eep shadows on the grass, --
Of meadows where in sun the cattle graze,
Where, as the breezes pass,
The gleaming rushes lean a thousand ways, --
Of leaves that slumber in a cloudy mass,
Or whiten in the wind, -- of waters blue
That from the distance sparkle through
Some woodland gap, -- and of a sky above,
Where one white cloud like a stray lamb doth move.
LOWELL.

Finding that the old farm must pass out of his hands, Mr.
Landholm made up his mind not to spend another summer of
labour and of life upon it; but at once with his son Asahel to
move off to the West. He stayed but to reap the standing crops
of winter grain, dispose of stock, and gather up all the loose
ends of business; and left the hills of the Shatemuc, to seek
better fortunes on a Western level.

They passed through Mannahatta on their way, that they might
have a short sight of Winthrop and Winifred and say good-bye
to them. It was not so joyful a visit that anybody wished it
to be a long one.

"It's pretty hard," said the farmer, "to start life anew again
at my time of day; -- but these arms are not worn out yet; I
guess they'll do something -- more or less -- on a new field."

"Asahel's got strong arms, father," said Winifred, who was
fain to put in a word of comfort when she could.

"Ay, and a strong heart too," said his father. "He's a fine
fellow. He'll do, I guess, in the long run, -- at the West or
somewhere; and at the West _if_ anywhere, they say. I'm not
concerned much about him."

"There's no need, I think," said Winthrop.

"Where's Will? -- and what's he doing?"

"Will has just set off for Charleston -- on some agency
business."

"Charleston in South Carolina?"

"Yes."

"Then he is not engineering now?"

"No."

"How long does he expect to be gone?"

"Some months -- more or less; -- I don't know."

"Is it a good business for him?"

"He has chosen it, -- not I."

"I would sooner trust your choice," said the father. "There's
one thing Rufus wants; and that is, judgment."

"He'll do yet," said Winthrop. "And I shall not leave you long
at the West, father. You will come when I send for you?"

"No, my boy," said the farmer looking gratified; -- "I'll live
by my own hands as long as I have hands to live by; and as I
said, mine haven't given out yet! No -- if the Lord prospers
us, we'll have a visit from you and Winnie out there, I expect
-- by and by, when we get things in order; -- you and Winnie,
and anybody else yo