
ties proved too much for hei-. 80 before she stooped
to gather theiii up, she gave Myrtle a box on the ear
which sent the; poor girl ciying to a corner. Mrs.
Brock was much grieved, and promptly escorted the
offendinix dauiihter to the kitchen, where she bade her
remain until her father's arriv-al.

The i>irls were busy uatherim-- up the beads, when
the quarrel was ended by the sound of bells at the
door, and the prospect of once more seeing ^1 aggie.

There never was a more wtdcome visitor, and there
never was a- girl more pleased to be home to I'est and
receive consolation than M;iggie was. after her year's
experience as a teacher. She was kissed by each one
alternately excepting Myrtle, who kept her turn up
all through tlu; performance. Then she drew her to
the sofa, unbuttoned her overshoes, and practised lady's
maid in general.

Mr. Brock remarked, as he laughed, drew liis chair
nearer to the lire, and rubbed his hands in his usual
iiappy way :

" So there's no place like home, Maggie, eli ?"

CHRISTMAS.

i'll get

up and

,vhirled

Is from

; carpet.

damper

(1 have

en scat-
calami-
stooped
the ear

;r. Mrs.

rted the

bade her

Is, when
s at the

liid there

rest and

[er year's

leach one

turn up
|\v her to

ledhidy's

his chair
his usual

" One need only to live anionrr strangers a year, to
tind that <>ut : it' we were not in debt, 1 would never
teach another day, but stay at home and help you and
mother."

" My dear, you know it was neither your mother's
wish nor mine that you should leave us."

After tea, Myrtle slipped up beside her sister, whom
she now hjoked upon as being a very wise woman,
handrd her the slate and pencil, and asked her to give,
her a ([Uestion to work in aritlimetic.

" You inust notice lier improvement in arithmetic,
for the thouglit of showing you how mucli she had
learned has prompted her all through the last term,"
said Mrs. iJrock, considerately.

Maggie, at her mother's request, played and sang
some pretty tunes, and lier father w^as delighted with
his favorite.

"THE SONG Foil ME."

" Oji ,'i wiiitur night wlien tlie tire was blight, and the door waa

harred on care,
1 a.skt'd the maiden 1 prize so well, what ahe would sing to nie

there ;
Slie warbled a song of ' La Belle France,' and a song of Italy,
Her v(;ice fell clear on my loving' e;>.r, but they were not the

songM fur uie.

"Their ii(,'cent.s hung on her witching t(jngue, as I listen'd
ilreuiiiily on,
And I fancied 1 i-mvi'.I \n distant cliuies, where she wa3 tl

tiower and the sun.

n .slie sanga strain from lordly Spain, and a lay of (lerm.-my,
But at la.st she sang nie ' Home, Sweet Home,' and that was the
son;^ for inc."

rilK I?R()(M< FAMIF-Y.

Wliili' the music occupifd tlie att(3nti()n of the older
mtMiihers of tlic family, Myrtle, whose patience
rcLjanliiiuj the ])ai'cels liad become exhausted, heujan to
investigate a certain mysterious looking bundle in
hope of diseoveriui,^ the presence of a doll. After
feeliiiL!^ the outside of the paper wrapper with little
satisfaction, she ventured to tear a tiny hole, and was
peeping and picking away at a fold of llannel, when
Mike, stealing up to her from behind the stove, alarmed
her by sayiuix i'^ ti low tone :

"Av ye plase, Miss M3'rtle, look an' see av ye can't
cotch .soiu:ht of a knoife, faix. "

" (Jo away, Mike. What do you think a knife would
be doing here among the dolls i"

" Arrah, it's jokin' ye are, more sorrow to poor Mike,
sure."

Before Myrtle could find anything resembling a doll,
however, she was caught at her sly work and hurried,
otf to bed.

It was at last quite latr , and not without considera-
ble stratagem on the part of Maggie and Mrs. Brock
that they were left alone down stairs. They remained
quiet until they thought the others were asleep, when
they began the work often attributed to the generosity
and ingenuity of Santa Claus. They brought in and
made stationary a graceful balsam tree, which had
been previously cut and hidden by Mr. Brock. When
the parcels which he and Maggie had brought were
opened, they displayed a number of bags made of gay
colored tissue })aper, for holding the sweetmeats, books

■i

niRISTMAS.

older 1

ticnce

ran to i

lie in

After

little

d was *

when

armed

i can't

ould

Mike,

a doll,
urried,

sidera-
Brock
ained
, when
erosity
in and
ch had
When
it were
of gay
, books

hound in hriujht colors, two Jack-knives, a box of chess-
men, some pretty ribbons, fur caps, tigs, and candies
in many novel and attractive forms. They worked
happily away, drcssini^ tlie l)ranches and giving to tlie
tree an appearance Intended to thrill the hearts of the
youthful sleepers.

Martha, having a suspicion that the Christmas par-
cels were being opened, could not sleep ; .so she crept
softly to an unused stove-pipe hole in the hall, above
the parlor, and triumphantly viewed the progress of
the work below. She eagerly watched the ribbons and
caps as tluiy were being placed upon the tree, and
wondered which of them were intended for herself.
At last, unable to control herself furthi^r, slu;, still
unnoticed, watched her opportunity and picked the
flag from the top of the tree, and adroitly hung in its
place her mother's white night-cap.

After the workers had finished they stepped l)ack
to admire the tree, when to Mrs. Brock's surprise she
missed the carefully embroidered red flag, and raising
her eyes still higher, caught sight of a glistening eye
staring through the hole. Instantly guessing to whom
the aforesaid eye belonged, she called out :

" Off to bed with you, Martha, this minute."

Martha silently obeyed, while Mrs. Brock and Maggie
felt that the secrecy of their preparations had been
somewhat interfered with.

When they had locked the room containing the tree
and had gone upstairs, Martha appeared to be sound
asleep.

THE P.ROCK FAMILY.

Long before dayliglifc the ensuinij morning, " Merry
Christmas!" rosonndefl on all sides. Several of the
children had made excursions downstairs, and returned
sadly disappointed ; and such soliloquies as these were
muttered :

" Bad luck to poor Mike ! " and,

" I wonder if Santa Claus has forgotten where we
live."

When they were assembled around the fire after
breakfast, Mr. Brock said:

"We should not spr'^d this our Christmas-(hiy
merely in feasting and gaiety, but we should offer up
our grateful praise to God for the gift of His Son."
He then read a part of that loving chapter, St. Luke ii.,
and when he came to the M^ords, " For unto you is born
this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord," and " Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good- will toward men," he could
scarcely control his voice, he felt so glad and thankful.
He a^ain seemed to be overcome with joy while read-
ing Simeon's song, " Lord, now lettest Thou thy ser-
vant depart in peace, according to Thy word : for
mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, whicli Thou hast
prepared before the face of all people ; a light to lighten
the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel."
Then the sweet voices of the family blend od in that
grand hymn :

" Hark I the herald-angels sing,
' Glory to the new-born King,
Peace on earth and mercy mild ;
God and sinners reconciled.'

CHRISTMAS.

SI)
on.

ke ii.,

; born

ch is

o-hcst,

could

bkful.

read-

ser-

for

luist

hten

rael."

that

Joyful, iill ye n.-itions rise,
Join tlio triumph of the skies ;
With anifelic liosts proclaim,
'Christ is horn in Bethleheni I '
Hark, the hcrakl-iini^els sing,
'Glory to the ne\v-l)orii King.'"

After .sini,dng', they all repaired to the park)r, and a
happier family was seldom seen, as each received a
share of the ^^ifts from the Ixnintiful tree. Mike was
delighted, for lie happened to be given a knife, but no
dolls were to be seen. However, Myrtle received the
chessmen and a liandsomely-bound Bible, as well as
some sweetmeats.

When Mrs. Brock went to the kitchen to attend to
the roasting turkey, Myrtle left the others enjoying
themselves in the parlor, and hastening to her mother's
side, whispered :

" Mamma, I wanted a doll so much, and I cannot
understand this book," as she laughed amidst her tears.

" Well, my dear," and her mother sat down and
placed her arm around her, " I think Maggie acted
very wisely in the selection of the presents ; she
thought she would have you remember your Creator
in the days of your youth. We are all placed here to
be tried, and if we spend the time here profitably, we
shall 1)0 taken up to heaven — a place so much better
than this, that ' Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath preparer! for them that love Him.'
By reading this Bible, an<l by asking God to help you,

THE BROCK FAMILY.

you may be led to trust in Jesus, and to go to heaven
when you die. We are not placed in this world to
enjoy ourselves, or to lay up gold, but life on earth is
merely a short term of trial for our real life, which is
to come. Remember, dear, we shall only spend about
seventy years on the earth at the best, and after the
death of the body, there are more than millions of
years — all eternity — to be spent either in heaven or in
hell, according to the way we live here. Think over
it, Myrtle."

" I guess Maggie knew best. I'll read it and try to
be good ; but I would like a doll." Her mother gently
stroked her hair, and then returned to her work.

Mr. and Mrs. Frame, a feeble couple, who were very
poor, lived across the road from Mr. Brock's. Think-
ing of them, Myrtle said :

" Mamma, may Eva and I take some of our Christ-
mas dinner over to Mr. Frame's, jrst to make them
joyful, you know ? "

" I, too, was thinking of them, and wondering if it
was not too stormy for you to go."

" This is not stormy ; we'll enjoy going," remarked
Eva, who had also followed her mother.

" Very well ; " and Mrs. Brock moved briskly about
filling the basket, while the girls were putting on their
jackets and caps. They took the basket between
them, and started away laughing and singing. As
they walked down the lane by the side of the orchard,
Myrtle asked :

" Aren't you afraid they'll be offended ? "

CHRISTMAS.

" Oh, no. If they should, we would take the dinner
back, and hold a picnic over it ourselves. Poor things,
it will '"emiu I them of better times. Wouldn't it
be nic^* '." we were able to take Christmas dinners to
all poor people ? "

" Yes ; if anything turns up that I get rich, I'll give
lots and lots of presents. First, I'll give presents to
every one who was ever good to me, then I'll hunt up
the poor people, and give them flour and dolls, flannel
and dolls, and lots of cherry preserves and dolls."

" Here we are, I wonder what they'll say," said Eva ;
then she knocked gently at the door that opened into
their humble kitchen.

" Come in," came softly from within.

" Merry Christmas, Mr. Frame ! Merry Christmas,
Mrs. Frame ! "

"You are welcome, my dears. I see you are brimmin'
over with life and health, may you never lose your
rosy cheeks," said the frail old woman, who was tak-
ing out of the oven a few baked potatoes, which,
together with salt and coarse bread, were to compose
their Christmas dinner.

" See some of our presents," remarked Myrtle ; " you
may read them to-day, if you like."

Meantime Eva was placing the contents of the bas-
ket on the table. There was a nice roast chicken,
some fried parsnips, plum-pudding and sauce, coffee,
cream and sugar.

" Oh, dear, oh, dear ! this is like old times ; it seems
like a dream. You are two kind little girls. May
the Lord reward you, for I never can."

THE BROCK FAMILY.

"That's notliinij, liut don't thnnk us; 'twas mamma
gave them."

While the surprised old people were he^inninf^ their
dinner, the <.jirls slipped away, Eva thinking; :

"They would t^njoy themselves Itetter alone, talkin^^
of former Christmas dinners." And also havin'' due
consideration for their own o'ood dinner, awaiting them
at home.

" I'd never let our father and mother be poor like
that, as lon(^ as I could work for them myself, Would
you?" inquired Myrtle.

" No. There is much more pleasure in c^ivincj them
the dinner than in eating it. Christ must have been
happy all the time, when He <lid so much good. He
cured sick people, made blind people see, and raised the
dead. Although He was despised by some. He must
have been praised all the time by others." And while
they tramped through the snow, facing the wind, Eva
continued :

" Myrtle, I intend to try and make my life as much
like Christ's as I can, because I love Him ever so much,
and then it is such happiness to be doing good."

" That won't be hard for you to do. I «iuess you
were born good."

" No, I wasn't. I am often very bad. But when I
see mauii'ia and papa so troubled and care-worn, 1 try
to bear my own small troubles as quietly as 1 can, to
help them a little."

When they entered the house, their father smiled,
and sai(.l :

CHKISTMAS.

much
much,

rhen I

i try

Jan, to

miled,

"M\' little siiow-hirds, \v«' .ire waitini; for V(m to
join u> in our own ij-ood (Jliristmas dinner."

Durinij tiie at'tei-noou, vvlien the f(irls were alone in
tlic parlor, tlu; younu'er ones i;ave MaL^jjjie a minute
account of the <lay thev spent at their i^M'andpa's last
autumn. MaL;"i;ie listened attentively, especially to the
various versions of the acci(h;nt that l)efell Oscar.
When they liad finished, she assured them that slie
was ^lad tliat he had recovered and had heen able to
return liome.

" Well, Maij^ifie," incjuired Eva, " how <hd you come
to change your l)()arding place :* "

" Oh, yes," added Myrtle, as she; ami MaLC'..;ic were
makin,L,f a cat's cradle with a corii, ' tell us some funny
st(jries about that i|ue('r Mrs. McFa<lden who built the
cliurch. You nnist know lots of funny tales."

" Well, such a thinuf us nudviuLT a chanufe had never
occurre<l to me. Although Mrs. McFadden is peculiar
and domineering, and i was much disa])pointed in not
having any pleasant companions, 1 jiad all I bargained
for — board and lodgings. 15ut the (hiy grandpa

hrou'^

ht 1

lis or' 'an

for mv use, Mrs. McKadde

n, guess-

\]\[S that the oruan was for me, met him at tlu; irate,
and aske<l if he had intended that wicketl machine to
come into her house. So when he had told her that it
was for nie, she shook her Hsts detiantly and said
hotly :

" * Ye're no' uang to defile mv lioos wi' sic a sinfu'
tliinof. What do you think oor minister, Mr. Hall
liimsel', would sav to see th.-),t kist o' whistles in this

4.S

THE BIUJCK KAMILY.

sacred hoos ?' And shakin<^ lier heu<l, slie added witli
emphasis, ' Nae, nac, nae ! awaw wi' it. Hut it' ye like
to j^anj^ in yersel', I'll inak' ye a cup o' tea.' "

" I hope <^randpa had more intlependence tlian to
enter her house," interrupted Martha, indij^nantly.

" Well, Martha," resumed Maggie, " it was scarcely
a matter of independence, but rather of convenience
and tact. 80 he pocketed any disagreeable feelings
he might have entertained on the subject, and accepted
the invitation. You see, we were obliged to !nake
some arranjjement about the orijan, and we knew it
would be better to remain friendly with Mrs. McFad-
den, as she is the trustee-ess of the section."

" Trustee-ess," exclaimed Myrtle. " I thought a
woman had to be a man to be a trustee."

Maggie smiled, as she explained :

" You see, Mrs. McFadden was really not elected a
trustee, but she has taken upon herself the powers of
one. Well, where was I ? Yes, Mrs. McFadden is
wealthier than any of her neighbors, and as she has
not given her son any property, he and his family live
with his mother. So he was elected a trustee, and he
acts in school matters according to her jr.dgment
rather than his own. Then the other two trustees,
being rather poor, are often under obligations to Mrs.
McFadden, so they also vote as she wishes. And
what's more, all the school meetings, except the annual
one, are held in Mrs. McFadden's house, and she is
present and gives her opinion gratuitously. Now, you
see, it was important that I should not fall into disfavor
with her ladyship.

CHKISTMAS.

4!)

with
sUke

in to

irculy
lienco
olings
jepted
make
lew it
IcFad-

crht a

cted a
Arers of
<len is
he has
ily live
and he
Igment
rustees,
po Mrs.
And
I annual
she is
)w, you
lisfavor

" However, as tlm or^^jin c(tul<l not Ik' all()WL'<l to
remain outside, and as Mrs. McFaddtMi was detHnnined
that it should not enter her house, soinetliinij had to
be <lone. Mrs. Cauieron had upon one (occasion asked
me to h'»ard with them, so w«* concluded that 1 had
better accept hei' otf'er. By usin*^ a ^ood deal of tact
I parted witli Mrs. McFaddeii on ([uite friemlly terms.
As her hou>t! is the nearest to the schoohhoiise, she
gave nie a very pressini;' invitation to remain over
night with her in disagreeable weathei'.

' Some time after, just as [ was opening my dry lunch
at noon, Mrs. McFadden's little bashful grandson,
Donald Jacob, came up to my desk and, hanging his
head, jerked out:

" ' Granny says you must come over.'

"Instantly such suspicious queries as these Hashed
in quick procession throuijfli my worried brain, ' I
wonder if the scholars have lately been in her
orchard ^ ' ' Have I punished any Juveniles by the name
of McFadden ?' or ' Has a ilwapei' teacher applied for my
position V However, I ventured to ask, ' What for,
Donald Jacob ?' and took the precaution to stoop down
for the answer, so that the child need not sound aloud
any of my real or imaginary shortcouiings. I might
have saved my trouble, for I caught the answer :

"' Killed a sheep.' "

"Did she mean that you had killed her sheep? I
wonder what she thoui^ht vou'd kill it for ? I'd have
sued her for definition of character, as Myrtle says."

" No, no, no ; I'll soon explain."
4

THK BROCK FAMILY.

" Hurry up, then, for I want the business cKareil up
systeniutically."

" Well," said Maf(f(ie, " we left off at ' killed a sheep.'
1 felt relieved, for I knew I was yet in favor with the
lady of the land, so [ laid aside my cold dinner, and
hurried away to the .scene of feasting. It is needless
to tell you that I enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, includ-
mcf roa.st lamb. Mrs. McFadden was more friendly
than usual, and after dinner she even asked me into
the parlor, and directing my attention to a handsome
new piano, asked what I thought of that. She spoke
in a hesitating manner, as if her con.science was telling
her .she ought not to have objected to the presence of
my organ."

" Oh, oh, oh !" interrupted Martha, " I'd have watched
my chance, and gently bathed the wires, that are so
liable to rust, even if I had been obliged to moisten
my handkerchief with tears to accomplish a revenge."

" Oh, Martha ! that would have been very wicked.
She explained to nie that she had lately been visiting
the minister and his bride, and that she had been
shocked at seeing a new piano in their house. She
felt like telling Mr. Hall ' never to put a fit into my
hoo>' again,' but concluded that she had better not
offend so good a man. She told him that she would
have had a piano of her own long ago, only that she
was afraid he'd think it a very 'sinfu' machine.' Her
prejudice was somewhat overcome when she heard
' Old Hundred ' and * Kilmarnock ' sung to the music
of the piano, which really did not sound so profane as

CHRISTMAS.

d up

leep.'

i\ the

and

!(ll0SS

.clud-

endly

i into

ilsonie

spoke

bellin<]r

nee of

atched
are so
loisten
•enge."
Ivicked.
isiting
.1 been
She
to my
Iter not
would
at she
' Her
heard
music
ane as

she had exported. She tliinks so much of Mr. Hall
that his words and actinns are a law to her, so the
next time slio went to town she hroui^ht home that
valuahle j)iano."

"And who plays it T' iiuiuired Martha, with sar-
casm.

"No one, excepting Mrs. Hall, lins ever yet sounded
a note on it ; for she will not allow her own grand-
daughter to enter the parlor, much less touch the
piano.

" Well, what do you think ^ she askf'd me to come
back af^ain and board with them. But I excused mv-
self, thanked her, and hastened away to my pupils."

" She must have plenty of gold," suggested Eva.

" And brass, too, I should say," Martha managed to
sandwich in.

"Yes, she is rich. Why. last sprini;, a "^nister at a
distance assisted in the dedication of her church. She
learned that he had no horse, so she drove him to
town, and houirht him a new horse, harness and biinrffv.
But she is so cross to her grandchildren in the
kitchen that, in my estimation, her munificent acts
lose much of their charm."

" A new horse," repeated MA'rtle, " that would l)e a
tiny colt: the harness would have to <now, too. But
I'm in earnest now ; did she cfo ricfht into a stable,
wearino' the black silk dress vou have told us about,
and buy the horse ? "

"T don't know about that part of it, Myrtle, but I
know she paid the money, which is a very important
part."

if '

THE BROCK FAMILY.

" I wonder," exclaimed Eva, " if she would send me
as a missionary to China."

"I wonder," echoed Martha, 'if she wouldn't give
me money to search for the Nortli Pole. Tell another
story, please."

" This incident happened before I left Mrs. McFad-
den's. When I had heen dispensing knowledge for about
a month, and was beginning to overcome any timidity
I had cherished regarding my audacity in presuming
to be a teacher," — at this point Myrtle, looking disap-
pointed, whispered in Martha's ear :

" I don't know what she is telling us. Won't you
ask htr to say it in English V

"Mrs. Cameron," resumed Maggie, "fearing I w <
home-sick, and wishing to introduce me to a few select
young people, told me that she intended to invite
about a dozen to tea ulie following Tuesday. She
gave me, as well as Mr. McFadden and his wife, a
j)ressing invitation to l)e present. She told me with a
signiHcant suiih^ that her brother, a shrewd young
city lawyer, and Cohmel Henton, who had lately inher-
ited forty thousand dollars, were to be there ; there-
fore she wished me to look my prettiest. Of course, I
did not care for the gentlemen, but I always try to
appear as well as I can."

The last few words were rendered almost inaudible
by Myrtle and Martha clapping their hands, and
exclaiming :

"Oh. oh, oh! Maggie's got a beau! If he is not
perfection itself, forty thousand ought to till up any

CFIRISTMAS.

I me

orive
Dtber

about
iidity
iminj;
disap-

t you

I w ^

select

invite
She

■it'e, a
I with a

young
inher-
tbere-

|urse, I
try to

ludible
and

lis not
ip any

jijlaring deficiencies. Just tliink, slie can send all of
us round the world on a pleasure trip."

"When you marry him," cried Myrtle, "won't you
buy me a car-load of dolls? "

" Be patient, until you hear how it ended, girls."

"Why," in(juired Martha, 'you weren't so foolish
as to refuse lioth of them, were you ? "'

" W^hv% vou weren't wishin^j her to marry both at
once," cried Myrtle.

"I spent the mone}' which I had intended to apply
on my board account, in huying a pair of tine boots, a
lovely pale V)lue rihbon for my throat, and some deli-
cate lace. The evening befor*' the ]^arty I tried on
my best dress with the new ribbon and lace Mrs.
McFa<l<len fthe dear old lady) told me I might have
some of her pretty fuchsias to wear. On Tuesday,
wishinfj my front hair to be well-curle<l in the even-
ing, 1 left it in papers, and went to school with it
ingeniously covered with a large bow. '

" How I wish I had been in your place," interrupted
Martha.

"I would willini^ly have exchanu^ed situations with
you that day," said Mag^de.

"Pro — ceed then," urged Martha. "Did the gentle-
men not notice you, or propose ^ "

" Well, 1 have noticed that when J am prospering
and everything is satisfactoiy, some great ealanuty
scatters my conceit to the win<ls. J)uring the fore-
noon, one boy, Harry, who had contiuually afforded
me much annoyanc**. ItecaTiit' still moi'f jirovi

»king.

THE BROCK FAMILY.

He began by prompting innocent boys to mischievous
tricks, }in<l lauirhinnf in derision when thev were cor-
rected. Then he and his seatniate repeatedly asked
and obtained permission to get a (h'ink, so I tohl them
they were not to get another drink until noon. He
laughed and walked defiantly to th<! pail, and after
drinking, poured a cupful of water into another boy's
pocket. I called him up to my desk, and as I took a
strap to punish him, he Liave another sneering laugh,
and muttered that 1 could not hurt him with that
' thing.' "

" Why," exclaimed Martha, angrily, " I'd have spent
the whole of my salary paying a big \H)y to keep him
performing involuntary somersaults all the way to his
father's house."

" I became aroused, though 1 did not lose control of
myself, so I picked up a piece of slate-frame and
administered three slaps on each of his hands. I
intended to hurt him sulHciently to conquer his bravado
spirit, but am sure he was not injured in the least.
Indeed, he lau^^hed aijfain. Before noon I noticed him
running pins under the skin of the palms of his hands
and tearing it up. 1 forbade him continuing this, and
thought no more of the occurrence then,

" WHien school opened in the afternoon my gentle-
man was in high spirits, whis])ering loudly about his
father, and occasionally raising himself up to steal a
glance through the wimlow. 1 did not dread his
father, for the only time I had met him he had told
me to whip Harry when necessary, and that he also

CHRISTMAS.

would vvliip liiiii wlien ha came home. But about two
o'clock I saw a horse and rider approachinj^ the school-
house. The man, who was Harry's father, alii,dited
and tied his horse. Unannounced, he strode into the
room and up to njy desk, shoutin^^ :

" ' I am goin<^ to have you arrested, you have nearly
killed my boy.'

"About eighty inquisitive eyes and ears were on the
alert for any scene that would afford diversion to their
monotonous lives. Terriiied as I was at the angry
man, I observed that the ' nearly killed ' boy wore the
same doliant smile, and that he was scatterini»: winks
and nods, which could easily be interpreted into ' Now
I'm bringing her to time.' I summoned sufficient
courage to ask upon what he founded his threat.
He fiercely replied that any girl who would give
seventy-nine strokes with a piece of board to a child,
was not safe to be at larije.

" I repeated in astonishment, 'Seventy-nine ?' and A
piece of board?' At this, the eyes of the bad boy
dropped and he bent down, apparently to pick up a
book. I told him that I had given Harry only six
slaps. He mocked me and showed me the boy's hands
where the skin of the palms was all torn in several
places. I instantly explained that he tore the skin
himself >.ith pins.

" ' You're clever at invention,' he said ; ' I'll give you
credit for that much, any way, but you'll have to pay
a tine or go to gaol. I believe in punishing children,
but there is a limit to all things, as you'll find to your
sorrow.'

T^Cy

rilK I'.noCK FAMILY.

" I ha«l lit'di nntcliiiVLj foi" an opportunity to ask liim
to step out to tlu> porcli, for I did not care about the
children heailiiiif all his threats and charges, hut not
until now did 1 find the chance or the courage. When
I politely aske<l him to step out of the room, he scr-lded
and stamped in a rude manner to the door ; and as I
stepped out to try to convince Jiim of the truth, 1
placed the school in charge of a monitor."

" 1 s'pose they held a circus insid<; ! " said Myrtle.

" In the midst of his abuse and the annoyance of the
restless children within, I thouu^ht — Isn't it stranije in
our wakeful houis we never cease thinking? Some-
times I have tried not to, but still I would think. —
Well, 1 thought of the fine and my money expen<led
on unnecessaries, to wear a few hours at an entertain-
ment. Entertaiinnent, indeed ! how I spurned the
thought of so trilling an event, in such trouble. Then
the image of my father's face — more sorrowful than I
had ever seen it — arose vividly before me. I wondered
if I had lost my senses and really had given the boj'
seventy-nine slaps, and my head began to swim. All
this time the man was pouring forth his angry com-
plaints. I think the fresh air must have sustained me,
for I answered him calmly, ' I only gave him six
slaps,' and I proposed bringing a girl out to corroborate
my statement. But he objected on the ground that I
wouhi have my favorites, who would uphold me in the
falsehood. I then called Harry out, and asked him
how many slaps I had given him. His face grew
crimson, and he faltere«l out, 'forty.'

rHKISTMAS.

■>i

"At this liis fatluT sliook l»is tisl at liiiu, and
exclaimed, ' Forty 1 iJidii't you UA\ me seventy-nine ?
I'll take you in hand, and thrasli the forty out of you,
you rascal."

" He at last went away much in the same state he
had come, threatening^ to have me Hned, and callini;
out that his hoy had never been con(|uerf*d at home,
and that it was a funny thinjj^ for me to attempt it.

"The mai^istrate was no other than Mr. ( 'anuiron.
and what effect would my lace and ribbon have, follow-
in<^ in the wake of such a reputation as that an«fry
man would give me.

'• I hiid no time for reflection, for in opposition to the
angry expressions of the man I had heard the con-
tinual noise of falling benches and loud voices in the
school-room. I was twice interrupted by pupils peep-
ing out, under the pretext of reporting some mischief
to me, but really to ascertain if I were being sufficiently
humiliated, and to hear some news which they might
retail to their friends inside.

" Upon entering, the children began to resume their
work, but I could scarcely get a breath, owing to the
presence of the fumes of cayenne pepper and brim-
stone. In expressing my displeasure at so much
coughing, T was interrupted by sundry coughing spells
on my own account. I missed my chair, but number-
less little tell-tale fingers immediately directed my
attention to the ceiling, from which it was suspended.
Upon inquiring for the perpetrators of the deed I
found that they were the notorious Harry and his seat-

THE BROCK FAMILY.

mate. These ciil[)rits not beiiij^ visible, 1 concluded that
they had found a means of egress through a window.

" 1 felt very much like going home. Indeed, if papa
had driven up with the cutter then, 1 should not have
hesitated in going honie with him for good — yes,
more, 1 should have preferred driving to Kamschatka."

" Wouldn't you have waited for a boat ? " inquired
Myrtle, who had lately been learning to " boun,' " the
continents.

" Perhaps Behring Strait would have frozen over to
oblige me in much the same way as novelists bridge
over difficulties for their characters. However, there
was no means of escape. 1 dreaded going home to face
my ' trustee-ess,' so I dragged out the remainder of the
afternoorf in misery, taking care that the wormwood
of my heart should not be depicted upon my counte-
nance.

" When all was seemingly in order we were startled
by a sound, apparently proceeding from the attic,
which very much resembled the lamentations of a
lately orphaned calf. This barnyard music, being away
beyond my control, was interspersed with frequent
whistles and the singing of ' Yankee Doodle' until school
closed. To be sure, this was highly entertaining to the
children below.

" When I reached home, Mrs. McFadden sympathized
with me, and said that that man had been the annoy-
ance of every teacher, and that Mr. Cameron would
not impose a fine upon me without satisfactory evidence ;
and even if he did, she would lend me the necessary

CHRISTMAS.

money rather than see me ^o to i^aol. She tliouj^lit it
right to whip a boy ahnost at any time, for it' he was
not coming out of miselnef, he was going into it. All
this was very kind of her."

" Kind to the l)oys ?" asked Myrtle.

" No, no, to me. But it only ad<led fuel to the tire
in my bosom. To think of my being fined or going
to gaol ! I, who had taken the highest certihcate ever
merited in our councy.

"Well, 1 adjourned to my room, and cried with the
vehemence of a dozen abused school-teachers, and won-
dered why I had ever been born."

"Poor Maggie," cried Martha, "you have been cruelly
treated. Catch me be a teacher, to be a target and
tired at by every ill-tempered person. I'll liave a
cattle ranch out west, or wash dishes even, yes, wanh
dislics until 1 am superannuated on a pension of one
dollar ninety-seven and a half cents. But wasn't
your pretty face all distorted for the evening?"

" The evening I There was no evening for me. A
note came from Mrs. Cameron, stating that I should
not mind any ' little ' school trouble, but be sure to
come, as she had invited the others on my account.
Mr. and Mrs. McFadden exerted themselves to persuade,
nay, to compel me to accompany them to Mrs. Cam-
eron's. But all was in vain, my heart was torn and
heavy, even if my face had not been red and swollen,
my eyes bloodshot, and my bosom heaving great, un-
controllable sighs.

" The next morning the three trustees met at school,

THE lUU)rK FAMIT,Y

ami suspcndeil Harry durinjjf my iMigaii^ement there,
and seve^rely threatened liis seat-inate with like treat-
ment if he failed to improve. Since tliat I liave the
respect and perfect control of the school.'

"Why," inquir(Ml Myrtle, "didn't you arrest that had
man for makinfj^ you h)se a forty-tliousand -dollar hus-
hand and all my dolls?"

Martha stole out, and returned with tears in lier
eyes, ajar of strawl)erry jam in one hand, and a half-
loaf of fruit-cake in the other. She handed the deli-
cacies to Manfufie, while she said, " We'll make up for it
while you are home; so, eat these. When I make
my fortune I'll remember those trustees in my will ;
see if I don't."

" Why not divide your fortune with them while they
are living?" inquired Myrtle.

The faces of Eva and Myrtle, which had leno^thened
considerably during the recital of this story, suddenly
brightened, for the girls laughed - immoderately at
Maggie's bountiful repast, and drew up to participate
in it.

At the close of her stories, Maggie, in drawing her
handkerchief from her pocket, accidentally dropped a
much-worn newspaper clipping. With the owner's
permission and with a caution not to sever the worn
paper, Martha read it aloud. The piece was entitled :

CHRISTMAS.

"THE SCHOOLTEACHER'S SOLILOQUY."

BY A St H0OI--MA'aM.

"To tuHch 111' not to teacli, that is tho (luostion ;
VVliutliiT it is betti^r in thu scliool to 8ullV;r
The noise and bother of four dozen youn<<sterH,
Or to take up arms against a sea of troubles,
And, by niarryin<,', end them i To hjve — to marry —
No more ; and l»y marrying say we end
The heartache, and the thousand petty troubles
That teachers are heir to. 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To love--to marry ;
To marry I perchance to l)e miserable ; aye, there's the rulj :
For in that state of wedlock what troubles may come,
When we have shuttled ofi' this happy girlhood,
Must give us pause ; there's the respect
That makes teaching of so long life ;
For who would bear the anxieties of examinations,
The scorn of Model -school teachers, the carelessness of

trustees.
The weariness of mind and body, the criticism of inspectors,
The insolence of children, and the care
That patient teachers with unworthy pupils take.
When they themselves might their (juietus make
By simply marrying { Who would all this bear,
And grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of misery after marriage,
That untried state, unto which if you once enter
You can never return, puzzles the girls.
And makes them rather bear the ills they have
Than fiy to others that they know not of? "

" Well," said Eva, "there's a hri<,'ht side to teachin*:^,
although we niay not always be able to sec it. "

CHAPTER IV.

MARTHA MAKES DUMPLIN.IS '.ND GETS A NEW DRESS.

THE next morning, Mr. Brock said that he was
goini; to town, and asked if ^Irs. Brock and
the cirU would like to go with him. After some con-
sultation, iv "^h Brock decided to go and to take Maggie
and Eva, the former saying she had some money burn-
ing a hole in her pocket. Mrs. Brock said :

"It will be no treat for Martha to go to town, for
she goes ' shopping ' nearly every day on her way to
school, even if she has no money."

Maggie promised to l»ring Martha and Myrtle some-
thing that would please them. So Maggie said to
Martha :

" What would you like me to bring you ?"

"You needn't bother about me, my wants are of no
consequence," she replied, half in mischief; "but if you
should get me anything, I want to trim a very pretty
hat that I liavc I'd lik<' a yar<l of ribbon and a few
black bugles, if they'll not cost too much. I'll show it

MARTHA MAKES Dl'MPMNfJS AND (iETS A NKW DUKSS. G.S

to you;" and sl»o boniKk''! upstairs tor the liat, which
lia«l already hcen the cause of much anxiety. She
thouijflit, " Now this is my chance for niv dress, Imt
then iMa;4'gie is so liheral with her money tliat 1 must
not impose upon her."

Whih3 .she was upstairs, Mrs. Brock said to Ma^iifie :

"Nevermind her liat, I'll try and <fet it trimmed
before .sprinf(. We have hid more lau<()iin(^^ and cry-
ini; over that hat thnji you could imfi.,dne. It was an
old felt one of yours, and one day she asked if she
mijiht have it. I consented, thinkiufj she was ii(nn<x
to wear it about the garden, to save her school hat;
but shortly after that, she told me that she va-s in
trouble. She had secretly taken her hat to be made
over and had not the thirty cents to pay for it. I
would have jiifiven her the money, but I did not think
the hat was worth it, and she w^ould only want more
money to buy trimtninf(. However, she made a bar-
(fain with your papa, and gatheied apples for the thirty
cents."

Mrs. Brock had just fini.shed her story when Martha
returned, with the much-talked-of hatjaimtily balanced
on her head.

Maggie admired it, and decided that it must be
trimmed.

" See," said Martha, " if it just had about three loops
here," as she pointed to the spot, " and a few l)Ugles
dangling from the edge of the rim, it would be a real
little beauty."

" Well, I'll look round and get some little thing for

THK HKOCK FAMII.V.

it, dearie," .said Maj^gie, as she iiiipritited a kis.s on the
hrow of this deiif^hted sister; " hut you iiiusn't make
an idol of the hat."

" Do you think you can «^et dinner, ^irls { It will
be about one o'clock when we return. '

"Yes, mamma," replied Martha, " I'll have a chance
to make dumplings. I'm nearly always at school when
you have them. If I (Utt at liome, I never have
enouijfh, so I'll nuike them in the boiler."

Her mother started out to tht* slei<rh, laughing, and
thinkin*: that she was only jfjking.

As it had been Maggie's wish to have Eva's photo-
graph taken during the holidays, Mrs, Brock had
<lecided that they had better avail then)selves of the
present opportunity. 80 while Maggie was arranging
Eva's hair in the <[uiet dressing-room adjoining the
art gallery, Eva remarked :

" I am decked in borrowed plumes all ready for
flight. I have mamma's prettiest frill. Myrtle's hair
ribbon, and Martha's beads. I got them fill free,
excepting the beads, and to get them I had to promise
to do her share of dishwashing for the next two
weeks."

" I am afraid your beads are dearly borrowed,"
replied Maggie. When their business at the artist's
was finished, the girls proceeded to a dry goods store.

