habilitated
fortunes.

The first faint signs of recovery were being seen when he came to
Maurice Oakley as a servant. Through thick and thin he remained with
him, and when the final upward tendency of his employer began his
fortunes had increased in like manner. When, having married, Oakley
bought the great house in which he now lived, he left the little
servant's cottage in the yard, for, as he said laughingly, "There is no
telling when Berry will be following my example and be taking a wife
unto himself."

His joking prophecy came true very soon. Berry had long had a tenderness
for Fannie, the housekeeper. As she retained her post under the new Mrs.
Oakley, and as there was a cottage ready to his hand, it promised to be
cheaper and more convenient all around to get married. Fannie was
willing, and so the matter was settled.

Fannie had never regretted her choice, nor had Berry ever had cause to
curse his utilitarian ideas. The stream of years had flowed pleasantly
and peacefully with them. Their little sorrows had come, but their joys
had been many.

As time went on, the little cottage grew in comfort. It was replenished
with things handed down from "the house" from time to time and with
others bought from the pair's earnings.

Berry had time for his lodge, and Fannie time to spare for her own house
and garden. Flowers bloomed in the little plot in front and behind it;
vegetables and greens testified to the housewife's industry.

Over the door of the little house a fine Virginia creeper bent and fell
in graceful curves, and a cluster of insistent morning-glories clung in
summer about its stalwart stock.

It was into this bower of peace and comfort that Joe and Kitty were
born. They brought a new sunlight into the house and a new joy to the
father's and mother's hearts. Their early lives were pleasant and
carefully guarded. They got what schooling the town afforded, but both
went to work early, Kitty helping her mother and Joe learning the trade
of barber.

Kit was the delight of her mother's life. She was a pretty, cheery
little thing, and could sing like a lark. Joe too was of a cheerful
disposition, but from scraping the chins of aristocrats came to imbibe
some of their ideas, and rather too early in life bid fair to be a
dandy. But his father encouraged him, for, said he, "It 's de p'opah
thing fu' a man what waits on quality to have quality mannahs an' to
waih quality clothes."

"'T ain't no use to be