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which he worked. In his home there was a difference; there his black
eyes glowed with affection, and even when a young man, his wife and
his little children could lead him. As he grew older, and years and
experience sweetened his nature, he became large-hearted and
large-minded enough to feel that beyond certain limits there was a
possibly lawful freedom.

These hours of expansion were usually those spent with his daughter
Adriana. He had two other daughters, and three sons, each of whom
had done virtuously in their own way; but in Peter's estimation,
Adriana excelled them all. She was the child after his own heart. In
her presence, he felt it good to be hopeful and kind. She led him
to talk of everything that was interesting humanity; she asked his
opinion on all subjects. She constantly told him how wise he was! how
clear-sighted! how far-seeing! She believed he ought to have been at
the head of great affairs, and sometimes Peter could not help a
little vague regret over the blindness of destiny. In short,
Adriana always brought to the front the very best Peter Van Hoosen;
she made him enjoy himself; she made him think nobly of himself; and
is there any more satisfactory frame of mind? After an hour in
Adriana's company, Peter was always inclined to say:

"Well, well, Yanna! In the Great Day of sifting and sorting, I know
that I shall be justified. My well-limed mortar, my walls plumb and
strong, my day's work of faithful service full rendered, will be
accepted of my Master. And you too think so, Yanna."

"I am sure of it, father. It is not the kind of work we do; it is the
way in which the work is done. I will risk my word, that you took as
much pains with John Finane's little dairy as with Mr. MacArthur's
fine mansion."

"I did, Yanna. There is not a poor stone in either," and when he said
the words, Adriana looked straight at him, with eyes full of
admiration.

It must be explained, however, that if Adriana Van Hoosen was a
remarkable girl for her position, she had had remarkable advantages.
Her birth was fortunate in its time. She did not come to her parents
until their struggle with poverty was long over; and before she was
ten years old, four of her brothers and sisters had married and made
homes for themselves. George and Theodore had gone to Florida, to
plant pineapples, and were making the venture pay them. Her sister
Augusta was the wife of John Van Nostrand, a man growing rich in New
York, by the