harge and blessing.

"A good son, a very good son, you have been to us, Matthew," said he;
"and we have little fear that you will forsake the principles you take
with you, or give us trouble for any unhandsome act of your life. But
this world has many temptations; singular and strange events fill up
our experience; and a little counsel never comes amiss. I have lived
longer than you. I ought to know more of life and its dangers; and be
able to tell you many things that will do you good. I have fought my
way through difficulties, under which many have fell; and I have seemed
to see a light of heaven rising on the darkness, and have followed it,
when others like lambs have strayed into troublesome ways.

"Be faithful to the right, and good, and true, my son, and you have
nothing to fear. Let no puff of praise, or flush of good fortune lift
you up with vanity. Stand erect and keep your balance, if you step on
ice or walk on wire. Be a man always. Keep from castle-building.
Insist on the honor of your calling; and don't burrow up in the soil
like a woodchuck, but range abroad like a deer, and soar on high like
an eagle. Good-bye."

The last word was spoken; the farewell moment fled; young Fabens was on
his first long journey; and six weary days were numbered with past
hours, before the last opening in the forest revealed to his anxious
eyes the home of his eager guide--the Waldron Settlement.

II.

HOME IN THE BACKWOODS.

A new home in the backwoods! Living where the dun deer roam, and wild
fowl flock! Sleeping a-nights where waters murmur, wolves howl, and
panthers scream in your hearing; and whip-poor-wills sing till morning
comes, and Nature appears in her gladness and pride! Who would not
enjoy a scene like that for a season, forgetting the tame monotony of
towns, and imprisonment of cities? Who would not forsake a room amid
walls of brick for a green woodland parlor? And leave velvet cushion
and costly carpet, for a cushion of moss, and a carpet of flowers in
the virgin wilderness? Follow me, then, to the Land of Lakes, and
ramble abroad with my hero, while he explores the Waldron Settlement.

A rare and yellow August evening it was, and about fifty years ago,
when Matthew Fabens arrived in the Lake Country. As he rose the first
morning, and went forth to survey the region of his new home, thoughts
of his distant abode awakened feelings of sadness, but other sensations
very soon succeeded,