vermin and rabbits, and
protected our woods. But because they took a goose, and a lamb, once
in a while, in part payment for the good they did, we saw in them
nothing but evil, we hated them and killed them. Now, creatures more
destructive come forth, destroying all before them."

"It cannot be quite so bad, Squire," replied Mr. Nimblet.

"It is the solemn truth, bad as it is, and I know it, and we are having
our punishment for our error," rejoined Squire Fabens.

"I must go and see," said Mr. Nimblet; and the conversation ended.

He went to see his woods, and found it even so; and he was greatly
grieved, for much valuable property was wasting as in a fire. It
proved a greater calamity than the cold seasons. It was long before
the fine forests of Summerfield recovered from their wounds.

But that scourge was a good lesson, from which all took profit in the
end. Men learned more of the designs of God, saw more good in all His
works, let the birds and animals live, valued more preciously what was
left them, enjoyed more wisely and sweetly such blessings as came, and
were more thankful.

There were none who took more instruction from that lesson than Mr. and
Mrs. Fabens. It elevated their views, it increased their faith, it
enlarged the sphere of their spirits, and cleared up more of the
mystery of evil. All of that mystery they did not expect to see
unveiled below. It was not a possible thing to make mortal men see and
understand it. But if the dark cloud still spread its dubious dusk on
the sky, more and more of it melted into the rainbow as they gazed; and
while part of that bow was still involved in the cloud, and part hidden
away far below the horizon, enough was still glowing in glory on their
sight, and enough gleaming and breaking through the darkness, to enable
them to know it would burst at last on their blessed eyes, in a perfect
circle of the light of love.

"We should all be happier and more fortunate," said Mrs. Fabens, "if we
had faith to see a blessing of God in more of the things we regard as
evil. It requires great faith, I know, to be reconciled under all
griefs, and see a good design in all that afflicts us. It has been
hard for me to see why God made wolves and foxes, and how they could
minister good to man. They may be evil, for all I know, but if they do
not fulfil a good design, why has it proved an evil to kill them?"

"It does, indeed, require great faith to accept your sugges