“In less than thirty days, a rural looking man called at my husband’s place of business, and stated that he was looking for an opportunity to buy a store something on the order of his; my husband priced the store, and the man took it without a word; my husband is industrious and I had a hard time keeping him in a contented frame of mind for thirty days more, but I insisted so strongly on his taking a much needed rest, that he was still idle when he was notified that he had been selected to fill a position as a postoffice inspector. His instructions were for him to proceed to headquarters at once to qualify. Our boy, Roy’s and mine, is in a military school and I anticipate that he will be selected as a West Point cadet, when he has made the proper advancement.”
“And does your husband know?”
“He knows nothing, except that five thousand a year is better than running a shop.”
TALE NINETEEN.
A STORY OF THE LEVEE.
“Ah, yes, ’tis sweet still to remember,
Though ’twere less painful to forget;
For while my heart glows like an ember.
Mine eyes with sorrow’s drops are wet,
And oh, my heart is aching yet.