ring the winter Joel was twice absent from the 'settlement' for two or
three days. He was making a visit to--- Ellen's aunt. That worthy woman
had only been half-persuaded when she invited her niece home. Very soon,
she began to think she had made a mistake in 'harboring' her, especially
as the news spread abroad that Bellows' estate was a very great deal
worse than nothing. To be sure Joel's presence reaessured her, he looked
so competent, and spoke so confidently yet still so mysteriously. On his
second visit, however, the lady pretty flatly intimated she was losing
confidence in his assertions. She did not believe her brother had left
Ellen a cent in any shape.

'And I tell you what it is, Joel Burns, you need not think we are going
to support her. She must earn her living like other folks.'

'_I_ will be responsible for Ellen's board,' said Joel indignantly. 'I
would have said that before, but I should feel mortified to have her
know I had made the offer, or you had accepted it.'

'You need not mount your high horse with me, Joel,' retorted the other,
but in a mollified tone. 'You know I am just as kind to Ellen as any
body would be under the circumstances.'

'As kind as Mr. Bellows would have been to Tilly and Eliza, had they
been left orphans, I suppose,' interrupted the still indignant Joel.

'Yes, to be sure. You don't imagine I should have expected him to take
care of my children!'

'But he would have done it though.'

'Well that may or may not be--he is dead and gone, poor man, and I have
done my best to make it pleasant for Ellen, and she will tell you so. We
have got along very well; I like her and her cousins like her, and I am
satisfied after what you have said.'

By the middle of April, the people of Sudbury had made up their minds
that Joel Burns was neither crazy nor exactly a hermit, nor yet a fool,
though some candidly admitted they had been fools when they so judged of
him. For by the middle of April a saw-mill with a double set of saws had
been put in operation, and was turning out the lumber rapidly. Quickly
the knowing ones saw into it, (but they did not see into it till Joel
had made his demonstration,) and now wondered why they had overlooked
the speculation. One very keen fellow determined to make the most out of
Joel's beginning. He examined the records at the office of the register
of deeds and discovered that Joel had title to but a hundred acres.
Thereupon he went to New-York with t