y lumber of India Wharf, to gaze on the
Falls of Niagara, because it could not thunder money in his ear! that his
excursions were to be confined to manufactories, coal-mines, rail-road
meetings, and Eastern lands. This development of character had been
gradual, and she scarcely realized his entire devotion to business, till
she saw his health affected by that scourge of our "pleasant vices,"
dyspepsy. She expressed her apprehensions to Howard, and begged him to
use all his influence to break the spell.

"I can think of nothing that will have more effect," said Howard, "than
for you to accept my wife's invitation, to pass a few weeks with us in
the country. This will occasionally withdraw my brother from the city,
and it appears to me that your own health may be benefited by the
change." He was struck with his sister's altered appearance, with the
occasional flush, the short, low cough; yet she said she was well--"only
a slight cold."

At length she promised to be with them the ensuing week, provided her
husband could make arrangements to go with her. "If he knows that I
depend on him," said she, "it will be the strongest inducement for him to
quit the city for a few days."

Mr. Draper returned late in the evening, and had only time to complete
his business affairs with his brother, who departed early the next
morning.

CHAPTER II.

The spring had returned with its new-born beauty, its swelling buds, it
tender grass; here and there a tree in the city anticipated the season of
leaves, and put forth its verdant honors. "Now, ma'am," said Lucy, who
had long been a faithful domestic in the family, "if you are going
particular, and don't expose yourself by going into the garden, and will
take the cough-drops regularly, morning and evening, you will get rid of
your cold. This is just the season when every body gets well that got
sick as you did."

"How was that?" said Mrs. Draper.

"Why, when the sap was going down the trees in the autumn; but now it is
going up."

But whether the sap had already gone up, or for some other reason, which
was as clear to human perception, Francis did not shake off her wearing
cough. Mr. Draper was not alarmed at it; it was very unobtruding, and he
had become _used to it_. It was not one of those vulgar, hoarse coughs,
that, till we connect danger with it, often excites indignation in those
who are listening to an interesting narrative, or to a reader, who is
obliged t