The Old Homestead

ng burning i

es back their

a radiant b

n that glo

leet and rain during two whole days, and now came on a keen fro

n fretted masses over the gutters, or was frozen in waves along the curb-stones, or looked upwards to the tall trees that seemed absolutely dripping with light

te in his imaginative mind. There was something so purely ideal in those massive branches, stripped of leaves and laden down with crystalline spray, whil

ter stars shining, and the deep blue Heavens slumbering afar off, while with folded arms and eyes uplifted he paced along the

ity. This elm stood on a corner, and beneath its great pendent branches a small dram-shop desecrated the soil which gave nourishment to the brave old forest tree. This was the squalid ob

many others were left within the building. There was something startling in the contrast between the sublime beauty of the sky and the vice hovel underneath, and Chester stopped to gaze on it, pondering in his thoughts how it

ed the place where he was standing. One of the men looked keenly at him as he went by, b

anion, "and looking toward the corner, as i

"Let us walk round the block and go in from

ove slower, and let us talk it over. Jones will go in with us through thick and thin, for the fellow has hurt his business more t

along the slippery sidewalk, and conversing ea

presented to him with unusual force that evening. The dram-shop had opened two or three times w

. Three or four persons left abruptly, and the sound of loud, angry voices reached him through the door whenever it was flung open to allow p

he cried, seizing hold of Chester's coat. "They are quarreling-tw

of a little imitation marble counter with his arms folded, evidently enjoying a scene of altercation that was carried on, it appeared, with some effort between his guests; for as one of the men was thrown back against the counter in the scuff

p, give up, both of you. Shake hands and take a drink-that is the way to settle these little matters. Come, Mr. P

in his usual bland and gentlemanly manner. "These two persons, I doubt not, w

nist carelessly from him; "why we haven't had a drop yet. It was thirst, sheer thirst

gainst which he had been thrown, and sudden

ly fear of the police that had so suddenly quieted the men, and besought him not to withdraw till they were ready to leave the establishment. Chester turned back; both the place and company were

the most noisy. "You look pale as a ghost," and the man took a glass half fu

is head began to reel, and he sat unsteadily in his chair. Thus oppressed, he reached forth his hand and lifted the glass to his lips. The scent of its contents, however, warned him; he arose without tasting the brandy, and placed it on the

now, we can soon find a place where gentlemen can settle their disp

round the counter a

he said, with great apparent anxiet

o men, who stood on the curb-stone leaning against its trunk, apparently in excited conversation. The pavement all around was one glaze of ice, and Chester was obliged to guard his footsteps with great care, as he moved slowl

ram-shop was flung open at the sound, and its owner came forth followe

of his mishap, bending over him with that jeering expression in their words and featu

so the bystanders turned away with a laugh, and