The salesman insisted upon showing them his fine
stock of charming plaid dress goods. Maggie told him
that she did not wish to purchase any, but he, with all
the perseverance often attributed to his class, still

|wed,"
:tist's
Istore.
line
him
bhall
still

MAUTHA MAKKS l)UMIM,IN(;S AND (JKTS A MiW DllKSS. ()5

jHTsistetl, not in sellinf; (us lie reiiuirkt'd), l)Ut only in
showing the {j^ootis. She fancied one piece of pretty
green plaid, of excellent (pinlity, and tJKjught:

" A dres.s from this would charm poor Martha, but
I'm afraid 1 cannot afford it Just now." They passetl
on to the nullinery department to get something pretty
for the troublesome hat. Mnnuie bou'dit .some bright
shaded ribbon, together with a graceful feather. They
tlu'n slowly and reluctantly left the store. While
walking along, the thought of the green plaid and of
Martha's smiting face disturbed Maggie's peace of
mind, and she said :

"I'll iret this dress for li»'r, and then she can <;o to
cliurch again ; maybe the sermons will drive away some
of her love of finery. Eva, if you won't expect one,
too, I'll practise a little self-ilenial, and take Martha a
dress."

Eva replied, " I wish you ivoidd get it, .s!ie will
leave off' teasing mamma, for one thing. She is actually
turning poor mamma's hair gray, with her constant
wishing for dresses. You see my best dress is not
much soiled yet."

" You are a dear, good girl."

They returned and bought the green dress, then met
their parents, and the foui' drove home together.
Maggie told her parents of the pre.sents, and finished
by saying :

" Please don't tell Martha what I got, as i intend to
have some fun with her about them."'

Martha met the party at th<.' door, and smiiinijly said:

THE BROCK F>M1LY.

" Come in, ladieH, and take off your thino^s. the <]ump-
lintrs arc ready, and I'm di'li<^hte(l to be favoriMl with
a visit from you."

ITpon .sittin<^ down to dinner, Mrs. Brock «'Xf'laimed:

" Martha, did you for<(et to set the ineat and vege-
tables on the table, dear ? "

" Oh, no, not at all, at all ; we haveapple-dumplinf^s
with cream and sujiar for dinner, and I wish vou to
enjoy yourselves. I know you have a keen appetite
after your drive."

It was now quite appaient that the dumplin«,'s were
a tanirible reality, for there was a lar«:re one steamin<j
on each plate, besides more in a platter and two vege-
table dishes.

Myrtle was so overcome with laughter, tiiat she was
obliged to run to the kitchen to relieve her feelings.
Martlia remarked, " I am happy for once, as I see my
way clear to a feast of dumplings."

Mr. Brock smiled, and glanced sifjnificantly across the
table ai/ his wife. She had been trying to refrain from
laughing, but the comical expre.ssion of his face was
too much for her self-command. Myrtle felt she was
at liberty to return w^hen she heard her mother lauuh-
ing, and she came back to the dining-room to partici-
pate in the mirth occasionetl by Martha's itlea of what
constituted a iirst-rate * nner.

They enjoyed the dinner very well, notwithstanding
a slightly burnt flavor, and an occasional brown spot,
caused b}- a lump of soda.

" Now, my friends, I hope you are enjoying your

MAKTMA MAKKS DUMPLINGS AND GETS A NKW DKESS. G7

)0t,

)ur

(linnor; tlicie arf plenty more diiinpliiiu^s," exclaimed
Mfirtlia, when (ler mother, from curiosity, peeped into
the kitchen. She returned hiu*^hinL( aij^nin, and
exclaiuKMl :

" She HAS actually made dum])linij^s in the huiler, and
it is still a (juarter full."

Then, in a pitiful tone, Myrtle said :

" Mamma, she kept me peelini^ apples for nearly two
liours.'

Mr, l*rock at first felt much ainioyed with Martha's
conduct, and was ahout, to send her up to her room for
punisliiiiL'iit. when the ri'collcction of one of his own
boyish holidav T)ranks tiasheil across his mind. This,
to"'eth('r with the thou'dit of the cold lunch his chil-
drcn usually Jite in the <lustv school-rooJiis, softened his
resolution, in so much that he decided to allow her to
have her own way upon this occasion, and then to for-
l)id any more of such heiiaviour. After dinner. MaijrLde
crave Mvrtle

pai

ippei

j)aper ha;^, containin*^ the ribbon.

V\ hen Martha saw the ribbon, she was delighted, and
exclaime<l :

" This is lovely, you shouhln't have spent so much
money on me. It is exactly like one of my .samples 1
ailmire."

Then she ski)ip('«l i()um<1 the table to Ma^jfLfie, and by
way of showing her grateful atlcction, ^ave her a vigor-

ous s

liak(

After a little whispering, pleading with her mother,
she quietly left the room ; but soon returned and

THE BROCK FAMILY.

placed a f];lass of preserved pears in Ma^irprie's hand.
Then the feather was produced, which evoked furtlier
expressions of admiration, with the suVjstantial accom-
paniment of more (hiintics from the happy Martha.
At last Maufuie jrave her the dress, hut this was too
much for the kind-hearted, lively iijirl. She threw her-
self down upon tlie sofa near her father, and cried,
while hetweeii the sobs were heard the exclamations :
" I don't deserve it ! I'm too had for it ! hut I'll try
and he j^ood like Eva, now that I can go to church

ai^ain.

Her father gently stroked her hair as he whispered,
" I am iifraid yon thiidv too much of finery.''

During; tho remainder of the vacation, Martha
waited upon Ma<;Ljio very attentively, anticipatint^
nearly all her wishes.

CHAPTER V.

THE BUOrKs RKSOLVK TO MOVE WESTWARD.

ONE pleasant day, sliortly after (.niristinas, the
ijfentleinan wlio Ih'M tlie iiiorti'.'iLie on the Brock
farm was expecte<l to call for the interest, which was
awaiting him. Mr. an<l Mrs. Brock had spent some
time that morning discussing the piohahility of ever
heing able to pay the principal. It was (piite evident
that it would take many years, even under the most
favorable circumstances, to do this. Mr. Brock once
more referred to his oM idea of (Mniuiatintif to tlie
North-West, and descantecl on the great improvement
which must follow upon settlement in that golden land.
He spoke so enthusiastically that even .Mrs Brock,
much as she dislike«l the th<»ught of leaving their old
home, began to think that Mr. Brock's plan was, after
all, the be.st thing for them. Slu' reluctantly con-
sentefl that Mr. Brock might try to negotiate with the
agent, with the obj(^ct of selling him the farm. By
this means Mr. Brock might free himself from debt,

THF mUH'K I'AMri.V

and rt ('«'iv«> suHicicnt casli to ostaltlisli m, nt>\v lioine.
J)uriTiL,' tliat at'tcnioon the umvclcoinc visitor ari'ivccl,
and was closeted witli Mi*. Ih'ot'k for iiiore tluin an
hour. At It'iiutli Mrs. Hi-oek, who liad liecn anxiously
awaiting' tlie close of the interview, heai'd the visitor
take Ids departure, and hurrie<i into the dininuj-rooni
to liear what arran«jjenient lia<i heen arrived at.

" Well, my dear," said Mr. Brock, " it lias come at
last. Thinkini^^ it the best course o})en to me, J pro-
posed wliat we liad talkc^l about so often — toij^ivehim
tlie farm," and lie sij^hed deeply, " on condition that
he should pay us iifteen hundi-e*! dollars. I feel sorry
to do it, but th()UL;li we lose the farm, we, at the same
time, free ourselves from tlie <^reat cloud that has been
loweriiiLT over our lieads so manv years."

" It's no more than we luid expected, ' replied Mr.s.
Brock, "and we'll have to make the best of it. I presume
you'll talk a'.. out prairie liomesteadinL:; more than ever,
now that we have no iiome. But I have made up my
mind tliat I will not op])ose your wish. The cliildren
have been Ioniser at school than ! had lioped for, so I
will yield to whate\ er you decide ui)on.''

" I don't see anythini; else we can do to advantaije.
The nmney wouldn't ljo far here, but if we jy^ot a free
homestead in the North- West, it would give us a
tolerably «i ' start."

"I suppi- SO, but 1 am afraid of the Indians; and
then the g » dioppers mi<;ht come, and we should not
gain iinything."

" Those Indians are all right when they are honor-
ably dealt with.'

THE BROCKS UKSOIA'E TO MOVP: WESTWARD.

tree
lis a

and
|l nob

mor-

" Well, well ; we will just calculate upon j.^oinf^ to
the North- West prairie," replied Mrs. Brock, reluc-
tantly.

" Wlien'U we need to give up possession {" in(juired
Frank.

" Not later than May."

" It's too had that we have to leave such a com-
fortable home, where our irrandt'ather lived; and to
leave all the nice giv\s at school, too," said Martha, in
an indiLjnant tone. " What a shame for <;randpa to
endorse that note ! I believe boys oui^ht not to be
tau^dit writing'. We shall not leave this place ! I'll
teach, and my salary, toi^ether witli Magi^de's, will
keep all of us, while Frank can f^o to college."

But Eva was sorry for her parents, though she felt
the blow as keenly as the others, and thought she
would help them to bear up and build their hopes on
hii^her thiui^s, so she remarked :

" Perhaps God saw that we were too comfortable
here, to set our hi^arts upon things above. When \vg i;o
to a new farm, among strangers, it may make us look
to Jesus, for the happy home He has gone to prepare.
W^e'll go to our prairie liome as happy as can be, and
if it should prove to be very unpleasant, we'll make
believe we are travelling through the desert to the
land of Canaan. Perhaps by breaking the ties that
bind us to this beloved home, some ol" us may be led
to think more of our liome in heaven."

" There's our litth^ (loody again, and 1 believe she
is right," said Frank ; " we can make a pretty good

riiK r.nof'K iamii.v

start, and by luin^' tconouiical we may l>e better ofl in
a few years ilian w<! ever were."

"1 ,snp{)<)>^e W'-ll liave to l,^o," interposed Martha;
"but 1 don't know wliat livn means at all, for I've
read and heanl that the; settlers out west cheat, swear,
break the Sabbatli, and have hardly any churches or
ministers, so I think we may he wor-e off instead of
better."

" No, nc,' said Evm, " we'll have the Bible, and we'll
have papa — hes a^ i,^ood as a minister. Even if the
people are not very ujood, we'll try and itnprove them,
both by setting mji exainple, with God's help, and by
teaching the Bible to a^ many as we can. I've just
now thought of a plan," and she clapped her hands for
joy. " I am going to try and teach an Indian girl,
and start her on the path to heaven. Then she could
teach her people. She might be the means, through
the Lord, of saving the souls of nuvny poor Indians."
She turned to Martha, and continued, ' You may help
by giving me your beads for prizes."

" That's all very well for you to calculate upon, after
all my hard work getting them. But you won't send
my beads prancing on horseback all over the prairie,
associating with tomahawks and rifles. Besides, you'd
only be encouraging a great tribe to come in the night
and burn our shantv.

" Sure, it's me father's son that shall shtand fernent
them and presarve the illigant shanty," said Mike.

" What do you think about it, papa ? " inquired
Martha, ignoring Mike's remark.

!1^

Tin: MIKK'KS llKSOI.Vi: TO MOVK WKSTWAIU). 7^^

red

" Eva's iflcji is, no doubt, a ;L,n'and one. If we spent
the remainder of our lives in teaclnn<4 and iirlpin^^
one of those detruded })eople to heconiea child of iUn\,
we should Ik! doin^' well. The Hibh; says; ' I^ct him
know that he which convertetli the sinner from the
error of his wmv, shaP save a soul from death, and
shall hide a multitude of sins.' "

Martha dared not reply. She; knew Kva was ri^ht;
but she felt it very tryini; to leave so many kind
frien<ls, and to take her pretty hat and stylish i^^reen
dress away to a shanty to wear in the presence of
Indians, or to leave folded in a trunk to be moth-eaten
However, she subdueil her feelinLTs and in((uired :

" How are you goiuL,^ to catch your sfpiaw, with a
las.so or with a Winchester ? "

" I know you are niakinijf fun of me; but, seriously,
it will be a most olorious work to teach those poor
Indians the truths of Christianity. Papa will help
me. If we could settle near an Indian reserve it
would make it easier. I'd fjet papa to ^o to the re-
serve, and, perhaps, the Indian aujent would .select a
bright girl, about fifteen, who would be likely to per-
severe in her lessons. She could come to our hou.se,
or, as you say, shanty, every day, where I'd teach her
and airn to make her an excellent Sunday-school
teacher for her own people. I n\ight learn her lan-
guage, and afterwards teach more Indians."

At this Frank gallantly sprang to his feet and
offered his arm to Eva, saying :

" I'll Vjc you!- champiori ; (-ome along, little mi.ssionary.

THE BROCK FAMILY.

s-il

You'll hiiva the iiioiify I <^ot for my colt to assist you
in your Indian work. All aboard for the prairie," as
he and Eva closed the door behind them.

They seated themselves in the cutter behind the
colt which Frank had lately been training, and drove
oft", while the lar^ije feathery snowHakes bespanjjjled
their clothinjj with desi<;ns such as man in all his
boasted skill might try in vain to copy. As Eva held
her sleeve up to ^ iv br^' aei she exclaimed in rapture,
" Frank, are not t:: ■ f thikes lovely ? They show God's
power; see that st: " tlii- diamond, and here is one
like a cross. How are the .,,^w flakes formed ?"

" From what little I've read, and what papa has
told me, when the temperature reaches 82° or lower,
the moisture in the air freezes, and falls in these
beautiful flakes."

"Isn't it w^onderful ? "

" Now, I'm going to surprise you by telling you
that each of these flakes is composed of hundreds of
most beautiful crystals. They are chiefly stars hav-
having six points, but there are also many other
patterns."

" If all the people in the world tried, they couldn't
nn)ke one snowflake or one flower, and yet it is nothing
for God to make millions of them. Are we not well
off to have a God who is able and willing to do so
much for us ? But look at this odd one, Frank. Who
has ever counted the number of forms ? " inquired
Eva, who in her enthusiasm forgot to wait for an
answer to her former question.

THE BROCKS RESOLVE To MOVE WESTWARD. 75

i .

" I think papa told me once that Scoreshy and
Glaislier made the <liscoverv. Tliev are not all Hat,
some are three-sided {)i-i>niatic crystals, and some
pyramids. The flakes in one sno\v-st(^rm are generally
alike."

" It's so funny. 1 suppose, when we go to our new
home on the Manitoha prairie, we'll find the snow a
great deal deeper, because it is nearer the North Pole,"
•said Eva, again.

" Not necessarily so, for the fartlier north we go the
keener the frost is. As the temperature sinks below
32" the Hakes become smaller. Some Hakes are o , r
the fourteenth part of an inch across, while some are
as much as an inch."

After Frank and Eva went out driving, Marth.*, '">iD
felt herself a full-grown woman since she had .rone to
church in her new dress, said :

" It's perfectly ridiculous the w^ay Eva goes on about
her Indian girl ; we'll have to put a stop to it, for I
believe the child is in earnest. She will disgrace the
whc^e family, bringing Indians around."

"It does seem rather a wild notion," replied her
mother ; " but if we prevented her in her eHbrts to
convert one person, it would be wrong. Indians have
souls the same as we have. I think, however, she
could Hnd enough to do among white girl.s."

" We'll have a busy time, the rest of the winter, in
preparing to go to our new home. There is little or
no fruit, I believe, on the prairie ; therefore w^e must
take as much preserved and dried fruit with us as we
can."

7^;

rHK I'.MmCK KA.Mil.Y.

"Oh, ] l.adn't thouj^ht of thut. Whnt'll wo do
witliout apples and cherries and everythinrj ? " in(|uired
Marthu.

" We'll just use more vegetables* and it' \V(; have jjood
crops we can buy cai.ned and, perhaps, imported fresh
fruit. We will try tj dry all those apples in the cel-
lar : and there are some tine pumpkins, too, which
your father intended for the cows ; we'll dry some of
them to take along, for pies."

The work of the evening, however, banished unneces-
sary conversation, it being Saturday ; for it was a rule
with Mr. Brock to avoid Sunday labor as much as pos-
•^".ible. Mike was brushing boots, the others paring and
dressini3f a boiled ham, sewing buttons on buttonless
articles, while outside the axe was doing double duty,
as if to announce that the morrow would be the Sab-
bath and a day of rest.

After the work and tea were over, the children
finished the preparation of their Sunday-school lesson
by mutual questions and answers, until they con-
sidered themselves proficient in it ; then they formed
themselves into a class to be reviewed by their father.
Mr. Brock could already see a slight improvement in
Martha, since she had received her new clothes and
had asrain attended church and the Bible-class.

For some mysterious reason, Martha's clothing usu-
ally became soiled so much sooner than Eva's, that the
fornu r was occasionally obliged to absent herself from
church. But on this Sunday morning there was no
occasion for this, so the Brock house was closed and

THE BROCKS HESOLVK To MOVE WESTWARD. 77

the whole family, with unruffled temper and with
smilinijf faces, drove away to the house of God. Now
they pass a group of chiMrcn, in gay attire, hurrying,
too, on their way to church ; and again, a shabbily-
dre>sed old man, Bible in hand, limping along, pro-
bably to be seated near the door, where he wotdd be
able to hear but little of the sermon. They fill their
comfortable pew, and the chil.Iren listen more or less
attentively. The grand organ, under the delicate and
practised touch of the organist, sends forth strains that
apj>eal to the finer feelings of all, even those who were
in other respects apparently most callous. Then at
home favorite delicacies, sweet music and kind words,
make the Sabbath a day to be remembered and looked
forward to with i>leasure.

;

CHAPTER VI.

MARTHA AND EVA MKKT WITH TRIALS AT SCHOOL.

''T^HE next evenino^, Mr. and Mrs. Brock ud vised
A their children to itnprove their time at school, as
this mif]jht ha the last opportunity for study they
would have. Frank had been spared to attend school
also, since they had resolved to move westward.

They all went quietly to their lessons, exceptin^if
Martha, who noisily f^rumbled :

'* You can't expect me to study in all this contusion,
for Eva is often practising her music, papa reading out
loud, and Frank either whistlinsf o^" tormentinfj the
cat ; so there ! "

" Well," returned her patient mother, " we'll try and
find another lamp, and let you sit upstairs after tea
every evenin«i, to give you a good chance. I wish you
to learn all you can, for though we hope to prosper,
our future is uncertain : and it may he necessary for
you to support yourselves in case of reverses."

MARTHA A\I> EVA MKET WITH TRIALS AT SCHOOI.. 70

land

tea

lyou

|per,

for

AftfT souH» (lirticulty in flttin<]f an odd hurnor on an
odd lamp, and outtint; a pii'cc of wicd-: fmni tliat of tht'
dining-room ljnn]». Martlia was cosily »Mise(>nC(»d in a
wcll-cusliiotied aiMiit'iiair. Hor niotlicr loft Iicr to
work r)ut wonders in j^^'animar and ali^i-hra.

The others proi^ressotl more rapidly, for Martha was
the most clamorous one in the family.

Ifalf-an-liour afterwanls her mother stepped softly
into Martlia's new study, and what should meet her
inquiring; niv/.e hut rihl)ons red, ril)hons ijreen. rihhons
yellow, washt'cl and unwashed, beads, wire and sundry
oM hat shapes, with the giddy Martha seated in the
midst, surveyijiLi: tliem with admiration She was
sewini; away at a how for the hat. and <lid not liear
the ap])roaeh of her mother until the door opened,
wlien she hastily swept the millinery into a lar<j^e
bas^ket .standing near. Her moth' r, in a tone of injured
surprise, asked :

" Is this the way you are deceiving us, after allowing
you to come here alone ? "

" Oh, mamma," she stammered in embarrassment, " I
did study (piite awhile, and I just thought I'd make up
a travellinc; hat to wear when moviuLf to Manitoba ;
you see, my good one might get shabby wearing it a
whole week."

" Yes, yes, but you did not need quietness to trim a
hat, and if you are going to work at millinery awhile
every evening all winter, you ha<l better remain home
from school and . ssist me with the housework. It is
with the greatest self-denial that I spare you at all."

THE BUDCK FAMII.V.

" Oh, well, I suppose I'll have to study lianl. I vvisli
I could be (fi)0(\ like Eva, Vjut the bad is in uie, and in
spite o*' all I can do it conies to the surt'ac< . 1 don't
want to ,i(o to school, I'd niu<;h rather cook."

Upon Mrs. Block's return to tlie <linin<ij-r(joni, Myrtle
inquired: " .l.iaii'nm, will Maggie go with us when we
move ( "

" My dear, your papa and 1 have been thinkiui^ the
matter over, and decided to leave vvell enough alone.
She has a good situation, is comfortable, and grand-
father will look after her. If we like our new home
and can procure a situation near us for lier, siie may
then come. 1 am very sf)rry to part with her, but feel
it will be for the best."

" Well, t'nat's toe batl, poor Maggie will cry when
.she hears it, and Martha will .scold," said Myrtle, with
tears in her eyes.

At intermission the following day, Eva .said to
Martha :

"I'm afraid you may be kept in after four to-night,
as you spent considerable time at your crochet lace in
.school -hours, under cover of the desk. Let me help
you with your les.sons ? "

With an indignant toss of the head, she replied :

" 1 don't think I could know my history and litera-
ture any better."

" Yes, but wait until the statics come, and we'll see."

" No danger. What would you say if you reached
home ten minutes behind nie, Miss Perfection <* '

" 1 only wished to help you. '

MAFVrUA AND KVA MEET Willi TRIALS W SrMoOi,. .SI

'Ip

ra-

i(i.

True to Eva's prediction, Martha was sentenced to
solve three difficult probh-ms in statics after school
wjis tlisriiissod. But when all had <u'parted save tlie
few ofiunders, tlie teacher, hein;^ only linnian and
therefore subject to human weakness, beiran to be
moved V)v visions of his chubbv thn-e-year-old swincf-
in}^ on the front ^ate, strainin<^ lier l)rii;ht little eyes
for th«' Hrst peep at her ])apa turninu the corner, and
perha])s his wife \vatchin>» from the window ; in addi-
tion to these attractions niiL,dit hi' eiiunnn'ated the
comfortable warm room, and an excellent tea winch he
knew to be awaitinf;. These oentle inilueiices increas-
in<r every uilnute in their efi'ect, so far overcame his
sense of justice, that he ultimately relentt'(|, and the
exasperated pupils were soon slamminn' the dooi's and
stampint; on the stairs as noisily as th('\- darecj, without
atfordini; r.rncfli/ sufficient ])roof that their conduct
was prompted l>y any ill-feeling.

When Martha reached the sidewalk she scarnied the
street for her sisters, and to make the situation more
unpleasant, she caujjjht a <;limpse of them in a bu^j^y
driviuLT homeward. In Martha's haste the thou<(ht of
the oft-forbidden railroad track with its narrow bridrre
across the suri,dni; waters, tempted hei- to take that
short cut to her father's back <h)or. She could see no
train, an«i soon lier nimble feet were carryin<( her along
the plank footway, forty feet above tlie deep, treacher-
ous stream, while she prided herself with the expecta-
tion of reachini; home almost as soon as Eva. A slirill
whittle and th*- roar of an approachinj^' train, however,

THE J5ROCK FAMILY.

\l' fi|

sent through Martha an inclescril)ab!e thrill, an*l as she
looked behind and saw the train, she nearly fell through
the skeleton bridge. It was a terrible iiionient. At
first, she thought she would lie ihit down ut the side
of tlie track and thus escape, but frightened at this
idea, she carefully crept out upon the projecting end
of a stick of tiinb(!r, where she had only about fifteen
inches square to rest upon. With her feet swinging
below in the awful space, and her arms hugging
anothei timber with the tenacity of despair, she
thought :

" This is all I can do, and my only chance is to keep
cool and hold fast. What if the engine should shoot
out steam wliile passing!"

The steaming and snorting train came up to her,
with trainmen and some passengers stretching their
necks to catch a view of the terriHed girl, The watch-
ful engineer, who had taken in the situation as soon as
he rounded the curve, whistled " down brakes," and
reversed the engine, fearing that the girl would be
run over. As the train slacked up lie called to
her:

" Come here, and I'll take you across."

On looking up, Martha recognized in him an old
acquaintance. He took her in the cab and started
again, relieved at the fortunate termination of what a
few moments before had threatened to be a serious
disaster, but provoked that the mischievous giri had
caused him so much delay. He felt that he should
take her to the next station, which was ten miles dia-

MARTHA AND EVA MEET WITH TRIAl.S AT SCHOOL. 83

tant, but upon ret'errinfj to bis wntcl), slaclsoil w]) and
bamlod bcr oti'as tln'V crosst'cl lier t'atlior's back lane.

Durinir all tliis tin'.o tbe i;irl was scarcely lu-rsolf, as
she had not recovereil from lier fri^dit, and she feared
the anijcer of her parents.

She ran breatlilessly into the house, and related her
marv^ellous escape to her iiinther, who listened intently
with a cfrateful heart, but wh«» was annovtMl that her
dauij^hter ha<l disobeyed her in \vall<in<jj aloiiL? the rail-
roa<l track.

Shortly after this tlic other i^drls came in at the
front door, and Myrth^ said :

" Is supper ready ? Needn't wait for Martha, she's
kept in anjain. I 'spoct slie won't be home for — "

She was interrupted by Martha enteriiit^ the room,
having her sleeves rolled uii, preparatory to makiriiif

bi.scuits for tea. Ti)e two L,nrls could scarcely believe
their eyes, upon beholdini^ this apparition, for had they
not left Martha ponderiui^ over her slate at school ?
But it was u slii^dit check to Myrtles tale- bearing,
Martha, however, felt that she had done wroiiir, and
for once in her life did not attempt to defend her.self.
DuiiiiLC tlie last two years at school, Eva had shared
her desk with .Miriam Harkness, the ])am])ere(l daui^h-
ter of a wealthy merchant, whose influential position
as a schoul trustee c>iusi'd the teacher, Mr. Ilo^'ers,
probably as a matter of policy, to show Miriam no
small amount of favor. The strong- friendship which
had continued so lon^ between these two Ljirls, at onee
so <liti'erent in disposition aiitl circumstano.'s, huii

THE BROCK FAMILY.

•

created not a little coinnient on the part of many of
the other scliolars.

For sonic time ))r« vious to Miriam's i-ntrance to the
}-]\(s}\ School, licr t'atlier lia<l promised, as slie was
naturally ratlicr dull, that lie would tdve her a hand-
.some present if .slie succeeded in passini,' the entrance
examination. After close att<'ntion to lier studies, in
which she received considerable assistance from Eva,
she at last succtiedecl in passing the examinution, and
In wiiminu" tlie prize, which was nothiuuj less than a
necklace and locket set in <liamonds. When her fatlier
claspecl it around her neck, he told her that as she ho'l
earned it at school, he intended her to wear the prize
every day. More Uuui once Kva had lield this costly
jewel in her Iwind and admired tlie brilliant lustre of
the diamonds, as .she swuntjf it swiftly back and forth.
Little did these <,nils dream that it would bring any-
thinji; l)ut pleasure to its owner and admirers.

One day in April, as the <,nrls sat tof]rether in school,
Miriam was playiuL^ with this article of adornment,
vvlien the teacher, noticing lier inattention to her les-
sons, sent her to a distant seat for a half-hour.

She, fearing he would sentence tlie jewel to tempo-
rary imprisonment among other miscellaneous, forbid-
den articles that annoyeil him, placed it stealthily
behind a book in a corner of her own half of the desk,
before going to her newly allotted place. During the
time of Miriam's |>unishment, Eva liad been up to her
class, thereby leaving the jewel un])rotected. Miriam,
upon iecei\ ing permission to return, failed to find the

MARTHA AND EVA MEET WITH TRIALS AT SCHOOL. 80

necklace and locket in her deSi , and inquired *jt' Eva,

•th.

es-

id-

^sk,
he
ler

ho liad also reti

10 nad also returniM

" Where's iiiv necklace T'

" I've not seen it sinct' you had it." Kva replietl.

Miriam took her iiooks out, and made a th()rou;.,di
but futile srarcli ; then Kva nssisted her, l)ut svitli the
same unsatisfactory result.

At this Miriam lauL(hinL,dy in([uired :

" You'i'e teasini;- me. Haven't you i^ot it in your
pocket ;' "

" No. Miriam," was tlie reply.

Then Miriam, losing- all patience in licr drspcration,
exclaimed (|uiti^ aiiLTrily, and in a tone ai)()ve the usual
whisper :

" I helieve you have it. Indeed, yon must have it."

Eva made no reply, hut her pale face and ([uiveiiuL,^
lip .showetl ho\ deeply Miriam's suspicions had
wounded lier.

Mr. Rouers, heini: disturbed [ty tlie loud remarks of
Miriam, said :

" Miriam, were you speaking; to uie ?"

" No, .sir, but Eva Brock has stolen my diamond
locket and chain."

Had a Hash of liuhtnino- struck tlie roof, it could n'it
have cau.sed s,a*eater astonishment tlian did this unv^
rantable accu.sation. Eva was K)oked upon as the i^ t
strictly honorable pupil in the sclu)ol, and her exem-
plary conduct had been publicly referred to, tinu .aid
attain, l)y her teacher.s. Not ariotlicr ])upil enter* -ned
a tliought of btdievin^ 11, not fXi'ii LJu' ti-aelirr, \\ ,1. . in

THE BKOrK FAMILV.

deference U) Miriam, lieir'tn tlie invcstitration with the
appeunmee of helief. AimI, to speak iiictaphorically,
the otluT irnli^nant pupils looker! daiTLii'i's at Miriam.

But lie, onc(i more wrioliinu- the imjxntanee of Mr.
HarUiU'ss' inlhieiK'e, ^Mve a pitulaiit Jerk or two to
his vest, and said :

" Kva Brock, I'm astonislied. Come here."

Poor Kva was thoroULrlily licwildertMJ, tlu; liot Mood
niountinjx to Iter forrlitad chased awfiy tlie former
deatldy palei\ess, her i^reat hrown eyes Hashed, and
when she sto<id erect to comidv, feelinti' »dl eves fixed
upon lier, siie feared she should di-op to tlu* th)or. Ihit
she felt relieved hy the iriia^iuMtion tliat tlie Hoor was
tjradually ris'no' up hefore, hehin<l. and on e;ieh si<ie of
lier, not only su})|)()rtin'jj lier, hut it seemed to he sail-
injL^ away witli ]wv heyond school-r<;om criticisms into
space indefinite. In this half-uneonscious state, she
sank into lier seat and rested lier liend upon lierfolth'd
arms on the desk. But this was onlv for an instant,
for she was arous (1 l>y tlie couMuaiid :

" ])o you liear me ^ Come to the front this minute."

Slie sprani; upas if electrified, atid walked at once to
the phitform, hitin^^ her lips to keep hack the hasty
words that seemed pr.'ssini;; for Jitterance.

" It looks I'ather suspicious to see you hesitatiu;: in
this maiuier. Hand me the necklace witliout further
delay."

" 1 have not uot it, Mr. lioi^ers. Nor have I Imd it
to-<hiy."

" Miriam, be so kind as to step this way and tell me

MARTHA AND KVA MEET WITH TRIALS AT SCHOOL. H7

wliat reason you have t\)r thinkinj^ that Eva has your
jewellery."

" J lei't it in my desk and told Eva to watch it in
jny al)sence," said Miriam, inventing a reply that she
thought would justify her char^'e ; "and .\hiry Ann
Downy said slic saw iier puttin^^ it in her p(;ck(!t,
besides she has always fancied it."

"Oh, such — •." and \ivi\ suddenly cliecked herself.

" Marv Ann Downy to the front."

When Mary Ann, who always avoided meetinsf the
t^dance of another, advanced to the edjije of the plat-
form, Miriam cast a .scornful j^lance at her and moved
away, as Mr. Roi^'ers asked this repulsive-lookinij ^^i*-!
if she had seen the jewel in Eva's possession. With
her eyes fixed upon the floor she hesitatingly replied :

" P'"a.se, sir, 1 saw her put it in her pocket and take
it (»ut three or four time>, and 1 forget sure if it was
takin<4 of it out or putting of it in her poci.ei the last
time or no, sir."

" Wh(;re is it now, then ?" inquired the teacher,
unahie to understand her last remark.

" Eva h.'id it the last time J saw it," replied Mary
Ann, not without shov-ing some signs of nervousness,
which miidit be attributed to lier sorrow for beiuii"
compelled to inform on a girl wlion) she, in common
witli tlie others, respected and loved.

Next Mr. Rogers commanded :

"Tak«! vour seat, Marv Ann." Feelinir in justice to
Miiiain and his own salary, that he should not a})pear
to regard Evas word, though he himself really

M \

I UK liltdCK FAMILY

believed it, In- turned to F]va, whose eyes calmly an<l
unswervingly nwt liis, und demanded :

"To save further trouble, ,ive me the trinket at
once."

" I can i;ive you no otlier answer ; I have not had it
to-day, sir. "

"There is some; mvsterv about this. Place the con-
tents of your pocket on the taijle."

She replied, "There i> nothing- in my p(jckt't but
what is my own, and 1 do not feel justitied in thus
hum: ating myself."

The attention of the school being arrested by so
unusual an occurrence, silence reigned supreme. Then,
as the teacher's rage increased, he stam})ed his foot,
excitedly ran his fingers through his hair, and actually
shouted :

" You must have it. Empty your pocket this minute
or leave the room, [ say."

Eva, trained to obedience, placed on the desk the

contents of her pocket, which comprised some pencils,

an apple, an ink eraser, a handkerchief, and a letter

which Miriaui had written her, during her temporary

absence from school. Had he taken the trouble to

read the tiattering missive (which temptation he may

not have resisted) he would have been enlightened in

this style :

"Oeranium Garden,

" Bkadvvardine, Ont.,

••2nd April, 18—-

" My Very Dear Eva,— Thank you for your kind
letter, which cheered me up, while shut in with this

NfAJirUA AND KVA MKKT W'VYW TKIAF.S AT SCH'KiI.. S}»

sore tliroiit. You st.'o, I am tryiiiLC to rovvjinl y(»u I*}'
{inswt'riiiL,' iiiiiii«'(liat('ly. I am Just as well pleased
that 1 missed that horriil exam., in fact my tliroat
miLjht not liave heen so sure had it not hetn a pretty
tryinu time at scliool. As tlie examination is over my
thi'oat feels extremely Ix^tter, so I'll be hack Monchiy
to try tlie temper of Mr. Holers aL,'ain. J do not know
liow sucli a dear, Lfood 'dri as you are can remain in favor
witli sucli an 'in(|uisition' as he. Iliatehim. Doesn't lie
look princely in his fashionahle coat ^ I wish he liad
en^^aL,^ed me to trim it. It would he somewliat after
this fashion : The buttons in front would he lar^e
Scotcli thistles, those on tlie sleeves hitler acorns,
those on the hack burdock blossoms, while there would
be a wreath around the edi^^i^ of <landelions find lC<>()s(!-
Ijrass, and a b()Ui|Uet of thorns under the .Nai)oleornc
chin. 1 think if this wouM not satisfy his fastidious
taste, as well as bespeak his character, we nn<.(ht ^dve
him up as beyond all reason. Now, my dearest Eva, 1
must close, though I am ashamed of my letter.
'"Your loving; friend while life lasts,

' MiRiA>r Harkness."

Now that Eva had obeyod her teacher, she felt
u.-terly disheartened, and in an Jured yet di<,Miitied
manner, turned and walked to her seat, where .she
dragged out the weary moments until school was
dismissed.

The annoyed teacher said to Miriam :

" Take your seat for the present, but this matter
must be investigated, and she will be punished as she
deserves." Then turnin<; with seeniinir unconcern to
the school, he said :

"Attention to your books, all — attention — ahem!"

THE BROCK FAMILY.

But tho scholars, haviii*^ the iiiana<,'ement of their
eyes, ears and ton^nu's under the control of tlieir own
individual wi'ls, and fe«din;^ the presence of rebellion
in the air, they looked ahout for tlie instrument of
ebullition. Tliis proved to be no otlier than the
io(|uacious Mai tlia. She stood erect at her desk, and
lookini; unHinehinifly into the Hashiiifj eves of Mr.
Rogers, l)egan with feeling and emphasis, and with
her books packed ready for Hight.

Mr. Rogers was too ;muc1i astonished to speak, for he
did not utter a word until Martha had Hnished her
liarangue.

" Mr. Rogers, Eva has been treated most shamefully
by you. You have represented her to the pupils —
who believe her innocent all the same — as a thief
Becau.se Miriam's father is a trustee and a rich man,
you pretend to believe anything she tells you. But
Eva never stole that or any other thing in her life.
You'll be sorry for this day's conduct, for Eva shall be
proved innocent." (A whirlwind of applause.)

Martha, having somewhat expended her wrath,
picked up her books, walked deliberately to Eva, and
in a loud whi.sper, said :

" I'm leaving .school, Eva, but you are doing right to
.stay until .school is dismi.s.sed. I'll wait in town for
you," and .she, for the last time, walked defiantly out of
the room. Mr. Rogers would before this have ordered
her out, had not the silent sympathy cast upon her by
admiring eyes, and the fear that Martha's speech con-
tained too much truth, humbled him to such a degree
that he only muttered :

MARTHA AND EVA MEET WITH TRIALS AT SCHOOL. 91

" Impudent (/iv\. Attention to your work."

A short time liei'ore .scliool was (lisniissed Mr. Holers
caught a j^liinpse of a caricature in the possession of a
i^irl ceiehrated for l»er dexterity in «lravvinix. He took
possession of the slate, upon whicli was <lepicted a
hardened lookinjjj man, much resenihlinL? Inmsclf, ev«Mi
to tlie few bristlinij liairs on the upper lip, which con-
.stituted. in his own opinion, a moustache. Tiie tij^ure hiy
cruslied under the expansive foot of a giantess, who
held in her hand a l)alance, and ha<l written upon her
brow the word ".Justice."

