Page:The Poor Rich Man, and the Rich Poor Man.djvu/43

Rh grew, there. were lilachs and pionies in plenty. The young lambs were frolicking in the fields—the chickens peeping about the barnyards; and birds, thousands of them, singing at their work.

Our travellers were descending a mountain where their view extended over an immense tract of country, for the most part richly cultivated.

"I declare," exclaimed Uncle Phil, "how much land there is in the world, and I don't own a foot on't, only our little half-acre lot—it don't seem hardly right." Uncle Phil was no agrarian, and he immediately added, "But, after all, I guess I am better off without it—it would be a dreadful care."

"Contentment with godliness is great gain," said Charlotte.

"You've hit the nail on the head, Lottie; I don't know who should be contented if I ain't—I always have enough, and everybody is friendly to me—and you and Susan are worth a mint of money to me. For all what I said about the land, I really think I have got my full share."

"We can all have our share in the beauties of God's earth without owning, as you say; a foot of it," rejoined Charlotte. "We must feel it is our father's. I am sure the richest man in the world cannot take more pleasure in looking at a beautiful prospect than I do—or in breathing this sweet, sweet air. It seems to me, father, as if every thine I look upon was ready to burst forth in a hymn of praise—and there is enough in my heart to make verses of if I only knew how."

"That's the mystery, Lottie, how they do