hite north-room,
exchanging glad looks and hearty salutations, as if each had been
autumn itself, smiling in great and abundant heart on the scene; and
they were discussing the beauty of the day, and the excellence of the
season; relating each other's history; and recalling incidents of the
olden time, when the country was new, and neighbors were farther apart
and more friendly; while the young people, happy as a flock of birds in
the sunny days of mate-choosing, and freshly blooming as the
landscape--around them, were out on the mown field adjacent to the
house, whirling in the sportive ring, bounding in the merry dance,
chatting in agreeable groups, or chasing one another on flying feet to
exact or administer some little forfeit, or whisper some mirthful word
or tale.

Father Lovelight, the travelling Minister, had long been expected on
another visit to Summerfield, and he came three or four days in advance
of the appointment, to attend the wedding and perform the ceremony.
The time drew near for the company to be called in, and the ceremony to
commence, and Mr. and Mrs. Fabens talked to each other of the joy that
sat as a guest in their home.

"We feel well for our daughter," said Fabens, "we believe that life to
her must be a blessing, and we are glad to meet our friends when we
find it in our power, as in our pleasure, to make them so happy."

"Certainly, this is a happy occasion as I ever attended in my life,"
said Father Lovelight; "and I wish my good wife could be here. I know
her whole heart would enjoy it. I have attended weddings, where the
parties were unequally matched, or unprepared for a union so sacred,
and they have given me funeral thoughts. May this joy be prophetic of
the future bliss of the young couple. May my offices this afternoon be
always a subject of pleasant thoughts."

"There's nothing at all unpleasant in a time like this," said Uncle
Walter; "and I tell you what, Fabens, we have had a good many merry
times in these parts."

"That we have," answered Fabens, "and I do not recollect any party we
have had among us, that did not more than pay the trouble and expense,
in the proceeds of joy and love it added to our treasury."

"Uncle Moses and I determined before any of you came, that there
shouldn't be any hermits in the settlement; but if we could have our
say, all should be neighbors, and have our joys and griefs together,
without respect to high or low. We have kept our word pret