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 cheerless even when storms raged without. An all-pervading evidence of welcome greeted every comer, and a stranger was hailed with demonstrations of delight. Communication with the outside world, and especially with England, was infrequent, and a letter from across the sea would often be read to those gathered under the oak, with but scanty omission of strictly private matter. Naturally every unusual occurrence among the settlers was quickly known to all, and so every prolonged conversation ultimately turned upon the future of the province.

As the warm October sunshine brings the bees and wasps to our south windows, where they busily hum and buzz as if they had the cares of the world upon their shoulders, so, this pleasant afternoon, it had brought several of the neighbors to the front of the shop, some with a purpose and, as usual, others without one. Among the former was Matthew Watson, to take away a mended tool that he had left, and as he was passing from the door he gave a disapproving glance at the little knot of idlers, as he thought them