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principal streets, and form an arch above. Everywhere you behold
displayed signs of admirable taste.

Below, in the valley, is the railroad; and opposite the 'paper mill' has
been erected one of the finest 'stations' in the State. Here has sprung
up a large manufacturing place, rivalling in size and business
importance the 'ridge,' as we used to call it, but leaving the latter
free from the noise and bustle of the mills and factories and machinery
of our now famous 'Slab City.'

* * * * *

Dr. Egerton married Sarah Burns, as you have long since guessed. He is
one of the few men of talent who has no ambition to quit his happy home
to adventure in a large city. He is celebrated far and near, but nothing
can draw him away from the spot where a youth he came to watch over a
young girl whose life was trembling in the balance.

And Sarah, think you she is not repaid for her fidelity to her father?
By it she escaped the grasp of Hiram Meeker, and is now--she has been
for years--a loving, trustful, joyous wife.

Happy Sarah Burns! I commenced this narrative by recounting an _un_happy
incident in your life. How grateful is the task of recording your
triumph over the greatest danger which can threaten a maiden--the danger
of _loving unworthily_!

Joel Burns! I confess that, of all at Burnsville, it is in you my
feelings of interest centre--you, whose romantic fidelity to your wife's
memory has thrown a charm over your whole existence. It is a great
treasure--is it not?--a heart so true, so loyal, so pure and faithful,
that not one, no, not one of all the young and fair and good and
fascinating from out this world's fair creation can divert it for a
moment, or change its even, constant, ever-loving pulsations. Such a
heart you possess, Joel Burns!

Joel Burns was 'mated' as well as 'married;' and when his wife died, he
did not really lose her. In spirit she attended him wherever he
went--always near him--more actually present, Joel used sometimes to
think, than she ever was before.

How could he wish to marry again, when his wife was all the time by his
side--an ever-present, ever-abiding comfort and consolation?

I say, herein lay the charm and the glory of Joel's life. His influence
on his place, after it grew beyond the proportions of a village, and
became one of the largest towns in the State, was just as great as when
it had but a dozen buildings.

Joel did not permit the desire t