ur of the
foxes, and the masonry of beavers. Farmers were confirmed in the
prophecy by the extra stores of the bees, and extra husks on the ears
of corn. A cold and snowy winter would certainly come, and they were
but too truly assured that a cold spring and summer would follow.
Several people heeded the warning, and hauled extra supplies of
fire-wood, kept larger stores of provisions, and lived more
thoughtfully and saving. Fabens took forethought, and prepared for the
winter. He sold but little of his abundance, saying, "If cold seasons
were to follow, stores of provisions were better to lay up than money
or notes." He talked with his neighbors on the subject, and a number
heeded his advice. He proposed making wood bees for several of the
poor, and succeeded in seeing ample piles of beech and maple at their
doors. He got up a committee to visit the poor throughout the winter,
and see that no child of God suffered in so bountiful a world. Some
people thought he was taking a great deal of trouble on his hands,
without the prospect of any reward; but he assured them that, with
every fire of comfort he built on a poor man's hearth, he built a new
fire of pleasure in his own cheerful heart; and in the thing itself
which they called trouble, he received such full and flowing tides of
bliss, as made him think heaven could begin on earth. "It is not the
crusty turtle," said he one day to Wilson, "it is not the crusty
turtle, that slinks into his selfish shell, and twinkles so coldly his
little haughty eye, that receives or communicates most pleasure or
delight. No, it is the kindly lamb, that gives you his fleece for a
winter garment; it is the sweet-hearted robin, that carries the seeds
of abundance over God's plantations, and sings of His love by the poor
man's cabin, and feeds and covers the babes in the woods."

There were some who laughed at his superstition for believing things in
nature could warn men of the weather a month ahead; and they made no
preparation for a change. But he remained confident, and believed God
was speaking to him in symbols to set his house in order.

"God must stoop a good 'eal, I reckon, to become an almanic maker,"
said Colwell.

"God forges the snow-flake, and sprinkles down every drop of rain,"
said Fabens. "God teaches the squirrels to prepare for winter, and
instructs the ant, and beaver, and bee; and why would it be stooping
for him to teach as, by signs in nature, to be re