ar object of attraction
to your mamma (for bon-bons were kept in that)--gave to the room the
air somewhat of a parlor. At least, we esteemed it so cosy, and
appropriate for the purpose, that we more frequently received the calls
of friends there than in our mother's little reception-room.

What right had we to murmur? It would have been ungrateful if we
had done so; for, although not by any means elegant, we were
comfortable. True, my nice carriage and beautiful horses had been
sold; but mother had quite a nice little carriage, and a fine old gray
horse, that would have appeared very respectable, if (as the stable boy
said) the calves had not "chawed of his tail!" However, that was a
source of amusement. We rode often, for both mother and I needed the
exercise; and the rides were delightful, as 'Joseph' was generally our
driver; and a merry chase he would lead us sometimes, for when he no
longer had "the farm" to go to, (that had likewise been sold), he
seemed determined to find out the merits, or demerits, of every road in
the vicinity. This made quite a variety for us, for, besides the
change of scenery, it usually called forth ejaculations from his
mother, and answers from him, which were very amusing. She saw no
sense in "rambling the country over, going into every nook and corner,
and jolting people to death!" But he would earnestly assure her that
he had not gone into half yet--looking round at her with a provokingly
mischievous expression, which seemed to intimate that he meant to try
it, though--and as for the roads, he could "find much worse roads than
that! And as to driving--he hadn't begun to show how many stumps he
could go over, without upsetting." This playful, jocose, merry mood of
her son, frequently recalled to the old lady's mind some incidents of
early times, when she was young, and Joseph was a boy, which she would
relate, and laugh all over at, shaking her fat sides most merrily.
And, notwithstanding her outbursts of hastily spoken words of
disapprobation to him for his temerity, she always wondered, after
being safely landed at home, why she enjoyed her rides so much more
when Joseph drove!

When we think about it, there are really no enjoyments in this
wide world equal to home enjoyments. And when we have to go away from
that hallowed spot, to seek for some longing of the soul which we
cannot find there, or return to it with distaste, after having dipped
into the pleasures (even the