O, thou shalt find, where'er thy footsteps roam,
That land thy country, and that spot thy home!

--_Sir Walter Scott._

896

It is a great happiness, if after being absent from home for a time you
find no troubles awaiting your return.

897

Filling a house with bargains is apt to keep a couple from owning the
house in which they place them.

898

'Tis sweet to hear the watch-dog's honest bark
Bay deep-mouthed welcome as we draw near home;
'Tis sweet to know there is an eye will mark
Our coming, and look brighter when we come.

--_Byron._

899

My house, my house, though thou art small,
Thou art to me a palace.

900

TRUE NATURE OF HOME.

This is the true nature of home--it is the place of Peace; the shelter
not only from all injury, but from all terror, doubt and division. In so
far as it is not this, it is not home; so far as the anxieties of the
outer life penetrate into it * * * it ceases to be home; it is then only
a part of that outer world which you have roofed over and lighted fire
in.

--_John Ruskin._

901

THE WANDERER'S RETURN.

He seeks the tranquil scenes of early days,
Leaving the dazzling haunts of vain ambition;
And now, he longs to meet a kindly gaze
And hear a warm and cheering recognition.

How changed he seems! Though still in manhood's prime,
Long hath he striven with care, want, and danger;
Their iron grasp has wrought the work of Time,
And all who view him, deem him as a stranger.

He meets with one who knew him when a boy:
How oft, beneath yon trees, in summer weather,
They sat, and pictured scenes of future joy,
When they should tread the far-off world together!

They stand upon the old familiar spot:
One feels long vanished memories steal o'er him;
The other sees, yet recognizes not
His blithe companion in the form before him.

Next comes a friend who in his wavering youth
His footsteps had upheld with patient guiding;
Wise in his counsel, steadfast in his truth,
Prompt in his praise, and gracious in his chiding.

Hath he, indeed, discarded from his mind
The object of his care and admonition?
He hath not--yet he casts no glance behind;
The