finely, and looked thrifty and dark. The forests were
heavy with foliage. Fruit trees and meadows contended for the fairest
blossoms. Dairies were diminished, so great was the prospect of summer
grain; and Hope smiled sweetly on Summerfield. But clouds came over
when the corn was at the first hoeing, and terror and disappointment
stormed upon the land. Snow fell three feet deep on a level, and the
cold stung all nature with a chill, that seemed blown from the lips of
February.

The sun again shone, and the snow went off; but the corn drooped, and
the leaves of the trees withered, as if a fire had scorched them. And
the season proved a cold and frosty one; and many there were that
wished they had sown winter grain, and oats, and peas; ploughed up less
green sward, and kept larger dairies. Another cold winter and summer
followed, and drearier days were never seen in the Lake Country. A few
speculators thrived, and the forehanded had chances to make much money;
but the poor, and those who had laid up small supplies before, and
lived sparingly, were overtaken as by a wild storm on a moor, and
suffered greatly.

Mr. and Mrs. Fabens made every exertion in their power to mitigate the
griefs of the neighborhood; and they influenced several to join them in
missions and labors of relief and love. Agreements were made, that
they would sell all they could spare at the lowest possible prices, be
lenient about pay, inculcate and practise the sternest economy, and
regard speculators, in that time, as foes and oppressors of the people.

More forethought was exercised, and the last of the cold seasons was
met with preparations that mitigated and cheered the grievous glooms.
Dairies were enlarged, corn was abandoned, and the hardier grains
supplied; and though suffering and anxiety abounded, the people were
enabled to escape a famine; and with hearts poured out in thanks, they
welcomed the return of seasons warm and fruitful.

There were many good people staggered by that stern and afflictive
vicissitude. They could not conceive why it came. They could not
reconcile it with the goodness of God. They saw not why, if He was
good, there should be winter and storms at all; and not perpetual
sunshine and summer. They questioned Fabens on the subject. Mr.
Nimblet questioned him, and Colwell asked him to "clear up the
character of his God." Mr. Nimblet had heard Fabens express a hope
that God would overrule evil for good, que