stioned him on that hope, and
adduced the cold seasons as illustrations.

"And how can you explain these things in accordance with such a hope,
Squire Fabens?" asked he. "And why are there so many sufferings in
which we can see no good?"

"Because with our blind eyes we cannot see the result of all that
happens," said Fabens, "does it follow that we never shall behold them
issuing in good?"

"O no; but why should we have winter at all, when continual summer
would be so much more pleasant?"

"To me perpetual summer would not be more pleasant. We are so
constituted that diversity of air, weather and prospects, is
indispensable to our enjoyment, and progress. Would you appreciate the
beauty and blessing of spring, summer and autumn, you must experience
in their unfailing turn, the gloomy rigors of winter."

"But why have these last been colder than others, causing so much
suffering and need?"

"I cannot see all the Divine design, but I can see a lesson of good in
the cold seasons. We learn wisdom, and get strength and breadth of
life by suffering. These last winters have taught many of us wisdom
and forethought; made us prudent; showed us how dependent we are, and
yet learned us self-dependence. After this I'll warrant, the people of
Summerfield will do and save more in the summer, to lay up comforts for
the winter; and provide for unseen needs. And I feel in my heart a
warmer sympathy for suffering, and know a little of the satisfaction
one enjoys assisting his neighbors; while I see our neighborhood bound
together in stronger bonds of love, by the concern which those bitter
cold storms forced us to take of one another. What would become of
charity if there were no wants to relieve? or hope, if we could not
keep looking for pleasanter springs and more fruitful summers?"

"But, cold summers came, and the corn was all cut off, giving nobody
good for the labor of ploughing and planting."

"Good was done to our lands, neighbor Nimblet, good was certainly done
to our lands. We had run our corn lands too hard; fruitful seasons
tempted us to imprudence, and we were running them all out. They have
had a long rest now and will be more productive. Beside, we have found
out that there are many honest ways to get a living, and have learned
how to shift from right hand to left. A knack like that is well worth
learning."

"From lessons of evil?"

"Yes, from lessons of evil. Would the maples stand the storms as