orable occasion
when he paused in his kingly ride and dined in a picturesque place near
the highway. She told in a convincing manner many traditions relating to
the enterprise which was to have made of the Black-River country a rich
farming region not inferior to the Mohawk Flats. The fact that nature
had not seconded this undertaking had not diminished Mrs. Brown's
impressions of its magnitude and importance. The great tracts which had
been purchased and the great men who had purchased them were vividly
impressed upon her imagination. In reference to her personal history,
except for a few allusions to life in New York City, she was reticent.

I remained nearly two months at the home of my friend, and became
familiar with the places of interest surrounding it. The little lake was
a memorable spot, for there Anthony first told me the full story of his
experiences in Philadelphia. He did not conceal the fact that an
attachment was growing up between himself and the daughter of his best
friend there, Mr. Zebina Allen. The way to make his permanent home in
the Quaker City seemed to be opening before him. That I should go with
him for a few days to Philadelphia when he returned, to "see how the
land lay," as he expressed it in backwoods phrase, was one of his
favorite ideas. He made so much of this point that I finally consented
to accompany him.

It was a rainy day early in September when we stepped off the cars and
went to Anthony's boarding-place in the good old city that held the one
he loved and his fortunes. I was introduced to various friends of his,
and during the first twenty-four hours of my sojourn I was delighted
with all matters that came under my observation. I was especially
pleased with Mr. Allen and his daughter Caroline. But within two days I
saw, or fancied that I saw, a curious scrutiny and reserve in the faces
of some of those with whom we conversed.

I think Anthony was more surprised than I was when he received a note
from one of the trustees intimating that important changes were likely
to be made in reference to the educational methods to be employed in the
school, and that, in view of these changes, it was barely possible that
some new arrangements in regard to teachers might be desired by the
patrons of the institution. The trustee professed to have written this
information in order that "Mr. Brown" might not be taken wholly by
surprise in case any step affecting his position should be found
adv