occasioned, she retorted;

"Heavy footsteps! ridiculous! Look at me," and she drew up her slight
little figure; "for shame, Recta; confess it was your heavy ears, and
I'll forgive you."

Recta compressed her lips and Louise immediately changed her tactics.

"What a nice breakfast! Recta knows what Ned likes, don't she, ma?
Fie! Ned wont stay long away from Recta and broiled chickens, will he,
ma?"

Recta's lips visibly expanded. "I reckon he won't stay long away from
Miss Louise and flowers," said she, glancing at a beautiful bouquet,
which Louise held in her hand.

"Aren't they lovely, Recta? I've just gathered them fresh for Edward.
Now I'll arrange them on the table, while you put on the hot dishes.'"

"Gathered for Edward, as much as they are for me," muttered the
unconquered servant. "Roses and forget-me-nots mean--well, George
Goodrich will know what they mean; that's enough."

As dispatch was no mean part of the cook's accomplishments, it was not
long before the parties mentioned in her private conjectures were
seated at the breakfast table, in company with the family, the names
of all of whom we know already. It will be observed that allusion has
been made to but one parent. The memory of the other, still lived
fresh in the affections of his wife and children, and deserves first
notice among those whose plans and persons we shall endeavor in a few
words, to introduce more minutely to the reader.

Judge Sherman was a man, who, through a long and active life, was
distinguished for inflexible integrity, and, by means of sterling
talents, he rose to the first rank in his profession as a lawyer. He
married at an early age, although his courtship approached closely to
the term of years which Jacob served for Rachel. Political differences
of opinion were the obstacles which opposed his suit. In those days
the Federalists and Democrats indulged in animosities as bitter as
those which existed between the Jews and Samaritans. The latter party,
being in its infancy, could ill afford to lose even a petticoat from
its ranks. Luckily for the young Federalist, the lady of his choice
was in her heart a rebel to her father's will and purposes. But after
she became Mrs. Sherman, the united influences of both did not
annihilate the opposite party, as its future history, clearly
demonstrates. The ball, set rolling by Jefferson, continued to roll
on, and Judge Sherman, to the day of his death, never saw his favorite
princi