ued, in which the self-confident puppy was routed
with great damage. During the excitement, it fortunately never occurred
to the mild-eyed oxen to make a bolt with the sledge; on the contrary,
they stood still in their tracks the whole time, gazing with placid
indifference straight before them. No one was hurt, and the wintry
woods rang with the merry laughter of the party as they righted the
sledge, collected the scattered wedding outfit, and replaced it
securely. The vanquished puppy was again confined in his iron dungeon.
The kittens, after much coaxing, at last ventured upon a limb low
enough for them to be reached by Abner's long arm; and the bridal car
then proceeded, without further hurt or damage, to the future home.

Betsy, though the child of rich parents, was used to work and to
household management; but here was housekeeping to be begun under an
environment quite different from that to which she had been accustomed
in her father's well-ordered house. It was a heavy draft upon the young
bride's faith and love to gaze undaunted at the prospect before her;
but she was of a brave and hopeful spirit, and soon her blithe laugh
chimed in with that of Abner and Susan, as they talked over the
ludicrous mishap on the wedding tour. Presently, however, as Abner
looked around the uninviting interior of his future abode, and then
glanced at his young bride, he was sobered.

"An empty hovel with unwhitewashed walls, stoneless hearth, and
dirt-encrusted windows and floors, is certainly no fit welcome for you,
my dearest," he said to her as they stood alone a moment, while Susan
and Rache were taking a survey of the inner room. "Do you regret the
step you have taken?"

"Regret? Not for one instant," she bravely answered. "'Better a dinner
of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith'--and
how dare you slander my new abode by calling it a hovel?" she added
playfully. "Instead of belittling this commodious mansion, set to work
at once, sir, and build us a fire."

In a short time Logan had collected fuel. His flint yielded the ready
spark, and fagots and logs soon blazed cheerily in the wide fireplace
in each room.

"That big kettle which pa insisted upon our bringing, does come in
handy right at the start," exclaimed Susan. "We'll have it filled and
hung on that crane, so that Rache can scrub the floors; and while the
water is heating, let's get something to eat. I'm as hungry as any bear
that ever prow