He doomed the artist to temporary punishment, and
durintjf the remainder ot tlie afternoon he exercised Ins
tactics to the best of liis alality, in keeping the .sciiool
in toleral)le subjoction.

After Eva and Martha had readied home and related
to their parents an account of the missing ornament,
Eva cried, " I did not take the necklace, l)ut people will
tliink I did. We are just going to move away, too,
which will make it look suspicious. Papa, will a
policeman come here to-night ? " and slie glanced
nervously at the window, as if expecting that terrifying
official to come.

Though this news was a great .shock to her parents,
her father calmly replied :

" No, no, Eva. I feel you are innocent. I have
never known you to tell a falsehood or to take the
least trifle that did not belon<; to vou. It would not
be well for the one who might authorize a policeman
to come here for you. 1 shall endeavor to investigate
this affair before I go to bed."

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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Sdences
Corporation

4x'

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23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14SB0

(716) 872-4503

C/j

THE BROCK FAMILT.

Mike, under the pretext ..f keepinj^ away any police-
man who might intrude upon the premises in Mr.
Brock's absence, took his stand on a gate-post, and
uttered extravagant threats, causing a smile to pass
over even Eva's troubled face.

Mr. Brock drove away to town, spent some time in
finding Mr. Rogers' rooms, and then learned that he
was not at home. He next went to the residence of
Mr. Harkness, and was informed by a servant that he
and Mr. Rogers liad walked out together a short time
before. He then proceeded to see the Chairman of the
Board of School Trustees ; but alas ! upon looking
towards the corner where he had left his horse, Mr.
Brock found he was missinfj. His thou(j:hts were now
directed into another channel. He was comforted in
his haste along the street by being repeatedly told
what he already knew too well — that his horse had
broken loose and run awav. The tired man in his
homeward course was somewhat retarded by picking
up in various places his whip, robe and buggy cushion.
The truant horse and buggy had arrived home before
him, little the worse for the adventure.

In the evening, Mrs. Brock, knowing that idleness
was not apt to lighten a heavy heart, gave Eva some
sewing to do. As Eva sat lamenting her situation,
the text, " For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth,"
came to her mind. She was somewhat comforted by
the assurance that earthly trouble was by no means a
sign that her Lord also had forsaken her, and she
thought that the reproach upon her name might prove
to be a blessing in disguise.

nass

MARTHA AND EVA MEET WITH TKIALS AT SPHOOT,. 03

After the girls went to bed, Eva imagined lierself
at church, witli the people staring at her ; then she
thought that her future neighbors in Manitoba would
hear that she was a thief. She wondered how her
mother and father w^ould bear it, if she should be im-
prisoned. With these unpleasant thoughts she cried
herself to sleep. In the night she awoke Martha by
clinchinfT her arm and franticallv shriekinix: " He has
arrested me. Look at the handcufi's !'"

Martha succeeded in dispelling her midnight alarm,
and Eva, after prolonged meditation, resolved hence-
forth to mention her trouble as seldom as possible ; it
not being a cheerful sul)ject to inflict upon the other
members of the family. The school course of these
two girls was thus abruptly closed, for Mr. and Mrs.
Brock felt so keenly for them, that they were allowed
to remain at home.

Miriam walked home bearing even a sadder heart
than Eva did, for the former feared she had been
guilty of breaking the ninth commandment. But in
the flrst desperate moment she had thought, "Eva
must have taken it." After having once accused her,
she was too proud to retract, always expecting the
lost article would be immediately found, when she
might renew her friendship with Eva. But her wrath
increasing with the charge made by another girl, and
with the surrounding excitement, she allowed Eva to
go home without giving her one word of anything
but distrust. Upon reaching home she kept the loss

THE BROCK FAMIT.V,

of her necklace a secret from her parents. In the
eveninj:ij, however, Mr. Rof^ors visited her father to
discuss the subject. Mr. Harkness was indeed sorry,
but was too prudent to take any criminal proceeding
without sulKcient evidence to enable him to win the
suit.

Mr. Brock aixain went to see Mr, Rogers, but as he
acted very obstinately, and the trustees supported him,
Mr. Brock received no satisfaction.

Therefore, the incident was, for the present at least,
allowed to lie dormant, except in the active minds of
those most interested.

^A^mpM

CHAPTEK VIT.

WESTWARD.

THE eventful time when the Brocks were to
remove from their deliirhtful home at last
arrived. ^Irs. Brock's love for the place had been
almost unfathomable since the day her husband proudly
proclaimed her its mistress. Little did any of them
think how bare, in comparison with this, their next
home would be ; or how different this home was fifty
years before, w^hen Grandfather Brock, axe in hand,
first claimed as his own this forest-covered soil. The
members of the family were strangely silent on this
the last day they were to spend in their old home,
never so much appreciated as now ; but little expres-
sion of these thoughts was uttered, perhaps owing to
a choking forlorn feeling, which unsummoned made
its temporary abode within the heart, or lest the
sentiment expressed should bring to another's eye the
unwelcome tear. The clear brook, which had reflected

THE HROCK FAMILY

their faces as they, having left their shoes and stock-
ings on the brink, paddled in the cool waters ; the
choice flowering and fruit-bearing shrubs which had
been gathered, proudly planted and tenderly cared for;
the ornamental fences, almost unknown on the wild
prairie ; and the orchard, where many a swing had
girdled the fruit-laden limbs — these were all to be left
behind to strangers.

This afternoon Mike had been sent in haste with a
message to Mr. Gladstone. But he, regardless of the
message, directed his steps towi:ward. When he left
the gate at the road, he knelt down and crept on the
grass for some little distance, with the object of escap-
ing the observation of Mr. Brock and his family ; but
Johnny Thompson — a neighbor boy — suddenly jumped
over the fence beside him, saying :

" Halloo, Mike ! You needn't be hiding from me.
Wha*^' " the matter ?"

Mike was surprised, and felt that he was suspected
of liis attempt to run away, but with seeming indiffer-
ence to the charge, he drew on his memory sufficiently
to relate a thrilling story of a buffalo hunt, and thus
diverted Johnny's thoughts from the channel he
feared they had been beginning to run in. They
talked and played until Johnny felt disposed to go
home. After waiting uneasily until he was out of
sight, Mike moved slowly along, and on reaching a
clump of raspberry bushes in a fence corner, drew out
from under the bushes a bundle containing his best
clothes, and proceeded less stealthily, as he was now

WESTWAKl).

(Irscending a small hill, which imide it impossible for
those on the old farm to see him. After looking
backward, and satisfying; himself that he was unob-
served, his mind became moderately composed, and he
began to speculate upon his anticipated new life.
Though sorry to leave Mr. Brock's family, who had
treated him with extreme kindness and consideration,
he felt lify dull with them, and had accepteii an offer
to join a wheatrical troupe then playing in Bradwardine.
He now loiK'ed tor the hour of midniy^ht, when he
expected to meet them at the railway station and
take the train for Montreal. Then he recalled the
words of praise and look of admiration the manager
had bestowed upon him one afternoon, o!i his way
from school, when he sang and performed some ath-
letic exercises at a street corner. He thouuht of the
long rides he would have on tho train, of the immense
fortune he hoped to make, of the thousands of dollars
he would send to Mr. Brock, of the tine clothes he
would wear, and the fame he would merit. But he
failed to look on the dark side of that toilsome life.
Upon reaching town, he pawned his clothes for a trifle,
and proceeded to spend the intervening hours until
midnight in some secluded spot. But it did not prove
to be what he had anticipated, for he was there seen
bv a man who knew him and afterwards informed Mr.
Brock. He immediately stole away to more remote
parts until after 11 o'clock, when he crept stealthily and
hungry enough to the station, and sat down to await
the arrival of his new master an<l the <l('parture of

THE BROCK FAMILY.

the train. He now shuddered at the thounrht of fjoinof
away amoniz stran^fers, hut was ashamed to return to
the kind Brock family. However, Mike was destined
never to become an actor : for, as he did not return
wlien expected, and as the message he bore was impor-
tant, Fraidv was despatched ; and, upon reacliing his
jijrandfather's house, he hiarned that Mike had not
been there. Meanwhile the discovery that his best
clothes were missing increased the surprise of those at
liome. Mr. Brock hastened to town, and found that
he had sold his clothes. This was sufficient reason for
him to employ the chief of police for the recovery of
the truant boy. Telegrams, descriptive of Mike, were
sent to all the neighboring towns.

During the course of his search Mr. Brock was con-
fronted by Mike's aunt, who, when sufficiently sober,
went out washing, and who gave Mr, Brock consider-
able abuse because Mike was missing.

' .'hy didn't ye watch the child betther," she said,
"and not let him git lost ? Ye're not givin' the by no
eddycation, for I axed him the other day the po})ylation
o' Tipperary, and he didn't know where it was itself,
sure ; his own native birthplace. His own blessed
mother when she was a-dyin' sure she rolled up thim
purty blue eyes o' hers, and she said to me, says she,
as she looked in me own honest eyes, ' Kathleen, take
care o' me hj,' and I vowed, sir, wid tears in me eyes,
I would see him safe through this worrold. even if he
had to travel many a rocky road. And now he's
after bein' lost, more sorrow to — " and as Mr. Brock

WESTWARD.

lis

moved awav slio drew a Mack bottle from under her
arm and took a drauL,dit of its contents.

Ajii'jnLT other res^arclies, Mr. Bi'(K'1< had made two
futile visits to the railway station, hut lie thoui^dit as
it was ajiproachini; mi(hiiu;hl, that he would ujo there
once m(^re. lie had iittlf rxpcelati'iii of tindiuL;' the
hoy, hut on entering- the t|uirt room, he found Mike
sittiniron a. hai-d form lookino- verv lonely and nei'vous.
When he l)eheld Mr. JJnjck so close to him he hung his
head with shame. AH Mr. P)rock's interro<oitions were
met with "Nothin'," " No })lace/' and " Dunno;" hut as
Mr. Brock was leadiiiu- awav his chai'ge, lie noticed
what he sui>|)Osed to he a theatrical party cnterincr
the station, and as Mike was in the hahit of reciting
and acting, and talking ahont theatres, he concluded
that in a few minutes uiore ^like would have heen
away on the train with the troupe. Mr. Brock gave
the boy a sound lecturing', and at last irave him his
choice to remain with him or to m) amon<x stranrjcrs.
But to all tliis Mike only cried and muttered a desire
to remain in his adopted home.

The others were in bed when they reached home,
ami they had only a short time to rest before bealnninsf
their fati'diinij iourney. They had been very busv
sorting, packing and preparing for their Icng trip and
their new home. They had nevci" moNCtl before,
therefore it proved a vciy- tryin'jf time to the elder,
though anuisijig enough to the younger, members of
the family.

Very early next morning, Martha alarmed the tired
sleeping inmates of the house by shouting :

100

THE BHOCK FAMILY.

"All aboard for Manitoba! Frank, Eva, Myrtle,
Mike ! "

"What time is it?" inquired one. lUit Mike 'was
too much ashamed to rt'])ly.

"Clock's packed, but it's time you were up. Come,
rouse yourselves. 1 fancy I liuar the train whistling
now," as she sprinkled water on the faces of her
sleepy sister.s.

After breakfast, their father <lid not net»'[ect family
worship, but forv^ently asked God to be with them
durinn- their iournev. One after the other, wearied
and worn, dropped oif to sleep again, and awoke to find
the bright sun well up in the heavens.

After a !>-reat deal of bustle and hurrv and lost
temper, they found tliemselves at length seated in
a comfortable car, anxiously tr3'iiig to remember if
they had left any household valuables behind them.
Martha was all life and mirth, while Eva was think-
ing, " Wo might easily be all killed if only a switch-
man or an engineer failed the least in his duty. What
faithful, reliable men there are in the world ! How
much people are dependent upon each other ! " and
then, in the midst of all the clankiniif and whistling
and chatting, with motionless lips, she offered up a
silent prayer to her God, putting her whole trust in
Him to take them all safely to their new home. She
felt relieved after thus casting her bunlen on the
Lord, and smiled and chatted awajr quite merrily.

Mr. Brock had decided to sail across Georgian Bay
and Luk(3 Superior, as lie wislied his fiunily to enjoy

WFSTWAUn

101

was

her

Bay

the scenery of Sauir, HLu Mnrie. As tliev were to sail
early next nioniinu, they wi-re to t;o ahoard the hoat
in the evenini^. 1 )uiini,' their passage! on the hoat Eva
kept a diary, in ^\ liieh wv liiul the t'ollowini,' descrip-
tion of their trip across tlu- lake :

" Friday, ')th M;iy,7 a.m. — I am jcjuly for hreakfast.
The hoat is i-ockin^' <;ently and the siui is shininj,^
Ldoriously on the ijerp hhie waves. 'rii('i't> was a tre-
mendous noise all ni^-ht, made hy men loading- the hoat.

"1 have hcen rcadini;' the chapter ahout the storm
at sea, when Jesus was asleep, and how He afterwards
calmed the wind and the waves. I have asked Him
to make them calm for us, too.

" Eveninjj;-. — We had nicely hegun hreakfast this
morning, when a lady took very sea-sick and hurried
away to her stateroom, leaving two little children
alone, in danger of I'alling down stairs, so 1 helped them
get their hreakfast and took care of them until their
mother again appeared on the scene. She felt very
grateful to me.

" We called at a harbor, and severaj town people
came aboard our grand steamer, and admired it. While
comino; out of the harbor our boat stuck fast several
times on sandbars, and we were pulled oft' by a little
tug. Some were afraid the engine would break, it
worked so hard.

" There is a table in the cabin which is heaperl with
goods for sale, books, maps, photographs, daily papers,
as well as (.rjinues, lemon-;, inaple sugar, etc.

'■ (Jth May. — 1 went to bed at 9 p.m. Martha slept in

102

THE liUOCK FAMILY.

a berth bij^h up, while M} rtlu and 1 bud the one under
hers. Murtlia was afraid that slie woidd roil out, it*
the sea became roui^b. Papa and inaiunia wvm in an
adjoining stateroom. We were all at'iai<l to sleep on
the water, and Martha intended to wake up several
tinu s tbiough the night, to look after the boat, but by
some sli[) she never woke until (bu'ligbt, and was sur-
prised that the captain had managed very well with(mt
her. We pa.ssed an island abcjut (j.30 a.m. Next we
passed a steamer towing two vessels.

"All the singers among the cabin passengers gatliered
around the piano, and we had a pleasant time singing.

"Between li and 12 o'clock, we came amoiii!: hun-
dreds of islands of different sizes. As we entered the
Ste. Marie River, we took a pilot aboanl, to guide us
through the channel. He was a tall, graydiaired old
Indian, wearing goggles. I asked the mate if they
stopped only to take that old man on, when he told
me that he was a pilot. Then I felt ashamed of my-
self again, for although his face was brown in color
and scarred, his hair long and tangled, all our lives
were going to be entrusted to him for the next six or
seven hours. He was educated, spoke our language,
and was very fanuliar with the rocks and shallow
places for about sixty miles along that dangerous part
of our journey. His skill and faithfulness made me
feel more and more the neglect of so many tribes of
Indians, and I made up my mind more firndy than
ever to try to teach, and be the means, by God's power,
of converting at least one Indian girl.

WESTWARD.

103

" Mrs. Lonj^'s l>al>y fell out of bed while we wore at
dinner, and a.s that lady had much trouble with Ikt
children, I took care of the haby during the meal.
This kept me a little longer from seeing the grand
scenery, but I found I had not missed so very much of
it; and it made me happier to let her enjoy her meal,
than to see ever so many grand sights.

'' 1 almost believe I'm a little pet on the boat, for after
I went on deck, the captain told me that if I ^"'shed
I might come up a tiight of steps above the deck,
where he and the pilot were, that I might get li better
view. I was delighted, but did not know whether
mamma would like me to go. Howevei-, when 1
glanced towards her she nodded, and I sprang up the
steps. The captain seated me in his large easy chair,
and even gave me his powerful glass. The pilot stood
beside me, watching very earnestly, and nearly every
minute he called out his directions. We seemed to be
in great danger of striking rocks. The deep passage
was narrow, our boat long, and we required to make
frequent turns between the islands, while there was
not much deep water for that purpose. Some of the
islands had piled upon them huge pieces of ice and
snow. The captain pointed to a barren looking spot
on the shore, and said :

" 'About eighty years ago some sailors were wrecked,
and they were obliged to remain there all winter. We
call it the sailors' encampment.'

'Large islands formed the background of the scene,
while smaller ones stood out near us. Some of them

T i f

104

THE lUKKK I'AMir.V.

were not lari[(er than a table, some about the size of a
garden, and others we could not measure with the eye.
The boat kept turning eveiy few minutes; the strip of
water looked wide enough, but the deep channel was
narrow.

"There were a few poor-looking buildings dotted
along the shore. Sometimes we saw no outlet ahead
of us, but after winding among islands, our way always
became clear again, and when we looked back, we
could scarcely see the passage through which we had
come, as the land appeared to close up behind us.

" All the land just here seemed to slope gently to the
water's edge ; the timber was chiefly balsam, and there
were a few Indians, some log-houses and a church to
be seen. In some places, huge rocks lined the shore.
The passage had been buoyed, the rocks taken out,
and the channel dredged. We entered a beautiful
large sheet of water, dotted with tiny islands and
boats.

"When we came to the boundary between the United
States and Canada, the sailors decked our boat with
flags, which floated gaily in the breeze.

"In dangerous places, there were signboards set low
on the ground, to guide the boats in turning. The
trusty pilot guided us safely through, received his pay,
and left us. Next we entered a canal, to avoid the
rapids.

" Sunday, 7th May. — I awoke this morning just at
daylight, as the boat was starting up the canal ; then
we entered a passage which led us out into the deep

WESTWARD.

105

water of grand old Lake Superior. The surface of
the water was like a sea of o'lass, with the sunheains
dancinuf delightfully upon it.

"As it was Sundaj', papa wished us to try and keep
it, as well as we could. So I gathered six dear little
children of about four and five years old into our
stateroom, and had a little Sunday-school in my own
way. They could not read a hymn — even if they
could have read, we had no hooks — so we sang what
we knew by turn. I began with, ' Pull for the shore,
sailor.' A hoy, after considerable coaxing, sang :

' ' ' Dare is a "appy "and,

Fah, fah away,
Wha taints in dowy tand.

Bite, bite us day ;
Oh, how dey petely ting,
Worthy is a Saviour ting,
Loud 'et us payses wing,

Pays, pays fo' way.'

"This encouraged more of them, and a brilliant little
girl snapped her fingers and said :

" ' Let me, it's my's turn,' and regardless of the little
boy's unfinished hymn, she started up ' Little brown
jug,' at a pretty lively speed. I told the little girl
that it was God's day, and that as she could sing so
well, she might sing sometliing aliout Jesus, after the
little boy had finished.

" ' Oh, yes,' she said, and began with, 'Jesus loves
me, dis I know.' After thev had all sunj; their ' very
bestest,' I told them about Jesus being l)orn in a

10«

THE BROCK FAMILY.

stable, and that He ijrew in favor with God and man.
That we were all wicked, and could not take the sin
away ourselves, liut that Jesus died to take away the
sins of all those who love Him, and let Him do it; then
we will try to be good like Jesus. If we lay our sins
on Jesus, we will go to that lovely place — heaven.
Then I told them that heaven is a beautiful place,
where people are always happy, we shall have every
thing we wish, and that there is nothing bad there. I
asked them if they would like to go to heaven. Some
of them lisped, ' Yes,' while one five-year-old girl
looked doubtful, and asked :

'"Will there be weasels in heaven?'

"I scarcely knew what to say, but at last, answered:
' I don't think there will.' This appeared to console
her, for she tinished with :

"' Well, if you are sure there's no weasels there, I'd
like to go, 'cause the weasels bited and killed seven of
my's hens.'

" The other live children were listening very intently
to the weasel discussion, with ten searching eyes fixed
upon the girl's face. They grew very free and chatty,
and asked me questions about heaven that I was not
able to answer, such as :

" ' Will my mamma and papa go wifi' me ? '

" ' Will there be horses there ?'

"I asked them if they prayed to God. One answered,
' Me don't, me say payers to mamma.' So I told one
boy to pray to God, and he lisped :

" ' Now I lay me down to s'eep,
'Ittle Bo-peep, 'est her s'eep.'

WESTWARD.

107

"I put the little manny right, and told him that he
had mixed two verses, that ' Bo-peep ' was not for
Sunday, while ' Now I lay me ' was for all days ; and
when he had done, another repeated * Gentle Jesus.'

"I told them that God listened to their prayers, and
was pleased to have them ask Him for what was good
for them. He would give them what they asked for,
if it would he for the best.

"I asked them all to kneel down with me beside the
bed. After the Lord's prayer, I askec' God to be with
us in crossing the water, to make us yood, and at last
to take us all to heaven, for Jesus' sake.

" I believe this hour was the happiest in my life.
They were innocent, believed every word I said, were
not jealous of me, and had no hatred, but only love, in
their young hearts. I believe I did wish they were
little Indian children, because most civilized people, in
North America, hear about Christ from their parents
and the Bible ; while most of the Indians cannot read,
and many of their parents do not know about Jesus.

" When we again entered the cabin, we found a large
circle of passengers at the piano singing.

" My pupils scampered about in different directions,
while I joined the band of singers.

"Monday, 8th May. — About G.80a.m.,we sailed into
Port Arthur, the situation of which is grand and pic-
turesque in the extreme. There are some odd-look-
ing islands in the bay, one resembling a man lying on
his back ; there are also some bold promontories and
quite high mountain peaks, while the beautiful Kam-

108

THE bk(x;k family.

inistiquia River winds its course down to the lake
not far from the Port. This river lias a grand fall
not far from its mouth. We went ashore and walked
about the town ; even the bank was a lojx buildino-.
We saw some ai^ates and amethysts from nei'diborinij
mines.

" A immber of visitors came aboard here again to
admire our splendid boat.

" A newly married couple embarked with us from
Port Arthur, and amused us very much by their osten-
tatious dress and manner. Martha, who makes a
hobby of Latin roots, says that ' Honeymoon means a
sweet time for lunatics.' Now, I am convinced that
she is not far astray, and that the moon must surely
have struck this couple.

" The bridesmaid and groomsman came aboard also,
under the pretence of saying ' Good-bye ' to their
friends, but evidently to show themselves. They all
wore white kid gloves, while the ladies wore white
bonnets and veils, garnet dresses and gold necklaces.
Dear me ! I do wonder where Miriam's necklace
can be.

"The groomsman had a violin, and the quartette
spentsome time in dancingand singing — even one of the
ladies played on the violin.

" A negro servant who had brought into the cabin a
pitcher of water, seemed to have caught the infection.
For in passing out he stealthily popped behind the
open door, and thinking to outshine the party in
dancing, adroitly went through some scientific steps

WESTWARD.

109

borinij

and rattled a pair of bones with the cleverness peculiar
to his race, rolling his eyes and drawinjr the most
comical faces : the whole performance being reflected
life-size in the large tell-tale glass opposite, much to
the amusement of the other passengers.

" Mike, prompted outside by the promise of an orange
from the steward, and having a high opinion of his
athletic skill, l)egan to turn a series of somersaults,
which couunenced at the cabin door and were stopped
somewhat abruptly by his coming into collision with
the bride.

" The spectators smiled and exchanged amused
glances. If the wedding party could have seen the
whole picture as it appeared in that comprehensive
glass, they would, I think, have felt rather foolish.

" Martha vowed, that if she ever were so foolish as to
marry, she would dress in black, and be escorted solely
by herself on her wedding trip.

" After awhile the captain happening near, in his
genial way entered into conversation \vith them, when
the bride tittered and laughed, and uncovering a band-
box lifted out a small story of the bride-cake, gave
him a piece ' to dream on,' and tittered again.

" Then recollecting themselves, the assistant pair be-
gan their prolonged adieux, which were in keeping
with the rest of their exhibition.

" As we sailed out nt 1 p.m., we passed a party of
uien working at the silver mines. Then we took to
deep water, and saw nothing more of interest to-day.

" Wednesday, 10th— During the twenty-four hours

110

THE BROCK FAMILY.

previous to our arrival at Duluth, we were detained
by a dense fog, which was followed by a storm of wind
and rain. Owing to the dangerous rocks surrounding
the port, the captain kept the boat in deep water until
it cleared up. The fog whistle sounded almost con-
stantly for several hours. The*boat rocked very much,
but I was not frightened — knowing that our boat was
strong and well built — until I listened to a group of
passengers, wh6 were talking about the danger of our
situation.

" One remarked, 'We'll be safe enough if we can land
her before the coal runs out, but if we have to take to
life-boats, we'll have little hope, for they would soon
be swamped in such a raging sea.'

" ' And,' said another, ' they say the compasses are
not working correctly on this iron boat, and that the
captain does not know where we are in the fog and
storm.'

" I began to feel cold chills creep up my back, and I
glanced hurriedly around for my brother and sisters.
But another person composed me a little by saying :

" ' We have masts and can do without coal, if that is
all the trouble.'

" My hopes were raised, only to be shattered the
next minute, for a man gruffly replied :

" ' What good will your masts do, I'd like to know,
without the sails, for they are not aboard ?'

" I offered up to God a quiet, short, trustful prayer,
for I felt He was the All-powerful Captain. I felt
less aiixious and nervous after this.

WESTWARD.

Ill

" Several of the passengers were sick, and unable to
leave their rooms. Mike, noticinof tlie bounties on the
tahle almost untouched, remarked to me, ' It's a quare
thini^ it' I couldn't larn to be a captain, I'd have a
dozen males to meself on stormy days, spruce-apple.s
(meanino- pine-apples), and all.'

" As the boat was tossed by the billows, the chairs
were knocked over, and the dishes rattled and were
broken.

" At last we saw land in the distance ; this clieered us
so much, that we began to admire ratlier than to fear
the grand dashing of the hu.;e white-capped waves.

" About this time, word came up from below that a
woman was there whose baby had just died of measles,
while her other children were ill with the same. The
captain told the mother that he would keep the baby
aboard, and see it buried at Duluth.

" A little tu£f came out to tow a distressed steamer
into port, and the raging waves washed over it until
at times we could only see the top of the smoke-stack.
And amiin, when we lost siirht of it, we thouo^ht it had
sunk, but it always reappeared ; at last it led the large
schooner through the roucfh sea to the wharf.

"We hurried through a terrific thunch'r-shower to
the railway station, and entered a car crowded with
all sorts of men and verj^ very few women.

" We rode close to the St. Louis River for some miles,
sometimes half-way down its grand banks, sometimes
crossinof bridcfes whicli seemed to be hunof in the air ;
while at our side, away down, dashed the foaming

112

THE BROCK FAMILY

vellow water over the grreat black rock bottom. The
joltinfjf of the car prevents me from writing, and I'll
lav aside mv diarv."

OwiniT to the <;reat number of emifrrants travelling
at that time, Mr. Brock and his family had a tire.some
niofht, for the car was so crowded that they could not
stretch their limbs or chan<;e their position. They
spent the night nodding and trying with little advan-
tajje to release their feet from the confused mass of
baskets, valises, umbrellas and bundles. In the morn-
ing they ate their breakfast from a basket containing
chicken pies, and many other good things, that Grand-
mother Gladstone had packed.

At last the wearied travellers were left, unknowinu'
and unknown, at Buti'alo Hoin Station, Manitoba.
All ar<mnd them was the usual hurry and bustle in
searching for trunks that were perhaps only held in
shape by cords, while socks and coats peeped out, as if
to spy out the land. In all directions the sound of the
busy liammer was heard.

This town was mainly composed of tents pitched on
the prairie ; one being occupied by a family, a cook
stove and a piano : another filled with agricultural
implements: a third with dry goods for sale. Frame
buildings appeared to be too expensive for some,
while others found a tent a more convenient place of
abode, until they had chosen a building site or farm,
as the case may be. There were no sidewalks yet,
and men thronged the streets in crowds ; many of
them reading manuscripts, while frequently the words

WKsTWAltD.

Il:{

" Land office," " Section," " Hunicsteacl,"' and " liOt," tVll
in irrej^ular cadence upon tlie ear.

It was almost useless to inquire of a pedestrian for
a respectable liotel, for tlie reply ,i,a'nerally came,
"Don't know, I'm a stran^jtsr h'jre," and ".lust landed."

There were Indians and s([uavvs standini,^ about
wrapped in their blankets that hot day, watchini,' and
wonderinn' at the intrusion of their white brethren.

The next mornini;- found the Brock family, except-
ing Fraid\, somewhat rested, and dr^viii'' in their new
i-Teen lumber wayucon alono- an irregular fenceless trail
across the (juiet, wild prairie.

" Oil, see there ! Is that a funeral cominn', papa i "
exclaimed Myrtle, who was ^lad to see any one on
the motionless prairie.

" I should not wonder if that's a band of Indians ;
now is your chance, <,drls, have a good sight," said
their father, quite pleased to see these dusky abo-
riijines in their native land.

" Do please turn round and drive back to town,
papa, until they pass," and " We'll be killed," were
some of the exclamations amidst the rumblinir of the

wai^gon.

At last they met the procession of natives, whose
ferocious appearance terrified Mr. Brock's fair young
passengers.

Leading the procession was a tall, bare-headed
Indian, attended by three dogs. His body was envel-
oped in a gray blanket. His hair hung in two long-
plaits down his Vjack. while his feet were clad in
8

I .

h ^

114

THE I5ROCK FAMILY

embroidered moccasins. Ho did not appear to notice
Mr, Brock and his family.

Next came an ox, drawing; a conveyance formed of
two poles, reseml)linf( rude bu^^y shafts, with the rear
ends crossed, tied at the crossini*" and drafrrriniT on the
ground. The part between the ox and the crossing
of the poles was laden with gray-colored tent-cloth
and bundles, while a Sijuaw, with a papoose on her
back, walked and drove the ox.

A pony followed, wearing on its neck a strip of red
flannel, from which a bell dangled, and drawing a cart,
the wheels of which were remarkably large. In this
cart were soiled bundles, some poles, and an Indian
wearing a scarlet blanket, and carrying, with an air of
great dignity, anew blue silk parasol. Another s(iuaw
and three colts walked V)eside this cart.

Mr. Brock remarked :

" This shows the absence of the Bible ; it appears to
be customary among most savage nations to treat their
women as beasts of burden."

" Look at that young squaw in the fourth cart, I
believe she would make a scholar," Eva said ; " papa,
do stop, and ask them if they would let me teach her."

" Never mind, we shall have other opportunities
nearer home."

" What's this next performance ?" inquired Martha,
as she saw several horses and a few men at work in a
hollow.

" I fancy these people have got fast in one of those
slouofhs we have heard about."

WKS'IWAHI).

"I hope we'll nret tluoufjli it all ri-ht."

Ki^^ht horses were pulliiiM- jit a IojkI of telromph
poles, th..' wji^LTon wheels iiaviiiir stuek fast in the soft
mud.

"There ure nior.' of your pets, Kva.' sai<l Mvrtle, as

'Hae*-■^spiri?^

/^r

MOVIN(; WivSTWAHl).

^tLS^J^-r'^T^J^^

they drove past a numher of Jn.lians sleepino- on the
ground, surrounded by .seven carts. " See that little
codger; jump out and give him a kiss. If,, won't bite
you."

" I think there ought to be more houses than there
are ; and those we do see, seem to be almost as small
as a little bed-room at home," .said Martha, in a <li.sap-
pointed tone.

Ilfi

I UK I'.HOCK I'A.MILV.

" They are small," replied lier father, consolint'ly,
" but it is hetter to huild a stnall one and kee}) out of
debt, tluui to incur expenses lieyond one's means, to
build a large one. After they <;et a crop or two of
<,'Ood wheat you'll see tlie tine houses."'

" If we could <(et a dollar a busliel for tho.se lovely
flowers we pass by, we couhl put up a iiitr house,"
exclaimed AMvrtle, in delifjlit.

" I am afraid it'll end in (in 'ice house," .said Martha.

"I hope Frank will i^et the cattle throu^j^h those
slou<,dis without any diHieulty."

"1 think wt' ouijht to be i)i'ettv near our place bv
this time,' snid Mrs. iJroek, in a wenrieil tone.

" V'es, we cannot be far from it now; I'll drive up
to this shanty and iiKinirc :"' and he turned the horses'
heads oH the trail.

" Sure it's an illina»»t countheiy wid no ^atcs foment
the houses." remarked Mike.

Before Mr. Brock had time to aliL>ht, the door
opened, and a bachelor appeared, bearing a smoking
skillet in one hand, and a fork in the other.

" Will 3-ou be so kind as to direct me to section six
— a homestead I have lately taken," in(|uired Mr.
Brock.

" I beg your pawdon, sir, but — ah — awh, I was not
expecting to meet ladies. Pawdon me, please, until I
put this bacon inside," and the much-abashed young
man disappeared behind the convenient door of his
sincrle-roomed abode.

As he did not return immediately, Martha whis-
pered :

WKS'lWAIll).

117

" He said lie was fjoin^ to put the Imooii n>.s></r ; he
iniglit have iiivit(Ml us to share it, instead of leaving us
out here, with notiiin<; but the savory odor to satisfy
our huiii^^er."

By the time tlie i^irls had recovered tlienisclves, the
embarrassed (Gentleman reappeaied, i^dvini,^ the finishinj^
"jerks" to the once wliite linen cojit, fen- which he
had been searching behind the <loor ; and which in all
probabilit}' hi.* mother had jj^iven him clean and glossy
the previous summer, when he departed from " Merry
iMirrland " to make his home in the Far West.

' J)i<l von sav section six?"' in(|uire<l the bachelor.

a A'" "

les.

" Ah, yes. You are Mr. Brock, 1 presume? lam
pleased to meet you as new nei<^hbors."

" Feelin<;s are mutual," returned the traveller.

" I feel assured you all have an appetite for your
dinner. I — ah — 1 will do my utmost in my present
humble position to entertain you, if you will conde-
scend to dine with us," and the ''entleman (flanced
nervously about him, at the unwashed j)orrid(;*i pot
and hash-kettle adorning both sides of the door-steps.

"Thank you very much, but 1 think we will drive
along', in order to get things unloaded and set up this
afternoon," said Mrs. Brcjck, politely. " We'll be
pleased to have you visit us whenever you find it con-
venient."

" What do you think of the country ?" interrogated
Mr. Brock.

" Well, it's a rare countrv. If the governor did not

11<S

THE r.KOCK FAMILY.

send me an occasional remittance I could not live
liere. You are ^oing ! Well, Just cross the slough,
and when you reach the brow of the hill you'll see
your new frame-house to the left. Good-bye, ladies ;
good-bye, sir," and he raised his tattered straw hat, as
he bowed with the air of a Chesterfielci.

Before they reached their house that appeared to be
so near, Mr. Brock's waofiron liecame fast in a slouijfh.
A kind man passing along rendered him valuable
assistance, and sent them on their way rejoicing at
their escape from the too friendh' embrace of the mud.
A drive of a fevv^ minutes brought them to the door of
their own new house, and all were glad that their
journey was now ended.

As Mr. Brock drove away, their new ac(piaintance,
after watehiuL: them out of siuht, returned to the
house, which was shared with him by a friend named
Mr. Long, as their farms were adjoining. More than
once these two lonely young men had speculated on
the probabilit}' of the surrounding country being
settled up with whole families, in whose homes they
might occasionally spend an evening enjoying music,
literature and chess, not to mention the pleasure of a
properly prepared tea.

As Mr. Bradshaw re-entered his shanty and con-
fronted his housekeeping partner, who was busily
engaged in cleaning their pine table by the ingenious
process of planing oft' the soiled surface of the wood
and hammerinnf down the nails at the corners, the
former remarked :

WESTWARD.

119

'i:

" This is a piece of luck. We're i^oin^ to have some
neighbors at last, and ladies in the family, too."

"I hope," returned Mr. Long, " they'll be friendly,
and not slitrht a fellow when his linen fails to attain
perfection. I wonder, now, how it would do to send
it by mail to a good laundry in the metropolis."

" Now" you have it," replied Mr. Bradshaw. " We'll
gather up our linen and mail it. We could send it
to-morrow morning, and receive it back in a fortnight.
I wonder what they thought of my get-up ? I must
have made a decided impression. I left my best coat
on that hook. What have you done with it, eh ?"

" I am sure I can't tell you. But wait ; I believe it
was your coat I had for a pillow last night. '

" If you weren't so well armed with your plane and
hammer, I'd feel inclined to annihilate you. If I
could have laid my hand upon it, I should have jumped
into Mr. Brock's wa^jxon, and assisted him in settincr
up his furniture upon reaching his house."

" We might go vet," suggested Mr, Long, as ho sur-
veyed his handsome but n(.>glected face in the cracked
glass. " Just throw the saddles on the bronchos we've
been breaking, and by crossing that plowing we can
be there in time yet. I'll put those vegetables in a bag,
and take them along."

Soon the two adventurers were guidinix their unwill-
ing steeds towards the new residence of Mr. Brock.

CHAI'TEK VIII.

THE NEW HOME.

ELL, we are here at last," remarked Mr. Brock,
and as he tried to shake ofi' his fati«;"ue and
be cheerful, he clapped and rubbed his hands in his
old familiar way. " Now, ,i.,nrls, fly around and try to
make your mamma as comfoi-table as possible, while I
attend to the horses and unload the ijoods."

Mr. Brock had sent suthcient money to a reliable
friend for the erection of a small house, and for put-
tins: in fifteen acres of wheat on an adioinino: farm
which he had rented.

