mind. The
period of which she writes is that in which _The Chimney Corner_
series was drawing to a close:--

"In the autumn of 1864 she wrote: 'I feel I need to write in these
days, to keep me from thinking of things that make me dizzy and blind,
and fill my eyes with tears, so that I cannot see the paper. I mean
such things as are being done where our heroes are dying as Shaw died.
It is not wise that all our literature should run in a rut cut through
our hearts and red with our blood. I feel the need of a little gentle
household merriment and talk of common things, to indulge which I have
devised the following.'

"Notwithstanding her view of the need, and her skillfully devised
plans to meet it, she soon sent another epistle, showing how
impossible it was to stem the current of her thought:--

"'_November 29, 1864._

"'MY DEAR FRIEND,--

"'I have sent my New Year's article, the result of one of those
peculiar experiences which sometimes occur to us writers. I had
planned an article, gay, sprightly, wholly domestic; but as I
began and sketched the pleasant home and quiet fireside, an
irresistible impulse _wrote for me_ what followed,--an offering of
sympathy to the suffering and agonized, whose homes have forever
been darkened. Many causes united at once to force on me this
vision, from which generally I shrink, but which sometimes will
not be denied,--will make itself felt.

"'Just before I went to New York two of my earliest and
most intimate friends lost their oldest sons, captains and
majors,--splendid fellows physically and morally, beautiful,
brave, religious, uniting the courage of soldiers to the
faith of martyrs,--and when I went to Brooklyn it seemed as
if I were hearing some such thing almost every day; and
Henry, in his profession as minister, has so many letters
full of imploring anguish, the cry of hearts breaking that ask
help of him.'"...

HOUSEHOLD PAPERS AND STORIES

HOUSE AND HOME PAPERS

I

THE RAVAGES OF A CARPET

"My dear, it's so cheap!"

These words were spoken by my wife, as she sat gracefully on a roll of
Brussels carpet which was spread out in flowery lengths on the floor
of Messrs. Ketchem & Co.

"It's _so_ cheap!"

Milton says that the love of fame is the last infirmity of noble
minds. I think he had not rightly considered the subject. I believe
that last infirmity is the love of getting things cheap! Understand
me, now