rn an answer. He gave his whole mind to
it, and a week was found sufficient for the deliberation. During that
week he seemed to live many years of a life, wide and wonderful;
stirring and instinct with actions, incidents and scenes; a life and
possessions, progressive as the rise of day, and rapid as the bloom of
springtime. It was a week of Castle Building. The days of the week
introduced a succession of views that swept in action and speech before
him like the scenes of a thrilling drama.

Scene first was opened. It pleased his eyes, and sent blissful
sensations running around his heart. It showed him the store of the
company, enlarged and renovated, with a capacious counting-room, and a
pleasant door in the rear, beneath a piazza opening to the cool air and
placid smile of the sweet Cayuga, as it slept or stirred, embosomed
among the lovely hills.

In that store, he saw himself, now moving in the press of business; now
examining their posted legers; and now seated in the comfortable
counting-room, counselling on their growing concerns, or conversing
with an old friend, or neighbor, as the smooth pine whittlings rolled
like ribbons from his hand; and now on the back piazza, enjoying the
air and prospect.

It was a happy change. It was all shaded sweetly from the intolerable
sun; it was more stirring than farm work; it was more gentle, and
suited to his years. It was cleanly; and his cool linen wristbands
would keep all the week as snowy white as Julia had done them; while
she would have lighter washings, and more leisure time.

It was a profitable change. Money was made faster there, Not that his
soul was on fire with a passion for money; he loved money less than
most of his neighbors; he was free and manly with his money as you
would not find ten in a thousand. Still, honest gains were pleasant to
him; the amount he had accumulated somehow prompted a desire for more;
and in a store he could gain faster, and in larger amounts, and perhaps
retire in a few years, from all business, more independent than now,
enjoy the satisfaction of giving more gracious charities, and
dispensing sweeter reliefs; and settling a handsomer sum on Fanny when
she married, and again when he died.

It was an honorable change. Say what they would, farmers looked up to
merchants, and considered their own avocation inferior. Many farmers
honored merchants more than those of their own sphere, and would be
glad to be merchants th