time for him to think of
saying good-night; though he hated to leave such a jolly fireside,
and the fine couple.

"Please don't think of going home yet, Hugh," said the old man,
looking distressed at once. "The night is young, and I don't know
when I've enjoyed anyone's company as I have yours. My dreams in the
long ago were for just such a son as you. I envy your parents, my
lad. Providence, however, saw fit to turn my activities in another
direction; and I have done the best I could to be of some little help
to other people's sons. I only bitterly regret that I am able to do
so little."

"But I'm afraid the child may become too much bother for your good
wife, sir," Hugh was saying, although already deciding he would
remain longer.

The deacon laughed softly. He put out his big hand, and gently
touched Hugh on the sleeve.

"Look yonder, lad!" he went on to say; "does that strike you as if a
heavenly little sunbeam like the boy could ever be too much trouble
for her? See how her dear face is lighted up as she bends over him.
He's gone fast asleep in her arms, as contented as though with his
own mother. Ah! lad, it was a kindly act, your fetching that tiny
bit of humanity out to visit us. You have made her almost happy
again for once."

Hugh, looking, saw that the old lady was paying no further attention
to them, or listening to what they were saying. She touched the
sweet face of the child, and pressed her withered lips against his
soft skin. If a tear fell on the little fellow's head, was it to be
wondered at? He saw her open his clothes at the neck, as though the
heat of that blazing fire might be a little too much, in her matronly
estimation.

The deacon, too, was looking as though his heart might be in his
eyes. Such a spectacle as that must have been of rare occurrence at
his fireside, deeply as he regretted it.

Then he started talking again, for he had been in the midst of an
unusually interesting description at the time he drew the boy's
attention to the beautiful picture at the opposite side of the
fireplace. And Hugh, becoming wrapped up in the amusing episode for
the moment forgot all about little Joey and the loving soul who had
him held in her arms.

What the blacksmith was telling related to a thrilling happening he
had experienced on one occasion, when lying out in the woods watching
for a certain timid little rodent to commence moving around. At the
time the deacon had one of