The house was a frame one, and consisted of a sit-
tinji-room and kitchen on the t>'round Hoor, three small
bedrooms upstairs, and a L,^ood cellar underneath. It
was neat-looking, being lined with planed lumber.
Oil entering, they noticed how beautifully clean the
tloors weie ; they were surprised at this at the time,
but they soon afterwards learned that it had been
voluntarily done by some neighljoring bacheiors, who

IHi; NEW IIOMK.

had lieard of the prnspoctive arrival of the youniuj
ladies, and perliaps hoped to cultivate their cjood
IXraces. While waitiriii for tlieir father, the i^irls
persuaded their mother to walk throuj^h the house
with them. When Mis. Brock and the ijirls returned
to the kitehen, they were agrecahly surpiised to see
two stalwart vounijc men — one of wliom tliey readily
recoi^nized as the proprietor of tlui slianty and bacon
lately refeire<l to — carryin^,^ in their cook-stove. Mrs.
Hrock smiled and was about to speak, when Mr. Lonfr,
who liappened to b(3 nearest to her, said, as he oli'ered
Ins coarse liand in a hesitatiuL,^ manner:

" You are Mrs, P)rock, I suppose. We arc pleased
to meet you : there are ver\' few women I'ound liere.
My name is J^oni;-, Dick Lonf,^ but not so lon<^ as this
fellow happens to hav(\ This is Mr. Arthur Wellin^f-
ton Dudley Piradshaw, but for short we call him the
Duke."

" I am verv 'And to tind we are amonix friends so
soon," returned Mrs. Brock, as she cordially sho^k
hands with the second yomiii man, and referred to his
assistance in directini^ them.

" Can 3'ou tell me where the stove feet are ?"

" They weie put inside of the .stove."

" Here they are. Now, Mike, you slip in the feet,
while we hold it up, an*! we'll have a fire before your
fatlier comes in, 1 assure you."

And certainly, thert; was a cracklini>; tire by the time
Mr. Brock entered. A pile of ve^^^etables, consistinjjf
of beautiful, clean potatoes, parsnips and turnips, were

122

THK lillOCK I'AMILV

lying on the floor. With reference to the vegetables,
one of the young men remarked:

" We thought you would have no potatoes along, so
we brou<^ht these over, and two or three brace of
ducks for your dinner."

" Oh," " Thank you," and " How kind," resounded
from different parts of the room.

" We have some baker's bread and cheese in the
waggon," said Mrs. Brock, "and we intended to make
a cup of tea ; but I feel so hungry, and these ducks
and vegetables look so tempting that I believe we'll
cook a real good dinner, girls."

" If you have a pail handy, Mrs. — ah — oh — What is
your name again ? — yes, Mrs. Brock, I will get some
water," said Mr. Long. " We should have roasted the
ducks at our ' dig-out,' only we didn't know if you'd
like them cooked by us fellows, I assure you." And
judging from the artificially dark color of that gentle-
man's wrists, Mrs. Brock was as well pleased that they
had not cooked them.

" Did I understand you to say there are no other
women in the neighborhood ? " in(|uired Mrs. Brock,
when they were seated at dinner.

" Well, I did not exactly mean that ; there is Mrs.
Turner, on the next section," replied Mr. Bradshaw ;
" but, poor woman, I fear her days are numbered.
She is in bed most of the time, but makes an effort
now and again to attend to the children and do a little
cooking and washing
than ever."

Then she goes to bed worse

THE NEW FIOME.

12:J

"Poor thinfj!" said Mrs. Brock, in a tone of minjTfled
pity and surprise. " And is there no one to nurse her
and do the work ? "

" Oh, no, I assure you," said Mr, Long. " There are
very few women, and where there is one, she generally
has her hands full at home."

"Could her husband not have hired a nurse in town V'

" I don't know ; maybe he could, but it would cost
so much. He has done what he could for her, but a
man isn't so handy about a sick person, I assure you.
He got no seeding in at all, just helping around the
house."

" I presume they had a doctor ? "

" He went for a doctor once," said Mr. Bradshaw.
" He said she had consumption, needed great care; and,
in fact, save him little encourairement. He charijed
thirty dollars, as he had come twenty-five miles, when
the water was high and before there were any bridges.
So they never sent for him again. They were obliged
to sell their cow to pay the doctor, and I believe they
can't afford to benefit further by his advice. You see,
she caught cold living in a tent before they built their
house."

" What distress ! " exclaimed Mrs. Brock ; " some of
you girls had better go down, as soon as you feel a
little rested, and see the poor woman."

" Yes, Martha and I'll go this very afternoon, when
we get the load unpacked and things settled up a little
like home, for mamma," replied Eva.

"You are good girls, now, and I know you are tired,
too ; but you have good health."

124

IMK IJIKH.'K FAMILY

■'

" Look, inainina ! " exclaimed Myrtle, as she sprang
into tlie house, sliovvin;^ lier liat iilledwith fiowers and
also a lar<fe hunch in the other hand, '" the ground is
covered with them, I could scarcely keep from step-
pini( on them, hut they are nearly all alike." And
she, unheedinijj her mother's reply, wondered, as she
picked the petals from a flower, where heaven was,
and how (iod had time to scatter so many of these
charminji Hovvers ov(ir the irroutid, l)esi(k'S attendinir
to the wants of people. Then she wished that when
she went to heaven she would l)e allowed to make
some of the fiowers. She would paint pictures of
ladies on white lily leaves, and make a heautiful hou-
(juetgrovv on her mother's hosoni, and she even thought
that she would make a hunch of thistles grow under
Mr. Ro 'crs' chin, for accusini; Eva of theft.

■' They are lovely. We noticed them as we drove
alouix this morninijf. Is there a name for them?"'
addressinnr Mr. Bradshaw.

"The settlers call them crocuses," replied that gentle-
man. '"This is nothing; after awhile the prairie will
he covered with a great variety. The cattle actuall}'
feast on Howers and tender grass in their houndless
pasture field. Mr. Brock, if you wish, we'll unload
the wau'oou for you before we £fO "; and, suitino; the
action to the word, their willing hands soon carried
everything from it to the house.

The girls, somewhat refreshe<l after their hearty
dinner, unpacked and arranged the things which were
brought in. Next they all took a walk out to view
the surroundinofs of their new home.

'IHK NKW IIOMK.

2')

"Why," remarked Eva, we tire not .so badly ott' for
neifirhbors ; look at all tliose houses around."

"Yes; but, Miss Brock, they are u ion l; way ort',"
replied Mr. Lonf(. " Ovvino- to the state of the air, and
the level tract of country, buildings a|)])ear much
nearer than tliey actually arc. That liouse straiuht
over that little bluti' is tii'teen miles off'.'"

" I should not take it to be over two nnles awfiy.
Are we near any Vidians here r' incjuireil Kva,
anxiously.

"I am sorry to inform you," .said Mr. Bradshaw,
"that we are just bonlerin^ on their reserve: hut
they are quite harmless an<l honest, they are afraid of
the police. There are some of tlieir tents near that
praiiie tire."

" Eva is not afraid of them," said Mr. Brock : "but
she wi.shes to teach an Indian uirl."

'■ I would not undertake it. They are not tit to
come within a rod of a white person. You see the end
of a white-washed loijj-house up there ^" sai<l Mr. Lon<,^

" Yes," .said Mrs. Brock.

" There are .some L;irls tliere — the only young
women for six miles round. The preaching is at their
hou.se.. four miles oti', every two weeks. I believe it is
next Sunday, at three o'clock, and Sunday-school is
every Sunday."

"lam irlad we are within reach of Cliristian .services,
I presume you always avail yourselves of the oppor-
tunity ?" inquired Mrs. Brock.

"Oh, yes," resumed Mr. l^ong; "we are rough-looking

120

THK lilUX'K FAMILY.

about here, but we like to hear a .sermon. It reminds
as of home." But turning towards his companion, he
concluded, " I can't often persuade the Duke here to
accompany me ; he says there is no object in his f^oinj,',
while there is no pipe-organ and surpliced choir."

Then as the twins, Martha and Eva, started away
to visit the sick woman, Mrs. Brock called after them:

" Be sure to be home before dark."

" Yes, dear mamma," said Eva, with a loving smile,
while Martha whispered :

" I wonder what she takes us for ?"

" Hush !"

" Really, Eva, I don't fancy this job. In place of
ladies calling on us, we are starting of}', tirst tiling, to
w^ait upon other people. V^ery likely there'll be a pile
of dirty dishes to wash, and some dirty, sticky children
hanging around, too."

"Oh, well, cheer up, my darling Martha; look at
that lovely llower smiling at you from the dirty
ground, too."

" It's all very well for you to serUiOnize, but look at
the shadoiD that veiy tlower casts on the same !j:round,"
aro'ued Martha.

" If we can't stand being in this poor woman's house
for an hour or two, think how trying it must be for
Iter to lie helple.s.sly by and look at work undone."

By the time they reached the door they had large
bou(|Uets of flowers.

A faint voice from within said, " Come in," in
response to their knock ; and upon entering the girls

THE NEW HOME.

127

Irty

beheld the most forlorn sifjht they had ever witnessed.
There was only one room in the house; the walls of it
not beinof white- washed, showed the dark, bark-covere<l
loijs. The sun stru'^jjled to throw a li<]jht upon the
scene through one small tinfjer-stained window. The
lire was out, and two or three dirty pcf-s almost
covered the rustv stove. There was a home-made,
cross-legfjed tal)le, laden with the dirty dishes predicted
by Martlia. The only seats in the house were a worn
high chair, in which the baby was tied, and in which
it had apparently cried itself to sleep, and a lonrj,
low box, covered with a piece of old carpet. In one
corner was a wash-tub half-full of clothes rea<ly to be
rinsed.

Upon the straw bed lay the unfortunate woman.
She smiled, then looked ashamed, as she pointed to a
seat, coughed, and reached across the bed for the baby's
soiled apron to use as a handkerchief.

The girls walked to the bedside and shook hands
w^ith her, Eva telling her w^ho they were, and that they
had come to see what they could do for her. They
showed her the glass of red-currant jelly they had
brought, and which had been placed in the basket by
their grandmother, but not opened on the trip to the
North-West.

" I £.m much obliged to you," she said, in a low voice,
" but it is too dirty a place for you. in your clean dresses.
Oh, I am so ashamed !" and she turned her face to the
wall, and cried like a child.

" Never mind, my dear friend, it is all right, and we

;/i

12.S

'I'HK I!I!<KK FAMILY.

* I

are j^hid we found you out. We shall try to put thinL,rs
to riifhts a little," rii)lie(l Eva, trvin'' to smile throuirli
her sympathetic tears. The only picture that adorned
the wall was the photoL'raph of a large hrick store,
hearini^ the name of the ownta* of this lof^ hut. Eva
could not help contrastinLj the former circumstances of
this poor woman witli her present situation.

"Oh," the poor woman sohbed, " I have the kindest
mother and father that ever lived. They are at liome
away in tlie east : and if they oidy knew, tlicy'd come
and take me home and cure me. But I am ashamed
to liave them find us so poor. 1 am ashamed, ashamed,"
but after a fit 'if couirhinLj she continued : "I think
we'll have plenty of money after we thresh this fall,
and then we'll send for them."

" Poor thine!" Eva thouijht, '' she is not able to stand
a journey home : while her thoufjhtFul husband has
not let her know that he failed to get in his crop in
consecjuence of her illness."

" Ask the Lord to make vou better," Eva faltered ;
she could have said his to children witliout hesitation,
but felt rather young to talk so to a woman. But she
thought :

" I may be the only one who will have a chance to
speak to her of Jesus."

" Yes," she answered, " 1 am trusting in Jesus, and
He is all the hope I have. Would you kindly look
round the end of the house, and see if the other
two children arr near. I am afraid they'll wander
away. '

THK NKW MOMK

•_>!)

"While the <;irl.s were out, Martha said :
"Come on home, Kva, f can't stand tliis."
" No, no, Martha, you may i,mj it' you wisli, as inannna
may be lonesome and tiri'd, hut I'll remain and do
what I can. "

So Martha slipped away home, t'eelin^- a little seltish,
while Kva re-entered the shanty, lea<lini;' a child hy
each hand. She washed them iind combed their hair,
then put on a lari,^e apron which she found, and went
to work. She built a fire, made a cup of tea and
.some toast; these, toi^ether with some currant jelly,
.she took to Mrs. Turner, whom she had previously
bolstered up in bed. She leall}' enjoyed the meal,
and looked much brii^diter afterwards. While she
was enjoyinuj the jelly, which was somethinir she
had not tasted since she left lier mothei-'s home,
Eva hurried and rinsed the clothes, huni^ them
on the line, washed the dishes, gave the children
some supper, read a chapter of God's Word to her
sick neighbor, and sang that sweet hymn by Sarah
Adams, " Nearer, my God, to Thee." As the sun
was disappearing beyond the western horizon, leav-
ing the beautiful red and golden sky above it,
as a sign that it would be fair on the morrow,
Eva hurried away, promising that her mother
would come and see her the next day, if she
were sufficiently rested. The grateful pressure of
Mrs. Turner's attenuated hand afforded Eva much
happiness, but added to this was the approval of God,
who said :

v\o

THE nuOCK KAMIF.V.

! I

11^

" Inasmuch as ye liave done it unto one of the least
of tliese My hn'thren, y(; hav(! done it unto Me."

As she ch)sed the door jifently ufter her, slie noticed
her father npproachini^ the liouse. He turned and
walked home with her, listening meanwhile to Eva's
pitiful tale of their new nei^dd)or.

" ^^y f^'<^o'l little jjfirly, it is rather sad to have
children like you see so much suflerinfij and distress,
but we nnist look after this family."

Before they retired Mr. Brock, as in his old home,
conducted family worship, only, if possible, in a more
dependent spirit, conunitting his family and himself
into God's care, and not forixettini; to ask (lod to care
for and watch over the sick neit^hbor and her house-
hold. God seemed to be nearer to them all, when they
were in a new country amoni^ stran<;ers, and so far
away from their old friends and relatives.

They all slept soundly throufj^h this their first nighton
their prairie farm, and awoke in the morning refreshed
and ready to begin work. There was not much to be
done inside, as the goods were nearly all at the
station, and the house needed very little cleaning ;
accordingly they went to gardening and potato plant-
ing, as it was time the seed was in.

Mrs. Brock visited Eva's patient, did what she
could for her, left her more cheerful and comfortable,
and l)rought the pretty, plump, dirty baby home,
much to the delight of Myrtle and Mike. They took
much pleasure in drawing it about the garden in their
little express waggon.

nil

111

THK NKW HoMK.

\:VA

After the little thing was washed, fed, fondled,
rolled in a shawl and sound asleep, its clothes were
also washed, dried in the pure prairie wind, and
ironed ready for it when it should awake from its
peaceful slumber, the next niornini^f.

Eva and her mother visited Mrs. Turner nearly
every day, and did all they possibly could for her. It
was wonderful how bright the patient's eyes grew,
and how the hollows under them and in her cheeks
disappeared. She continued to improve, though slowly,
until she was able to walk out in the lovely warm air
amonuj the wild flowers. Her couijh still linnfered but
it was less distressing.

At length Mrs. Turner's mother, a refined, well-
dressed lady, arrived from her eastern home.

One evening, as she walked home with Mrs. Brock,
to see her baby grandchild for the first time, she
asked Mrs. Brock's opinion in regard to the safety of
taking her daughter home with her for a month or
two.

" I believe," suggested Mrs. Brock, " that if she were
able to stand the journey, she would improve more
rapidly at your houie ; for she would be under the
care of a good doctor, be relieved of the charge of the
house and childnui, her appetite would be improved
by the change of food an<l air, while the sight of old,
familiar faces and cheerful company would cause her,
in a measure, to forget her own troubles."

"You are right, my friend. I shall lose no time in
preparing clothing for her and the children, and in

!!J

i:U

rilK P.noCK FAMILY.

L!;iviiii^ luT cNcry ()|)p()itunity to i,niin strength. I><)
you know il' tliere is a dn'ssmakfM' in tlic uci^^^lilioriiij^^
town :•"

" I don't oxpoct tluM'c is; .*i,t any rate, drcssniakini^
would coJiK^ expensive here, .lust Inin^^ tlie <^oods
ov«M' to our ])laee, the sewinuf niaeldne is in ijjood order,
and tlie j^irls and I will lielp you make tliem up. "

" Vou are very kind. I really do not know how to
sutlieiently express my heartfelt gratitude ; for my
onlv daughter miirht havc^ die(l in uimmI hut I'or your
tim(>ly attention. I am sorry to trouhle you further,
hut as I see no alternative, 1 shall l)e glail to accept
your u^enerous oiler."

Then followed a husy week at Mr. I>roek's, which
pleased the ijjirls, for they were jfll helpin<; to make
pretty new clothes (Mrs. Turner's mother having
liherally provided the material) for the sick woman
and her children. Myrtle insisted upon making all
the hahy's clothes, which she did with remarkable
neatness, and with only a little assistance from her
experienced mother.

At length the day of their departure arrived, and
Mrs. Brock, Kva and Myrtle all went over to assist
Mrs. Turner, her mother, and children, in preparing to
start. The children looked ([uite pretty in their now
dresses, and even their mother appeared to look better
in her well-Httimj: new suit.

With many thanks and kind " (fOod-byes," J\lr.
Turner drove them briskly away to catch the daily
train.

TIIK NEW iroMK.

l.'J')

A few weeks later Mr. UrocU's family were <leli;^dite(l
to receive a friendly letter, iufonuini^^ tln'in of the iin-
provemcnt in Mrs. Turner's liealth ; while a rich dress
for Mrs. lirock acconipanied the letter.

The attention which Eva had paid to her [)atient
did not divert her thotiL,dits frojji Inn- old plan of
securinf^ and trainin^^ an Indian girl ; on the contrary,
her quiet walks back and forti; were pro<luctive of
thought and speculation, which geneially settled on
that momentous cjuestion. She had made various
plans as to the manner in which she would induce an
Indian girl to come to her for lessons. She had also
looked years into the future at the harvest she hoped
to be reaped from the little she might be able to sow.

" Now," she thought, as she tried to place her foot
where it would not crush a flower, " if I can only
teach a young Indian girl sufliciently to enable lier to
read the Jjibleand to understand me, I'll have advanced
well in my work. I'll tell her about .Jesus and heaven,
and teach her to pray to God If I could get h(,'r to
love God and to rtist her sins on Jesus, 1 would be
happy! happy! happy! because if I did no more, this
squaw would teach her friends, and perhaps open a
Sunday-school. If at the end of two gerierations
there should be ten Christian Indians, as the result of
my teaching that s(juaw, it would be enough ; and as
'their works do follow them,' the nuiid)er might con-
tinue to increase, until aw^ay in the future the whole

\'M\

WW. I'.Uoi K FAMIIY.

tril)(» iuii;l»t/ Ix* ( 'luisti}ini/<'«l. ( )!' coni'so, as Martlwi
says, tlu»v nre not hoIcmI for clcaTilincss, luit, iliat, tact
loaves inor(> room for iinprox (Mucnt. "

" I'apa, ' said I'lva. ono cveiiinuj as t/li<>y were r(vstin<;
in the UviliLilii. " whou can you liolp nio to jjjot my
Indian <;ivi ^''

" I am pretty laisy yet. l»ut I "II soon liave a day to
spare, if all's \v«^ll,and then \V(>'11 s(»o what can be done. '

" Kva. my dear," jiU^adcMJ lier anxious mother, " I
was in hopi^s you luid al)aTi(h)ned that foolish idea.
'I'he Indians are troach<'r()us. and may steal you away
from us, and that would he the -^nil of it."

" Oh. no. my (hNir," said Mr. Urock, Jaunjluno^ly,
" they wouhl never attempt anythine; of tlie kind ; for
they are aware of our telegraphic system, that the
mounted ]X)lico are scattered over the land, and that
consequently they would be taken prisoners in a short
time, if they attempted such a thing."

" Mother, if you'll only give in, I'll promise that I'll
never iio near anv other Indians than the L'irl I teach,
without either papa or Frank, and that 1 will take
vour advice in all 1 do in this matter. Clirist told His

disciples to teach all nations, and we are so near tliis
tribe in heathen darkness I Sec* liow many jjfood men
were martyrs for Christ, and Kva threw lier arms
lovinefly about hvv mother's neck, and almost smothered
her with kisses.

"Will you:* Will you now, mannua :* " she saiii,
wliile her brown eyes sparkled with love and eager-
ness.

'i!ii: NKW ii<»Mi;.

:;/

" \'rrv vvt'll, 111 leave it, to your futlnT ; Imt we'll
nivvnys I'eel unxioiis ulMHit, you. "

" Voii see in <>iie Wfiy it would lie ensy to teach
tliein, l>e(';inse tli<' l»iltle would I'e new to tlietn ; wliili;
some ( 'liristinii rliildten >^*'t tired ol' it liel'ore tliey
understand it, oi' feel the need of it. Kven if I nev(!r
su(;ceede(l in teachinir her to read, if I taught lier to
sew a hutton on her dress, it would l>e doiriir L'ood ; for
that won hi tea,(;h her tiiat our ways arc hetter tluin
tlieirs in one respect. And Unowinir that ini'fht lead
her to iM'lieve tlia,t wo are in !idvanc(! of thcrn in other
ways. So she would h(! ready to helie.ve the; story of
Jesus wljon a!iy Christian told it to lier."

" You are foolish to l)other your liwid about thfirn,"
said Martha.

" I'll see you through with it," came from Frank.

The sudden li<^ht of the lamp wliich Myrtle carried
in and |)lace<l on tlie or;.,mn, was a silent ir^jmation for
less Indian talk and more music. They (^atliered
about th(! orj^an and san^^ until tin; {)rairie mi^^dit
have wondered— if it could — what ^aeat chanf^e had
takeij place, for instead of tlie tramplin^f and lowint;
of tlie buffalo, there was tlie sweet music of ;^irlisli
voices. The or;^^an, table, and indeed (^viivy available
place, was decorated with prairie flowers. The hopes
of this family were as bri<.,dit as the flowers, even
thoui^h parents and children alike missed old friends
and associations.

On Sunday they all went several miles to church
and Sunday-school, which were conducted in a farm-

WV T ■

1:^8

THK MHOCK FAMIF^Y.

house. Tlie house consisted of two log apartments,
whitewashetl without as well as within, while before
the door was a large flower-bed which, so far, showed
no signs of competing with the surrounding prairie.
The floor was carpeted with hooked mats, the walls
were embellished by brackets hung with lambrec^uins
made of brown duck and red yarn embroider}', a
number of books on home-made shelves, and some
frameless pictures held in their places by pins. These
plain attempts at decoration gave the family an
appearance of importance in the eyes of their less for-
tunate neighbors. Everything about the house was
scrupulously clean. The Sunday dresses of the girls
were made of blue-and-white striped cotton shirting,
trimmed with pretty, white crochet edging.

Eva expected the sermon to be in keeping with the
appearance of the houses, but she was agreeably sur-
prised to hear a grand, searching discourse. It caused
her to think that though all else changed, God remained
the same.

The congregation was chiefly composed of young
men, whose ages ranged from about seventeen to thirty.

After the service the minister's beautiful and accom- '
plished wife offered each of the strangers her hand,
and spoke cheering and kindly words to them.

The Sunday-school consisted of a single class, con-
ducted by one man, and comprising pupils of both
sexes and all ages. The teacher was not inferior to
the minister in earnestness, and he showed a thorough
acquaintance with, and appreciation of, his subject.

THE NEW HOME.

l:iO

After the school was dismissed, he tohl JMr. Brock tliat
he wouhi be } ^<'ased if one of his family would take
char<ife o/ the younger pupils, as th"ir number was
incroii.sir.j_;, Mr. Brock replied that he thought Eva
would undertake the charge, and do the best she
could. Acconlingly she was installed a Sabbath-school
teacher, and she earnestly endeavored to dischar^^^ her
duty in a conscientious and painstaking manner.

The next day. Myrtle came running in much excited,
saying :

" Mamma, here are Indians. Where's papa ? Let's
hide." As she said this she, prompted partly by friglit
and partly by mischief, opened the trap-door and
hurried half way down the cellar steps, leaving the
door slightly ajar to admit of her peeping out and
watching proceedings. Martha, thinking the door
was closed, and expecting Myrtle to grow tired in her
seclusion and soon come up, drew a chair quickly over
the door and seated herself thereon. But alas I the
tips of poor Myrtle's fingers were pinched when the
door was tightly closed. As she was too much alarmed
to scream, knowing the Indians to be near, she pressed
the injured members to her bosom and rocked herself
back and forth in agony. As the pain grew less
severe, the cellar seemed less dark, and her eyes fell
upon the jars of fruit ; so she treated herself to some
preserved pears to ease the pain and occupy her time.

It was not until the departure of the visitors that
Martha allowed Myrtle to escape from her hiding-
place ; and it was not until a fortnight had passed

140

TIIK I'.FtorK FAMILY.

that lior fino^ers were quite liealcd. However, one
(lay in Martha's ahsenco, Myrtle thought she would
" get even " with h«T ; so she put on Martha's best dress,
and jum})ed on a horse and rode slowly al)0ut for
some time, then she allowed the horse to go, and
promenaded up and down the road, looking over her
shoulder meanwhile, at the skirt trailing in the dust.
Then, feeling that she had had her revenge, the
naughty little girl, with a satisfied air, put tlie dress
away.

CHAITEK IX,

INDIANS.

ANUMBKR of Indians luid temporarily pitched
their tents on the outsivirts oF Buffalo Horn, and
all <lay the dusky aborii^niies wei'e \valkin<( and stand-
ing about the town and noticing- closely very many
stranirc articles and customs of the new residents.

Anions:; these natives was a youn'.^ s(|uaw, of about
fifteen, accompanied by her mother. The youno;er,
when her pretty red-and blue sliawl clipped down
from her head, revealed rather an intelli<;ent counte-
nance. Her dark eyes wore a mischievous expression:
her teeth might have been envied l)y many a city
belle; her nose, though a trifle broad and Hat, was
rather well formed ; the rosy hue of her cheeks
struggled not unsuccessfully to peep through the
brown ; while her bead-strung hair fell in tangled
locxs over her .shoulders and face. Several strings of
Uiige yellow and black beads adorned her neck ; but,

142

THK I'.IUM'K lAMII-V

like the ijreatly abused peacock, she was so much
abs()rV)C(l in tlie decoration of tlie upper part of her
body, that she had quite forgotten that the only cover-
ing of her feet was one of mud. Tliey had trudged
along from one back-door to another, trying to sell
their prairie-chickens. At length, a kind-hearted and
curious la<ly bought the birds, and invited the squaws
into her kitchen to have some dinner. The shy, awk-
ward pair edged their way in and seated themselves
at the table, while the lady placed some substantial
food before them. They ate it with apparent relish.
The hostess pointed from the elder to the younger of
her guests, saying, as she raised her eyebrows inquir-
ingly :

" Papoose ? Papoose ? "

The elder one lauij^hed and nodded an acknowledir-
ment. The lady continued to ask questions and make
signs, but the trouble was so much greater than t!ie
information obtained, that she soon tired of it. The
visitors sidled their way to the door, where they stood
for some time, seemin<r rather reluctant about takino-
their departure. Finally they stepped outside on to
the first step and sat down. Their hostess, who hf\d
now appeased their hunger, satisfied her own curiosity,
and grown tired of her tardy guests, quietly closed the
door and turned the l^ey. Quite ignoring this action,
they sat until they themselves felt like moving, when
they deliberately arose, grunted, and stole away.

Now that they had disposed of their produce and
had obtained some money, they began an inspection of

INDIANS.

1 4:;

1 to

the
ion,
hen

and

some floods exhibited at tlie stort' doors and windows.
They occasionally entered a store and asked the price
of articles which they fancied. Sometimes they picke<l
up an article new to them, examined it, talked and
laujrhed heartily, re])laced it, and moved (juietlv alonur.
They again entered a store, examined several orna-
ments, and finally settled upon a brass bracelet, the
price of wliich was seventy-five cents, as tlie merchant
succeeded after some difficulty in making them under-
stand. They reluctantly replaced it, walked out and
discussed the subject, tlien re-entered and bought the
bracelet. The young sipiaw placed it on her wrist,
when they again admired it. They at last relieved
this merchant of their presence, entered a grocery and
bouglit twenty-five cents worth of flour, passed out
and entered an allev, and stood erect with their backs
against the wall of a machine shop. After leaning
here to their hearts' content, they moved through to
the back of the l)uildings, gathered up some tin cans,
which still bore the colored portraits of their former
contents, to the great admiration of their new proprie-
tors; picked up some broken crockery, examined it,
and threw it down again. They then saw a cast-off
board that would be very useful to them, and after
talking about the ownership of it, glanced suspiciously
up at the windows, picked it up, and started for their
tent with more agility than they had before displayed
that day.

They reached their tents as the sun bade good-bye
to the irolden-lined clouds that illumined the western

41.

IIIK i;|{()< K lA.Mll.V.

sky. After tlu'V li'i'l l)uilt a Hr(3 in the centre of tlieii"
tent, and <lu;^' tlieir favorite roots, they Itroiled .some
fisli, s(|uatttMl iineerenioniously on tlie ;^M'oun<l, and ate
their evening' meal. Then they threw their wearied
IxKlies on a rude pallet and slept soundly. They spent
the next day very much in the same manner, and
a<>'ain visited tlie huly who had i^iven them their
dinner. This lady's fervor havin;.; .somewliat moder-
ated, slie only treated tliem to a piece of bread, with-
out allowing tliem to enter. They were still less
fortunate on their next visit, as the lady s liusband
met them, ordered them L!;rutt1y away, and set his do'jf
at them. They then hastened away to tlieir tent to
make ])reparations for the eomini,^ pow-wow.

Mr. Drury, a prosperous farmer some di.stanee from
Buffalo Horn, became nmch interested in the Indians.
He upon one occasion remarked to a neli,dibor that he
had often tried to describe their appearance and man-
ners in letters to friends in Ontario, but felt that he
had failed. The reply came :

" Why not treat them to a feast at Hutt'alo Horn,
and have them photofjjraphed ? "

This idea pleased Mr. Drury ; so after making'
inquiries from several who were informed on the sub-
ject of a pow-wow, he provided nine hundred and
sixty pounds of pork, and one hundred and fifty loaves
of bread, basing his calculation.s as to quantity upon
what information he was able to obtain concerning the
number of Indians in the reserve, and the average
capacity of a red man's appetite. He also engaged an

.mo-

,ve.s
pon
the
ajje
■ an

INDIANS.

14.')

artist to photoj^rapli the Indians at ditierent times dur-
inj; the cerenionv.

The news of this povv-wow was circulated among
the whites and Indians with etjual rapidity. Stratjf-
gling Indians were ujathered in, and wliite people for
some distance around made preparations for a trip to
town, with the double object in view of doinir their
trading and seeing the pow-wow.

Mr. Brock's children heard of the cominjx event with
great delight.

" Will you take all of us, papa ? " inquired Myrtle.

" I should like to go and take you all, if we are not
too busy."

" I'm glad," " I'll wear my pink muslin," " Sure'n
if they've any trouble gittin' thro' wid the dinner,
I'll help them to eat it," were a fi'W of the children's
remarks.

But Mrs. Brock, who had always dreao d these sav-
ages, even before she reached this country, said :

" I think you had better all stay at home. I'll pre-
pare an extra dinner and give the children a holiday
at home. I am afraid that the Indians while in a body,
armed and excited, may dash in among us and do some
mischief."

But Mr. Brock, who was as anxious to see the pow-
wow as his youngest child, said good-humored ly,
" Nonsense, we will all go, to be sure. We may never
again have so good an opportunity ; so you had better
make up your minds to go. The day needn't be lost,
as I have a good many matters to attend to in town,
and you will all be the better for some recreation."
10

146

THE BROCK FAMILY.

»il

Mrs. Brock reluctantly consented to go, and to take
the children.

On the mornini:^ of the Indian feast, Mr. Brock and
li. ^aniily started away early, but when they arrived
on the scene, a large bod}' of white people were eagerly
watching for the coninienceinent of the performance.
A huge sugar kettle was boiling over a tire. This
kettle was full of soup, thick with chopped onions,
turnips, carrots, potatoes and cabbage, and was tended
by a big Indian, smeared with paint and decked with
feathers and bells. It was not \ou<s until a ijreat num-
ber of basins were filled from the contents of the kettle
and distributed amonjx the Indians. They besfan to
eat the soup, which was a great treat to them. These
hungry beings laughed and talked about it, and
received a second, followed by a third, fourth, and
some as much as a fifth allowance, after which they
attacked the pork with equal avidity. At length they
prepared for the dance which was to follow. The faces
of the Indians were painted red and other colors, while
their long tangled hair was strung with beads, and
some further embellisiied with a featlier standin<x erect
from the crown of the head. Some of them wore
gay ornamt'uts embroidered with many-colored beads.
A few favored individuals carried resplendent red silk
parasols, while the fingers of not a few of them were
encircled with brass rings.

A large drum was place^l on the ground, then a
number of Indians s(juatted around it, beating in a
steady monotonous way, while thewhole party repeated

ill

INDIANS.

147

a
a

such syllables as " Turn, turn," in a dreary, chanting
tone.

Outside of this centre were dancers, one of whom
had strings of bells around his ankles, and up the out-
side seams of his leo^xin^s. Some of their faces wore
most hideous expressions.

As Martha leaned forward to speak to her mannna,
who, with Mr. Brock, occupied the front seat of the
wasffTon, she said :

" Do you notice there are scarcely any middle-aged
or elderly people in the crowd of white settlers ? Isn't
that stran<jfe ^

" Yes, your father was just now directing my atten-
tion to a number of ladies, who, he thinks, are newly
married. They are nearly all richly dressed. I sup-
pose when they were married they started right away
to make their home in this new land. I sincerely hope
they may always be as happy as they are now. Why!
there's the very bride who was on the boat."

"And see," said Mr. Brock, "that band of envious
looking }'ouths, evidently bachelors. There are three,
six, nine ; there, they are scattering ; but I believe
there are tifty of them."

" Mannna," said Myrtle, " I saw one tall lady with
gray hair."

"Where, my pet?" in([uired her mother, who longed
for the companionship of a graver and more mature
mind than she had vet been able to meet with anions
her new acquaintances, who were mostly of an age
which still retained some of the manners and customs
of giddy youth.

148

THE ilKOCK FAMILY.

'>i

" Yes, I see now, and I believe she is lookinc^ at lis.
She is coniin;j; tliis way. 1 wondcu- if we ever saw her
at home. She looks lively and contented. Do you see
lier lauijfhinj^ and talkini;- with that yoiinjjf couple ? I
believe that couple are married, and neither of them
looks to be over eiu:hte<'n. See, thev hold each other
by the hand like school-children."

" Here she is. 1 do wonder who she can lie ?"

" Are you not Mrs. lirock ;'" the stranger in([uired,
as she ottered her hand. " My husband said he did
not think it was you ; so 1 said I would lind out, and
that a hearty hand-shake wouldn't hurt any one out
here."

" Yes, that's my name. We also have been won-
deriuij^ who you were. Have we never before met ?"

"No, we've not; but I've heard of you. My name is
Drury. Your second cousin married my husband's
niece : so I suppose in Manitoba we may almost count
ourselves sisters. I think we were not more than
twelve miles from 3-ou at home."

"I am much pleased to meet you, Mrs. Drury."

" To be sure," exclaimed Mr. Brock, offering his
hand ; " I remember hearinijf of you, and I met your
niece upon one occasion. You see, we could not keep
track of all our relatives at home, while we should go
a long way to visit even a chance ac(]uaintance
here."

Mrs, ])rurv ^Jive her new friends a cordial invita-
tion to spend a few days with them, holding out as an
extra inducement, the prospect of a camping-out and

INDIANS.

149

fishing expedition on the shore of the cliarming lake,
amid the wild and pictur<'S(jue scenery in the; hills
near which their home was situated.

A <jeneral movement anionic the Indians now at-
tracted their attention, and they were not long in
discovering that th<' heginning of the })hotographic
operations was the cause of consideiable excitement
and consternation among tlie primitive children of the
prairie, the greater nuniber of whom had never seen a
caniera, and wen; coiise(iuently made very uneasy hy
the mysterious and a]i])arently threatening [)antomime
performed hy the artist as he adjusted his houses and
prepared to take the picture.

Here a chief might he seen gathering his men, pre-
paring for defence, evidently under the impression
that he and his hrave comrades had Ix^en allured hither
by the treacherous whites, oid}^ to he mown <lown in
masses by some newly invejit(;d species of cannon,
possessing infinite destructive powers.

There a terrified party of stjuaws bearing their
papooses away from the scene of anticipated carnage.

Confusion reigned supreme for several minutes,
causing a little panic among the more timid of the
whites, who feared reprisals on the part of the
fri<;htened Indians.

Whne Mr. Drury and the interpreter were occupied
in soothin<jf the excited imai{inations and calmint; the
fears of the natives nearest to them, a venerable
warrior, who had won great distinction amonLr the
brethren of his tribe by his indomitable courage and

!fi

150

THE BROCK FAMILY.

cunninfif, stole round V>ehind the knot of spectators
assembled by the instrument, and with a face expres-
sive of fierce determination minijled with awe, seemed
to have formed the tremendous resolve of destroying
the dreaded apparatus and saving his people from
what he feared mi^ht bo total annihilation. Fortun-
ately for the property of the i)hotographer and Mr.
Drury's nuich-desired pictures of Indians, he was de-
tected in time to frustrate his desiijns ; and the inter-
preter with some <lifhculty soothed his apprehensions,
and endeavored to explain the use of the camera. The
old chief was thoroughly puzzled, and his curiosity
aroused by such a wonderful invention ; and on being
promised one of the photographs, (quickly went around
among his l»rethrcn and restored onler.

