these two women often recurred to
my mind, and more than once I have smiled at the recollection of the
broken yeast-jar.

But they verily believed their own statements, having listened to
stories of a similar kind since their own childhood; a belief in them
almost formed a part of their education, and having never set reason at
work upon the subject, they were sincere in their belief that events are
often foreshadowed by those superstitious signs which formed the topic
of their conversation.

The funeral was over with its mourning weeds and solemn burial service,
and all that was earthly of Grandma Adams rested in the grave; but what
shall we say of those she has left in their now lonely home? My uncle
and aunt were still as deeply attached to their mother as in the days of
their childhood and youth, and her age and utter dependence upon them
for years past had all the more endeared her to their hearts, and when
she was thus suddenly removed a blank was left in their home which they
felt could never again be filled. But the affairs of life do not stand
still, and we are often obliged to take up again the realities of life,
with the tears of bereavement and anguish still upon our cheeks, and
even this may be wisely ordered to prevent us from indulging our grief,
even to a morbid melancholy. But lonely enough seemed the house when the
kind friends and neighbors had all again departed to their homes, and we
were left alone. There was grandma's arm-chair with the little stand for
her large Bible, her glasses lay upon its worn cover, even as she had
laid them aside on the last night of her life. Many had offered to
remove them, but my aunt would not allow them to be disturbed, and it
was several days after the funeral that I quietly removed them to
another room while my aunt was busied elsewhere, and she never
questioned me as to why I had done so. From the day of her mother's
death my aunt was a changed woman, her disposition seemed softened and
subdued, and if, from long habit, she sometimes spoke in sharp quick
tones, she was gentle and far more forbearing with the failings of
others than formerly. Uncle Nathan said but little, but it was easy to
see that the loss of his aged mother was much in his mind; and often was
he seen to brush away a tear when his eye rested upon the vacant corner.
It was not long after this that they received a letter from cousin
Silas, informing them that he expected to arrive with his family i