Joseph and His Friend

old work of the week was over; the weather was fine and warm, with a brisk drying breeze for the hay on the hill-field, the last load of which Joseph expected to have in the barn before his fi

rue; but Joseph had urged on the work with a different spirit. It seemed to her that he had taken a new interest in the farm; he was here and there, even inspecting

er. She would have admitted, certainly, that her guardianship must cease at some time, but the thought of making preparation for that time had never entered her head. She only understood conditions, not the adaptation of characters to them. Going back over her own life, she could recall but little

social pleasures were positively wrong, but they always seemed to her to be enjoyed on the outside of an open door labelled "Temptation;" and who could tell what lay beyond? Some very good people, she knew, were fond of company, and made merry in an innoc

were two other ladies on the back seat. As they drew up at the hitching-post on the green, she recognized Lucy Henderson getting out; but the airy creature who sprang after her,—the girl with dark, falling ringle

the gate; so there was no time left for conjecture. She was a little

Warriner. "Mother has lost your receipt for pickling cherries, and Bob said you were al

d slightly dropping her eyelids. She then fell behind Anna and Lucy

me?" Rachel asked, feeling that a littl

ssing answered. "This quiet, peaceful life is such a rest; and I r

she spoke, and glanced at the

own are very differe

ignorant of the proper way of living that I should be embarrassed among

, in a much more friendly tone, "and we're always glad to

me among those!" Mis

er; "you'd be surprised to know how Julia g

quick," Lucy He

own her eyes, smiled

ssing's occasional remarks showed a complete familiarity with them. Her manner was grave and attentive, and Rachel was surprised to find so much unobtrusive good sense in her views. The rea

s?" Miss Blessing asked, when the go

long, rounded walls of box attracted Miss Blessing's eye. This was a feature of the place in which Rachel Mille

house. We can get back again before

lessing, who laughed and said, "O, don't mind

the bottom the green walls curved outward, forming three-fourths of a circle, spacious enou

ng, taking one of the rustic chairs. "How pleasant it m

rtled; but before she could re

ll dress and flirtation and vanity, but here it is only neighborly visiting on a larger scale. I have enjoyed the quiet company of all you

hel: "we must learn to m

say that I could trust the young men—for instance, Mr. Asten, your nephew—as if they were my brothers. That is, I feel a positive certainty of their excellent character. What

ook she gave Miss Blessing. The latter, with an air of almost infantine simplicity, her lips sligh

. I hope the merry-makings are as innocent as you think;

may have reasons which I have no right to ask. Now, I remember Mr. Asten telling Anna and Lucy and myself, how much he should like to

ay that?" Rac

d blushing in confusion: "in that case, please don't say anything about it! Perhaps i

my duty by him," she faltered at last, "but it sometimes seems an unthankful busines

you know, was there the last time; and, really, if you could see it—But it is presumptuous in me to say anything. Indeed, I am not a fair judge, beca

his account,

ace, that his own character is founded on principle. And, besides, here in the country, you don't keep count of hospitality,

. He must not feel under obligations which I stand in the way of his repaying. If he tells m

ow I can hope that you will forgive my thoughtlessness. I should feel humiliated in his presence, if he kn

l not ask me; but won't I

udge a woman's heart. Would you think me too forw

el as she spoke, and laid h

urn for the hospitality of his neighbors,—or put it in whatever form you think best,—would not that re

reflection, "if anything is done,

se, you won't

call to do it

he gate; "come and see the last

use me," said Miss Blessing to Rachel; "I

l paused on the step and said to Anna

"we didn't mean to; but we s

easily stay

g by the arm, and started for the barn. Lucy Henderson quietly turned and entered the

rhung and concealed the wheels, as well as the hind quarters of the oxen, and on the summit stood Joseph, in his shirt-sl

eady dropped upon his knees and bent his shoulders. Then the wagon stood upon the barn-floor; he spra

promise, you see,"

house yet?" Joseph a

and we are going to

ng towards the barn, "we will

ss-coat!" remarked Miss Blessing aside to Anna Warriner, bu

y countrified! I never saw an

his face. He caught Miss Blessing's eyes, full of

eady?" he said, as they walk

when I must go back to the hot pavements, and the glaring bricks, and the dust, and the hollow, artificial life?" She tried to check a sigh, but only partially succeeded; then,

s as you have!"

being judged by your dress, of learning the forms and manners, instead o

ggested Mis

Her head was turned aside, and he could well unde

former, however, was so shaken out of her usual calm by the conversation in the garden, that in sp

you find these evening par

d pleasant,—at leas

ing to have

suddenly hesitating, as she found Rach

-service; but she presently asked again: "Do you thin

ned irritation. "Miss Rachel, don't let it tr

n too frankly positive; but even the consciousness

upboard and returned before speaking again. "I didn't say anybody told me," she continued; "it's likely tha

e entrance of Joseph and the two ladies cut off all further opportu

r Rachel. "That is one thing, at least, which we can learn in the city.

ugh and a lively answer for every remonstrance, and flitted about in a

awn from the table, and was sitting silently beside the window. Recalling their conversation a few evenings before, he suspected that she might be transiently annoyed on his aunt's account; she had less c

at his aunt was obliged to remind him of them from time to time. Miss Blessing was enthusiastic over the cream and butter and marmalade, and Rachel Miller found it exceedin

g to take Lucy on her way as far as the cross-roads; so

powerful hand, greeted the others rapidly, and then addressed himself specially to Lucy: "I was going to a township-meeting at the Corn

r road," said Lucy. Her face was pale, and there was an e

riner remarked. "You know I'd take you, and wel

Lucy," said Elwood

then," were

in the low sunshine, one pair chatting and laughing merrily as long as they