During this interval of disturbance a variet}' of
emotions animated the occupants of the waggon, and
Mrs. Brock in a tremulous voice pleaded :

" Do please drive away home ; the poor things, not
understanding the photographic apparatus, may kill
us;" while Myrtle cried, " Yes, do, papa; the very next
pow-wow I go to, I'm going to stay at home."

But Mr. Brock, who had not the least intention of
losing the sight of the closing scenes, and had no
apprehension of serious results, remained perfectly
unmoved by these appeals, and replied :

" There is no danger. Try and be calm, and enjoy
the day. You may never again have the privilege of
a sight like this, See those two squaws hiding behind
the scrub yonder."

INDIA^JS.

INDIANS.

1 53

" Sure enouj^h, papa," said Myrtle, " we couldn't see
another sight like this if we were killed now."

" Yes, and look, here is a s(|uaw clinihing into the
back of our waggon," said Martha. " It's too bad tnat
we can't tell her she is safe."

So, by way of explanation, Kva ottered her hand to
the terror-stricken woman, and by friendly gestures
tried to reassure her.

" Now they have them almost reconciled. This
brave," pointing to one conspicuously ornamented, " is
anxiously waiting to have his image imprinted upon
paper. Surely, Mike '11 be photographed among them
if he remains there much longer."

" Look," said Myrtle, who was again enjoying the
novelty, " that little one will be taken with his mouth
wide open and a bone in his hand."

Martha, who had considerable pride regarding her
family, and who considered Mike a firm member of it,
left the waggon and went to bring him away, fearing
his photograph woulil be taken with the Indians. But
Mike, not feeling the lea.st dis.satistied with his posi-
tion, replied :

" Now, Martha, ye'd betther be afther kapin' back
yersel', or ye's'll l)e taken."

" There," said Mr. Brock, during Martha's absence,
" he has one taken, and this young one is still pluming
herself for the event. I presume she expects the
operation to be somewhat lengthy. I'll not be sur-
prised if Martha and Mike both appear in the picture."

" Do you think so ?" exclaimed Mrs. Brock, with a
shudder.

' 1

154

THE RROCK FAMILY.

After a t'avorod few had seen the no^'ative, thero
was no difficulty in persuading any of thoni to .stand
individually: and, to Mr. Drury's njreat delight, the
artist succeeded in ohtaininef a lar^e number of differ-
cnt views and portraits.

" Well," said Mr. Brock, " I purpose purchasing a
number of tliose pictures for our eastern friends, as
well as for ourselves."

The crowd began to disperse, Martha had again
seated herself in the waggon, and the Brocks repaired
to a store to make their purchases previous to their
return home.

The whole party of Indians prepared to return.
Now also anion*' them the Brocks n<^ticed the intelli-
gent-looking young squaw whom they had met on
their first arrival. This was the same one who had
bought the bracelet, as previously described, and who
was called Winona. They took their tents down, put
them and their contents on the carts, and (quietly
began their progress back to the reserve.

The procession consisted of nineteen conveyances ;
chiefly large carts, each drawn by a pony or an ox.
Besides these, there were a number of colts and dogs,
the former beinjx ornamented with bells and ribbons
or other trifles. There were old gray-haired Indians,
papooses, and others in the prime of Ufe, travelling
homeward.

Their reserve was a tract of good land, set apart by
the Government as their own property and home,
where a few of them tilled the soil to a limited extent,

INDIANS.

.).)

and built small log-houses, thoucjh th(' majority of
them occupied tents.

The novel scenes and sensational incidents at the
pow-wow made a lastiuL? impression upon the minds
of our new s(ittlers ; and for several days afterwards
the children kept up the excitement l)y describing the
most comical looking Indians whom they had espe-
cially noticed. In due time, these diversions l)egan to
lose their freshness, and their Interest in the coming
visit to Mr. Drury's increased in ])ro})ortion ; for Mr.
and Mrs. Drury had called upon theju on their way
home, the day after they liad met in town. They
insisted upon a visit from the whole family, even
appointing a day for them to go ; Mrs. Drury's daugh-
ters havinu: seldom met a youuLr icirl durin<' their life
on the homestead being an extra plea on the part of
Mr.s. Drury to induce Eva and Martha to go.

After considerable planning, it was decided that Mr.
Brock, Martha and Frank should comprise the party ;
leavinof Mrs. Brock, with the other two <drls and Mike,
to keep house. Mrs. Brock dreaded the drive, and
insisted upon Mr. Brock going, as she perceived by the
twinkle of his eye when talking about it, that he
would highly enjoy the visit. The appointed <lay at
last came, and the trio drove away in a buckboard,
with the continual breeze playing pranks with the
hats, as well as invigorating their possessors. They
had thirteen miles to go. But the high-spirited horse,
which, under Frank's extra care and generous feeding,
had recently developed an alarming fondness for rapid

156

THE BROCK FAMILV.

motion, tossed his head, expanded his nostrils, as he
snuffed the fresh bree/c, wildly shook his mane, and
finally, clinching the hit between his teeth, started on
his own account for an exhilaratin<^ gallop, regardless
of the frail voliicle which he mercilessly whirled along
behind him, over mound and hollow, through scrub nrd
ravine. The tccupants found their time fully occupied
in holding on \v^it)i both hands to the buckboard as
it bounded alon*!:, and sv.'unij from side to side. At
length their equine tormentor, having to a certain
extent satisfied his insane desire to annihilate space,
and having exhausted his surplus stock of breath and
energy, slackened his speed, and consented to "^eturn
to the trail and finish the journey in a rational manner.
After thus tr^^'ersing about half the distance, the
trail led them, to Mieir great delight, through a tract
of thickly wooded land. As they wound round a
curve in this shaded place, they beheld a graceful
deer, which bounded away into a thicket. Still they
travelled onward, out on the open country again; now
for a short distance chasing a fox, again passing a
l)adger, while the saucy little gophers sat erect as if
holding all humanity in derision. At length they
saw, at the foot of a range of loaf-shaped hills, a
handsome, massive house, which, indeed, might be
called a mansion, between two beautiful poplar groves.
They were soon seated in this grand home, where
the attention of Mr. Drury and his family seemed to
be devoted to the entertainment of their guests.
When the scorching heat of the mid-day sun began to

INDIANS.

1.-7

abate, Frank and Charlie Drury led four plump
bronchos up to the t^^ate— for the house and j^arden of
this farmer were enclosed by an ornamental iron fence.
Upon two of these ponies were firmly buckled side-
saddles ; while Martha, in a borrowed ridinnr habit,
and Alice Drury swept the j^ravel walk with their
dark blue skirts.

Upon startinof, all four allowed their ponies to walk,
on account of Martha s inexperience, until she beujan
to have some conridence, when she attempted to per-
suade her pony to strike a canter. But it unfor-
tunatelv reached that undesirable sfait, a trot, which
Cu,used Martha's conridence to desert her. Happily,
thouf];h it was a trying moment for Martha, Frank
gave her pony a cut, which brouj^ht it to a canter, and
then she rode along over the fenceless prairie in per-
fect composure, accompanied by the others. They
rested a short time in the shade of some trees, when
Martha collected her scattered senses, readjusted and
settled her hat rirndy upon her head preparatory to
another equestrian effort. Then summing up her
courage, she gave her steed a cut with the whip, a
mode of treatment which apparently afforded him
little pleasure, and settled any remaining doubt he
may have had in his mind as to the necessity for
carrying about such a bouncing bundle of humanity.
With a most creditable display of agility he leapt
about three feet into the air — all his feet leaving the
ground at the same moment — then bounded wildly
forward, and landed Martha upon the ground, con-

h '

ir)8

TMi: lUtOCK FAMILY.

.si(leral)ly shaken, but unhurt. After soim persuasion,
slie was induced to iiioinit a_L,Min, and tlie pony, seeni-
in^^dy satisiied witli this demonstration of superiority,
cantered quickly alon<^ with tlie rest of tlie party.
Tliey rode out to see the herd of about two liundred
liead of cattle, some sheep and horses, tended by one
of Mr. Drury's sons, who rode a <;ood pony and
imied by a d()<j^. Then they went around

was accompar
Mr. Drury's six

tb'ed

untlred acres o

ufrownii; ijraui.
Lastly, they visited a cool spring" burstin<( out from
amoui; the roots of a clump of bushes, until the music
of the eveniiif^ bands of mosquitoes, accompanied by
their fre(]uent biting, <lrov'j both horses and riders to
seek protection in the smoke, which was already
spreadini( its volumes near the house for the benetit
of the cattle.

The evening ])assed pleasantly along with nuisic,
accounts of the experiences of pioneers, and plans for
the coming camping expedition.

In the morning the procession to the camping-ground
was headed by the two girls on horseback, followed by
Mr. and Mrs. ]3rury, Alice, and Mr. Brock in a carriage ;
while in the rear were Frank and Charlie, drivinji' the
waggon loaded with tents, fishing tackle, some ham-
mocks, and provisions.

The spot selected by our friends was close to the
shores of a cliarming lake, set like a sparkling gem in
the bosom of the surrounding hills, whose verdant
sides, in some places thickly covered with woods and
in others brilliantly carpeted with rich grass and all

INDIANS.

loO

I the
in

lunt
md
lall

kinds of prairie flowers, sloped down almost to the
water's edj^e.

Martha found the Misses Drurv verv pleasant com-
panions, they liaviii^^ completed their education under
the care of excellent teachers, and nature havin;^
endowed them with al)ility and amiahlc dispositions.

Tliey HsIhmI, and not unsuccessfully, saile<l ahout in
the boats, ^atlicred llowers, and counted the tlitl'erent
varieties, until tired of these pursuits, they mounted
their ponies and i,'alloped about the untenanted
land.

When it was time to prepare dinner, they fried tisli,
made tea on the little camp-stove, an<l br()u;^dit pickles,
apricots, loast fowl and pies from the various baskets,
then laui;hed and joked while dining in the lari^^e tent.
Then they clind)ed hill-tops to see the finest views,
feathered shells, listened to the birds, and watched the
little gophers as they stole into the tent to pick up
crumbs.

Towards evening the party, wearied with their
exertions, stayed to rest in a glade of romantic loveli-
ness. The sun was touching the line of the western
horizon, ami all nature seemed to be lulled in a sweet
repose. Tiie cool green grass and sweet flowers, the
stately trees, the calm beauty of the lake, and the
serenity of their surroundings, atlbrded a sense of peace
and ease which seemed to arrest the step of the
wanderers and dispose them to idleness and reverie.
With nuitual congratulations upon their good fortune
in tinding this haven of rest, they sat down under the

160

THE BROCK FAMILY,

trees, and gave themselves up to the delightful influence
of the scenery. Ere many minutes had elapsed, how-
ever, they were recalled to a recollection of this world's
troubles bv the attack of a numberless host of enter-
prising mosquitoes, whose vigorous bites were so
annoying as to drive them to their tents.

They spent an hour preparing for the night, and
before the gentlemen repaired to their own tent they
were urged by the timid ladies to chain a favorite dog
to their tent door.

After two days of this delightful life they returned
to Mr. Drury's house, and the following day Mr.
Brock and his family returned home.

nee
ow-
Id's
ter-
se

and
hey
dorr

ned
Mr.

CHAPTER X.

MISSIONAUV WOKK BEGINS.

WELL, Eva," said Mr. Brock, as he came in
tired, " I have news for you to-day. The
barley is finished, and I had a chat with the Indian
agent as he passed on his way to this re.-.erve."

" Oh, I am glad," said Eva. " And what did he say ?
Is he an Indian, too ?"

" One question at a time, if you please. He said a
good dei*l, and is not an Indian, but a white gentleman.
Strange to say, his father and my father lived within
a stone's throw of each other when they were young.
He was accompanied by an Indian half-breed, who is
his interpreter, and who speaks a number of Indian
dialects. They had a tine span of horses, and indeed
a complete outfit, in the shape of a tent, robes, stoves
and provisions. They live well, these government
officials, having their expenses paid, and a good
salary."
1

1G2

THE BROCK FAMILY.

"But (lid you say anything to them about teaching
a girl ? " inquired the impatient Eva.

" Yes, I told him we had newly arrived, and that I
had a daughter wlio had set her heart upon teaching
at least one Indian girl what she could of the Bible.
'Oh, indeed,' the agent replied, * a noble resolve.' I
asked him if he could aid us in selecting and per-
suading a young girl to come to you for daily lessons.
He replied that he would be only too glad to assist us,
but that they were a strange, shy tribe, who were
hard to persuade. He further said that he would see
what could be done to-night, and that, if convenient, I
might drive over to the reserve in the morning, and
bring you along, as the girl might take more kindly to
you than to a man."

" So we are really to go in the morning, are we ?"

" I think it will be our best plan. If we leave at
ten o'clock we can be back for dinner."

The following morning, Eva and her father started
for the reserve; the former taking a basket containing
some choice pastry, a picture-book belonging to Mike,
and a red cotton handkerchief, for the future pupil.

" What a lovely drive we are enjoying straight
across the prairie, no dust and all these pretty flowers!
It will not be far for her to walk, will it, father ? "

" No ; I should say not more than a mile."

Upon reaching the reservation, the agent, true to his
word, met them, and told them that he had talked with
several Indians, and the parents all seemed averse to
anything of the kind : that there was one girl, of

MISSIONARY WORK BEGINS.

163

[ike,

liffht

revsl

his

rith

le to

I of

about fifteen years, who was, if anything, less shy than
the others. She appeared to be remarkably intelli-
gent, and some other Indians described her as the
smartest one of the tribe.

" Do you not think her parents could be persuaded
to allow her to come ? "

" There is only her mother, and she does not appear
to appreciate your offer. Kindly walk this way, and
we will try and get a peep at her. You had better
propose to buy some fish or a basket from them," replied
the agent.

When they reached the tent the mother and
daughter were picking ducks outside, and while they
were addressing the former the latter slipped intq the
tent out of sight. Eva, however, had a sufficient view
of her face to be able to recognize her as the girl whose
intelligent look had attracted her attention when they
met the procession of Indians, on their journey to the
Brock homestead, and whom she had lately noticed at
the close of the pow-wow.

Mr. Brock held two twenty-five cent pieces towards
the mother, and said, " Basket, basket ? "

She shook her head and was tu rning away, when he
again inquired, " Fish, fish ?"

She then procured for him a half-dozen nice fish
and was again retreating, when Eva tapped her on the
shoulder, and gave her a cake. This pleased the
squaw. Eva held up the open basket and pointetl into
the tent. The mother laughed, and went in to try to
induce her daughter tu come, but returned alone.

164

THE BROCK FAMILY.

shaking her head. Then Eva stepped to the entrance
and held the handkerchief towards the shy maiden,
who at last became tempted to accept the gifts. Eva
took her hand, led her to the old squaw, and pointed
towards the Brock home, but the mother persisted in
shaking her head.

After spending some time apparently in vain, the
agent thus addressed Mr. Brock and Eva :

" You had better not push the matter any further
to-day, but as I think the presents will have impressed
them favorably, I will try what I can do while I
remain, and on my return will <lrive in and let you
know how I have succeeded."

" Very well ; thank you."

They bade the agent " Good-bye," and did not
neglect shaking hands with the two squaws ; which
act of courtesy the Indians regard as a great mark of
condescension and friendship on the part of white
people. In due time the agent returned, and told them
that, after considerable persuasion, the mother promised
that the young s(|uaw might come for two lessons on
trial, if she — tlie mother — were permitted to accom-
pany her. The agent gave Eva and her father much
valuable advice in regard to teaching and managing
the pupil. Then, promising to call occasionally, that
he might learn Y v she succeeded, he drove away,
leaving the fam ^ in quite a state of excitement.
Some of them we 'c :easing Eva about her objection-
able pupil, while others were planning to help her.

Mrs. Brock had placed some worn articles upon the

MISSIONARY WORK REGFXS.

165

lent,
ion-

Itht

table for mending, and Eva noticed a parasol among
them. Upon opening it, she exclaimed :

" What's happened your parasol, mamma ? "

" Why, it had been packed so that it touched the
side of the trunk, and the rubbing on the journey has
worn those holes in it. I was wonderinjx how I could
mend it for the summer."

" It is too shabby for you," and Eva glanced slyly
at Martha, " you had better let me have it."

" If it's too shabby for me, it is for you, also."

" Try me with it, please."

" I believe I cannot do anything with it, so you may
as well have it," said her mother, at last.

Eva walked triumphantly to Martha, carrying the
worn parasol over her head.

" Martha, dear," she began, in a persuasive way, " we
are succeeding very well in my missionary work ; now,
you are a good milliner, and have heaps of gay treasures
in the shape of ribbons, beads and feathers ; will you
please mend these holes in the parasol, and put some
bright bows, beads and tassels on it ? Then I'll give
it to my squaw, the first time she comes, to entice her
back again."

The praise pleased the vain Martha, who loved Eva
dearly ; so she laughed merril}', took the parasol and
ran upstairs, saying, as she left the room :

" I'll soon show you a sample of my millinery."

"Yes," shouted Mike, "your millingrj/ will pla.se
Injins betther nor foin ladies,, faith."

She at last returned with the parasol, which caused

166

THE BROCK FAMILY.

a general lau(;h. It had a red woollen tassel attached
to the top, a green bow here, a yellow one there, some
larn;e, bright-colored beads dotted promiscuously over
the silk, while a peacock feather arose from the top,
and waved gracefully over the parasol like a Bombay
palm-tree over a Parsee palace.

" Martha has opened her heart as well as her
treasurv," said Frank.

" Thank you," cried Eva ; " I believe that will capti-
vate her."

" I wonder if this Indian agent would not get
Martha a government situation as milliner to the
Indians ?" exclaimed Frank, again.

Here, Mike, recognizing the red tassel, tried to
snatch it off, saying :

"Bad luck to yes, I was goin' to hev that tossel
sewed on me cap agin, sure."

After Eva had looked in vain for the arrival of her
pupil for a few days, she began to lose hope of her

coming.

However, one day, when she and Martha were
engaged in washing, Myrtle, who was usually on the
alert, bounded into the house, saying :

" Here are your squaws, Eva."

The poor girl blushed, grew excited, and said :

" Mamma, what shall I do ? You help me will you,
please ? "

" Very well, compose yourself."

When the squaws reached the door, the elder one
held up 1 basket and asked, in broken English, for
some butter.

MISSIONARY WORK UKCJIXS.

167

get

her
her

one
for

Mrs. Brock accepted the liasket and gave her some,
while Eva bade them to be seated, and gave them a
piece of bread and meat. Then, with a great ettbrt to
control her impulse to laugh, she produced the gaudy
parasol, and walked a few times across the tloor, carry-
ing it over her head,

"Well," exclaimed Ahirtha, laughingly, "you area
comical looking missionary ; you had better put vour
sleeves down and take off your wet apron."

The sfjuaws did not understand Martha's remarks,
but they also laughed heartily. After a suHlcient dis-
play of the parasol, Eva presented it to Winona. She
accepted it, nodded her thanks and laughed again, and
the strangers then conversed for some time in Indian.
The pleasure this afforded Winona led Eva to believe
that she was winning the friendship of her girl.

Mrs. Brock kindly remarked :

" I'll lead them to the sitting-room door, and you
slip in and play a tune for them on the organ."

This encouragement from her mother pleased Eva
quite as much as the tune pleased the s(|uaws.

Eva next produced an atlas, and commenced to show
the maps to Winona. The girl looked at them atten-
tively for a short time, then apparently thinking there
was a trap in connection with the bock, walked silently
out, followed by her mother.

" What shall I do now, mamma ? "

" I do not know how to advise you, I am sure. If
they were any relation to me I might know ; as it is,
it miirht be as well to let them alone. You have

168

THE P.ROCK FAMILY.

treated them well this time, so I think they will return.
If she understood P^norJish you might nsk her to come
back to-morrow, but under the circumstances you may
save your trouble." With this unsatisfactory reply, Mrs.
Brock sat down, perfectly discouraged with the Indians.

" Very well, let us return to our work. Why do
you make fun of them, my dear mamma?" said Eva, in
perplexity.

"I don't make fun of "er ihe^ are all right in
their place. But I canno' hcip laughing at the idea
of you trying to do anythi. .viih them while they
are so ignorant and dirty."

"' I intend to try and persuade her to wash herself
the next time she comes."

" Not in our wash-basin, I hope," cried Martha.

"Oh, no. I'll give her apiece of soap, if mamma
will allow me, and take her to a pond. After she
practises washing herself, perhaps I may prevail upon
her to wash her clothes regularly."

" You have your hands full, I fear. If you would
take my advice, you would give up the idea and set
your mind on improving yourself, gardening and other
things," advised her mother.

In about two hours, no less than thirteen natives
visited the house, bearing fish, baskets and ducks, and
all trying to trade their produce for parasols ; the men
being, if possible, even more desirous of procuring them
than the squaws.

Mrs. Brock shook her head and said, "No more
parasols," in vain ; for they remained about appar-

Missionary wohk nEoixs.

160

ently ex])ectirfj; a number of specimens of that
fashionable article to sprout from the i^round, in
the same manner as its model, the nnishroom. Eva,
not to be daunted, showed a book to Winona, and said
" Book," then looked at her pupil hoping to hear the
word repeated, but she only laughed, glanced at her
companions, and turned her back. Eva next showed
her a bou(juet of flowers, and said "Flowers," apparently
with as little success as before. The persevering
young teacher then led her to the sitting-room door,
sat down to tlie organ, phiycd and sang a hymn very
slowly, then motioned to Winona to join her in singing,
and began a line slowly.

Finally, Eva persuaded her to approach the instrr
ment and press a key, but when the sound followed,
she gave one bound, accompanied by a wild .shriek, an \
in this unceremonious manner betook herself to her
comrades, who had seated themselves upon the grass*
and to whom she related her escape from a mysterious
chest wherein resided a spirit with white teeth and
many voices.

Mrs. Brock, feeling rather unsafe, had previou.sly
signalled to her husband, who was at work some dis-
tance from the house. He walked leisurely home,
.shook hands with two or three of the Indian.s, and
laughed, to which they responded with the usual grin,
notwithstanding their disappointment regarding the
parasols. Mr. Brcik good-naturedly entered the house ;
and, after some time, the dusky travellers gathered up
their bundles, and silently took their departure.

170

TIIK IMinCK KAMI I, V.

" My |)!')])li('('y is licinL,' I'iiII'iIIimI, '<lva," rcinarktMl
Martha; " thry will coiiic in tlir ni^lit some time, and
Mien's no triliiiir what niischiel' tiiev mav <lo. I
hi'iievt> I'll sl.'cj) in the daytime, ant! keep watcli at
niijlit, in order to i^ive the alarm, if necessary.

" 'riuM'e's no success without trouhic," said Mr.
Brock, consolinujiy ; I'oi* Eva's eyes tilled with tears,
wliilc slie tlioUL^ht :

" 1 don't mind it nivst'll', hut mannna and Martha
don't like all this annoya^iee."

AlthoULjh Mike took ])leMsure in hoastinj^ of lus
bravery, he was found ti'enihlinir with fear under a
beil, waitini; until tlie Indians went away.

When Mr. Hrock unlocked the door (luite early the
next morning, he stood face to face witli Winona, wlio
lield her parasol closely over her head with one liand,
while she ilrew lier warm blanket about lier with the
otiier.

"Ibilloo!" came from tlie })roprietor of the liouse,
then a <,a*unt and a lauLijli came in response.

"Come in," and he pointed to a chair.

She walked in and seateil herself, otill lioldini' her
pan- >1 above her.

"Eva, Eva," called her fatlier, "you have a visitor,
jump up and see."

" There, there," cried Martha, " I knew you'd get
sick and tired of your task. What will you take and
sell out your interest in the tribe ? "

" I may as well get up," said Eva, ignoring Martha's
query ;
fast."

but she miiiht have waited until after break-

MISSION'AKY WOIIK l5K<ilNS.

171

M'trr KvH IukI ;^'ivt'H Wmoria somo (•IninciitHry
i?istni(;tion, the l.-ittiT iM-i^iin to cxaininc Mir silk of Imt
n('Vvly-;^^ott,t'ii pMiasol, iiiul tlim stii|t|H'<l it all Iroiii
tlio .skclt'tun, wliich sIk; coinmittrd to tlic lire. Shr

get
and

Squaw and I'ai-oose.

then carefully doubled the silk and tied it over her
hea<l, smiling meanwhile with a look of satisfaction.
Eva looke<l disappointed, and gently shook her head,
hut Winona did not seem to care. However, Eva
thought slie would endeavor to tc-ach hur to he more
cleanly, and with some trouhle succeeded in persuad-

1.11

17-2

TIIK lUlOCK FAMILY

iniij hor pupil to m'comp.'iny Iht to a ponvctiiciit pond,
wlicro sli(> li<)p<Ml siif would w.'islj hcrscli', Shr took
the soap I'roiii Kva, luado a hideous I'acc, pushed her
thuiidi throuL,di it. crushed it out of shaj)e and threw
it into th«> centre ol' the j)ond, and then walked slowly
away towards the reserve.

However. slu» came alonijj (piite ha|»]>y just at hreak-
i'ast-tinie the i'ollowiui^ niorniuL,'. She hrouijht a pieee
of hircli hark, on which she liad written. \)y means of
hcrry juice, s(>veral small words sinular to those Kva
luid taught her on the slate the previous day. Iler
tjuiet appearance, together with her work, ufavo new
couraije to the (h'ii'cted teacher, and she he<jfan her
task afresh. For some time aftt'r this the pupil canie
with fair rci^ularity, conducted herself tolerahly well,
with the exception of a few outhroaks, and bejjfan to
learn with a readiness that w jld have been a credit
to her white sisters.

One rainy day, when the ijjirls were lonely and
unoccupie<l. Myrtle said:

" Let's all write to Mai^i^ie."

" Dear child, mannua wrote to lier only a few <lays
af:;o,'' replied Martha.

" That's nothinix, she is always njiad to hear from us ;
besides, mamma writes about different thinjjfs from
what we do. So, come on, girls. 1 rruess papa '11 <rive
us a stamp."

" All right, get the paper and envelopes, and we'll
have a juvenile bee at letter-writing, and send a great
budget."

MISSIONAIIY WOUK UK(;iNS.

I7:J

aivl

us:

Tli(! hitters run as follow :

" I)i;ah M.\(;(iiK, — ITs 1,'irls an- Iwivin'a Ikm; ritin" to
you. und I wuiit to tell yon tin- most. Sonic W('i|^Mn
vvt' liU)' this contiiiciit iMttrr tliuii AiiH'rica. Hut souio
ways wt' don't. I'apa houi^dit a lot oF rulM-rh aixl it
was far Itii^'i^'cr than we yous to have in our ^^'ar-lcn
with tilt' picket I'cncc which we nuult! pics ot". Wc
don't have so many pi»'s hcrt^ as wc did at liomc, itut
wc liavc more llowers, tlicy are not so pretty as tlu;
roses and tulips at home, for they are not douhle, l»ut
there are ten times more of them, and wc don't havo
to weed tlwui. 'riusre are no little ^irls to play with
near us, hut I saw 4 at cliurch one Sunday, they
looked at me ami hiunluMl and I lau;^duMl at them, so
I <^uess we ait^ relationed now. One day Martha
was sittin' knittin' and I put wild roses in her
hair, until you couldn't see hair, and it looked like a
hood made of roses. She looked real purty, and I
wanttMl her to put on her ^rreeii dress, hut she wanted
to save it? Kvery niijht ami mornini,' when papa
prays In; says, and 'bless our ahscnt ona, i^Miid(! and
jjuard lier thou;^d)ts, words and actions, unite her to us
ajijain if it is Thy will, and at last take lier to heaven.'
You see he .said it so often that I know it ofl' hy hcsart,
and sometimes when he is j)rayin' it mamma wipes
her eyes with her apron, and it ^'et intaj^ious, an<l we
all wipe them. 1 have a garden of my own and you
ou<;lit to see the <,aeat hiij radishes in it, as tender as
anything, and their was a few strawberries but they
are hard to pick after our great big ones in the garden.
Oh, Maggie ! we liave great circuses here, and free too,
with Eva and a S(|uaw girl, sh(; is learning to bt; good ;
poor Eva cries and ' ries her best, an<l the s(juaw cuts
up wonderful. One lay Eva was givin' her words to
spell before a visitor, and a little gopher (a gopher is

174

THE imOCK FAMILY.

like a scjuirrel) came along and sat strate up on the
door-stop. Winona throu»^h her slate and sprang at the
gopher. It '^^ot the start and she chaised it, and we
lost slight of her and thoiiufht she had ijone home.
But after Eva got nicely settled at work in .she popped
with her skin turned wrong side out on a peace of stiff
bark. Only she dose learn like fun, she can sing 'Jesus,
Lover of my Soul,' all through. But Eva says she
don't know what it means yet. its quit different hear,
no trees, no cherries, little wee houses, no fences, but
as I ro7i formed you preveously before their are flowers.
I wish they would make pies, and Frank is measuring
the wheat every day, and thinks it is grand. I wish
I could stretch my arms down to your house and hug
and kiss you to pieces ?

" Yours reverently with love,

" Miss Myrtle Brock."

"PRIVATE.

"My Dearly Beloved Macoie, — We throe girls
have decided to send you a budget of letters to cheer
your drooping spirits, and to give you some general
information regarding the vast prairie, its products,
appearance, and inhabitants (as the}' say in the
geography). Our farm is beautifully situated on a
gentle slope facing our market-town, which is several
miles distant, and where our minister, Mr. West,
resiiles. You will be amused when I tell you that
Eva is trying to tame an<] Christianize a young squaw.
Sometimes she seen.s to succeed a little, when all at
once the wild girl tlios off, and plays scmie awful trick
on her. But Eva perseveres, and the s(juaw is tempo-
rarily reclaimed. Sometimes our house is literally
surrounded with Indians, while at other times the

MISSIONARY WORK HE(JINS,

l7r»

pupil comes alone. Contidontially, I think Eva is f^oinoj
a little wrono- in her mind on the subject ; the ujreat
chani^'e of country and climate may certainly have lent
its assistance. Fortunately there is an asylum in this
part of the country, thoui^di you know I would he the
last one to wish her there. I was readin<: a work
treatini; on the different kinds of monomania, and I
am almost convinced that she must be suff'erinjjf from
that disease of the mind. I hinted as much to Eva
one day, to wliich she replied, ' You are a bead-and-
feather monomaniac' However, I hope she will
recover before it fjrows serious. The drt!ss you fj^ave
me is the prettiest I have seen out here, .some i^irls
adnnire it exceedingly. I lent it to one lijirl to wear to
a wedding. Mamma is sometimes very homesick, and
I think papa feels .so, too, but he says nothinjj^ al)out it,
thouffh he often draws a lonsr siijh. I feel that I oui^ht
to try and do better. Don't you know, I am fJjoin<^ to
ask Eva to tell me exactly the way she trusts in Jesus,
so I can be as fjoo<l as she i.s. We call our hou.se
Balmoral Castle ; and many little lo<ij l)achelor halls
have hi;^di sounding names, such as Folsom Mansion
and Naworth Castle. I wish you could step into our
tidy little house, and take tea with us. We girls do
the housework, and mamma only superintends and
does some .sewiniX-

" Believe me, your loving sister,

" Martha."

"Dear Maogie, — T scarcely know what to write to
you, for the other girls have written first, and they
would not let me read their letters, therefore I may
write much the saiiu; as they. We study almost as
hard as ever, and papa teaches us in the evening. We

176

THE BROCK FAMILY.

,11

have still Bible lessons, and we practise our vocal and
instrumental music. Frank now sin<i;s l»ass very well,
and he can read a new tune rijijht oti' We do not let
mother work much, and sometimes when father is very
busy we help him a little. I think it no more than
rit^ht, when he is busy. I believe I am pursuing a
worthy course in teaching a young In<lian girl ; she is
really learning very well. I should like to see her
converted, and also pass the teachers' examination.
She could tefch the Indians in her reserve, and she
might lead several ot them to Jesus. Papa thinks I
am succeeding very well in the matter, while mamma
does not say much about it now. When 1 lie awake
at night sometimes I cannot help but plan about
building a little school-house in the reserve. I may
write you a little begging letter if my plan meets
with success. I suppose grandpa often drives over for
you, and entertains you. Give my love to all of
grandpa's, and keep enough for yourself.

" Your affectionate sister,

"Eva Brock."

Each girl read her letter to her mother, when
Martha sealed them in one large envelope, and gave it
to their father to post when convenient.

'JTJ*

CHAPTER XI

THE i!i.iz/Ai{r).

AI'ERIOI) of sevenil months has elapsed since the
events chronicle<l in the prece(lin<jj cha])ter. The
Brocks had passed tliroiiujh tlic usual vicissitudes of
doubt and hope respectin«4 their crop of wlieat as the
season went on frou) .June and 'Kily, with heavy rains
and warm sunshine, whicli prochiced a luxuriant f^rowth
of both grain and vei^etables, until the critical time —
the August full moon — liad been safely passed without
the slii^ht. thoui'li ruinous, frost which then occasion-
ally occurs on the North- West prairie, an<l does so
much harm to grain, more especially wheal:

Then came a iovous harvest-time, when every man
worked with all his strength from sunrise to sunset,
with the happy knowledge that the toil necessitated
by such a plentiful harvcist meant many hours of C(jm-
fort during the coming wintei-, and a promise of
future ease and independence, if followed up with
prudence and perseverance.
12

178

thj: buoc;k family.

The pfrain was stacked and threshed, after which
the elevators and stations were (hiilj' surroundcid by
nunihers of farmers hrin^in*; in loads of the choicest
jj^rain. Then the winter's provisions were laid up,
primitive benches and stools, which had until now
done duty instead of chairs, replaced by comfortable
furniture, and even some skates, hand-sleii,^hs, books
and Christmas turkeys brouL;lit home, and the faces of
the peo])le wore a contented smile of prosperity.

Mr. Brock's crop was <^ood Init small, owing to its
beini,' ti.eir first year in the place. They never before
saw finer flaky loaves of bread than those made of the
flour produced from their first crop of Manitoba wheat.
The money realized from tlie sale of their surplus
{l^rain sufficed to buy all necessaries for the winter,
paid their portion to the minister, and bought a little
lumber Twhich was very dear) to make a garden fence
and to n'pair the buildings.

They then settled down out of debt for a (piiet
winter, t«!nding the horses and cattle, reading, and
sleiiih-ridinir when the weather was mild enouijh to

O *' CD

make outdoor excursions pleasant.

One bright day in Novendjer Mr. Brock, accompanied
by the busy Myrtle, was inspecting the buildings with
a view to putting them in orde) for winter.

" Won't you need more lumber than that to build
the new stables .''" said Myrtle, pointing to the little
pile.

" I could use considerably more, but I see the neigh-
bors do without stone or frame stables, so I will try

THE BLIZZAHD.

179

(|uiet

build
little

their way, as they say they are wa . ler than frame
buildinnfs."

"That's a o-ood thint;. How do they manaije ?"

" They use the youni,^ poplar trees which <rYO\v in
the bluffs on the prairie. With these they make a
framework, which they bank up all around with earth
and root over with straw at the time the <^rain is
threshed."

" It's so dreary now, when there are no flowers to
gather ; I would like to learn to play chess. Will you
have time to teach me to-night, please, papa ? I know
the men, and I'll coax Frank to make a board," pleaded
Myrtle.

" I'll see, my girl, perhaps I shall."

" Goodie, good !" and Myrtle jumped straight up and
down and clapped her hands.

As November and December wore along, the men
were teaming grain to market, ])utting buildings in
repair and banking earth aroynd the house, even as
high as the windows, while inside the knitting needles
and sewing machine were making tolerably fair
speed in preparation for the severe frost of a northern
winter.

The young people had many a gay time sleigh-riding
behind a span of dogs, skating, and even snowballing,
until, as the weather grew severe, the snow became so
dry and powdery that it could not be converted into
those favorite missiles of childhood. Mike never was
happier than when harnessing and driving the dogs.

Whenever a letter from Ontario was rea<l, Eva never
failed to remark :

tu.

180

THE HUOCK I'AMlLV

"There is no word of Miriam's ncclvluce bein<; found

yet" • '

Winon.'i still Ccanie every <l!iy. She had now learne<l
to atten<l near a tixt'd time, and <^ave lier teaclicr less
trouble tlian formerly.

One day a note came from a neiuhhor five miles
away, v.ho had settle<l on his farm soon after Mr.
Drock came to the I^rovinco. This neiirhhor had
formerly lived near Mr. Ih'ock's uncle, and he had even
seen some of that uncle's family. The note ran thus :

"Mr. and Mus. Ijiuh'k.

"Deai! Fihknds — Mrs. Daniels concurs witli me in
cordially invitinix yon and your children to take din-
ner with us on "iSth Decemlier. 'I'hcrt' ar(( so few
families here, that, to make amends, we should try and
be very .sociable.

" Yours faitlifully,

"G. ])A\iELS."

When Mr. Hrock read this in presence of his fanuly,
tlie poor, lonesome cliildren sprancf to tlieir feet and
clapped their hands witli sucli vii^orous manifestations
of pleasure and enjoyment, that their mother ex-
claimed :

"You make my head ache.'

This reduced them to order, and they resumed their
work, but kept asking, " May I i^o :*" " Can I go, too? "
while Myrtle in earnest sympathy ventured to say :

" iMamma, if you was going to school and got a

HI 1(1

their

• ?"

rot a

THE m.izzAun.

181

licadache, and })ick up a stono and spit on it, and put
it down in tlio samo place, tin; pain will ^^o away. Try
it.

Tliis remark causi.'d a smile to hover around the
nioutli of the amuse(l mothrr, which caused Myrtle to
remonstrate.

