les, with a
purer zest than that which relished their pleasant pulps; and every
lovely and tender creature found in her a friend.

In Fanny, her mother found more joy--upon Fanny her mother centered
more lavish affection than she could have afforded or realized, had
another grown by her tide, to divide the endearments of the household.
But, O, the agony she would sometimes feel at the recollection of that
year of sorrow! How it would bow her spirit, and run thrilling along
the delicate fibres of her heart! That night of woe! That panther
scream! That dream of Troffater! That recovered hat, now sacredly
treasured to remind her of her idol! That lingering, sad suspense!
Those sleepless nights, and comfortless days! How could she forget
them, nor shudder in convulsions of anguish, as often as they rolled
back like lava-floods on her soul?

And the suspense which still haunted her! The dream and dying words of
her mother breathed hope to struggling desire, but reason banished
assurance as soon as it rose, and how dreadful the suspense that
supported the mystery! Could she have known that he was devoured by a
wolf or panther, and suffered no more, what an occasion of joy it had
been! what relief to sorrow, what an end to disappointments, compared
with this dreary and brooding uncertainty, which preyed upon her nature
like a never-dying worm! How precious must have been the faith which
could mitigate a sorrow like that, and introduce the suffering heart to
seasons of joy and intervals of peace!

XIV.

THE COLD SEASONS.

For a good, long period, fruitful seasons and liberal blessings came on
the Lake Country. The last was a year of unusual abundance. Plenty
poured her horn at every happy farmer's. Barns looked as if ready to
burst with fulness, and stacks of hay and grain studded the pleasant
fields. Cribs were piled full of corn, and cellars were stowed with
provisions.

But earth would be heaven too soon if all evil and vicissitude were
ended. Checks upon our prosperity must fall, and changes tax and
interrupt our gains; and he is not most of a man who meets least evil,
and loses least of the reward of toil; but he who endures with the
manliest courage, the mightiest will to overcome, and most dexterous
hand to manage for decided good, all troubles that assail him.

In the autumn of that abundant year, it was predicted that cold seasons
were near at hand. The Indians saw their approach in the f