37

III. THE COURTSHIP OF MISS AMARYLLIS 75

IV. AUNT JANE GOES A-VISITING 109

V. THE MARRIAGE PROBLEM IN GOSHEN 143

VI. AN EYE FOR AN EYE 171

VII. THE REFORMATION OF SAM AMOS 207

VIII. IN WAR TIME 235

IX. THE WATCH MEETING 271

[Illustration]

ILLUSTRATIONS

"'HERE'S A PICTURE O' HENRIETTA'S HOUSE, CHILD'" FRONTISPIECE

"I KNOW THE DELICATE DIFFERENCES AND RESEMBLANCES
BETWEEN THE ODORS OF INDIVIDUAL ROSES" _Page_ 14

MISS PENELOPE AND MISS AMARYLLIS " 80

"'ONE MORNING SHE CONCLUDED SHE'D STRAIGHTEN OUT
HENRY'S TRUNK'" " 148

"IT WAS THE TIME OF THE BLOOMING OF THE WISTARIA" " 173

"'THE GLASS BROKE INTO A HUNDRED PIECES'" " 229

"'DAVID! JONATHAN! MY BOYS! WHERE ARE YOU?'" " 257

"REVERENTLY SHE LAID THE HEAVY CALF-BOUND VOLUME
ACROSS HER KNEES" " 290

PROLOGUE

We are so near to those who dwell
In the dear land whereof I tell!
Sometimes when we are far astray,
Their spirit-hands may guide our way;
And if we would but pause to hear,
What whispered words of tender cheer
Might come on those fine airs that blow
From the strange Land of Long Ago!

The scenes are changed, but we and they
Are actors in the same old play.
Their blood is in our throbbing veins;
Their hopes and joys, their griefs and pains,
Bind us fore'er to squire or churl,
To stately dame or laughing girl,--
Those shades that wander to and fro
In the dim Land of Long Ago.

Then let the present hour go by.
Turn back awhile, and you and I
Through quiet garden paths may stray
Where blooms the rose of yesterday,
May meet brave men and women fair
Who sang life's song to simple air;
Mark how their homely virtues glow!--
O pleasant Land of Long Ago!

I

A RIDE TO TOWN

[Illustration]

I

A RIDE TO TOWN

"Make haste, child," called Aunt Jane; "there's mighty little time
between dinner and sundown, and if we're goin' to town we'd better be
startin'."

Aunt Ja