" Vou needn't laugh, I did it once, and it cure<l me.
I never thou'dit we sliould have anotlu'r C-iiristmas-
time after coiuin<^ out here, since we've no i^'rand-
fatlier oi* relations, or turkeys, only tlie wild ones
we can't catch," and Myrtle clapjH'cl her motlier's
round shoulders, until that worthy lady's spectacles
fell on liei' lap U])on tiie halls of grey and red yarn.

" ['11 tell you how we'll settle it." I'cmarked Mrs.
Brock, "if it is agreeable to your father."

" Oh, yes," returnee I tlie loving husband ; who often
said yes to his wife's suggestions, wlietlier he lienrd
them or not.

" We'll take Myrtle and E\a, because their two
girls are about tlie same age, and also because I am
afraid to have Eva out of my sight on account of the
Indians. Then well prepare a good holiday dinner
f(tr those who remain at Iiomk ,"

Several again expressed their delight, more gently,
however, this time, and ejaculated : " ( lood !' " Hurrah
for cwET side \ " " All right ! "

The morning of the 2Nth came,ciear and bright, with
the t . !:no?ueter at al)Out 2.*i below zero.

" My dear, ' said Mr iir«)ck, when he came into lireak-
fast, laughing an< I ruljbing his hands as usual, "how

1S2

'IIIK mux K FA.MIF-V.

l-i

(Iocs this Manitoba weatlRT suit you ^ Is it more than
you cxjx'ctcd ?"

" Well, you and Frank have the ..orst of it, hut as
for iiic I liavo srldoin ft'lt cold, for I do not <^() out on
had <hiys, and the house is always warm. It is almost
insuH'craldc."

" It is exccctlin^ly C()ld,l>ut there is no wind, so it is
not so search in L,^"

" 1 supposr it is too eohl i'ov our visit to-(hiy."

" Well, ■ don't know that it is, you see it often <;oes
down to 40 , so we niav as well ixet acclimated," as he
smiled and ijlanced at Frank, while hendinj,' over the
stove thawinir tlie icicles from Ids lieavy moustaclie
and heard.

" I shall leave it to you, you will suller more on
account of heini,^, the driver: so perhaps we had l)etter
wait for a mild day."

" I shall be rather sorry to have tlieir turkey
neti^lected."

" Faith and it's afther starvin" me father's son wouhl
be, when he'd roide so far freeziuLC for his dinner, lie
coulil git at liome lernent the foire, sure," muttered
Mike, as lie scrapiMJ the frost from the thickly coated
\viiid(>w-])ane.

" For my part," said Mrs. Brock, " I am not countinjj^
on a turkey. I think thev will have a very irood
prairie dinner if they have a roast of nice fresh pork
or a few prairie chickens, as people have not yet got
into the wa\' of raising turkeys here. I see you feel
inclined to go, so I'll not object. There's no danger of
a blizzard, or of oeing lost, is there { "

THE HMZZAIU).

1S.S

irkey

]M)rk

t i;'()t

u foul

12 er of

" No, IK). 'I'lu^sc talcs \vt> luivc rcjul altout l)lizza,rds
und people Ikmul,' lost weic exai^t^^erated, while tlioso
wlio were lost must liuve Imcii intoxicated. Wrap up
wi'll, well drive «juiekly, and he there in forty
minutes.'

" (lood ! n'ood ai^ain ! " came from the expectant cliil-
dren.

Siiortly after onv. o'clock the IJrocks were co.sily
.seated ahout ti»e iari^e stove in Mr. J)aniels' parlor,
which was the oidy room on tlie i^rouml lioor of the
little loi(-hou.se ; ahove the parlor wen; tlu; ' Wy bed-
rooms, se{)arated from eacli other hy screens covered
with various pretty and amusing' pictures ; while
un<ler<:round were the warm kitchen and cellar.

Mrs. J)aniels had Ikm'U ori^^anist in a leadinj^ city
church in tlie east, while her worthy hushand was
leader of the choir, conse()uentIy the Brocks enjoyed
a nuisical treat. Mr. Daniels was very well informed,
and entertained Mr. Brock nuich hotter than he
expected, The little <,drls hrouLi;ht ou.' .some of the
Christmas presents they hatl received from their
relatives at a distance. These presents consisted of a
box of raisins from California, some pretty handker-
chiotV, a fur cape, and some fruit.

By the time they were thoroughly warmed Mrs.
Daniels came bustlini;- up the narrow stairway, and
invited them down to <linner. in that neat little
cellar kitchen was set as sumptuous a n-past as they
had ever partaken of in the east. The linen was
faultlo.ss, while there were served in a graceful manner

1.S4

TIIK IMtoCK IAMir,Y

turkoys, cranlwrrv sjincc, vciretfililos of inaiiv kiruls,
pick it's, pics, i'ruit-cakf, ail ixci'llent plmn-puddiiiL;". aivl
fruit in variety- " Now, t^in'ss wlio iiia<li' this ))U<l<lini;,"
said the t"ri( ndly liostoss, \vlieii her ^'Uests luui I'ujoyed
the dinner reniaikaM y well.

"P(!rliaps Miss Julia," as Mrs. iJroek cast a^danceot*
approval upon Mrs. Daniels' elder daui,diter.

"Now it is youi- turn. Mr. IJrocK.as Mj-s. lirock has
f'aih'd."

" I sliould say Mr. Daniels, since it is made l»y some
unexpecteii per.sonai;e."

" Well, it was made l»y my «lear old nu)tlier away in
( )ntario."

" It is really delicious," remarki'd Mis. Hrock. "You
may he sure loviui,' tliou^dits are thoroughly heaten
into tlie pudding."

After the i^iils liad i^one away to look at some
pictures, Mr. Daniels remarked:

" Is this the <laUL,diter of whose ])erseverance in
S(iuaw-tamin^^ I hear so much T'

"I presume so; Eva has heen tryin^^ her hand and
head at it since we came, and the dark «:'irl is takinjjf
quite a notion to it also.'"

"The ministi'r, Mr. West, was round here the other
day, and was telliiii;- me that she is learniiif;- even
faster than the whites, and that Eva shows pi'omiso of
beiiii;- a noMe woman. Her experiment has created
much interest amoni;" the white settlers. Encourai^o
her by all means. If we all practised the same self-
denial, and tried to do some ^ood amon<^ these poor

riiK ni.izzAHi).

is:,

•t" in

lothcr
even

lise of
jated

[ira<j;e
self-
])()()r

savat,'i's, it would not only ln'ni'Ht tluni. liut niakf lor
us niort; safe un<l peaocaltlc nt'iLcliltor<."

Muanwliile, tlic ;;;irls were cnjoyinn' a talk of tlieir
own.

" r <^()i sonic news tl)r otlicr tlay, l>ut it was ti) !••• a
;;reat secret," said .Julia " Howrvei', as we like you, 111
tell vou, if vou i)r(jinist' not to sav anvthinL^ about it.
Ida (iernian is f^oinjjj to have a liirth-day party nes:t
week, and intends to ask Martha, and Myrtle, and us."

"Is she .'' I liope it will Ix- a mild day," ri'))lied the
unsuspectini( Eva.

" Yes, hilt is it not mean, shr's not u,"oinLC to invite
you, Eva ^ "

" ( )h, 1 don't care," replied Eva. tryinu' to a]>pear
indifferent; " hut likely she for«;ot about me."

'' No, she di(hi't, either ; slie said licr mother' wouldn't
let her associate with a L;irl who didn't hold lier head
above Indians.'

" Is tliat all :' Veiy well. JJut 1 don't think motlier
will let Martha or Myrtle j^o. I don't associate' with
Winona for the sake of lier company, but to try and
im{)rove lier, I think it is no harm to ijfo with people
if the object is to make them ov myself better ; but if
it were onlv for amusement I would nf)t <'o witli her
at all. because our tastes differ ;'' and thouL^h Iv/a could
not help feeliriLj the slii^ht, she tried to l)a'iisli the
thought from lier mind.

So the chat '\vent on from one topic to another until
the sinking sun, guard«!d by a rainbow-hued sun-dog
at each side, warned them of the approach of ev(!ning,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

%^' A

"c^

1.0

I.I

1.25

128

2.2

1^ IM

!: li£ 11 2.0

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

1.8

U 1 1.6

^N^

r^>^

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

Ltf

18G

THE BROCK FAMILY.

and their five miles' drive, with no fence to keep them
on the trail, should the horses deem it right to turn
their backs to the wind, which had arisen. Seeing
this indication of an approaching storm, the kind host
and hostess made all haste to speed their guests.

They started at a good pace, facing the wind, which,
as it came and went in titful gusts, seemed to take up
the loose snow in its light embrace, gently carry it in
many a spiral turn, and then violently hurl the shining
crystals in all directions.

" Why," said Eva, " it is getting dark, and the sun is
not yet out of sight ; it is not snowing, either, but
drifting furiously. Shall we reach home by dark?"

" Well, I think we shall ; we shall need all the time,
though."

Soon the tiakes whirled about them so thickly
that Mr. Brock stood up to see the trail ahead of the
horses.

" If we were once across the bridge right here, we
could scarcely get off the trail, even if it were dark."
These words appeared to have been addressed to the
wind, for the others had abandoned the seats and
covered their heads with the fur robes. But he could
not find the bridge, which was, on ordinary occasions,
within sight of Mr. Daniels' house. He could scarcely
see the horses, though he leaned over the dashboard.

" This is something uncommon," he said. " I believe
we had better return to Mr. Daniels' before our track
is blown over." He jumped out and turned the horses,
and in turning about, lost his bearings, and could not

THE ULIZZARD.

1S7

find the track ho harl left not a minute before, so
rapidly does the snow drift over the prairie. The
women, seeing that Mr. Brock .appeared to be some-
what at a loss, anxiously inquiretl if he had missed
the way ; and he, unwilling to believe that he could so
quickly go astray, replied, in a bewildered manner :

" No, I am not lost ; it must be Mr. Daniels' house
that's lost."

After considerable effort to find the trail, the west,
or any other guide, he reluctantly admitted, as he
raised the corner of the robe :

•' My dear, I am afraid we are out for the night."

"Do you think so?" Mrs. Brock anxiously inquired,
as she dashed the robe aside, and, in her excitement,
attempted to spring out into the snow.

" Be calm now, keep your places, and cover up with
the robe ; if you get your feet in the snow you will
feel the cold much more," as he gently and with pre-
sence of mind pushed them together again in the sleigh.
Then he left the horses standing and tramped back
and forward in the snow in search of the trail, so easy
to lose, yet so difficult to find. Eva thought, tliough
she said nothing :

"It's so long until daylight here in the winter, and
so cold in the night that I fear we shall hardly live
through it. We were foolish to leave home at all.
Mike was more sensible than we were. Frank and
Martha will be out searching for us, and perhaps they
will be lost," and her mind grew confused. But in
her helplessness she asked her heavenly Father to be

18S

THE BROCK FAMILY.

with them, and keep tlieiri in safety throuf^hout the
nif^ht.

After Mr. Brock had done all in his power to find
the trail, and to determine the points of the compass,
he set about makinix his wife and dauf^hter as com-
fortable as possible. His first proceedin^^ was to tie
one end of a loni^ piece of bindini,^ twine, whicli hap-
pened to be in his pocket, to the sleii,^h, and the other
end to liis wrist ; then as there were no blutl's near, he
walked around in search of a drift of snow, which he
succeeded in tindini:. He duu' a hole in the drift until
he nearly reached tlie surface of the ground, leaving
the walls as higli as the depth of the snow would
permit. He spread one fur robe on the floor ot* the
impromptu hut, turning the edges of the robe up
against the walls, then escorted his wife and dauofhter
from the sleigh and seated them on the soft fur, sur-
rounded on three sides by firndy packed snow, threw
the other robe over their heads, carefully excludinor
the air as far as possible ; then, with great exertion,
took the box off' the sleigh and, draormng it to the drift,
placed it upside down over their heads, thus forming a
moderately sheltered place for such a night.

"Are you not coming in too, father?" inquired
Eva.

" No, no, dear ; I must look after the horses and keep
you awake. I'll be all right, don't fear. I am asking
our Lord to keep us," and he closed the little aperture
he had made to look in at his nestlinirs. He turned
away amid the earnest pleadings of all to enter the

THK BLIZZAIID.

I.S9

uired

keep
king

rture
arned
r the

hut and save himself. He threw the blankets on the
horses, unhitched them and, makiuLT the sleirrh the
centre and the twine the radius of a circle, (h'ove them
round and round the sleiujh, thus keenini,^ awake and
his Wood in circulation. He occasionally visited tlie
snow hut, wlien he was ea<ijerly entreated hy the
affectionate inmates to remain under cover, and to
allow them to take a turn at watcliinj:^. Mr. Jjrock,
howev^er, persisted in being sentinel himself, though
his hands and feet became extremely cold ; the others,
however, did not sutler tnuch.

The weary hours of the night dragged themselves
slowly along, and at last, yes, at last! it began, slowly,
too, to grow less dark in the east.

The storm had subsided, and at daybreak Mr,
Daniels' house and the bridge appeared quite near.
They drove liome through some drifts to their little
warm house, which was as highly appreciated by the
belated travellers as even the original Balmoral Castle
could have been. The weary Martha met them with,
" Did you meet Frank ? Let me help you in ; I have
the stove red-hot."

She gave them hot ginger tea and delicate food,
then slipped away to the stable with the horses, as
Mike had not arisen, and hastened back again to assist
the exhausted party to l)ed.

After sunrise Frank came home, having spent part
of the night with a neiglibor, who advised him not to
make matters worse by losing himself.

When the family, somewhat rested and refreshed,

190

THE I5I10CK FAMILY.

assembled in the afternoon, Mr. Brock conducted
family worship, and thanked God more heartily than
he had ever done before, for their deliv^erance from
death.

None of the wanderers were much the worse, save
Mr. Brock, whose nose, cheeks, fin<^ers and toes were
more or less frozen.

Martha and Myrtle received an invitation to Ida
(Jerman's party, which, it is needless to say, was not
accepted.

ncted
than
from

, save
were

) Ida

s not

CHAPTER XII.

MR. AND MRS. WEST VISIT THE I'.ROCKS, AND MR. AND
MRS. BROCK VISIT A DVING SQUAW.

THE winter had now fairly set in, and Mr. Brock,
who had suffered from a severe cold on his
lunf^s since that terrible nii;'ht on the prairie, was
advised by the doctor and his anxious family to remain
in the house, except on very mild days. He devoted
himself more to the training; of his children, and
encourafrinof Eva in her teachinof.

" Now, Eva," he remarked one day, when she and
her mother were sewing beside him, " it might be well
for you to assist Winona to commit a portion of Scrip-
ture to memory every day, in case slie should ever be
deprived of her Bible, or in case of sickness, when
her memory could recall the verses to comfort her in
times of trial."

" You dear, blessed father, you ! " and Eva threw her
arms about his neck. " I think you are too good for
this world. If any good ever comes from teaching

i I

102

TIIK I'.llOCK FAMII-V.

Winona, it will be owing to your help and encourage-
ment. T should like to see her educated so that she
could teacli her own people. It' she continues to learn
as well as she has done, it will not be long until she
will be al)le to give some instruction to others of her
tri})e, I'll take the list of studies for teachers, and
drill her on those very subjects and the Bible. I shall
also try to teach her instrumental music as well as
vocal ; she may find that useful in winning her people."

" I believe you are going to succeed, my daughter,"
said her mother ; " though, I must confess. I had little
hope of it at first. The girl is not so repulsive now ;
she has learned more cleanly habits, combs her hair,
and has discarded her blanket in favor of more civi-
lized attire. Poor thing, her jacket is thin ; I'll go
this minute and gather up some clothes to give her the
next time she comes." Eva smiled her thanks and
worked away.

While Mrs. Brock was upstairs, bells were heard
approaching the door, and the clergyman and his wife
entered the room, and received a hearty welcome.
Shortly after this. Mrs. Brock returned, bringing a
quantity of warm clothing, not too much worn to be
remade for the use of Winona. She cordially saluted
her guests, and seeing Mrs. West's inquiring gaze
towards the clothing, explained that the miscellaneous
as.sortment was to serve as an addition to Winona's
wardrobe.

"Oh, how kind !" returned Mrs. West. "Get me a
needle, girls, and I'll help your mother. No, no, don't
lay them away."

Mil. AND Mils. \Vi:ST VISIT THK MIKJCKS.

19:J

irage-
it she
learn
il she
uf her
s, and
[ shall
rcW as
2ople."
jjhter,"
I little
i now ;
r hair,
•e civi-
ril i^o
er the
s and

heard
lis wife
Icome.
Iirinfj a
to be
saluted
saze
laneous
inona's

It me a
), don't

" How is Winona proL^'ressini;, Mr. Brock ^ " in<|uired
Mr. West, who was (juite (jutluisiastic over the work
Kva had inidiTtakon ; lie liad even assisted her to
collect money, and j)roniist'd a m)od sum of his own
meH,c,'re salary for the erection of a school-house in the
reserve, where Winona mi^dit, in the near future,
imparl her newly acfjuired kriowled^'e to the Indian
children.

" She is steadily improvinLj If Eva notices her
interest tla^'L^iiii;, she searches for some little present,
which always <,dves her new courar^e. Eva even <^oes
so far in her iinui,nnation sometimes, as to prepare a
programme for a public openin(5^ should the school-
house ever be built."

" Her mind mii^ht be employed in a less worthy
way. Indeed, should the imaginary school-house
become a tangible reality — which there is no reason to
doubt — and if it would please you, 1 shall invite some
other ministers and bring our church choir to the
opening."

Eva listened attentively, and bashfully expressed
her thanks. Her father also thanked him, and said :

" We shall certainly remind you of your promise,
should we so far succeed."

Mrs. West then asked :

" Can your pupil sing { "

" Oh, yes, Mrs. West, she sings two hymns correctly,"
replied Eva.

" Well, I would have her sing at the entertainment,

too."
13

194

THK imOCK KAMI I. Y.

Then the conversation drifted away to the subject
of settlers' hardsliips, and Mrs. Brock said:

" We have been inucli annoyed by our cattle fretting
at the grain, as we have no fences."

"I expect you have your hardships, too, Imt I think
we have had our share ; though I try to think of our
trials only with the object of lessening my ati'ection
for this world."

Mrs. Brock's sympathetic, inquiring look and remark,
" I hope your trials are light," encouraged Mrs. West
to proceed.

"Well, Mr. West, the baby and I drove thirty miles
the last day of our journey, when moving to Buffalo
Horn, The day was wet, he was not as well as usual,
the baby fretful, and the last ten miles the rain fell
heavily ; but we tried to cheer each other with the
hope that we should receive a warm welcome when
we reached our new friends and place of abode. At
last we arrived at the town, just at dark, all wet and
hungry, but no one noticed us. Mr. West made some
inquiries about a house, and about members of our
church, but the little town being new, people knew
very little about one another. He succeeded in find-
ing a wealthy leading member of our church, who
said that we would have trouble in procuring a house,
or even a room, owing to the great tide of immigra-
tion, but that he would try and find the key of the
church for us. After an unsu>?cessful search for the
key, we went alone in the dark, climbed through a
window, and lay down in our wet clothes on the floor."

MR. AND MRS. WEST VISIT THE UROPKS.

195

subject

fretting

I think
: oi' our
ittl'ction

remark,
rs. Weit

rty miles
) Buftalo
as usual,
rain fell
with the
me when
ode. At
wet and
lade some
■s of our
(le knew
in iind-
|rnh, who
a house,
limmigra-
sy of the
for the
,hrough a
,he floor."

"I wish I ha 1 hecn there, T would have given you
our warm, soft bed in a hurry," interrupted the kind-
liearted hostess; "I wonder you were not all seriously
ill, after such exposure."

" There was an hotel," continued Mrs. West, " but it
was full. In tlie morning my husband rented one
room at a tlistance from the viUage. He resolved to
build a little house behind the church, for rent was
hio:h ; so he betjan difji^insjc the cellar, thinkinij- that
some of our mend)ers would assist. But no one seemed
to notice him while he laboriously persevered in a task
which Ids delicate health made doublv hard ; but it
was a case of necessity. T knew that it was too much
for him, and so I took the baby, sat him on a board
beside us, and helped him to dig. I am pretty strong,
and must say," as she cast a sly glance at her husband,
"that I believe I accomplished as much as he."

" Did no one become ashamed and take your place?"

" Not one. They stopped, looked at us, smiled in
derision, and walked away. My husband bought lum-
ber, we put up the frame of our little kitchen and
pantry, worked together until we had the building
enclosed, then we moved into our own house. Mr.
West was so ill and exhausted from exposure and
overwork, that he was confined to his bed for a week.
After he sufficiently recovered, we proceeded at our
leisure to complete boarding the insider of the house.

" It was not until we appeared at church, somewhat
respectable looking, that w^e were welcomed to the
place."

106

tup: iniocK family.

" I do feel sincerely sorry for you," said Mrs. Brock,
whos(! eyes were Idind with syiiipatlietic tears.

" Oh, never mind, we are comfortable now, and
happy in spreadini^ tlie (Jospel."

After dinner, Mr. and Mrs. West were pleased to see
Winona comini^. Wlu-n she was introduced to tlie
visitors, .she acknowled<.jed the introduction more by a
broad smile than by the almost imperceptible stiti'
bow. Before she went away, they prevailed upon her
to siniif her two hymns, which she did, with credit to
herself and her teacher.

Mr. and Mrs. West took their departure in time to
reach their home at Bufl'alo Horn before dark, and left
Eva much encouraj^ed in her missionary work.

A little after sunrise the next moriiinfj, Frank
hurried in, callinj^, " Come and see the mira<.je, mamma ;
it is the finest we have yet seen. It has played
pranks with all the buildinp^s round, and has set the
Indian tents down quite close to us."

" Faith, Miss Ava, if you would be afther spakin' to
Winona, and appintin' her lesson noiv, she could step
over here in less than no time."

" Oh," exclaimed Myrtle, " the j:;ranary looks lower
and broader, and that house is in full view, for all we
never can see even the roof of it at other times. How
do I look, Frank ? Hasn't the mirage stretched me up
tall and .slim, like a lady ? "

'■ I never before noticed that wood to the west ! "

" Why, those trees are twenty miles, and those river
banks resemblinjx mountains are fifteen miles distant.
It is a grand sight, but it will likely soon disappear."

Mil. AMI MRS. FUIOCK VISIT A l)YI\(; S(^L'AW. 107

Brock,

N, and

I to soe
to the
re by a
,le stiff
pon her
:retUt to

time to
and left

, Frank
mamma ;
played

set the

pakin to
ould step

)ks lower
or all we
How

ed me up

vest ! "
hose river

s distant.

isappear

Winona had hoen tellint; Eva about a s{|U)iw named
Whcata in tlie reserve, wlio was very ill ; Mrs. Ih-Dck
had t'recniontly sent her litth' di'licaeies, and upon onr
occasion she s«jnt a warm i|\iilt. One m()rninL,^ when
the snow was nearly all *:one, Winona said :

"Poors((uaw i^oiiiLj die, she ask Eva go see her."

Eva said to her mother :

" Couldn't you and papa go, and Winona will inter-
pret for you ? "

So one raw morning, Mr. and Mrs. Fb-ock drove over
to the reserve, and went to the cold, miserable tent,
where the squaw lay shivering on a bed composed of
loose straw, upon which was spread a buffalo robe, her
only covering being a (|uilt, anddst the patchwork of
which Mrs. Brock noticed pieces of familiar dresses.
She was suffering, and looked thin and wild, with her
iron-gray hair tossed upon the buffalo skin; but she
smiled when told who her guests were. Winona could
not yet speak very good English, but she could make
herself understood, though she spoke slowly, even
stopping frequently to think, and making up for
her scanty supply of language by numerous gestures.

Mr. Brock asked the sick one — Winona interpret-

ing

" Are you a good squaw ? "

" No, me bad squaw ; Winona .say all bad."

" Do you know how to have the bad taken away ? "
She turned away her face, and moaned : " Poor squaw
die bad, bad."

"Jesus was punished for our sins, lay your trouble

19S

THE miOCK FAMILY.

upon Him, and He will make you happ3^" She looked
a little relieved, but could not understand very well.
With a piteous moan, she called, " Eva, Eva." She had
never seen Eva, but felt she was her friend by hearing
Winona tell about her, and by the marked improve-
ment in Winona herself.

She pointed to a pair of new moccasins hanging up
in the tent, and asked that they should be brought to
her. Upon her request being complied with she
handed them to Mrs. Brock, saying, " Eva, Eva."
Then she told Winona to tell them that the moccasins
were to induce Eva to come to her. She had the idea
that Eva possessed some supernatural power, and
could cure her.

After Mr. and Mrs. Brock had done what they could
for her, they told her that they would soon bring Eva,
and came away. Eva was delighted with the pretty
moccasins, covered with roses of bright-colored beads,
but she looked sad, and remarked :

" Mother, I don't like to be paid to go and see the
sick woman."

" We did not care about taking them from her, for
the same reason, and because she might sell them for
food or medicine ; but it would have hurt her feelings
very much if we had refused them. We'll take care
that she has plenty to eat, by sending something with
Winona every day."

" Mamma," said Myrtle, " do squaws have feelings ?
you said hurt her feelings."

" Yes dear, they have feelings, and any one who is

3 looked
ry well.
She had
hearing
mprove-

iglng up
:)iif];hfc to
dth she
I, Eva."
occasins
the idea
k'er, and

MR. AND MRS. BROCK VISIT A DYING SQUAW, 199

kind to them will be kindly remembered not only by
that one, but by many or all the tribe ; while if their
feelings are injured, they will remember it, and perhaps
have revenge on the offender many a year after-
wards."

" Then," said^ Myrtle, laughing, " I expect Eva will
be kindly remembered by them. See, they have already
begun ; and maybe they will give her a robe of gopher
skins, one of badger skins, a jacket of mink, and a
bunch of feathers from the tails of wild turkeys."

ey could
•ing Eva,
e pretty
id beads,

d see the

1 her, for
them for
• feelings
take care
iing with

feelings ?

ne who is

.<;

CHAPTER XIII.

THE PRAIRIE FIRE AND A LETTER FROM OSCAR.

THE following day, Mr. Brock drove Eva over to
see Wheata, and on the way he told her what
to say. She did not need an interpreter, for she had
learned to speak Winona's language well enough to
converse a little. The squaw was much pleased to see
Eva, and to hear her s])eak in her own language.

Eva gently told her the loving story of our Saviour
and His work on earth, and how He suffered on the
cross for our sins, begging her to pray to Him to take
her sins away.

Wheata asked feebly : " What is pray ? "
" Let me pray for you," said Eva, kneeling rever-
ently; and in a few simple words commended the poor
creature to the mercy of our Lord, with a touching
petition that she might be brought to see the light.
The squaw was evidently impressed by Eva's earnest-
ness and air of devotion, but seemed to be vacillating

JCAR.

over to
er what
she had
3U(?h to
d to see
rre.

Saviour
on the
to take

rr rever-
the poor
ouching
he Hght.
earnest-
cillating

THE tMiAlHIE FIRE AND A LETTEH FROM OSCAR. 201

hctweeii liopc and douht. After a pause of a few
moments, she abruptly tunK^l her liead away, saying:

" The screat Lord will not make me cfood ; for I've
been bad too long."

Eva explained to lier tliat all can be saved, even
the most wicked, both Indians and white people, by
beheving in Jesus. She seemed to grasp the truth,
for Winona had also been telling her what she could,
during the winter, of the wonderful Saviour. Mr.
Brock prayed for her in his .wn language. When
they arose she pointeil upward, and said :

" Jesus loves me."

They bade her " Good-bye," and came away.

After they had driven a short distance, Eva asked :

" What smoke is that to the north ? "

" I had not noticed that before. I believe it must
be a prairie fire ; we had none last fall, consequently
the prairie is covered with dry, heavy grass, ready to
make a tremendous conflagration. Fortunately our
buildings are in the centre of the ploughed land, so
they are quite safe."

" See it blazing up those bushes 1 It would look
pretty at night."

" A grand sight it would be. I wonder if Mr. Ger-
man's buildings are protected from the fire ! The
wind is driving it right towards his house. It has
started very suddenly. I believe we had better drive
over and see ; possibly they ha\'e not noticed it," as he
turned his horse in the direction of Mr. German's
house.

202

THE IJROCK FAMILY.

Mr, German had purchased this property from Mr.
Arthur \V. D. Bradshaw, and built a new house on it ;
while that younf^ EngUshman had taken his great
herds to a larger farm farther west.

" People should be punished for starting these fires."

" They would pay pretty dearly for it, if they were
caught setting them out, as there is a heavy fine."

" What makes people start a fire ? "

" Oh, different reasons. In the fall they often
plough two rows around stacks and buildings, leaving
about a rod of grass between the furrows, then they
burn between the ploughing, making a good fire-
guard ; but sometimes the fire, getting beyond control,
runs in all directions over the prairie. Some men
when lighting their pipes, thoughtlessly throw burning
matches on the dry grass. Farmers, too, often burn
straw-stacks to get them out of the way, and allow
the fire to spread."

" Everything is quiet about the house ; maybe they
are away."

" I should not wonder. They have not a foot of
ploughing, by way of protection to the buildings ; I
wonder they can be so careless. The tire will be
here in twenty minutes. We will not drive to the
house, but out on this ploughed field, where we will
unhitch the horse and tie him to the back of the
buckboard, so that he will be safe if the fire does
come up. You run to the house, now, and rouse them
out, if there is any one at home."

Eva followed the trail as fast as her feet could carry

)m Mr.

I on it ;

creat

} fires."
ly were

J often
leaving
jn they
od fire-
control,
ne men
burning
m burn
d allow

be they

foot of

iings ; I

will be

to the

we will
: of the
ire does
ise them

lid carry

THE PRAIRIE FIRE AND A LETTER FROM OSCAR. 20:>

her, knocked loudly twice ; and on receiving no response,
opened the door and walked in. The kitchen was
unoccupied, but she found two children (one two
years old and the other nine) asleep in the bedroom.

" Tommy, Tommy ! " she called, as she gave him a
good shake.

He sat up, rubbed his eyes, and said, sleepily:

" Do you want Julia ? She won't play with you."

" Where are your father and mother ? "

" They're all gone to Bufi'alo Horn."

Eva took the children outside with her, telling the
boy to remain there and take care of his sister, then
met her father near the house.

" Papa, they are away to town, and these children
were asleep on the bedroom carpet. They might
have been burnt to death."

" Where are your oxen and plough, sonny ?"

" Guess the oxen is in the stable."

" Eva, get some tubs or boilers filled with water and
two bags, or some cloths ; and as soon as I plough a
piece, set a tub down at the furrow, so that you can
wet the cloths and extinguish the fire, if it leaps over
at any place. Put the tubs in their places while
empty ; " and he went as fast as his age would permit
to the stable, hitched the oxen to the plough, and was
soon turning a furrow around the house and out-
buildings.

The great clouds of dark smoke were rollin<x aloncr
the sky, towards them, while the vast prairie was left
blackened behind. Then, as he watched the fire, he
thought :

204

THE BROCK FAMILY

" It is cominfT very fast, and if I don't get this
ploughing done shortly, J must turn the cattle and
sheep away from the stable."

Soon he so far completed his work, that it would
help him, at least, to save the buildings, unless at the
corner nearest the fire, w^here the furrows ran round
the edge of a willow-bordered pond. He could not
drive the plough through the roots of these bushes ;
therefore it would be necessary to closely watch this
corner.

To his great dismay, he then for the first time per-
ceived another fire stealing insidiously towards them,
from behind some rising ground, on the farther side of
the farm.

Hastily telling Eva to bring her wet cloths and
accompany him, he rushed away to meet this new
enemy, and, if possible, check its dreaded advance.
The smoke was almost sufibcating, but Eva bravely
kept her place inside of the furrows, ready to wipe
out every little blaze that jumped the fire-guards.
Her vigilance and activity were taxed to the utmost,
to combat the devouring flames, which the fire-break
only partially arrested in their destructive course.

A mere spark, if unnoticed, would in a few moments
kindle such a blaze that the property, which they
were taking so much pains to save, would inevitably
be reduced to a pile of smoking ruins ; the straw and
hay-stacks close to the buildings increasing the danger
a hundredfold.

After some minutes of intense anxiety, they were

THE PRAIRIE FIRE AND A LETTER FROM OSCAR. 205

ret this
itle and

it would
3S at the
n round
3ukl not
bushes ;
itch this

iime per-
ds them,
3r side of

3ths and
this new-
advance.
I bravely
to wipe
e-suards.
e utmost,
ire-break
)urse.
moments
lich they
nevitably
5traw and
he danger

they were

relieved to see that the tire had there burnt itself up
to the ploughing; another side of the premises was
sufficiently protected by a wide trail running at right
angles to the guard which they had so gallantly
defended.

The}'- were thus enabled to devote all their attention
to the (|uarter in which lay their weakest point. The
contlaijration was here beijinninof to a.ssume serious
proportions, the tire having made some headway
among the willow bushes ; and a furious wind which
was blowing from that direction towards the house,
seemed to urge on the angry flames in their wild
career. The scrub blazed and crackled, and the fiery
element shot up its forked tongues, as if seeking more
food for its raging appetite, and leaping for very joy
at the havoc it was causing. There was no time for
talking. Eva helped her father awhile, then she
thought :

" The tire is inside the guard, and the house cannot
possibly be saved, I must see that the children are safe ;"
and with that she ran awav in search of them, and
found the boy, but not the little one. With a throb-
bing heart and nearly wild with excitement, she at
last found the little thing sitting on the floor upstairs,
nibbling at a cake. She picked her up, and running
with her to the block of ploughing, said to the boy :

" Now, watch your little sister ; don't let her away
from here, or she may be burnt."

Then she hurried back to her father, who had not
relaxed his efforts for a moment.

206

THE BROCK FAMILY.

IE I ■

" Well, Eva," he said, wiping the black smoke, ashes
and perspiration from his brow, " it is mastering us ;
but we will not give up. I'll plough nearer to the
buildings, and you follow me with a switch, and put
out any fire that crosses this ploughing." They worked
in silence for some time, only to see that the stealthy
lire had crept up to a pile of straw, barely thirty feet
from the hay-stack, which leaned against the stable.
At this sight, poor, tired Eva said :

" The house cannot be saved now; I'll run and carry
out anything of value I can."

"No, no," said her father, "although that straw-stack
is on fire, I'll plough between it and the stable, and
you smother any burning straws that may fall within
your reach."

With unabated vigor, they continued to light the
relentless foe, while Eva sent up many a short unut-
tered prayer to her Father in heaven, to quench the
flames.

The burning straws were carried over their heads
by the wind towards the stable, only to blacken and
fall at the verge of the hay, and Eva thought :

" God is putting out those straws in answer to my
prayers."

They worked here in the heat until the risk from
the burning: stack was somewhat reduced, and then
they turned their attention to the remaining side.
The lire was some distance away from here, so Mr.
Brock put a match to the grass outside of the lire-
guard, and taking care that it did not jump the break-

THE PRAIRIE FIRE AND A LETTER FROM OSCAR. 207

e, ashes
•ing us ;
: to the
and put
worked
stealthy
rty feet
i stable.

id carry

LW -stack
ible, and
11 within

lofht the
rt unut-
nch the

dr heads
;ken and

er to my

isk from
nd then

tncr side.

so Mr.

the fire-

He break-

ing, watched until the prairie was all burnt round the
outside of the guard.

" Everything is safe but the hay. I wish Mr. Ger-
man would come home and relieve us. Of course, the
straw-stack is burnt dow n ; but there will bo fire
smoulderinfj in the ashes all ni<;ht, which a gust of
wind might carry to the stable."

"You are tired, father. What time is it, please?"
" Just half-past six, and it was three when we
reached this house. But it waj lucky we drove in, or
they would certainly have lost their buildings."
" Yes, and the children, too, for they were asleep."
" You are right there. Well, we had better take
them home with us."

" There's a team now, coming at full speed."
" Yes, that's their team. I'll get the horse, and we
will be ready to start upon their arrival."
" I'll brinjT the children back to the house."
When Mr. German reached the house, he coolly said :
" I thoufjht bv the smoke awhile ajjo, that the
buildings were going, but they are all right."

" They are all right noiv," returned Mr. Brock, so
tired that he was scarcely able to step into the buck-
board ; " but they were nearly on fire several times."

" I am much obliged to you. I'll do as much for you
some day."
" Good-night."
" Good-night."

Mr. Brock and Eva drove away home, without even
being asked in, to wash the ashes from their faces.

208

THE lUtOCK FAMILY.

" I aiu very huni^ry," said Eva, " our tea will be over,
and I can scarcely wait until the tea-kettle boils.
Papa, whip up tlie lior.se, he has had a rest. I am
afraid you will be the worse for this. Mr. Oerman
did not appear to be very f^rateful for our work."

" Oh, I'll be all ri<^ht. Your mother will soon treat
us to a good supper and clean clothes."

" See, I have burnt two holes in this good dress,
althouo'h I had it pinned up."

"That's nothing compared with what they might
have lost."

