a platform above the ground, with
steps leading to it, and a broad verandah in front. It contained a
sitting-room, several bedrooms, and a kitchen; the verandah being
painted a bright green, with stripes of pink, while the window-frames
and doors were yellow. I used to think it a beautiful mansion, but
perhaps that was on account of those who lived within. The abode of
Lily was of necessity, to my mind, charming.

The autumn of that year was now approaching its close. There is in
North America, at that period of the year, what is called the "Indian
summer." The air is balmy, but fresh, and mere existence to those in
health is delightful; a light gauze-like mist pervades the atmosphere,
preventing the rays of the sun, beaming forth from an unclouded sky,
from proving over-oppressive. Already the forest has assumed its
particoloured tints. The maple has put on a dress of every hue,--of
yellow, red, pink, and green. The leaves of the beeches become of a
golden tinge, and those of the oak appear as if turned into bronze,
while numerous creepers present the richest reds.

We settlers, however, had but little time in which to admire the
beauties of Nature, for we knew that every day was rapidly bringing us
to the period when all agricultural labour must cease, and the ground
would be covered with a sheet of snow. Not that we were then doomed to
idleness, however, for we had abundance of out-of-door work during the
winter, in felling trees; and, as soon as the snow had hardened,
dragging them over it,--either to form huge heaps, where they could be
burned, or to be placed in the spots where they were required for
putting up buildings or fences.

Uncle Stephen having engaged some new hands,--who, being fresh from the
"old country," were unwilling, as they were unfit, to go further into
the forest,--allowed Mike and Quambo to come to us. We therefore put up
a room for them next to our own, and which could be heated in winter by
the same stove. We were thus able to get on much more rapidly with our
task of clearing the ground. Mike, indeed, was a great acquisition to
our party; for, besides singing a good Irish song, he had learned to
play the fiddle,--and, of course, he had brought his "Cremona," of which
he was justly proud, along with him. He beguiled the long winter
evenings with many a merry tune, and not unfrequently set old Quambo
dancing. Sometimes we would look in; and we found it great fun to see
Quamb