but it tendeth to poverty.' It is noticeable that men of the frontier are more inclined to be just with their coworkers, the mothers, than the men of the older States."
"It's all settled, mother," exclaimed Joseph, as he alighted at the cottage doorstep and threw the reins to John; "I've been to see that little farm adjoining Pap Robinson's, and I've made terms. The little place is yours from now on, and I will not leave you till you are settled in it."
"Your father will hjt so happy, son! He started to meeting a little while ago. I stayed at home to have a nice, warm supper ready. It isn't many more meals I'll get a chance to cook for my boys."
"You did your share in that line long ago, mother dear."
In the family reunion in the little cottage home that night there were no intruders. John, Mary, and Joseph held sweet communion with their parents alone.
"Our Father in Heaven," prayed the old man, before retiring, "we thank Thee for all Thy tender mercies to US-ward. We realize Thy hand in our chastening; and we behold Thy love in our sorrows, since, but for them, we could not appreciate our joys. We thank Thee for John, for Mary, for Joseph, and for this night's reunion. We also thank Thee for our absent dear ones, and for those whose bodies are under the snow, whose spirits are with Thee.
"Animate us all with the Christ spirit, O God; and grant that in Thine own good time we all may meet again."
And the brothers echoed aloud the good father's " Amen."