That eveninor Frank received the followinf;: letter
from Boston :

"Dear Coz. Frank, — The rest are oft to church,
and the time hangs heavy on a fellow's hands, so I
just got thinking of you ; for we have spent weeks
together, not so awful dull either, considering the
place. I cut myself short of a visit at your place that
time I was such a fraud as to let go that old sweep.
Now the trouble was, I was preparing to spring to the
roof and entirely forgot the importance of sticking to
my seat. I could do it now all right, though I'm not
just as supple as I was before that smashing up. By
the way, that doctor of yours wasn't such a greeny
after all — think we'll have to get him over in the States;
you have no need of such good men in Canada. Well,
my chum — Jim Osborne — and I have been planning a
trip to the coast next summer. We go by San Fran-
sisco, and come back by your little one-horse C.
P. R., and may take a run up to see you. How
far are you from Calgary? I was thinking we'd
get off there, and take in a round-up, and possibly buy

! over,
boils.
I am

erman

1 treat
I dress,
might
.• letter

church,
Is, so I
weeks
the
ice that
sweep,
to the
ving to
^'in not

ip. By
greeny
States;
Well,
,nning a
n Fran-
lorse C.
How
ng we'd
ibly buy

THE niAIKIK I I HE AND A LETTER KHoM OSCAK. 20i»

out two or three ranches, and set up business on our
own account. So, it' you would just drive over to
Calgary and n>eet us, we could have a Jolly time up
with you. I was just looking at somt; tine revolvers
and bowie-knives down town, ye'<t(.'nlay, and think a
fellow would be safe enough with two or tliree of each.
We intend fetching down forty or tifty buffalo, a score
or two deer, and some bears. I s'pose you don't bother
much with sucli small game as ducks and chickens.
They say it's a tine country for horseback riding, so
we can do some tall fencing on your ranche. I guess
people felt pretty blue when they got up that morning
in harvest, and found their wheat lying frozen Hat on
the ground. I hope you are all well and prospering.

" Yours, of sweep notoriety,

" Oscar."

" H'm," came from Mr. Brock, " I'm afraid that
young man is not going to be a credit to his parents."

" Dear me!" cried Martha, "one-horse C. P. R., indeed.
I wonder he didn't say he was about buying it out,
and putting it in his pocket. I wonder how he'll get
money to take such a trip. He never keeps a situation
more than a few months at a time."

" Sur'n if he got that owld injine in his pocket that
pulled us up here, he'd forget about the swape business
in a hurry," said Mike.

" What amuses me," said Frank, " is that some people
who have not been here, think it is only a day's drive
from Winnipeg to the Rockies. Perhaps they have
the idea that we are so near the north pole that we
are all crowded together. And how he boasts ! if he

210

rilK mtOCK KAMII.V.

really wen* rich he would not rcconriii/o us ns cousins
at all. And wIumh' arc liis i'cnct's ^ I suppose; lui'll
order us to drivM> the d»M'r and liuH'alo up i'or liini to
fire at. Hut lic'll ncvti" conic, tliou^di I wish he would.
What a nundtci' oi' letters we <rct out h(U"e !"

The followiuL,' niorniiii^^ Winona told Mrs, Ihock that
Wheata had passed away a lew hours het'ore, and tliat
she had talUi'd ahout Jesus and ha])j)i!icss as loni^ as
they could understand her, and she appeared to ho
resiij^ned to di>part.

" How little," remarked Mrs. I'rock, thoui^htt'ully,
" the wealthy know what hardships part of humanity
endures."

^^,

cousins
^c bc'll
\\i\\\ to

: WOUUI.

)ck tluifc
viid that
; l()n<^ as
.(I to 1^>o

rrhtt'uUy,

lumanity

«jea

CIIAlTKIl XIV.

DKATII.

TH I'i soni^s of r()])iii.s lluttcrinj,' iu<Mrily from spray
to spniy jind l)Usli to luisli, tlic frLM|Ui'ufc llii^dit of
wilil (lucks i'rom pond to poiidjtlio niciufjj uiid scainper-
iiiiX of the cuiinintr and inis(;hi('Vous litth; ''onhers,
toLjctliur with the warm woatlior and tlie comiiiir of
A|>ril crocuses, were suHicient in<luct'ment for Myrtle,
as well as the waitini^ farmer, to spend less time
indoors and more in the warm sunshine.

Mr. Ikock and Frank had hroken and hackset a
larf^e portion of their homestead the previous summer,
and they thus found themselves in a position to sow a
very lari^^e crop in <^()od season.

Their prospects with rei^ard to a hountiful harvest
were verv encourai,dn<^ ; hut Mr. l>rock, the lovinjr
Christian hushand and father, was not eniovinir (f(.od
health. Frank, with some assistance, mana<n;d to net
the whole of the prepared gi-ound sown, and in a
month's time the crop was looking well. But the

212

THE imOCK FAMILY.

family could not fully appreciate the appearance of
the f^rowini; f^rain, for the sympathy and fears which
his state caused. Then the cold which lie had caui,dit
the nii^ht of the blizzard had, with much nursin*^ and
care, almost left him, hut the heat, caused by the
exertion he underwent whih; tii^htino- the prairie fire
at Mr. German's, followed l)V a chill, brou^dit on an
attack of infiammation of the lunL^s, which, in its turn,
left him weak and suti'erini^ from a chronic couirh.
However, the pure fresh air and bright sky, tof^ether
wi^h the unabated care which liis family continued to
give iiim, assisted in streno'tlu^iin;^ him ; and all hoped
that he would yet regain perfect health.

Though the familv f^-lt sad, vet they enjoyed his
beloved companionship more than ever before. He
talked and read to them, and occasionallv assisted
the girls with their lessons.

When the weather was favorable, and a horse at
liberty, he frequently drove over the prairie, accom-
panied by one of his family. The fragrant wild
roses and brilliant tiger lilies, dotting the tall jjfreen
grass, gave him a feeling of happiness. He remarked
to Martha upon one occa'^ion, when they were admiring
the surrounding landscape after a refreshing shower :
" When God sends these charming fiowers, and sets such
grand and beautiful rainbows in the sky to cheer
sinners here, what must it be like in lieaven, where
there is no sin ! I would not wish for a more magnifi-
cent highway to the gate of heaven than that glorious
rainbow."

incc of

4 which

DEATH.

213

call!

rht

iinf,^ and

hy the
lirie tire
it on an

its turn,
,c cor.^h.
, together
tinned to

all hoped

ijoyed his
iovc. He
V assisted

;x horse at
li-ie, accom-
rant wi^d
tall <i;reen
remarked
e adniirinij;
(f shower :
d sets such
y to cheer
A' en, where
re magniti-
at glorious

When walkinix alone, he occasionally sauntered as
far as the Indian reserve ; where lie talkeil and
motioned to any Indians whom he met. He told those
who understood a little Enolish about God anil the
blessed Saviour, while they in turn gave him roots
and herbs, which thev said would cure his couirh.

Winona continued to improve in her lessons and
conduct, while she loved her Saviour with unwavering
steadfastness.

Mr. Brock gave her a short Bil)le lesson every day
after Eva had finished, and she could repeat a number
of verses, and also explain the meaning of many.

One day when Winona had left a little pail full of
large, juicy raspberries for Eva, Martha said :

" Mannna, shall I ihi-ow these out ? Those dirty
Indians have picked them, and I donot thirdc wecould
relish them."

" No, my dear girl, they are so scarce that none but
the Indians find many. Thev look temptinrj, and the
poor girl has been a long time pieking them."

Then Eva spoke in an injured tone:

" She washes herself carefully, for she tells me so ;
besides, .she looks as if she did."

" I beg a thousand panlons of your ladyship. How-
ever, it will not do any harm to uiye them a rinse i

cold water."

The children had heard so much of the Indian
language since Eva began to learn it, that their con-
versation, when alone, had in it a fre<[Uent sprinkling
of that strani^e tonufue, which afforded them mjt a little
amusement.

214

THE BROCK FAMILY.

"Father," said Frank, one day in August, " don't
you think we had better buy a seli'-binder ? The
agent told us that wo need not pay more than ten
dollars down, while our great crop of w^heat will leave
us abundance after the balance is paid. The wheat
requires to be cut immediately on becoming ripe, and
all the neifrhbors will be usino: their own machines at
the time we shall wish to hire one, consequently I am
afraid our crop may suffer."

" That's all very well, my son ; but on the other hand,
if anything happens to our wheat we shall have no
way of paying for the binder."

" I don't see how anything can happen, for it will
be ready to cut in ten days, and should be worth
twelve hundred dollars."

" Better be on the safe side."

This conversation led Mrs. Brock to remark :

" The last day we were in town the merchants were
in high spirits in regard to the prospects of the farmers.
Two or three of them were very anxious to sell me
more goods, saying that they would wait for their
money until we threshed. I thought that my mind
would be easier and the pleasure greater if I waited
and bought with the cash. So I thanked them kindly,
but decided to run no risks."

" Very wise, very wise, indeed, my dear."

" It is all very well to be cautious now," said Martha,
" but when the threshing is over I am expecting to
make up for last year. I think I ought to get two
new dresses, a pair of overshoes and a set of furs. I
have worked hard this summer, haven't I, mother ?"

DEATH.

215

, " don't
? The
ihan ten
ill leave
le wheat

ipe,

and

jhines at
tly I am

her hand,
have no

or it will
be worth

rk:

bants were
he farmers.
|to sell me
for their
ii\y mind
i I w^aited
tem kindly,

laid Martha,
kpectino; to
I to get two
of furs. 1
Imother ?"

" Yes, you deserve all those things, and we'll try
to get them for you."

A look of satisfaction was visible on Martha's coun-
tenance, as she went to work with renewed energy.

But one night, shortly after this conversation, when
all were sleeping peacefully and some dreaming
pleasant dreams, there came a slight, indeed, a very
slight, frost. It was scarcely felt by the cattle that
were contentedly resting in the light of the full moon,
but the wdieat, the main dependence of the Manitoba
farmer, was blighted, though Mr. Brock was not aware
of it for some days subsequent to the frost. There
were to be no new dresses and furs that year ; and it
would require the strictest economy to furnish the
table through the approaching winter and long
spring.

Startling reports were flying through the neighbor-
hood to the effect that the wheat crop had been in-
jured by the recent frost.

Mr. Brock carefully and frequently examined his
wheat, but it was not until several days had elapsed
that he detected tiny wrinkles in the coatinjx of the
grain, and a slight change in the color ; while to a
casual observer it retained its former promising ap-
pearance.

" Mother," said Frank, one day, as they were admir-
ing the brightly blooming convolvuli and fragrant
mignonette which the frost had not injured, "the
threshers gave me their account. It will take all of
the salable wheat to pay it. I don't like to give it

21G

THE I'.ROCK FAMILY.

to father, as our prospects are so dark it may worry
him," and he handed her the account.

" The future appears discoura<,nng', but we must be
cheerful for his sake."

" There's one jijood thinix," remarked Frank, trvincj
to look at the brii,dit .side, " we have feed for our
horses and cattle, and no rent or interest to pay "

" Yes, but I am afraid," replied his mother, " w'e
may be obliged to sell one of the cows to procure
necessaries before another harvest, and the other cow
will not furnish the table with butter."

That evening, while Eva was preparing the tea, she
thoughtlessly remarked to her mother :

" We'll need more tea, the next day j'ou go to town."

" I don't know where the money is to come from ;
the coal oil is nearly done, and there's only another
baking of Hour. I had been trying to make things
spin out until w^e sold the wheat, but you see there'll
be nothing over the threshing bill. I suppose we
should not complain, but it is very trying."

" New prairie farms are ((uite bare, mother. There
is no fruit, or even wood, to sell. Our prospects have
changed so suddenly that we have scarcely become
acquainted with our situation. But don't fret, we
will all help in some way. If we had a school here,
and I were not too young, I believe I could teach."

" Yoii are kind, Martha, but you see you used two
ifs. There's one thing we should be thankful for —
we are not in debt."

]}uring the few weeks tliat the family, or indeed,

DEATH.

217

y worry

must be

k, trying
for our
)av.

her, " we
) procure
3tber cow

le tea, she

) to town."

3me from ;

[y another

ke things

ee there'll

ippose we

er. There
pects have

ly become
t fret, wc
chool here,

teach."
u used two
ikful for—

. or indeed,

the wliole community, was realixiuL,^ tlie situation, Mr.
Brock's couf'h was not iiin)rovin<if, and he wore a
slight!}' sad appearance, but said little re^aniing the
scarcity of mone}'. One day, however, he remarked :

" We should be contented, for the I^ord giveth all,
even the atmosphere we hreathe, and He can withhold
more than He has done. If we have not the wheat
we expected, we have many blessini^-s, for which we
should be thankful."

" Oh, yes," replied Frank, " I'll get plenty of wood to
keep a roaring tire ; we have our own pork, and I'll
see that we do not want for any necessary. We'll put
in a large crop next spring, which may be good ; then
we'll know how to enjoy it. Eh, Myrtle?"

The poor boy, stimulated with the hope of a rich
harvest, and with the hope of the returning health of
liis father, had almost done the work of two men
during the past summer.

One morning, when the work was over, Eva took
her geometry upstairs to study, but she could not tix
her mind upon the meaning of that thirteenth pro-
position, book II., and while she was repeating the
words :

" In every triangle, the S([uare on the side subtend-
ing either of the acute angles, is less than the squares
on the sides containing that angle by twice the
rectangle," etc.. the sound of her father's distressing
cough caused her mind to wander away after the fol-
lowing strain :

" Papa's cough is growing worse instead of better.

218

THE BROCK FAMILY.

and there are deep dark lines under his eyes ! I am
afraid he will never be better. Poor papa ! put under
the cold frozen ground, away here in a si^-an^re land,
where the savages have been buried for ages past. He
may sutt'er, too, a great deal before he goes. I wish I
could help him. He will fret about leaving us among
strangers, who are not like our uncles and aunts and
cousins, and the neighbors who were his old school-
mates at home. Then he will be anxious about our
future livelihood ; as he has discovered that wheat is
uncertain here, and he knows that Frank is young
and inexperienced, though he works hard. What
should we do, if anything happened to him ! Mother
would give up. She would seldom smile, and how
could we ijet alono- without her encourayjing smile !
She is the most cheerful one amonof us. The sadness
of her countenance would cast a gloom over our house-
hold.

" But I am wasting my time. I am neither learning
nor working. I could teach school, if I were older. I
wish I could get a situation as governess. Again, no
family near us can afford to pay one ; besides, I wish
to be at home to wait upon papa, and to learn to be
good while he is with us. H we had yarn, I would
knit mittens and socks for sale, but we need all that
mamma brought with her.

" Now, I have thought of it ! Mrs. McFadden
taught me to plait straw hats, when I was visiting
there one time. We have a great stack of poor,
unthreshed wheat. I shall go now and prepare a

DEATH.

219

I am
b under
re land,
ist. He
wish I
! among
ints and
[ school-
out our
wheat is
s young
What
Mother
md how
icr smile 1
sadness
ir house-
learning
older. I
^gain, no
!S, I wish
,rn to be
, I would
all that

IcFadden
visiting
of poor,

3repare a

quantity of that straw, afore the cold weather sets in.
Martha and I can plait every odd minute, and have a
great many to sell by spring. The money thus
obtained will buy delicacies for papji, groceries, and,
perhaps, some spring clothing."

She went (juietly downstairs, slyly induced Martha
to accompany her, on the way made her plan known
to her sister, and won her approval of it. They placed
the bright long straws evenly together, cut otf the
heads, and bound them into sheaves again. After
they had worked some time, Martha remarked :

" They may need us, Eva. We had better leave our
straw until the dinner work is over; we have con-
siderable ready to bring in now."

" Very well, let's go to the liouse. Do you think we
can keep the straw in the granary until we need it ? "
asked Eva.

" Yes, that's the very place for it. It's an ill wind
that blows no good, for if the granary had been full of
wheat, there would have been no room for the straw,"
and Martha laughed as though she had solved a
problem.

" That's poor logic," returned Eva ; " if the granary
had been full, we should not have used the straw."

" I believe you are right ; but every one knows that
my mind is shallow, so there is not much expected
from me."

When they quietly entered the house, their father
remarked :

" You look very rosy and bright after your exercise

Jgg^

220

THE UROCK FAMILY.

in the frcsli air, but T thoui^ht you were upstairs at
your lessons. Wliere were you ^ "

They were oblii^ed to reveal their secret, to which
he r(.'})lie(l :

" I am sorry you are doini,^ this. If I were well, I
coul'^ earn sutlicient, sonic way. It may all be for the
best. The work you propose is honest, thouL(h you
will expend much labor and receive very little remu
neration. 1 think I am a little better to-day." The
wish to be at work had deceitfully prompted this
thouiijht.

" But," in(]uired Myrtle, thoui^htfully, " will you not
be ashamed to sell them in spring ? "

" No," returned jMartha, decidedly, "I shall be proud
of them; and if Kva and Frank are ashamed, 77^ drive
to town with a whole sleii^h-load, and the merchants
ouj^ht to think that I made the best of a bad crop, by
usinii" the straw when the heads are no ijood. Besides,
we did not steal the straw, we raised it on our own
good soil — so there," and she gave her head a few
decided nods, as if to settle the (piestion.

" Eva," in(|uired Myrtle, " why do you and Martha
come down to hat-making, while you can teach music?"

" Kindly tell me where I can tind a pupil, Miss
Myrtle," said Eva. " I have thought that all over ;
there are only two or three children for miles around
whose parents could atibrd to pay for the tuition, and
they have no instruments. '

Myrtle did not feel like being outwitted, so she pro-

poses

DEATH.

221

stairs at

;;o which

'e well, I
e for the
Li<^h you
le reiiiu

>••" The
)ted this

[ you not

be proud
77^ drive
lerchants
crop, by
Besides,
our own
id a few

Martha
1 music ?
pil, Miss
all over ;
js around
ition, and

) she pro-

" Ijct thoni do without ])^actisini,^ or practise on the
knives and forks stuck in the scam at the side of the
table. They could tjive them the names of the keys,
and learn to be nice deficient players."

Time had worn slowly aloni^^ thesnow broui,dit i^ood
sleiiifhinf^, while many a niornini;' in early winter ('v«.»ry
blade of _«;rass, ev<'ry twii^, and even the unassuminijj
clothes-line, were <lecorated with beautiful feathery
moss-iike hoar frost, quite two inches in depth. The
brifj^ht sunshine caused every one of these frost-clad
objects to sparkle as if set with numberless diamcmds.
But, as time glides away, so certainly does the table
recpiire replenishing ; and the frost and snow, though
so beautiful, being of no intrinsic value, Mr. Brock had
some time since been oblig(Ml to sell one of his horses,
as the least indispensable commodity he possessed, in
order to procure necessaries.

Christmas came once more. The dinner was almost
as l)0untiful as on former occasions ; if anything, it
was more tastily prepared, for Mrs. Brock and the
children had previously struggled, and saved, and
worked, in order to cheer Mr. i^rock, and to attbrd all
at least one more bright Christmas-day.

The conversation at dinner was lively, and all
seemed to enjoy themselves. Mr. Brock tried particu-
larly to be cheerful on this occasion. The effort
wearied him a little, and he soon after retired to his
warm room to lie down.

When Mrs. Brock noticed that Myrtle also had
disappeared, she sighed and drew a letter from her

nrgmi'inr-m

222

THE imOOK FAMFT.Y.

bosom, and ,sai<l : " It is too bad to liurdrn your voun;^
liearts with trouble and sorrow, this day above all
others, but my own heart is aeliini,'," and slie wiped
away a tear, " It relieves me to talk to you. I
received a letter from ]\Ia«:^nie when in town yesterday,
and I could not show it to your father, for diti'erent
reasons ; it is the first time that I liave ever kept a
secret from him. In the first place, Magf^ie seems to
have the idea that your father is even worse than he
is ; therefore, it would discourage him to read it. She
has enclose*- fifty-five dollars and some change in
stamps, which I believe I should lay away in case of
any unforeseen occurrence. Your father " — here her
voice faltered — " is not improving, and the doctor does
not give very encouraging replies to my (juestions ;
therefore, we should be prepared for the worst. Eva,
you may read the letter out, but not so that he can
hear it. I have not the heart to read it again."
Then Eva began, in a faltering voice :

" My Dear Mother, — I thought it better to address
this letter to you, and it will not be necessary for you
to show it to father. When I received your last, I was
very much surprised, for you had never mentioned in
a previous one that there was anything serious ailing
dear papa. And you formerly stated that your wheat
was a grand crop, and would soon be ripe. I really do
not know how to write about father, as you thought
the warm spring weather would restore him to health.
On the other hand, a young man remained here over
night lately, and, upon being questioned by Mr.
Cameron, he stated that he had been out to Manitoba

DEATH.

223

r young
bove all
e wiped

you. I
•stertlay,
(Utlcront
r kept a
seems to

than be
I it. She
;han2;e in
in ease of
-here her
3ctor docs
questions ;
i-st. Eva,
at he can

address
y for you
ast, I was

itioned in
ous ailing
our wheat

1 really do
)U thought

to health.

here over

[ by Mr.

Manitoba

and was now returning ; that ]w had spent a few days
with one of your neighbors. Ke said that jxifxt nuts
(hjuni of consumption when lie left. It is ahuost
intolerable to think that I am away here, and com-
fortable, too, while you are in such trouble ; but I hope
the young man was mistaken. I at first determined
to take the train for houie the next morning, to help
you and to see poor papa once more ; but, after some
consideration, I concluded that I had better remain at
my post, because it would take the most of the money
I have to go, while 1 should not have sutlicient to
bring me back. I should probably lose my situation,
and be an expense to you. I thought that if I did
not go I could send you the money, and remain in a
position to assist you in the future. I enclose a draft
for fifty-five dollars, which I hope you will receive
before Christmas. I wish you would permit me to tell
grandpa the extent of your wheat failure, as he might
send you .some assistance. It is almost impossible for
me to go to school and teach all day while thinking .so
much about papa. There is only one comfort about it,
and that is tlie greatest consolation of all : that he is
a good man, trusting in the Saviour, and that our loss
will be his gain. I hope he will not suffer much in
his illness. After I am in bed 1 think about you, and
how good and kind papa always was, and of the happy
vacation I spent at home two years ago. Then J cry-
myself to sleep and dream of liim. But God knows
what is cfood for us, and we must be resi<;ned. 'Yvy
and bear up under your sorrow, dear mamma. I
should like one of the girls to send me word very
often how he is. I always try to live as papa taught
me ; and if — oh ! if I should never see him again in
this world, I will try to meet him in heaven.
" My love to you all.

" Your loving daughter,

'' Maggie."

UUMi

BSiMummtt

224

TFIK HIKK'K I AM II, V.

Kva pause<l more than once to wipe away tlic tears
which fliimned her eyes, and as she Hnishccl readin*^,
all four were wecpini^. A C()U<;]i and a footstep in
Mr. J^>rock's room aroused them. 1'he mother dried
her eyes and tried to smile, while the younger ones
passed (juietly out-doors.

The bracin<^ air cheered tliem up a little, and they
felt somewhat relieved of their sorrow. It was cold
standing,' ahout until their eyes lost their red, swollen
appearance, so they went toboo^^faniiii^ to warm them-
selves.

When they returned, their father was sittini;' in the
rockini^'-chair, eatino- some grapes whicli a neighbor
had hroufdit to him. His cheeks were flushed, he
looked happy, and smiled upon his children, as he said .

"I am glad to sec you enjoy yourselves in this frosty
climate;" and as he turned to Frank, he asked :

" How arc the horses and cows doing ? I have not
seen them for some time."

" Very well ; they are warm, and 1 gave them an
extra dinner."

" Please pass the Bible to me, Frank. I will read
what is told us about the happy home in heaven, so
that you may all learn to set your minds upon secur-
ing an entrance there."

While he read the 21st chapter of Revelation, his
face wore a bright and enraptured look and his voice
indicated a joyful heart.

When he reached the fourth verse, " And God shall
wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall

DKATH.

225

[le tears
•oading,
tstep in
if dried

rer ones

nd they
was cold
, swollen
m theni-

ng- in the
neighbor
ished, he
,s he said •
his frosty
d:
have not

them an

will read

■?aven, so

jon secur-

lation, his
his voice

God shall
there shall

be no more death, neither sorrow nor cryinr^, neither
shall there be any more pain : for the former thinj^s
are passe<l away,' he repeated it. He also repeated
the t'ol lowing,' :

"And the building of the walls of it was of jasper ;
and the city was pure gohl like unto clear glass.

" And I saw no temple therein : foi* the Lonl God
Almighty and the Immb are the temple of it.

" And the citv had no need of the sun. neither of
the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did
lighten it, and the Lamb is the li<dit thereof." Then
he remarked :

" My cough troubles me more when I read, though I
love to give you these precious truths. Please sing
that comforting hynui, ' Art thou weary, art thou
laniruid.'"

Eva sat down to the organ, her l)rothers and sisters
gathered round her, and mingled their young voices in
the hymn, trying to hide their trouble.

Their feelings led them to sing it with more expres-
sion than many a trdined city choir does. Their father
enjoyed it, and they all felt comforted.

When they left the organ, he drew Myrtle to him —
his family was becoming more precious — and said,
tenderly : " My baby Myrtle, try to remember this
Christmas, dear." Myrtle felt there was a shadow
falling upon them, though she could not comprehend
it, as she whispered :

" Yes, papa."

He gently pressed her tiny hand in his fine but thin
one, and said :

220

THE IJllOCK FAMILY.

" Jesus loves you. Never forget to read your Bible,
little pet." A few days after Christinas, Mr. Brock
was sittinj^ in the midst of his family (as soon as their
work was over they re))aired to his side, feeling that
it was profitable to be there), when he asked :

" Eva, was Winona here yesterday ? " She looked at
her mother inquiringly, for Mrs. Brock and the chil-
dren thought that Winona's lessons should be dispensed
with during his illness. It nad been dilHcult to per-
suade her to take a sliort vacation. She came repeat-
edly after Eva had given her the last lesson, and stood,
book in hand, leaning against the house, in the frost,
until some one noticed her. They always invited her
in to the fire, when she would in(juire for Mr. Brock,
and go away. So, when questioLed by her father, Eva
replied :

" No, papa."

"Do you think she is ill?"

"No, I think she is ([uite well. She is becoming a
very sensible woman, dear," said Mrs. Brock, anxious
that her absence should not annoy him.

" But," he persisted, " was she here the day before ?"

" No, papa."

" When was she hero last ? "

" She has not had a lesson for a week ; her lessons
are of little consequence for awhile. We decided to
give all our attention to you."

" Her lessons will not disturb me, and they are very
"jiiportant, more so than you imagine. I may give
you an idea of the vast work to be done among them,
as I have been reading lately about the Indians.

Bible,

Brock

IS their

Iff that

oked at
le chil-
spensed
to per-
; repeat-
id stood,
he frost,
■ited her
r. Brock,
:her, Eva

loming a
anxious

fore V

>r lessons
}cided to

are very

nay -ive
mvt them,
ms.

DEATH.

227

■!

"Tliere are some hundreds of tribes of American
Indians, and they diH'er from each other very nuich.
The Mexicans and l*eruvians were liio^hly civilized, for
tliey were rich, built magniticont houses, and were
familiar with several of tlie arts and sciences, particu-
larly astronomy. They worshipped the sun. According
to the authority of ])r. Brown, there are about one
hundred and ten thousand Indians in North America."

"Are there many of tliese civilized ?" asked Viva..

" A large number of tribes are sutficientl}^ civilized
to live by airriculture, and amoni; these are some men
and women who are intelligent, polished, and highly
educated."

'• I wonder if there are any in this part of the
countr}^ who have won any distinction."

"Not long since, Mr. West was telling me of an
Indian minister whom he liad the pleasure of meeting.
He had passe<l all the necessary'' examinations with
credit, and was very zealous in his work among his
desraded brethren. This worthy man sanir a hymn in
his native language to an assembly of other ministers."

" This account of them is very encoura<nn<jf for me,
and I believe our brightest expectations of Winona's
future will yet be realized. I shall do my Ijest with
her, papa."

"That is riijht ; if I should not be with you, I wish
you to persist in liaving a suitable buildijig erected in
the reserve, wherein Winona may teach the children
of her own tribe. It seems almost impossible for a

young gu'l like you to carry on tins wor

but V

rani

228

THE BROCK FAMILY.

W-fi ,

f i
1 ' ■

is becomini^ a man, and lie will tak(i my place in this
as well as in other respects. Will you not, Frank ? "

Tn a tremulons voice he answered :

" Yes, father."

" But to continue, a<lvise her to pursue her studies,
especially her Bible, with unremittinf^ zeal. And
encouraf^e her, by every effort in your power, to dis-
seminate her knowlediije among her people. Above
all, do not fail to ask God to be your leader."

" Yes, father, I will make it my study to spread the
Gospel amon<^ these Indians ;" and Eva placed her hand
in her father's, while the tears coursed down her
cheeks.

When IVlrs. Brock and Eva were busy in the kitchen
one afternoon, Frank entered, having a tiny, white
frozen spot on his nose, and another on his cheek,
while he carried an empty flour-sack under his arm.

" Let me rub your cheek with snow before you go
to the fire, Frank."

" Is it nipped ;* My back was to the wind, and I
came so fast that I tliouoht I was all ri^ht. There,
that will do. Thank you."

" Faith," said Mike, " it's cowld here, but you don't
fale it."

" So A^ou were unsuccessful," said his mother, in a
disappointed tone.

" Yes ; but never mind, I shall get some flour yet,
to-nifjht."

" What did they say ? Were they out of it ? "

" No ; Mr. German coolly said, ' Flour is money these
times, I can't be lending, or selling it on credit.' "

DKATll.

229

in this
rank ? "

studies,

I. And

', to dis-

Above

iread the
her hand
own her

B kitchen

y, white

,is cheek,

his arm.

re you go

nd, and I
There,

you don't

Dther, in a

flour yet,

it?"
oney these

Hit; "

"What did you tell liim ?" intjuired Mrs. Brock.

" Well, I told him what you said, that considcrini,^
father's state, you did not care about mv leaving the
house lon^ enouidi to j^o to town, especially in this
cold snap, and that we would pay him as soon as we
got a bag. And I also told him that we had a draft
which we could not get cashed until we went to
Buffalo Horn."

" That's too bad, after the way poor papa worked in
the fire to save his buildings and children. Never
mind, when I finish this knitting we'll receive the pay
for it, and this, with the money Martha earned, will
buy a whole bag instead of a half, as you intended.
Perhaps we can send to town with some one passing,"
said Eva.

At this juncture Mike mutHed himself up, and
befTired Mrs. Brock to allow him to 2:0 to town for some
ffour ; and it was with no little persuasion that she
convinced him that the weather was too severe.

" What a giddy girl I was two years ago Christmas,"
said Martha, to whom trouble was bringing thought-
fulness, " when I thought he possession of a new
dress the height of happiness. Now I think it is not
good for us to be too comfortable in this \vorld ; we
might never be willing to leave it. But I do wish we
had a bag of flour and a few apples for father."

There was at this juncture a knock at the door, and
a neighbor entered, intjuiring:

" And how is Mr. Brock to-day ?"

*' Very weak, but rather easier, thank you."

MJU'^'^irn^

"=""^'°°'"

2 30

THE imOCK FAMILY.

" I am glad to hear he is not sufFeriri!'' so much. It
has been bad weather for some days, so that you could
not j^o to town. I thought I'd run in and see if you
wanted to send for anything, as I am on my way
there."

" Oh, thank you ! If you would bring us half a bag
of flour, you would oblige us very much."

" Now, you never mind sending for that. I kept
plenty of wheat last fall to do two years, so if Frank
goes over now he can get a couple of bags of Hour,
and you can give me some .Jieat next fall."

" We shall not forget your kindness," said Mrs.
Brock ; "now I wish you would bring us a dozen apples,
if you can keep them from freezing."

" Yes, yes. Let me know when I come back what I
can do for you," as he put his head in at the door

again.

The children were delighted that they were to have
such a supply, and Mrs. Brock said :

" See that, now ; we have good neighbors. We wnll
do what we can for his wife and family in the way of
knittinfj and sewinsf."

~ CD

" Mother," said Eva, " I think a kind neighbor must
have let Shakespeare have a bag of tlour when he was
in need, and it prompted him to write :

" 'The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried,
Grapple them to thy soul .with hooks of steel.' "

*' That kind neighbor lived in owld Ireland, sure,"
said Mike.

DEATH.

231

iich. It
ou could
le if you
my way

blf a bag

I kept

if Frank

of tiour,

5aid Mrs.
en apples,

ck what I
the door

e to have

We will
he way of

ibor must
en he was

'icd,
1.'"

md, sure,'

" I wish such kind-hearted people as this mar. would
have a fortune left them ; they would do so much
good in the world."

" I should like to see them g-et alonof better than
they are doing, but wealth often changes the dispo-
sition," returned Mrs. Brock.

While Martha was sitting beside her father's bed
that day, he said :

" I should like to see Maggie once more, but there is
not time now. I wish you would get some paper, and
write for me. I will tell you what to say."

" Yes, papa ; I shall put it in your own words."

When she was ready, her father said :

" Write :

" My Dear Daughter Maggie, — I have been wish-
ing to see you lately, but must be satisfied by writing
to you. My lungs have been troubling me for some
time. Not long ago the doctor pronounced it con-
sumption. Still I hoped that the warm weather might
improve my health, but on his last visit, he gave me
no hope. 1 have suffered very little. I expect to go
to Heaven, because I am trusting in the Lord Jesus
Christ. I wish you to meet me in Heaven. Be kind
to each other. Read your Bible and obey it, and do
not set your heart upon this world. Do not fret about
me, I am ready to go. Remember what I have told
you.

"Your Loving Father."

Martha wrote this letter while her eyes w^ere dim
with tears, and she thought :

■OM

dai

232

THE RROCK FAMILY.

" I will place my treasure in Heaven, so tliat I can
face death as bravely as papa."

When the friendly neighbor called on his way home,
he unbuttoned his ijreat bufialo coat, then an under
one, and gathered from the different pockets some
beautiful rosy apples, ([uite untouched by the searching
frost, saying, as he did so :

" I will warm myself thoroughly and go in to see
Mr. Brock, if it will not disturb him."

" He will be glad to see you," replied Mrs. Brock.

" How do you feel to-night, Mr. Brock ? " he ten-
derly inquired.

" I am easy, thank you, but it will not be long now."

" I am very sorry."

" No, there's no occasion for sorrow, there's no sorrow
there. I believe you are trusting in the Saviour, my
friend."

" Yes, I am happy to say that I am trying to walk
in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus. I shall come back
in the morning. Good-night, my friend."

" Good-bye, and thank you very much for your
kindness."

Mr. Brock had been thankful, patient and con-
siderate through his prolonged illness, thereby setting
an example long to be remembered by those associated
with him.

When this neighbor parted with Frank, he said :

" Come for us if he grows weaker, and I and some
of the other neighbors will arrange to assist you for &
few days."

lat I can

k'ay home,
an under
cets some
searching

3 in to see

. Brock.
" he ten-

long now.

no sorrow
wiour, my

or to walk
come back

for your

and con-

}by setting
associated

:, he said :
[ and some
t you tor a,

DEATH.

288

The coarse exterior of this man, Hke tliat of the
pine-apple, ^ 's no index to wliat was within. He
then drove awav, only to return befcre breakfast the

loi'u'.vi:.^ morninix.

For the last week, wlien bedtime came, Mike insisted
upon remaining up all night witli Mr. Brock ; and the
night before he died, Mike was found at three o'clock
in the morning, sound asleep, stretched on the tloor
close up to the outside of Mr. Brock s door, holding an
apple which he had hoped to give to his foster-parent.
Frank carried the afi'ectionate boy, undisturbed, away
to bed.

Mr. Brock was now rapidly sinking. He took short
sleeps, and frequently awoke as if to give a charge to
one of the family, and would then doze off again.

At one time he said to Frank :

" See that you drive your mother to church regu-
larly ; she is not able to walk." Another time, in a
wandering manner : " Treat Mike well," and " Sow your
wheat early."

After another sleep, he said, with deep earnestness :

" It is hard to part with you all, but meet me in
Heaven."

He gave his hand to each of hi?- family in solemn
farewell. After this he lay (|uiet, except to motion for
his parched lips to be moistened a few times.

At last he passed calml}- away, leaving a grief-
stricken family.

It was a sad, sad house.

234

THE BROCK FAMILY.

r>i

"And pilent stood his children by,
Hushing their very breath,
Before the solenui sanctity

Of thought o'ersweeping death ;
Silent — yet did not each young breast

With love and reverence melt ?
Oh ! blest be those (loved ones) — and blest
That home where God is felt. "

— Hemans.

Kind neighbors did all that could be done, and he
was laid in the grave by friends, far from his native
land, and then God spread His mantle of snow over the
ground as an emblem of the purity of the redeemed.

^^^

ist

ins.

►ne, and he
his native
iw over the
jdeemed.

CHAPTER XV.

RIIIGHTER DAYS.

OCCUPATION seldom fails to ease afflicted minds.
So the work which the providinf^ of the neces-
saries of life pressed upon the Brock children lent its
assistance to cheer their desponding hearts.

The girls had made remarkable progress at hat-
making, and were now preparing the hats for sale.
While they worked away they counted and valued
their produce, and made numberless memoranda of the
good things they wished to purchase. Once Myrtle
said :

" Let me make another memorandum, please. A bag
of flour, some canned tomatoes to please mamma, tea
and sugar, sugarsticks, oatmeal I s'pose, a dress for
mamma, and some garden seeds, and a side-saddle."

" We must try to have a good garden this summer,"
said Martha, who had taken charge of the house for
some time, as her mother had lost her interest in

"srsamaimm

236

TFIE imOCK FAMILY.

housekeeping, and, indeed, in almost everythinrj of
late.

" Yes, thoni,di we shall ndss papa, he always helped
in the garden. But he is better off. We should
remember his wish, and try to meet him in Heaven."

Frank began seeding again, but he was alone. The
crocuses bloomed as gaily, the birds sang as sweetly,
and the sun shone as brightly as they did the summer
before, and the weight upon the afflicted hearts was
M'earing gradually away.

Winona continued to improve, she spoke well, sang
and played several hymns, and was preparing to teach
in autumn, when it was hoped there would be a new
school-house.

