nt?

It was a sight to see the happy family while they talked over their
possessions.

Over the shop, fronting the street, was a large apartment, by common
consent to be used for parlor and show-room: young Swift was to decorate
this, Dexter said, Columbia should be his helper, and he and his wife
would criticize the result. Dexter talked with a purpose when he made
these arrangements, but he kept the purpose secret until the work was
done.

In the three windows ornamental flags were hung, which should serve for
signs from the street: this was young Swift's design. In the middle
window, Columbia responded, should be the George Washington flag. Yes,
and to the left Lafayette, with Franklin for the right. Even so. Then
above the middle window they secured the gilded American eagle. Oh, the
harmony that prevailed among the young decorators!

Then "_Principles, not Men_" remained to be disposed of. They did it in
such a way that the gilded motto shone on the white wall. The mantel was
a masterpiece of arrangement, and solely after Columbia's suggestions.
There was the monumental cat for a centre-piece, with the more recent
creations of Silas Swift for immediate surroundings, and a banner at
either end floating from the shelf.

You can imagine, if your imagination is genial and kindly, how very
queer and fanciful the room looked with these decorations; and the
gentle heart will understand the loving humility, the pleasure, with
which Jessie surveyed all, when the children's work was done.

It was a pretty scene when Dexter came up, sent by Silas for an opinion,
while the latter kept the shop. At first he laughed a little, and
exclaimed, while he walked about; then Jessie turned away, and gave him
an opportunity to brush the tears from his eyes unobserved; but
presently she began to circle round him, unconsciously it seemed, till
she stood close beside him; then he took her hand and held it, and she
knew what he was thinking, and that he was proud and happy.

"It beats all!" he said more than once. And Columbia was talking of
Silas, showing his work, and repeating his words, till Dexter broke
out,--

"We must keep Silas! We can't get along without Silas! He mustn't go
back to Salt Lane. I'll teach him business in High Street."

And the father did not seem to notice when his child slipped away down
the stairs, to the shop, to the lad, who was thinking rather sadly,
that, now his work was done, there was no more chan