ly resting point was determination.

CHAPTER II.

A quiet smile played round his lips,
As the eddies and dimples of the tide
Play round the bows of ships,
That steadily at anchor ride.
And with a voice that was full of glee,
He answered, "ere long we will launch
A vessel as goodly, and strong, and staunch,
As ever weathered a wintry sea!"
LONGFELLOW.

"The ploughing's all done; thank fortune!" exclaimed Rufus as
he came into the kitchen.

"Well, don't leave your hat there in the middle of the floor,"
said his mother.

"Yes, it just missed knocking the tea-cups and saucers off the
table," said little Asahel.

"It hasn't missed knocking you off your balance," said his
brother tartly. "Do you know where your own hat is?"

"It hain't knocked me off anything!" said Asahel. "It didn't
touch me!"

"Do you know where your own hat is?"

"No."

"What does it matter, Will?" said his mother.

"It's hanging out of doors, on the handle of the grindstone."

"It ain't!"

"Yes it is; -- on the grindstone."

"No it isn't," said Winthrop coming in, "for I've got it here.
There -- see to it, Asahel. Mamma, papa's come. We've done
ploughing."

And down went his hat, but not on the floor.

"Look at Winifred, Governor -- she has been calling for you all
day."

The boy turned to a flaxen-haired, rosy-cheeked, little
toddling thing of three or four years old, at his feet, and
took her up, to the perfect satisfaction of both parties. Her
head nestled in his neck and her little hand patted his cheek
with great approval and contentment.

"Mamma," said Asahel, "what makes you call Winthrop Governor?
-- he isn't a governor."

"Ask your father. And run and tell him tea's just ready."

The father came in; and the tea was made, and the whole party
sat down to table. A homely, but a very cheerful and happy
board. The supper was had in the kitchen; the little remains
of the fire that had boiled the kettle were not amiss after
the damps of evening fell; and the room itself, with its big
fireplace, high dark-painted wainscoting, and even the clean
board floor, was not the least agreeable in the house. And the
faces and figures that surrounded the table were manly,
comely, and intelligent, in a high degree.

"Well, -- I've got through with that wheat field," said Mr.
Landholm, as he disposed of a chicken bone.

"Have you got through sowing?" said his wife.

"Sowing! -- no! -- Winthrop, I guess you must go into th