The summer passed uneventfully. Maggie sent
what money she could, the garden produced its share
of early vegetables, berries were abundant, and thus
the Brocks were comfortable until the grain ripened.
There was no early frost this year, and Frank had a
large crop of choice wheat.

Then Eva thought :

" I begin to see the prospect of our Indian school-
house, as people all over the land are already looking
brighter."

One day, Mr. West, the pastor, called to say :

" I have kept in remembrance the promise I made in
reference to the Indian school-house ; this envelope
contains a few subscriptions, Miss Eva ;" and he hcnded
it to her, and drove away.

It contained a handsome sum, collected by Mr. West,

HKKJIITER DAYS.

•2;i7

ytlunj; ot"

ays helped
Ve should
I Heaven."
lone. The
as sweetly,
he summer
hearts was

e well, sang
inof to teach
Id be a new

Maggie

sent
;ed its share
nt, and thus
•ain ripened,
j'rank had a

(lian school-
iady looking

say :

ise I made in
his envelope
id he htinded

by Mr. West,

together with his own contribution. Sl»e placed this
treasure in her motlior's cure, and remarked :

" I do not feel worthy of this work. God must have
put it into the hearts of these people to give so liberally
to such a gord cause."

A few days latet- when Frank was coming from
town the girls met him, as they often did, a short dis-
tance from the house.

" Well, Frank, getting back ? Get any letters ?"
inquired jVIyrtle. Mail-day, with its letters from old
friends, is welcomed by many of the settlers witli a
half-holiday and a Sunday dress, as if a letter could
see with the eyes of the writer.

" None for you, Myrtle, but a registered one for Eva,
which must contain something wonderful."

They all watched eagerly, as slie opened lier first
money-letter.

"Oh, see here! a hundred-dollar cheque for the
Indian school-house. This is more than encouraixino:.
I presume the gentleman imagines I am a real grown-
up woman. Hear what he says :

" Miss Eva Brock.

" Madam, — Pardon me for taking the lil)erty to
address you. Your worthy minister and other
responsible persons have informed me of j'our noljle
work in educating an Indian girl, and of your
efforts to establish a school on the res' rve. The
friendly feeling of these Indians towards the white
settlers, to wliich the education of this girl may lead,
interests me in a financial as well as in a philanthn^pic

238

THE I5U0CK FAMILY

manner. I possess consi(leial)ln land bonlerini; on the
reserve, wliicli I can neither sell nor rent, owini^ to its
proximity to the Indians. Tliankint,^ you for perse-
vering' so hravely, I enclose a che(jue foi* oni; hundred
dollars (^^l()0), to aid in l>uildini^^ the schooldiouse.

"Yours faithfully,

"J. IJiCKLE."

" I am hecomini,^ alarmed, Frank ; people think me
better than I am. What if we lose some of this
money ! I shall at most re(|uire the dictionary to
translate his letter. Let me see, ^>/^ /'/on, a friend, an-
thropoN, a man ; now I liave it — a friend of man."

"I, too, feel very responsible about this, Kva," said
Frank, "for father asked me to take his place in tlie
erection of this buildini,^ and we must act as consci-
entiously as he would have done. Mannna said that
she would give you twenty dollars when we sell the
wheat ; and here is a letter from Magj^ie, in which slie
also promises you twenty dollars, owing to the interest
papa had taken in the matter. We will talk it over
with mannna and Air. W^est, and try to have it com-
pleted before the cold weather sets in."

Winona was delighted at the pi'ospect of having a
nev.'' school-house for her work. The incentive led her
to double the length of her lessons, and to learn more
thoroughly.

The minister examined her, and pronounced her a
suitable canditlate for church membership, which assur-
ance attbrded Mrs. Brock and her family, as well as
the minister, much cause for thankfulness.

r.lMCIITEK DAYS.

2.'J9

f on the
uf to its
ir pci'se-
liundred
use.

CKT-E.

lunk me
(.. ot* this
ionarv to
■iend, an-
laii.

'.va," said
ice in the
as consci-
said that
e sell the
which she
le interest
Ik it over
Ive it corn-
having a
Lve led her
learn more

ced her a

Inch assur-

ts well as

In tlie course of a few wo»(ks there were two scliool-
houses heint,' l)uilt, one of whicli was for the white
children, in tlie l^iocU nei;j^lii»orh()()d.

A teacher was required for tlie latter ; Eva, who
had creditably passed the late teachers' examination,
put in an ap|)licati()n, and was accepted at a reasonable
salary. She owed this appointment much to the influ-
ence of Mr. Turner, who stated that a youn^ ladv who
practised so much self-denial in L,^ood causes could not
fail to exert herself for the henelit of the pupils.

" Eva," said Martha earnestly, after they had retired
one night, " I have been thinking seriously about my
state ever since papa's death. I wish to be good like
you and papa, and other good Christians ; l>ut I only
seem to come up to the brink, and cannot cross over."

" My dear, Martha, I am glad to Hnd you anxious
about your soul ; but you cannot be good alcr^. Ask
God to lead you to Jesus."

" I have asked Him," she replied, "and I believe
that Jesus died for sinners, but I cannot exactly take
Him to myself, for I am so wicked, I fear I should
commit a sin after I had accepted Him. It is so easy
to sin even when I am struggling against it. There
are different kinds of sin, too, for if we do anything
that God has forbidden, it is a sin of coinmissloit ; if
we leave anything undone that we ought to have done,
like not loving God, not reading the Bible and pray-
ing to God, not doing good to other people's bodies
and souls, it is a sin of omission. Even if we live so
that others think we are not sinning, we are apt to
sin by THINKING that which is evil."

-^-•^'^■"Illl

240

TJIK I'.UOCK FAMII.V.

" But, dear Martha, Jesus did not die to take away
ur sins up to the time that we accept Hiin, and then
, ' ve us to struf,^^le throuu^h the future alone. He
took them away for our whole lives, after we accept
Him, as well as before that chanu;e. CHirist ooes no-
thing b}- halves. 'I'he Bible says, 'But if we walk in
the liudit, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son
cleanseth us from till sin.' Not pa rf of sin, but all sin.
And 'Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your
sins may be blotted out.' Here again, it does not say
part of your sins, it says /jour tt'ins, and that means
all of them."

" That was my trouble all the time ; you have thrown
the light upon it. But surely it would not be right to
go on sinning after accepting Jesus ?"

" Not to let sin irign," said Eva, " but I think we
cannot keep altogether free from sin in this world, for
' If we say that we hav^e no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.' God's power and our love
for Jesus remove the desire to sin, and prevent us
from sinning wilfully. The hmger we try the less
will sin have dominion over us."

"I see it clearly now, dear Eva. I do lay all my
sins on Jesus. He alone is the foundation of my hope.
Is it not too bad that He suffered for us when He had
not a sin of His own ? It seems to me, now, as if I
had wished for a ticket to heaven . I knew Jesus was
the only one who could give one, so 1 asked Him to
give me a ticket, because I knew He loved me. He
did .so, and now that I have it I am extremely happy."

:e away
11(1 then
ne. He
B accept
fioes no-
walk in
rship one
His Sou
it all sin.
that your
3s not say
lat means

ve thrown
be right to

think we

world, for

ourselves,

1(1 our love

^irevent us

•y the less

[lay all my
i my hope,
len He had
ow, as if I
Jesus was
Ivcd Him to
led me. He
lely happy."

HHFfMITEll DAYS.

241

Then Eva prayed that God would keep lior dear
sister firm in her trust of the Saviour, and thanked
God for brin^injj: Martha to Him.

• •••••■

Now that prospects were brighteninuj, Mrs. Brock
advised Mairijie to join them. A number of schools
were being established throughout the country, and
she thought Maggie would have no trouble in procur-
ing a situation.

The day upon which she was expected had arrived,
and great were the preparations to welcome her,

" I see a .speck on the trail about three miles away,
'cau.se its near that biii bluti", and I'm iroins: to w^atch
and see if it is not Frank and Maggie," exclaimed
Myrtle.

" Very likely," return-^d Mrs. Brock : " Martha, you
had better put the kettle on."

Myrtle continued to watch, until at last the horses
turned in towards the house, and their own Majjfrie
was with them once more.

There were naturally a few tears shed at first : for
her presence brought thoughts of the absent father to
their mind.s. After Maggie was cosily .seated in her
mother's rocking-chair, she said :

" I was not expecting so many changes. Martha is
really a woman ; of course, Eva is taller, while Myrtle
will soon be as tall as I, and I see that I must present
Frank with a razor."

" Yes, Martha is a woman, and a good woman, too.
She has taken my place as housekeeper, and is
16

242

THE BROCK FAMILY.

economical, neat, and an excellent cook," remarked
Mrs. Brock, as she smiled complacently upon her.

" That's a ^^ood report, Martha, hut how do you get
aloncf cookinof without fruit ?" inciuired MaGfirie.

" The merchants are importing carloads of apples
this fall, and selling them ([uite cheap : besides, we
gathered a great many cranberries, Saskatoon berries
and black currants last summer,'' said Martha.

Meanwhile Myrtle stole quietly into the cellar, and
brought two fine apples for Maggie, saying to her
mother, " May I get Maggie a taste of Saskatoon ber-
ries, they're so funny ? "

" Martha has tea nearly ready, and she'll have some
on the table," said her mother. " I am afraid you may
not care for them, Maggie. And how did you leave
grandma and grandpa ? "

" They have not changed much, while the farm
remains the same, uidess you might notice the fence
leaning a trille, and the absence of one of the balm-of-
gilead trees, which was shattered by lightning."

" Which one :* " in([uired the mother.

" The one nearest the lilac hedge."

" I guess I would notice it. We were married under
that very tree, and a great party there was in that
shady, fragrant yartl. 1 fancy I can see them all, as
if it were yesterday ; " and she leaned back in her
chair, preparatory to a long talk about those happy,
bygone days, regardless of the keen appetites of her
children. " Your papa was young, handsome and
gallant. The same minister married your grandma

emarked
her.
you get

y\o.

of apples
3si(les, we
m berries

ellar, and
ng to her
itoon her-

have some
d you may
you leave

the farm
the fence
u l)alm-of-

nc;.

|-ried under
as in that
hem all, as
Ick in her
ise happy,
,ites of her
some and
(Trandma

^'""^■'"^"•Il

BRIGHTER DAYS.

245

and grandpa more than twenty years before. Jemima
Hastings looked beautiful in white that day; poor
thing. She's had her own hardships, too. Her hus-
band was killed. They were driving home from the
city, and on the side of the mountain the harness gave
way ; they were all thrown out ; he was killed, and
she was left with a broken arm. After that their
only boy died of scarlet fever."

*' Yes, mamma, I was visiting her a short time ago ;
she sent for me because you were her old school-
mate."

*' How well I should enjoy a visit there, too ! We
could sympathize with each other now."

" Well, as I was saying, mamma, they are very com-
fortable, and she was telling me about you finding a
watch."

" To be sure !"

" She said that you came up to play with her, and
you went to the field together to pick green peas.
While picking away she said that she heard a watch
ticking. You wore a low-necked dress, and you
slipped your hand in your bosom and drew out a large
silver watch, which you had found on your way."

" Yes," said Mrs. Brock, impatient to finish the tale,
" and I gave it to grandpa. He sent for the owner,
who drove up in a covered buggy. He asked your
grandpa if I might go with him as far as the store. I
was lifted into the shining carriajxe and we drove
away. There I sat happier than a queen, though I
wore a pink sun-bonnet and was barefooted. I knew

ibuntutatiHiSSiiiiSBStBBSiSl^^tm

246

THE BROCK FAMILT.

by the twinkle of grandpa's eye that I was safe. He
led me into the store, looked at som . dress-goods, and
asked me which I preferred. I chose a red piece, and
it was not long until I was running along homeward,
hugging it in my arms. But I am forgetting. Come
to tea, please," said Mrs. Brock, reminded of the fact,
as she noticed Frank eating a piece of hot bi cuit,
and Myrtle pointing pathetically to her mouth.
As Mrs. Brock poured out the tea, she remarked :
" Jemima's mother-in-law lived with ner. Is she
still living ? "

" Yes, she is ninety-one, and very forgetful. Mrs.
Brown told her who I was, and when she shook hands
with me she sat down beside me, still holding my hand,
as she plied me with questions, some of which were :
' Was your father Hughy Brock ?' ' Was your mother
Maggie Gladstone?' Then she said, 'Well, I knew
your father, they called him Dandy.' She put on her
spectacles and looked my face over until I blushed
crimson, then she said, ' Your eyes are like your grand-
mother Brock's, but she had a better nose than you
have.' She continued to hold my hana, and after a
few minutes said to Mrs. Brown,inasqueaking, tremu-
lous voice, 'Jemima, who did you say this girl is?'
and every time she was told she shook my hand

ajiain.

Then finishing her Saskatoon berries, she smiled and
said :

" The berries are sweet and delicious."

" ] am glad you like them," said her mother, as she
raised her handkerchief to her eyes.

BRIfiHTER DAYS.

247

ife. He
,ods, and
iece, and
I me ward,
Come
the fact,
t b: cuit,

th.

larked :
'. Is she

ful. Mrs.
ook hands
y my hand,
lich were :
ur mother
1, I knew
ut on her
I blushed
rour grand-
than you
id after a
ling, tremu-
Is orirl is?'

hand

smiled and

her, as

she

The next morning, while enjoying their breakfast,
Frank said :

" Manmia, if you and Maggie put on your things. I
will drive you to any place you wish."

"That will be deliiditful," returned Maofixie.

" Very w^ell," said Mrs. Brock, " we might take her
to see vour father's yrnive, then i-o on and visit Mr.
and Mrs. West. 1 have not yet spent an hour at their
place. Myrtle, please cut the prettiest tiowers in the
window, put them in a tumbler of water, and I will
set them on papa's grave."

A short drive brought them to the churchyard. As
she stood for .the first time at her father's grave,
Maggie thought of her pleasant visits at home, how
her father often brought her a newly-fallen harvest
app»le, some choice heads of wheat to admire, and how
he sorted his illustrated papers to show her his favor-
ite pictures. Then she thought of his earnest Bible
lessons, and his sorrow when any of thejn did wrong.
Her mind even wandered away back to her very young
days, when he brought them a toy duck that (juacked,
and how he arose in the night when they coughed in
their sleep, to cover them and slip a little li(juorice into
their gaping mouths. At last she thought of him
happy in Heaven, where Jesus as well as her futher,
had invited her to ixo. All remained silent but
thoughtful. When they turned to come away, Frank
said :

" There w^as a noble young man drowned in a pond
not far away ; his body lies here, and this case of wax

JSim

■saw

248

Till-: I {HOCK KAMII-V.

Howers was «ent across tlie ocean, by his sorrowing
mother, to be placed upon his grave."

The drive in the refreshing wind over the wide-
spread prairie cheered them again. Tho view was
extensive, as shortly after they left home they could
see the town of Buffalo Horn.

" Here," remarked Mrs. Brock, as the}' drove over
the dry, stony bed of a deep ravine, " is where we
' stuck ' when we were moving out. This hollow was
nearly full of muddy water, and the horses plunged
in it, until 1 feared they never would come out alive.
The waofgon sank in the mud when we were near the
edge. After part of the load was removed we climbed
over the dash-board and thus reached the niucidy
ground. Your father tried again to start the poor
horses, but they walked out with only the tongue and
the front wheels."

" You had great trouble : and how did you reach
home ? "

" A rough-looking man, dressed in duck, drove along
at the time; he spoke friendly, lent us his waggon,
helped your father to load it up, and'pulled our broken
one out of the slough. Maggie, in former days, I
thought that only hroadclolh proved the gentleman ;
I have since learned that the heart makes the gentle-
man, and that such a heart is as often found under
soiled duck as under broadcloth." The last words
were spoken as they reached their destination.

Mr. and Mrs. West received them warmI3^

" T wish you had brought Eva, too," said Mrs. West,

MIUfiHTER DAYS.

249

orrowint^

he wide-
new was
ncy could

rove over
,vhere we
3II0W was
s plunged
out alive.
3 near the
'6 climbed
le muddy
the poor
)nirue and

you

reach

'ove alonj;
WRfjfgon,
lur broken
r days, I
uutleman ;
le j^entle-
irid under
ast words
>n.

^Irs. West,

in a disap]iointed tone, " we think there is no one
like her. How is Winona progressinrr ? "

"Eva expected to give her a lesson, and so was
unable to accompany us, thank you. Winona is doing
very well. Indeed, she studies harder and learns
faster than our girls did ; it may 1)0 because learning
is a novelty to her," returned Mrs. Brock.

Mr. West and Frank now entered, and the former,
.iddressing his wife, said :

" What do you think these kind-hearted people have
brought us ? "

" 1 am sure I couhl not guess ; they should not go to
the trouble of bringing anything."

" Well, they have brought us no less than a bag of
the best Hour, a ham, a turkey, a bag of potatoes, one
of turnips, besides paying the balance of their yearly
subscription."

" I am thankful. Mrs. Brock, you are too kind.
They are very acceptable, for I whispered to Mr. West
when I saw you drive up, that there was only half a
loaf, and neither Hour nor money in the house. I was
nervously waiting until Mr. West borrowed a little
flour to make a pan of biscuits. Thank you, very
much."

" No, no, it is only a trifle ; we have abundance this
year," replied Mrs, Brock.

Then Mr. West sat down with his guests and began
to speak of what was uppermost in his mind, the new
church near Mrs. Brock's.

" Are you aware, some two years ago, the farmers
16*

250

TUK BROCK FAMILY.

and a part of the town congrcf^ation Hultscribed enough
to Imild a neat, little frame churcb, but as adverse
times followed, we deemed it wise to wait until people
became able to pay what they had promised ? It is
gratifying to state that several have already paid their
subscription sinco they threshed. I am happy ^.o say
that we may let the contract and liave the c lurch
built and ready to use l)efore Christmas."

" That is vory encouraging," replied Mrs. Brock,
" we will do what we can, too, of course. Meeting for
service in a private house gi^es the family considerable
trouble, while people feel more at ease in a church."

" The settlement wdll have a better appearance with
three new buildings,'! said Maggie.

" Yes," said Mrs. West, who entered the room, having
her sleeves rolled up, and a sprinkling of flour on her
dress. " How do you like the appearance of the prairie,
Miss Brock ? "

" Tt is a great change ; 1 miss the large, old trees
shadinir tlie houses, but I believe there are advantages
which compensate."

" Yes, I suppose so ; it is very healthy, and cool
during sununer nights, land free or cheap, and very
few snakes or caterpillars. Still I felt very home-
sick at first."

" I have been quite fortunate in securing speakers
and singers for the opening of Eva's Indian school. A
professor from one of our leading colleges wrot ine
that he was going farther west, and would make it
convenient to spend a day here to attend the opening,

HKKiHTER DAYS.

251

1 enough
1 acU'erse
bil people
[1 ? It is
)aid their
py '--o say
e c lurch

s. Brock,
ietinj; for
isiderable
hurch."
mce with

Ti, having
ur on her
le prairie,

old trees
[vantages

and cool
Find very
y honie-

speakoi.s

chool. A

Afrot ine

make it

opening,

while the other resident ministers of the town will
give short addresses ; and an Indian minister, who is
stationed about ninety niiit-s north, has volunteered to
address his brethren. Our choir is practising a few
anthems and choruses, which, with Winona's singing,
will make up a full progrannne."

" You have been untiring in your etibrts to make it
a success."

" I have arrived in time for all the openings,"
remarked Maggie. " I was amused and pleased when
driving in : we met an old gray-haired Indian and
squaw driving along in a new buggy. They had r.
good pony, and every available place in their buggy
was filled with parcels."

" Yes, there was one at the elevator yesterday with
a load of good wheat," said Mr. West.

" While I think of it. Miss Brock, the trustees of a
school some four miles south of your place were
inquiring about a teacher, and I took the liberty to
give them your address ; they may visit you this
week."

" You are very kind," returned Maggie, with an
appearance of relief. " I could have a pony, and ride
from home to that school in the summer, and come
home once a week and spend Sunday in the winter."

After they reached home, Maggie was much sur-
prised at the progress Winona had made in the study
of music.

'• Why ! " said Maggie to her mother, " I had no
idea she could sing so well, and she speaks almost as
plainly as we do."

tin

CHAPTER XVI.

CONCLUSION.

'"T^IME had <^lided smoothly along, and it was

1. Christnias-evc.

Frank had just returned with JVlanrgie from her new
school, four miles distant. She had had the good for-
tune to find a home in a refined and pleasant family,
who were considerate of her comfort, and attbrded hei
instructive and amusing companionship, inasmuch as
they had lived in India and the British Isles, and in
their changes of residence from country to country
had travelled around the world, and had acquired an
intimate knowledge of the habits of many strange
people. Therefore, Maggie was being continually
enlightened upon the various forms of worship and
customs of the inhabitants, the improvements and
peculiarities of the different countries, many of the
stories being illustrated by the production of some
curiosity or relic. The weather iiad been charming,

CONCLUSION.

2y.\

id it was

111 her new
iiood for-
lit family,
orded liei
ismuch as
es, and in
to country
(|uired an
y strange
ontinually
•ship and
ents and
ny of the
of some
charming,

and her pupils the most confidiui,', studious and attec-
tionate children siio had ever known.

Eva, also, had liuen now for sonu^ woeks installed in
her new situation, and luid heconie familiar with the
names iind the dispositions of liur dozen pupils, and
with some of the refpiirements of a teacher.

She was amused at recess one day by two little
<;irls trviniT t<^ (j.xcel each other in boastiuLT of their
old homes and luxuries, enumeratini; the various com-
forts they had left behind, each enlari^ing upon the
former grandeur of her family, and calling to her aid
all her powers of memory, with some invention, in
order to eclipse the magnificent statements of her
rival. The last words of the conversation which reached
Eva's ears were :

" And we had a dustpan, too, and mammy says, if
we was coin' to move a^'ain, she would brini; it alonir."

There were again pleasant anticipations about the
comintj Christmas vacation, and (;nce more the l>rock
family were happily united under the roof of their
beloved home. Mrs. Brock was cheerful and contented,
and ail the children were enjoying perfect healtli. The
fact that Martha and Frank also were active members
and workers in their little church was very comfort-
ing to the widowed mother, who found the greatest
consolation for her sad loss, in watching in her children
the results of their father's teaching.

One morninf; during the Christmas vacation, Eva
drew a long breath as she awoke, vigorously rubbed
her eyes, and said to Martha :

■yH

254

THE BROCK FAMILY.

W i

" I do wish that necklace could be found."

' Why,'' exclaimed Martha, " what's puttinj^ that in
your head so early in the niofninj^ ? I woiddn't bother
my head about it."

"I can't help thinkinfj about it almost continually ;
but I was dreamin'r about it last nij'ht. I thouirht I
had been tried for theft, found guilty, and imprisoned.
I read a long account of the trial in an illustrated
paper, and saw a picture of my own face peerinf^
throui^h a heavy iron grating. Then I fancied I saw
that necklace, fixed in the air over my head, and I put
my hands up to take it. Just as my lingers touched
it it began gently to rise. It kept gradually floating
upward, and I after it, but it was always just beyond
my reach. Wasn't it a foolish dream ? Well, after
we got beyond the earth's atmosphere we went as
swift as lightning towards the sun, and I was terrified
at the thought that I should soon strike the sun. At
last the necklace stretched itself, encircled the fiery
ball and passed on — "

" Excuse me," interrupted Martha, " but where did
it pass on to / "

"That's just what Fd Vika to know, but I had no
time to think, for 1 came ihump 'ag^^i'^^t the sun, and
awoke right here in our own good home. Oh, I'm so
thankful I'm here ! "

" Of course," replied Martha, "I'm glad, too. It
would be rather inconvenient visiting you away there.
But you might have remained long enough to petition
his sun^iiip to lengthen our suunner a trif'e."

rONCLUSTON.

255

that in
5 bother

inually ;
lougbt I
n'isoned.
tustrated
peering
Led 1 saw
and I put
s touched
y floating
st beyond
^ell, at'ter
3 went as
s terrified
sun. At
the tiery

[where did

I had no

ie sun, and
[oh, I'm so

n too. It

Iwav tiiere.

to petition

Eva kept thinking of her dream all the forenoon,
and wondoriuLC if there was to be more trouble about
the loss of the jewel.

Just as dinner was over a neif^hbor called with the
week's mail. One letter addressed in a strange hand
to Mrs. Brock caused some surprise, and it was passed
from one to another for examination before it was
opened. One deciphered the word Bradwardine on
the envelope, and wondered if some gentleman friend
of JMaL'gie's liad written to ask their mother for the
hand of that young lady. But no two agreed either
as to the writer or to the contents of the letter. At
last some one was moved to suggest that the best
thiii'jr, under the circumstances, would be to open and
read it. When Mrs. Brock, prompted Ity t^ s rational
snggestion, tore open the envelope, what was the
astonishment of the group upon finding a draft for
ei^ht thousand dollars. The young people celebrated
this i:nportant event with a .series of exclamations,
whistles ard shouts, and Myrtle pranced around the
room in delight.

"Eight thousand," repeated Frank; "it must be
eiixhtv dollars. Look aixain."

" Who can it be from ? Why is it sent ? " inquired
Eva, and Martha said :

" Perhaps Grandpa Brock's old schoolmates who got
him to endorse that tremendous note, has found a
piece of conscience, and sent this money to us."

"But why should that be po.sted at Bradwardine?"

" Why, when he came there to pay it and found we

2^0

THE HIlorK KAMII.Y.

had reinoviMl, it would hr very natural forliini to (Irop
it in tliat post-ollico."

However. Mrs. lirock susix-ndod tlieir coiivcr.satio!i

)V nMiding

Hkadwahdink, ()\t,

])cc. isth, IS

" Mhs. II. Hhock,

" P)ulVal() Morn, Man.

"Dkau Madam, It is witli dccplHnniliation that we
think of our ])fist trcatnu'nt of your daui^dittr Kva.
On a rccont visit to Kin^rston we saw our (l,MU<j^ht('r's
nnssiui; necklae*' on a straiinc lady, ;ind u))on inves-
tij^ation found that the ii\v\ Mary Aiui Downy (who
also, we l)t'li«'ve. aeeused i'iva of the theft) had, for a
trifle, sold it in that eity. W<\ iiftcr solium trouhle,
recoverec] the jewel, tliouu^h the siiLjht of it oidy pains
us. We hoth lunnhly wish to he pardoned l»y her and
yourself, and should you ever feel the neecl of a friend
we shall he most lia])py to render you any service in
our power. In justice to your daui^litcu* we liave liad
puhlished in the last paper (a copy of vvliich will he
forwarded to you) an apoloi,^y for the false accusation.
As our ears have not heen closed to the report of Miss
Eva's missionary work, we have decided to lunnhly
ofler the enclosed draft for eii^ht thousand dollars to
Miss Kva, to he used as she thiidvs hest in the advance-
ment of her Indian work.

'* Your ohedient servants,

" Wallace an<l Maria IIaukness."

" Eight thousand dollars,"' exclaimed Mrs. Brock ;
" I wonder if th.ere's not some mistake about it. I

<!()N(;Lrsi(>N.

257

drop

nation

s— .

bat we
r l^va.
(rl iter's
invos-
y (who
I, for a
trouble,
\/ ])ains
luT and
I friend
vice in
ve had
will he
isation.
of Miss
uinihly
liars to
(Ivance-

SESS.

Brock ;
it it. I

fe(d as if I'd Hki; to ;^^<) a!id tell your father of tlie^ood
fortune aecoiiipatiyint^ your nussionary work. We
nnist not delay tliaid<inL( .Mr. and .Mrs. Ilarkness."

"Oh, inannna," said .Martha, " perhaps pa[)a knew it
hefon; W(; did. Ihit how could .Mr. Harkn(!ss spare; so
inucli:' Me must ha^'e Imm'Ti tremendously rich. I
won<ler liow Miriam liked liis sen(lin;^oill this money!"

Kva seemcid to l)e so much ovei'conw; with ast(jnisli-
ment and joy that slie remained silent for a time, while
Mike .said :

"I'll lave it to Krank, if it wasn't wortli more nor
eiifht thousand dollars to he hlamed for stalin' all this
time ? "

" Well," replied Frank, "it is satisfactory to have a
written clearance of ^.Ik; char^^', hut anyone who knew
about it must have felt satisfied that Eva was not
i^uilty. Jt never troubled me ; but I think Miriam was
a little hasty in her charj^e. J>iit what will you do
with the money ?"

"1 really dcjn't know yet; we'll talk it over. If we
could invest it at ten })er cent, it would brin^^ in ei^dit
hundred dollars a year, which would do more than pay
Winona's .salai'y and keep the school in exce'ilent run-
ninjjf order. Isn't it <jreat ^ I had been always afraid
VV^inona would not <,^et enou^di pay to keep her as a
teacher, but now there's no dan^an*. It must have been
God that put it into Mr. Ilaikness' heart to send it. I
am very thankful. Now I can sleep soundly without
bein^ haunted with that necklace."

They now be;,'an to recover from their state of e.\-

^JSmtsnasBsma

u 4

THE buoc;k family.

citcment sufficiently to notice the newspapers. The
Bradwardine weekly paper, which Mrs. Brock contin-
ued to take, lent its holiday attire to announce to the
jealous, the i,'ossipini;, the sympathetic part of the
public, the fact that an heiress — Miriam Pfarkness —
had clandestinely married and eloped with her father's
coachman, an<l that tliat father had followed and over-
taken them in Rochester, where he endeavored, thoujjh
in vain, to persuade his truant daughter to return with
him. He then vowed that she should never inherit
his wealth, and returned alone.

" Yes," said Mike, sharply, " that's the raison he's so
liberal wid his monev, eh ?"

This interesting article was further commented upon
at the Brock fireside. One member sympathized with
the fathei-, another with the mother, another with the
daughter, and Mike remarked :

" Faith, it's for the cowtchman liisself I'm af ther wipin'
me eyes," as he drew his coat-sleeve in idle mimicry
across his merry eyes.

But Eva felt truly sorry that Miriam had married
one whom her parents could not take into their family,
and whom Miriam herself might afterwards despise.

With Mr. West's assistance, the money (excepting
two hundred d rs, which was to be inniiediately ex-
pended upon \\ .lona and more school e(|uipments)
was safely in\ ,ued so as to produce an annuity of
seven hundred dollars. Two hundred of this was to
pay the teacher, and the remainder to pay for im-
provements and necessaries about the school-house,

COXCLTISION.

250

rs. The
: contin-
:e to the
t of the
rkness —
r father's
and over-
1, thoufijh
Durn with
r inherit

)n he's so

ited upon

lized with

with the

herwipin'
J mimicry

married
r family,
espise.
excepting
iately ex-
aipments)
muity of
is was to
f for im-
Dol-house,

and for clotliing for some of the pupils. Eva now felt
relieved of a great responsibility.

The very next day after Kva's good news reached
her, when the fjirls were husily enufajjed at some
painting in the sitting-room, a man with weather-beaten
face, and wearing a thin, worn overcoat, a soiled felt
hat, and having no muttler or overshoes, knocked at
the kitchen door, and asked of Mrs. Brock, who was
alone, if she would give him some dinner. He was
sorry he could not pay for it now, hut he said he
would send them the money in the course of a week,
and, upon being invited in and kin<lly treated, he
related a tale of disappointment. He had bought a
farm some twenty miles distant, made one payment on
it, built a shanty, and spent the remainder of his money
in buying a good span of horses and a waggon. He
afterwards went farther west to look for a homestead,
leaving his property in charge of a neighbor ; but upon
returning, he found that the neighbor had suddenly
gone, an<l taken his, the speaker's, team and waggon
to parts unknown. Left thus without a team, and not
having the necessary money to make the second pay-
ment on his farm, the stranger became discouraged,
and was now on his way to Winnipeg, where he hoped
to find employment. The distressed man, who had
walked twenty miles that day, facing a catting wind,
was now beginning to grow warm, and to enjoy the
well-cushioned chair in which Mrs. Brock had seated
him. She placed some slices of roast turkey in some
butter to fry, a mince pie in the oven, and then called

260

THE BROCK FAMILY.

Eva to go to the cellar for her. When Eva entered
the kitchen, she and Mr. Rogers — for it was no other
than he — at once recognized each other, and showed
slight signs of agitation. Eva recovering herself first,
cordially saluted him, but ho reached for his hat, and
said, as he rose to go, that he feared he was giving
them too much trouble. Mrs. Brock did not yet know
his name, but Eva, with genuine sympathy, hurriedly
told him that she was now a teacher, and had her
report to " make out " for the school, and that she
would like him to explain to her a certain part of it.
Upon being asked by one of his former pupils for this
trifling assistance, he again sat down, hoping to see
the paper promptly produced, but Eva and her motlier
soon produced a good hot Christmas dinner. Mr.
Rogers was, of course, obliged to partake of it, but he
did not really enjoy it as w^ell as an utter stranger
would have done. However, he gave Eva what infor-
mation she desired regarding the report (which, by
the way, Maggie could have done equally well), and
again prepared to go. But Mrs. Brock, fearing he
would be overcome with fatigue and cold, lent him a
butfalo-coat, and sufficient money to pay his fare from
Buffalo Horn to Winnipeg, and despatched Frank with
the horse and sleigh to take him to the former place.
Mr. Rogers tried to dissuade them from showing him
so much kindness, but failing in this, he expressed
himself as being deeply grateful, and, without looking
in their faces, bade Mrs. Brock and Eva " Good-bye."
The women felt the happier for having warmed and

CONCLUSION.

201

entered
LO other
showed
elf first,
tiat, and
s giving
et know
urriedly
had her
that she
irt ot* it.
i for this
(T to see
Y mother
ler. Mr.
t, but he
stranger
at infor-
hich, by
ell), and
iring he
it him a
tare from
lank with
lier place,
ring him
Expressed
It looking
)od-bye."
l-med and

cheered the poor man on his cold journey, and though
the recovery of the jewel was uppermost in Eva's
mind, it was, of course, never mentioned.

The Indian school-house was opened with no little
ceremony. All the invited speakers and singers were
present, and acciuitted themselves in a manner pleasing
and profitable to the audience, which was chiefiy com-
posed of the white settlers. Winona was the centre
of attraction, as she appeared in her new brown cloth
dress, made by her own hands. Martha had practised
a little self-denial and given the materials for this
dress, having previously taught her to be handy with
the needle. She wore a plain white linen collar, with
a. knot of pink ribbon at her throat, and her hair neatly
coiled upon her head. She, with great presence of
mind, and in a most creditable manner, played and
sang that good old hymn beginning, " From Green-
land's ic}^ mountains."

After the other addresses were delivered, the chair-
man called upon the chief, whereupon ho arose, walked
boldly to the platform, and in what he considered a
dignified manner, expressed his views by means of an
interpreter.

He thanked the white brethren for the interest
they had taken in the w^elfare of the poor Indians, for
building so good a school-house, and also for being
present to witness the marked improvement in
Winona. He enlarged upon the benefits which his
tribe would derive from the instructions Winona was
prepared to give them, and expressed great admiration

.jtWHi

2fi2

THE BROCK FAMILY.

for the accomplishments and useful knowledge so
kindly imparted to her by Eva. He stated that he
intended askinijf Miss Eva to give his children a lesson
every Saturday, and that there was a large number of
children in the reserve waiting for Winona to open
her school, which he was glad would be done the
fo' 'owing day. He al ; d'. s: uoon the goodness of
Mrs. Brock and Martha, a iMi had taught her to cook
and sew. As a mark oi ; jnvC'ation and gratitude
on the part of himself and his tno > for Eva's gentle
perseverance and care in the training of their sister
Winona, he begged her to accept a handsome pony,
noted for its speed and docility. The meeting then
dissolved, and the old chief went out and led the pony
up to the door, already saddled and e(|uipped, and
respectfully placed the bridle in Eva's hand. She, in
a few well-selected words, thanked the chief in his
own language, when they all dispersed to their several
homes, feeling that the meeting had l)een very satis-
factory to them all.

On New Year's morning, when Mrs. Brock took her
place at the head of the table, she found a present
from Maggie and Eva, consisting of their savings for
the last few weeks. She smiled, and with thanks,
returned the money, stating that they should keep it
for their own use, as she had deposited in the bank
five hundred dollars for themselves, and two hundred
for Mike, since the sale of the wheat, and that she
was quite free from debt.

That evening, as they were seated around the glow-
ing fire in the twilight, Myrtle said :

CONCLUSION.

263

edge so
that he
a lesson
imber of
L to open
lone the
otlness of
• to cook
crratitude
a's gentle
leir sister
,111 e pony,
•ting then
1 the pony
ipped, and
She, in
ief in his
ir several
ery satis-

V took her
a present
ELvings for
h thanks,
Id keep it
the bank
hundred
that she

" Let's all make a wish."

" What would Myrtle like to liavc now ? " inquired
Magrjie.

" I'd like a skipping-rope and some long <lresses."

"I wish," said Frank, " that 1 may nev'er find myself
in debt ; and that my mother may never receive an
unkind word."

"I wish,' followed Kva, "that all heathens may
shortly become Christians,"

Then Martha said, " I wish for health and strength
to perform iii}' household duties ; iiuiy I be able to
cook, both in regard to (luantity and ([uality, so as to
minister to the ph3'sical needs of this family, and
satisfy their particularly vigorous a[)petites ; may I
be e.idowed with the habits of cleanliness and neatness
to keep all things in the house in a tit and sanitaiy
state, and have the same always ready and present-
able for visitors, and those who call for food and rest. '

" I wish," concluded Mrs. Jirock, " that we may
meet an unbroken family in heaven."

THE END.

the glow-