ples triumph. In his efforts of a pecuniary nature he was more
successful. He had accumulated a handsome property, consisting mainly
of many broad acres of well-cultivated Massachusetts soil, which, for
a long course of years, had been in charge of a faithful and efficient
tenant, occupying a cottage a short distance from his own dwelling, a
plain old-fashioned house, situated on an airy knoll near the centre
of his domains.

Here, for nearly two years after her husband's death, Mrs. Sherman
lived in seclusion, receiving only occasional visits from her
children, Edward and Louise. The son being engaged in studying his
father's profession, while the daughter was at school preparing
herself, it would be safe to say, to follow her mother's business.
Indeed, it was a fixed fact in her own mind, that when George
Goodrich, her brother's warm friend and her ladyship's still warmer
admirer, should become established in his profession as a physician,
she would then trust herself to his care, without fear of poverty or
disease. But the young M. D. having no patrimony, and becoming
disgusted with the slow path in which he was treading to fortune,
resolved to turn his course into a rougher road at the far West.

About the same time, Edward Sherman, having been admitted to the Bar,
with no other reason except Yankee restlessness and craving, turned
his thoughts in a similar direction. On discovering to each other
their mutual proclivities, the friends determined to set out together,
as soon as Edward could gain his mother's consent, for the Territory
of Minnesota. With characteristic nobleness and fortitude, Mrs.
Sherman sacrificed her her own to her son's wishes, and it was not
until the morning of his departure, that her courage faltered.

Mother-like she sat at the head of the table, unable to swallow a
mouthful herself, while urging every delicacy upon her darling son.

"Do, dear Edward, have another cup of coffee," she pleaded, observing
that his cup was empty, while his breakfast remained untasted.

"Well, just to accommodate," said Edward smiling. "I really have not
much appetite this morning."

"I'm glad you can relish it, Mr. Edward," said Recta, in a whining
tone. "It's seasoned with old Spot's cream, and I'm thinking it will
be a long time before you'll taste any more tame milk, out there among
them wild cattle."

At this remark, the great square dining-room rang with the laughter
of the younger occupants of the o