, he was as happy as the birds. He expected to continue so,
through many long years: and never thought of dying until he got to be
an old man.

One pleasant summer morning, he rose early and prepared to leave home
to be absent a week. He had agreed to go and help Mr. Brown about
harvesting, and the farm being five miles from where his mother lived,
he could not come home before Saturday night. He bade his mother an
affectionate good morning, and started cheerily on his way. The road
ran by aunt Eleanor's door, so he thought he would just peep in, and
see how she was and tell her that he should not see her again for
several days.

The old lady did not seem as well as usual, and "wished heartily," she
said, that Josiah wasn't going away.

"Why, I shall be back," said he "in six days, and can come sooner, if
any of you need me."

"You should not speak so positive about it," said aunt Eleanor, "you
may never come back again."

"Oh fye, auntie, you've got the blues this morning! I shall be back
just as sure as Saturday night comes."

"Don't be too certain my boy; life and death are not in our hands; you
may be called any hour."

[Illustration]

"Now auntie, don't get gloomy about such a hale stout boy as I am;
who never saw a sick day in his life, and don't know what pain is. Why
see how strong I am," and laughingly he bent down, and lifting his
cousin with one arm and his great dog with the other, he tripped
lightly over the threshold. "There, auntie," he cried, "I could carry
off your whole establishment, almost as easy as Samson did the gates
of Gaza."

Though the old lady smiled at the moment the cloud came back again to
her face, and through the open door she watched him as long as her
misty eyes could distinguish him in the distance.

As merry, as strong, and as full of life as ever, the young man went
to his work that morning. Arrived at the harvest field, he took off
his coat and went in among the laborers, saying that he thought he
could outwork them all that day, he felt so vigorous. The sun was
exceeding hot, the air sultry and close, and the laborers, in spite of
their determination and strength, grew very weary when the sun was
high in the heavens. About eleven o'clock, a boy came from the house
and brought them a jug of cold water. Josiah took it first, and drank
of it until they all called to him to stop. He did not heed them, but
being very thirsty, drank until he was satisfied; then stooped to